Technology

Michael Barron died after meeting Josh Baxter through the dating app Grindr, and prosecutors told a court Baxter is accused of restraining and allegedly strangling him during high‑risk sexual activity; jurors were also told Baxter later made internet searches about causing death during sex.

X Corp filed a federal lawsuit in Texas against 18 major music publishers and the National Music Publishers' Association, alleging they conspired to block competition and force industrywide licensing. The complaint says the publishers represent more than 90% of U.S. copyrighted music.

British tech YouTuber Daniel Rotar was hospitalized after his Samsung Galaxy Ring swelled; Samsung and an independent agency concluded a cracked internal molding caused the swelling and said there was no wider product battery safety risk.

Tesla presents Optimus as an all-purpose humanoid robot and has said it is targeting a million units within the next decade. Developments in generative AI have made the idea of chatty, attentive machines feel closer, prompting discussion about whether such robots will help or harm human connection.

At its first CES appearance, IKEA unveiled five new smart-home products, including a smart version of the Varmblixt lamp and a $10 Kallsup speaker slated for April 2026.

Greater Manchester Police say a woman has been charged with murder and arson after four-year-old Lesma-Rose Wibier died following a house fire on 2 March 2025.

Samsung expects 19.9–20.1 trillion won next quarter and attributes much of the gain to stronger memory chip demand; DRAM contract prices rose sharply in late 2025 and further increases are expected.

Lego has unveiled Smart Bricks—NFC‑enabled 2x4 pieces with lights, sounds, sensors and Bluetooth networking—and will begin rolling out three Star Wars sets using them on March 1, 2026.

The European Commission is considering designating WhatsApp as a "very large platform" under the Digital Services Act after reported user numbers exceeded the threshold in February 2025, a commission spokesperson said.

Spotify says it no longer runs ICE recruitment advertisements after a US government campaign that ran across major platforms ended in late 2025. The company previously said the ads did not violate its advertising policies.

Leigh Sutherland was jailed for nine years after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving over a June 2023 crash that killed 77-year-old Margaret Allan, and he was also given a driving ban of about 13½ years.

Kia unveiled the EV3 GT, EV4 GT and EV5 GT at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, and production is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026 with UK arrival expected at the end of the year.

Researchers reported that two Chrome extensions impersonating AI sidebar add-ons sent users' chatbot conversations and browsing data to third-party servers, and the extensions no longer appear in the Chrome Web Store.

The article says the draft Digital Networks Act will place major platform firms under a voluntary cooperation framework rather than new binding telecoms obligations, while also setting guidance on spectrum licensing and network timelines. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen will present the proposal on January 20 and negotiations with member states and the European Parliament will follow.

MIT researcher Priya Donti says AI can improve grid operations by better predicting renewable output and speeding complex optimization, while noting that different AI models vary widely in energy use and must respect grid physics.

Samsung told Reuters that memory chip shortages driven by AI demand could lead to higher TV prices, and co‑CEO T M Roh said some impact on prices is "inevitable."

At CES in Las Vegas, Nvidia and several suppliers announced new platforms and partnerships aimed at advancing self-driving and driver-assistance technology; automakers remain cautious about costs, safety and whether there will be enough customer demand.

Shoppers highlighted the Armo Reusable Car Air Dehumidifier Bag on Amazon and several buyers reported clearer, 'crystal clear' windscreens; the product is sold in 1kg bags and is offered in multi-pack listings.

Bose will retire cloud services for its 2013 SoundTouch speakers but will update the app, publish an API, and support local playback options so the hardware remains usable; the server shutdown is scheduled for May 2026.

Keir Starmer said the government will take action over sexualised images of children reportedly generated by X's AI tool Grok, and Ofcom has made urgent contact with the platform.

Police reported a 15-year-old local boy was found deceased in woodland in Bude, Cornwall; his death is not being treated as suspicious and his next of kin have been informed.

Kia unveiled the EV2 at the Brussels Motor Show and says it will be built in Slovakia, with production starting in early 2026 and the first UK deliveries due in spring 2026.

China's central government will investigate market competition among food delivery platforms, the market regulator said. The regulator cited excessive subsidies and price wars as issues that have squeezed the real economy and intensified competitive pressures.

Segway Navimow unveiled the i2 AWD compact robot mower at CES 2026, featuring all-wheel drive and a powered 180° front wheel to improve turning and protect turf. Two models cover yards up to 0.25 acres and start at $999.

Authorities have begun blocking some unregistered VPN apps in Pakistan, and Proton confirmed its apps were restricted from December 22; the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority resumed VPN licensing in November and later granted the first set of licenses to five local companies. Undetermined at this time.

Irish police say a man in his 40s and a boy were found dead at separate homes in west Dublin; both scenes have been preserved for forensic examination and the coroner has been notified.

Some Chinese online users have suggested a Venezuela-style snatch of Taiwan's leaders, while analysts and Taiwan officials say China's military still has gaps in joint-operations experience and that Taiwan has layered air defences and early warning systems.

Heavy snow from Storm Goretti prompted runway safety checks at Birmingham and led to dozens of flight cancellations at Heathrow; National Rail said services across England, Wales and Scotland may be affected until the end of the day.

Xpeng announced it is repositioning as a "physical AI" company and plans to begin street trials of robotaxis while aiming to mass produce humanoid robots in the second half of 2026.

AnaptysBio filed a partial motion to dismiss a claim by GSK’s oncology unit over royalties tied to the cancer drug Jemperli; the court is expected to hear the motion by early March and a trial is scheduled for July 14–17, 2026.