The release date for the video game "Marathon" was possibly leaked on the Xbox platform as March 5, 2026. "Marathon" is an upcoming multiplayer game developed by Bungie, known for "Halo" and "Destiny." The game had been delayed from its original release due to feedback and other issues.
Key Facts
"Marathon" is developed by Bungie, the company behind "Halo" and "Destiny."
The game’s release date was potentially leaked on Xbox as March 5, 2026.
This matches earlier announcements that the game would launch in March 2026.
"Marathon" is a multiplayer extraction shooter, a genre where players collect and escape with items.
The initial release was postponed from September 23, 2025, due to poor feedback.
The game faced a plagiarism issue in May 2025 involving an independent artist's designs.
"Marathon" will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
A woman named Tori was startled when she heard a noise from her bathroom at 2 a.m. and saw what appeared to be a snake coming out of her broken toilet. It turned out to be a tool called a drain snake, used to clear clogs in pipes, and not a real snake.
Key Facts
Tori shared her experience on TikTok using the account @moreliketoritilla, and the video went viral with over 87 million views in two days.
The toilet was visibly broken, with its porcelain cracked at the bottom, allowing the drain snake to poke through.
A drain snake, also known as a plumber’s snake, is a tool to clear blockages in pipes.
The drain snake is not a living creature; it's a helix-shaped tool that twists to clean pipes.
Most homeowners use a manual version of the drain snake, while a plumber's snake can attach to a power drill for more power.
Users on TikTok initially mistook the drain snake for a real snake, adding to the video's viral popularity.
Newsweek attempted to contact Tori for more details but could not verify additional information.
Paramount+ announced that the TV series "Landman" has been renewed for a third season, but few details are known. Billy Bob Thornton, the show's star, mentioned that creator Taylor Sheridan has not shared any information about the new season's plot. The series focuses on the oil industry in Texas and has performed well on the streaming service.
Key Facts
"Landman" is a TV series on Paramount+ about the oil industry in Texas.
The show features Billy Bob Thornton as a petroleum landman named Tommy Norris.
Paramount+ confirmed the renewal for Season 3 on December 5, 2025.
No plot details or cast confirmations have been announced for Season 3 yet.
Season 2's premiere was the most-watched debut for an original series on Paramount+, with 9.2 million views.
The show is based on a podcast called "Boomtown," created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace.
Season 3 is likely to be released in November 2026 or later, based on prior release patterns.
The article discusses how common phone charging habits, like charging phones overnight, can affect battery health negatively. It suggests maintaining battery levels between 20% to 80% during the day and highlights features in some smartphones that help manage charging to improve battery life.
Key Facts
Charging phones overnight is common, but it may harm lithium-ion batteries.
Experts suggest keeping phone battery levels between 20% and 80% for optimal health.
Some phones, like Apple's iPhone, have built-in features to manage charging and reduce battery stress.
A complete charge cycle occurs when a total of 100% battery capacity is used over time, not necessarily all at once.
Charging throughout the day in smaller amounts can help maintain battery health.
High temperatures can damage batteries, so it's important to remove a phone from charging if it feels hot.
Portable chargers and charging stations can help maintain healthy charging habits for users on the go.
A man named Dante struggled to find a movie title in a word search because the name was too long for the puzzle grid. He shared his experience online, where it gained a lot of attention. The missing movie title was "French Connection," which could not fit in the 12x12 grid.
Key Facts
Dante tried to find movie names in a word search puzzle.
The title "French Connection" was too long to fit in the grid.
The puzzle grid was 12x12 characters in size.
Dante shared his frustration on Reddit, and the post went viral.
Over 6,100 people on Reddit reacted to Dante's post.
Puzzles can provide a pleasure response in the brain when solved, involving a chemical called dopamine.
No specific reason was identified for why the puzzle contained an unsolvable task.
In 2025, crypto criminals stole over $700 million by hacking into people's digital wallets and using other methods. The crimes often involved old tricks and affected many individual investors, like a couple in the UK who lost all their Cardano coins. Although all transactions are visible on blockchain, recovering stolen cryptocurrency remains very difficult.
Key Facts
Crypto criminals stole more than $700 million from individuals in 2025.
The theft involved hacking digital wallets and using other tactics.
A UK couple lost their Cardano coins after hackers accessed their digital keys stored in cloud storage.
Globally, about 560 million people own cryptocurrency, and about 12% of British adults have owned crypto-assets.
Most stolen funds are from cyber-attacks on crypto companies, such as a $1.5 billion theft from Bybit by North Korean hackers.
In 2025, attacks on individual crypto investors doubled from 40,000 in 2022 to 80,000.
Individual attacks accounted for $713 million of the stolen crypto.
An international study is examining if a finger-prick blood test can help diagnose Alzheimer's disease by detecting specific proteins related to the condition. The trial involves 1,000 participants over the age of 60 from the UK, US, and Canada, with hopes that this method will provide a simpler and more accessible way to identify Alzheimer's risk compared to current tests. This research could potentially allow people to screen for Alzheimer's risk at home.
