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Researchers recommend kids stay up to date on the COVID vaccines. Using an adjusted odds ratio, the researchers found that vaccination reduced the likelihood of developing long COVID with one or more symptoms by 57 percent, and reduced the likelihood of developing long COVID with two or more symptoms by 73 percent. Vaccination prior to infection was also linked to a 75 percent reduction in risk of developing long COVID that impacted day-to-day functioning.

Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang's bold claim that "America must win the AI war" resonated with few at Web Summit Qatar, sparking mixed reactions and raising questions about the true intentions behind his statements. The statement was met with skepticism during a Q&A session, with only two attendees agreeing with Wang's opinion. When asked to defend his stance, Wang explained that he views this as a race between the US and China in terms of AI capabilities.

Anthropic, an AI startup behind the popular chatbot Claude, is reportedly finalizing a $3.5 billion fundraising round that values the company at $61.5 billion. The larger-than-expected funding round comes as the company releases its new flagship AI model, Claude 3.7 Sonnet. Anthropic's revenue has recently reached around $1.2 billion annually, but the company still operates at a loss.

The Office of Personnel Management is rapidly eliminating entire departments in a move seen as a template for a second wave of mass layoffs in the federal bureaucracy. Career civil service employees, who make up the majority of the 2.3 million-strong civilian government workforce, are being targeted through reductions in force. The process aims to drastically cut the size and cost of the federal bureaucracy.

The ErgoTune Supreme, a highly-rated ergonomic office chair, is now available at its lowest price of AU$499, offering an unbeatable value for those seeking a comfortable and durable seat. The chair's 11 points of adjustment, including 360º pivoting arm rests, provide customizable support for different body types. With a solid build and breathable mesh design, the Supreme has proven to be a long-lasting and reliable choice.

The cryptocurrency industry is reeling following a massive heist that drained $1.5 billion from Dubai-based exchange Bybit, making it the largest theft in digital asset history. Attackers exploited vulnerabilities in the exchange's systems to transfer funds into wallets controlled by the attackers, bypassing security measures meant to protect large sums of cryptocurrency. The stolen coins were stored in a "Multisig Cold Wallet" that was supposed to be secure.

The quirky Alarmo clock is now widely available in the US market, no longer exclusive to Nintendo's online store. The $99.99 alarm clock is designed to help users sleep and wake up with charming scenes and sounds from classic Nintendo franchises. With motion sensors that detect whether you're still in bed, it gets more aggressive the longer you sleep in.

The Trump administration has rescinded a Biden-era order that required it to report potential violations of international law involving U.S.-supplied weapons by allies including Israel, two U.S. officials and a source familiar with the decision said on Monday. This move undermines congressional oversight of U.S. arms sales and fails to address concerns over human rights abuses, potentially emboldening authoritarian regimes worldwide. The Trump administration's decision is part of a broader pattern of eroding transparency and accountability in the use of American military power.

A recent change in how the Bank of Canada sets its deposit rate appears to be improving the functioning of money markets, lowering borrowing costs. The central bank's reform has worked to restore market liquidity, with the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average pricing at 2.99% on Friday, just below the Bank of Canada's policy rate of 3%. This change has prompted large institutions to use the repo market more, as they are no longer losing money by depositing funds with the central bank overnight.

Habanos, Cuba's top cigar maker, has reported record sales of $827 million in 2024, driven by high-end demand from growing markets in Asia. The company's revenue jumped 16% over the previous year as it capitalized on its luxury brand reputation and quality tobacco products. Soaring sales came despite challenges posed by natural disasters such as Hurricane Rafael and Hurricane Ian.

Chegg Inc., a leading online education platform, has been severely impacted by the launch of Google's artificial intelligence-powered summary tool, Google AI Overviews. The company claims that traffic to its web-based platform has declined significantly since the introduction of this new tool. Chegg has also filed a lawsuit against Alphabet Inc., citing unfair competition and accusing Google of threatening the public's access to trustworthy information.

