Technology
→ NewsYour old router can serve as a free Wi‑Fi extender and more.
An old Wi‑Fi router can be repurposed instead of discarded; the article lists five practical reuses such as a network switch, guest network, access point, IoT-segment, or wireless extender.
Police and paramedics injured in crash while responding to another collision
Three off-duty police officers and two paramedics were hit by a van while helping at an earlier crash; one paramedic and one officer have serious injuries and three people have been arrested.
Child shot in head while playing with gun in Pittsburgh home.
Police say a 7-year-old accidentally shot his 8-year-old brother in the head while the children handled a gun; the 8-year-old was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Windows-like Linux distros to try for a familiar desktop.
The article lists five Linux distributions—Q4OS, Zorin OS, Linux Mint, Linux Lite, and Kubuntu—that aim to deliver Windows-like interfaces and vary in system requirements, customization, and release cadence.
X restricts Grok image generation to paid users after backlash
X moved Grok's image generation and editing tools behind an X Premium paywall, and critics say the standalone Grok site and app still allow the same problematic image outputs.
Heritage Foundation warns U.S. is nearing a family breakdown point
A Heritage Foundation report says U.S. marriage and birth rates have declined and recommends federal policy changes, including a proposed $2,500 investment account for each newborn and reviews of welfare rules that the report says discourage marriage.
AI memory shortages cause sharp price surge
Major memory suppliers and AI chip buyers report demand has outpaced supply, and TrendForce projects average DRAM prices will rise about 50–55% this quarter.
ICE agent in Minneapolis shooting should not be treated like Derek Chauvin, columnist says
A Fox News opinion column argues the FBI should avoid treating the ICE agent who shot Renee Good like Derek Chauvin; it notes Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and some city council members publicly called the shooting murder.
Prediction markets resemble gambling and raise questions for Congress
The article reports that prediction-market sites such as Polymarket and Kalshi allow wide betting on politics and other events, and it cites a reported case in which a user made large gains after placing bets before Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's arrest.
How Wall Street's biggest firms are adopting AI
Business Insider reports major banks, hedge funds, private equity firms, and asset managers are deploying internal generative AI tools to speed workflows; JPMorgan has rolled AI to more than 200,000 employees and Citi says nearly 180,000 staff have access to proprietary AI tools.
Lego's Smart Bricks launched at CES focus on play, not programming.
Lego unveiled Smart Bricks at CES that light up, make sounds and react to motion; the company previously discontinued its Mindstorms robotics line in 2022 and has not announced programmable versions.
Prediction markets surged after a large bet on Maduro's removal
An anonymous large wager on President Nicolás Maduro's ouster reportedly paid out after a recent U.S. military operation, and the episode has renewed debate over whether prediction markets need clearer rules and stronger enforcement.
LG Electronics expects first quarterly operating loss in nine years
LG Electronics says it expects a fourth-quarter operating loss of 109.40 billion won, its first quarterly loss since late 2016. The company also expects quarter revenue to rise and will publish full results later this month.
Minnesota woman killed in U.S. Virgin Islands shark attack.
Authorities say Arlene Lillis, 56, of Minnesota died after a reported shark attack at Dorsch Beach on St. Croix; responders rendered aid and the investigation is ongoing.
New York Attorney General Demands Instacart Share Information on Price Testing
New York Attorney General Letitia James has asked Instacart for documents and details about its price-testing experiments after reports that identical items sometimes showed different prices; Instacart said it will end price tests, denied using dynamic or personalized pricing, and expects to respond to the inquiry.
Musk says X outcry is 'excuse for censorship'
Reports say X's AI chatbot Grok generated non-consensual sexualised images, and Ofcom has opened an urgent assessment and set a deadline for X to explain.
Musk's Grok AI generated thousands of undressed images per hour on X
A 24-hour analysis found the @Grok account posted about 6,700 images per hour identified as sexually suggestive or nudifying, and users report that many reports to X received little or no response.
Sunset District business owners meet with PG&E after weeks of blackouts
A merchant walk in San Francisco's Sunset District connected business owners with PG&E representatives to discuss claims after multiple December outages; PG&E is offering businesses $2,500 and residents $200.
OpenAI and Common Sense Media Reach Compromise on California Child-Safety Ballot Measure
OpenAI and Common Sense Media agreed to set aside competing California ballot proposals and collaborate on a single measure about how AI chatbots interact with children, and OpenAI will commit at least $10 million to the campaign, two people familiar with the matter said.
Mamdani's initial response to NYPD shootings draws criticism
Mayor Zohran Mamdani called two officer-involved shootings 'devastating' and said the NYPD is conducting internal investigations. He later condemned antisemitic chants at a Kew Gardens synagogue after being pressed for comment.
North Korea says South Korean drone entered its airspace on Jan 4
North Korean state media KCNA said a drone launched from Incheon entered North Korean airspace on Jan. 4 and was shot down after about 8 km; Pyongyang described the action as a provocation amid ongoing tensions.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance joins Switch Online's GameCube Classics library.
Nintendo has added the 2005 game Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance to the Switch 2 GameCube Classics library for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers, and the GameCube Classics lineup includes higher-resolution versions of older titles.
SOUN stock climbs despite D.A. Davidson price target cut
The article mentions SoundHound AI (SOUN) rose about 8.3% after D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria cut his price target to $14 but maintained a Buy rating; the company also highlighted its new Amelia 7.3 and Vision AI products at CES 2026.
Gsync Pulsar: Nvidia's strobe-based approach to clearer motion
Nvidia unveiled Gsync Pulsar at CES 2026 as a firmware-driven version of Gsync that uses strobe backlighting to simulate much higher refresh rates, which Nvidia says can reach up to 1,000Hz. Gaming monitors with Gsync Pulsar are scheduled to begin shipping in the coming week, with reviewers planning hands-on tests.
Grok and X should be suspended from Apple and Google stores, senators say
Three Democratic senators asked Apple and Google to suspend the Grok and X apps, saying reports show the services allowed creation and sharing of nonconsensual explicit images and depictions of child sexual abuse; Apple and Google had not immediately removed the apps and xAI responded with an automated reply.
Lego's new Smart Brick sets are now available for preorder.
Lego's first three sets featuring the new Smart Brick are open for preorder, with shipments expected to start March 1, 2026. The Star Wars-themed sets include Smart Bricks, Smart Tags, smart figures, and a new wireless charger.
Lindsay Clancy requests ambulance transport for upcoming murder trial
Defense attorneys asked a judge for ambulance transport for Lindsay Clancy to daily court appearances; the sheriff's office prefers a wheelchair-accessible van and the court has not decided the issue.
Mark Cuban says AI is both 'stupid' and a make-or-break tool for businesses.
Mark Cuban told entrepreneurs that companies that use AI well will have a competitive edge while others risk failure, and he also warned that AI tools are mistake-prone, can be overconfident, and are not a cure-all.
Super Mario Odyssey 2 or something new: 3D Mario may return in 2026
IGN argues that Nintendo’s recent release slate and media momentum could open space for a new mainline 3D Mario title in 2026, and the article notes The Super Mario Bros. Movie grossed over $1.3 billion at the box office.
Navimow debuts robotic mowers at CES 2026 for easier lawn care.
Navimow unveiled five new robotic mower models at CES 2026 that emphasize easier, wire-free setup using multi-modal mapping and turf-friendly handling; preorders begin Jan. 16, 2026 with a 10% preorder discount.