Key Facts
The trial includes 1,000 volunteers aged over 60 from the UK, US, and Canada.
The study aims to detect proteins in the blood linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Existing tests for Alzheimer's involve brain scans or lumbar punctures, which are expensive and invasive.
The finger-prick test could allow at-home testing for Alzheimer's risk.
The study is led by LifeArc and the Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation, supported by the UK Dementia Research Institute.
Dr. Michael Sandberg participated in the study after witnessing his mother's Alzheimer's progression and found relief in his negative test results.
Early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's is viewed as critical, with new treatments expected in the future.
A global survey by IBM found that business leaders expect AI spending to focus more on innovation than just improving efficiency over the next few years. By 2030, many believe AI will be crucial to business operations, influencing decisions and driving growth. IBM's report suggests practical steps for businesses to integrate AI into their strategies effectively.
Key Facts
IBM's survey involved C-suite executives from around the world.
64% of executives think AI's main role will be innovation by 2030.
IBM's report, "The enterprise in 2030," will be released at the World Economic Forum.
IBM believes AI will be vital for quick business decisions and launching new products.
Gary Cohn of IBM stated that AI will evolve gradually, much like past technologies.
IBM suggests companies should identify key capabilities where AI can help.
Businesses are encouraged to test and adapt AI models often.
IBM recommends making AI knowledge crucial for senior management roles.
The FDA has introduced a new program to speed up drug reviews, which is supported by President Donald Trump's administration. This program is facing criticism because some experts and staff worry it may not meet legal and scientific standards. The program aims to approve drugs faster, but there are concerns about safety and political influence.
Key Facts
The FDA's new program tries to shorten drug review times to as little as one month.
Some FDA staff and experts worry this may not allow enough time for proper safety checks.
Approval decisions traditionally involve FDA scientists and supervisors, but this program involves higher officials.
Concerns involve potential breaches of legal, ethical, and scientific standards.
The new program supports drugs that benefit "U.S. national interests."
Recent reports indicate two drugs under this program had delayed reviews due to safety concerns, including a patient death.
The White House supports the program, seeing it as a way to offer treatments quickly.
The program's rules and procedures are not fully detailed in federal regulations.
A video shows a NASA rocket's 12-hour journey from the Kennedy Space Center to a launch pad. The rocket is part of the Artemis II mission, aiming to launch astronauts further into space than before. The mission sets the groundwork for a future Moon landing.
Key Facts
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion Space Capsule were moved to a launch pad.
The journey was about four miles long and took nearly 12 hours at 0.82 mph.
The move happened at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
This is part of the Artemis II mission.
The scheduled launch date is no earlier than February 6.
The mission could take astronauts farther into space than ever before.
The mission is intended to prepare for a human Moon landing, the first since 1972.
New AI tools, like Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.5, allow anyone to create apps and programs using simple language. These tools are advancing rapidly and are expected to be widely used by 2026. The AI systems can perform complex tasks and change how people work.
Key Facts
Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.5 is an AI that helps create apps and code by using plain language instructions.
A user named Jim built four apps on his phone in eight hours using Claude Opus 4.5.
The AI system allows for quick creation of tools that previously required a team and several weeks.
Jim also made a 30-question quiz to test AI skills in just two hours using the AI.
AI tools are expected to become common by 2026 due to their rapid development.
OpenAI's chief global affairs officer mentioned that society needs to keep pace with AI progress to benefit from the intelligence age.
Claude Opus 4.5 can perform tasks that require multiple steps and can operate on macOS.
Elon Musk is in a legal dispute with OpenAI and Microsoft, seeking $134.5 billion for what he claims are wrongful gains from his early contributions to OpenAI. Musk alleges that OpenAI has shifted away from its original nonprofit goals and now primarily benefits Microsoft. OpenAI and Microsoft dispute Musk's claims, accusing him of harassment and misrepresenting facts.
Key Facts
Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for $134.5 billion in damages.
Musk claims OpenAI earned wrongful gains from his initial contributions.
Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 to develop AI responsibly as a nonprofit.
Musk alleges OpenAI turned into a for-profit organization serving Microsoft's interests.
Microsoft holds about a 30% stake in OpenAI.
OpenAI and Microsoft deny wrongdoing, accusing Musk of harassment.
Musk contributed $38 million and other non-financial support to OpenAI initially.
Legal experts argue over the validity of Musk's claims based on available data.
Several major AI companies are making new moves in the AI technology field. OpenAI plans to introduce ads on ChatGPT, while Anthropic launched a new tool called Cowork that helps with non-coding tasks. Google Gemini is enhancing its apps with AI, and Anthropic has shared new insights on how AI is changing jobs.
Key Facts
OpenAI will start showing ads on ChatGPT soon, with conversations influencing these ads.
Anthropic introduced Cowork, which helps people with everyday tasks without needing to code.
Google Gemini now connects with apps like Gmail and YouTube to provide personalized AI features.
Anthropic's recent study suggests AI is transforming, not eliminating, jobs.
The U.S. might not have enough skilled workers for the booming AI-related construction needs.
Microsoft has a plan to address concerns about new data centers in communities.
Apple chose Google to enhance Siri and other related features.
Samsung plans to double its selection of AI-powered smartphones by 2026.
Elon Musk and Ryanair's CEO, Michael O’Leary, had a public disagreement over Starlink's in-flight Wi-Fi service. O'Leary criticized the service due to potential costs, and Musk defended it, highlighting the advantages and claiming lower fuel impact than O'Leary stated.
Key Facts
Ryanair's CEO called Musk "misinformed" about the impact of Starlink Wi-Fi on airlines.
O'Leary claimed installing Starlink could increase Ryanair’s fuel costs by $200-$250 million annually.
Musk argued O'Leary overestimated the fuel penalty by ten times.
Ryanair joked about Musk's platform, X, experiencing outages in the U.S.
Lufthansa and SAS have chosen to use Starlink on their planes.
Starlink's VP stated their latest technology has only a minimal fuel impact of about 0.3%.
Musk jokingly suggested buying Ryanair and putting someone named Ryan in charge.
Michael Nicolls from Starlink clarified that their equipment is efficient and has a lower profile.
The mother of one of Elon Musk's children has filed a lawsuit against his AI company, xAI, claiming its Grok chatbot created harmful deepfake images of her. These images, reportedly inappropriate and nonconsensual, have caused her distress. The company, xAI, is under scrutiny in several countries over similar concerns with Grok.
Key Facts
Ashley St Clair, the mother of Elon Musk’s child, is suing xAI over deepfake images.
She claims the Grok chatbot generated nonconsensual explicit images of her.
California’s Attorney General has warned xAI to stop creating such images.
Grok faces international criticism in countries like the UK, Japan, and Malaysia.
xAI countersued St Clair, arguing she violated the user agreement.
St Clair's lawsuit alleges Grok's actions caused her emotional distress.
The company hosts Grok on Musk’s X social media platform, which did not initially remove the images.
Japanese authorities are considering actions to prevent inappropriate image generation by Grok.
Google is appealing a court ruling that found it had an illegal monopoly in online search. The company disagrees with the judge's order for it to make certain changes, like sharing search data with competitors. Google argues these changes could harm user privacy and innovation.
Key Facts
A U.S. district judge ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search.
Google is appealing this decision, stating that people choose its search engine willingly.
The judge suggested Google share parts of its search data with competitors.
Google's appeal argues that these changes could affect user privacy and competition.
The company is also facing an investigation in the EU concerning its AI summaries.
Google parent company, Alphabet, recently reached a $4 trillion market value.
The Tech Now team is reporting from CES 2026 in Las Vegas, showcasing new tech trends and innovations. The event features topics like space exploration, AI in fashion, and sustainable lithium mining. The show also explores how technology might address global challenges like climate change and health issues.
Key Facts
The CES 2026 event is held in Las Vegas, focusing on new tech trends and innovations.
The event covers diverse topics: AI's role in fashion sizing, space exploration using robots, and smart tech at IFA Berlin.
One segment examines technology for predicting and preparing for rising sea levels.
Researchers are exploring the use of brain cells to create living computers.
The show investigates AI's impact on the future of humanity.
Sustainable approaches to lithium mining are discussed.
Technology's role in early cancer detection is explored, especially for pancreatic cancer.
The program also looks at developments in areas like electric flight and nuclear fusion.
A singer named Sienna Rose is gaining popularity on music streaming platforms without a real-world presence. Evidence suggests that her music might be generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
Key Facts
Sienna Rose has nearly three million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Her song "Into The Blue" has been played over five million times.
Streaming service Deezer flags many of her tracks as AI-generated.
Sienna Rose has no social media presence or live performances reported.
She released at least 45 tracks between September and December.
Her Instagram had images showing signs of AI image generation.
Listeners have noticed "AI artefacts," like background hissing, in her music.
The case raises questions about AI's role in creating music.
President Trump is pushing for tech companies to help fund new power plants to support AI data centers without increasing consumer utility bills. Trump's team and several state governors are asking a major grid operator to organize an auction for tech companies to bid on long-term power contracts. This initiative aims to address rising power costs and support the expansion of AI infrastructure while dealing with political and economic pressures.
Key Facts
President Trump wants tech companies to help pay for new power plants to support AI growth.
Rising consumer electricity bills pose a challenge to AI data center expansion.
Trump and governors from 13 states urge the grid operator PJM to hold an auction for new power generation capacity.
The agreement includes extending a price cap on PJM's power auctions for two more years.
The plan aims to generate over $15 billion in new power generation projects.
GE Vernova and other power companies will likely benefit, while some independent power producers' shares fell.
The initiative receives support from both political parties and addresses concerns about power prices.
There are debates about including clean energy sources in these new power initiatives.