Supermicro's stock has fallen sharply ahead of its all-important financial update on Tuesday, February 25th. The AI server maker is expected to file its delayed fiscal year and quarterly filings by this date. Supermicro's shares have been on fire since it reported its preliminary second-quarter results, driven by strong guidance for fiscal year 2026 revenue.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Realty Income Corp. (O) reported a revenue of $1.34 billion, reflecting a 24.5% increase year-over-year, but falling short of Wall Street's expectations by 0.91%. Earnings per share (EPS) came in at $1.05, also missing the consensus estimate of $1.06, which raises questions about the company's overall performance despite the positive year-over-year growth in revenue. Key metrics such as rental revenue and net earnings per share illustrate the mixed results, indicating that while the company is growing, it may not be meeting investors' high expectations.

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that any peace deal regarding Ukraine should include security guarantees, during discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. While both leaders expressed a desire for peace, they diverged on strategies, with Trump advocating for a swift ceasefire and Macron suggesting a more cautious approach that prioritizes long-term protections for Ukraine. The meeting coincided with the third anniversary of Russia's invasion, highlighting ongoing international tensions and differing perspectives on resolving the conflict.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon expressed regret over using expletives during a recent employee town hall, but maintained his stance that employees need to return to the office five days a week. Despite backlash from employees who signed a petition calling for a hybrid work policy, Dimon remained resolute in his decision. The bank's diversity, equity and inclusion policies are also under scrutiny, with Dimon stating that he will consolidate some programs but not change efforts to reach underrepresented communities.

Edtech company Chegg has sued Google claiming that the tech giant’s AI summaries of search results have hurt Chegg's traffic and revenue. In the suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Chegg accuses Google of unfair competition — specifically reciprocal dealing, monopoly maintenance, and unjust enrichment. Chegg is seeking compensatory damages and other forms of relief, as well as an injunction on Google’s alleged “unlawful and unfair” conduct.

Government agencies have taken varying approaches to responding to an email from Elon Musk, which demanded federal employees reply with a list of their accomplishments by the end of the week or face "semi-firing." The email has caused confusion among workers, with some being instructed to comply and others told not to respond. Musk's behavior echoes his previous actions at Twitter, where he sought to instill fear in employees through seemingly impossible demands.

The latest trading session saw Netflix (NFLX) close at $988.39, marking a -1.47% move from the previous day, trailing the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.5%. Netflix shares have increased by 2.61% over the last month, outstripping the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain but falling short of the S&P 500's loss. Analysts will be closely monitoring Netflix's upcoming earnings disclosure, with consensus estimates projecting an EPS of $5.73 and revenue of $10.53 billion.

GamersNexus, known for its PC hardware reviews, game benchmarks, and component analysis, has launched a new non-reviews channel focusing on consumer rights issues, the ongoing erosion of ownership and property by mega-corporations, and investigative reports on various companies. The channel's very first video sheds light on how Amazon’s return system is fueling swap scams. The new video from Gamers Nexus's new YouTube channel highlights a growing issue with Amazon’s return system: item swap scams.

The Google Pixel 9a's design has been partially revealed through a leaked hands-on video, showcasing its small camera bump and matte black back panel. The phone's camera module is reportedly tiny, taking up significantly less space compared to the more expensive Google Pixel 9. Additionally, the back panel appears in a matte finish, likely made of plastic to keep costs affordable.

The leaked benchmarks suggest that the new AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is significantly faster than its predecessor in gaming tasks, with a maximum CPU score of 17,234 points and a lead over the 7950X3D in some tests. However, it's essential to note that these results are based on early testing and may not reflect the full picture of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D's performance. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D continues to be a strong contender in gaming, despite potential changes to the 3D V-Cache design.

Claude 3.7 Sonnet has demonstrated its ability to tackle complex problems with "extended thinking", a simulated reasoning model that excelled in coding tasks. The model was tested on various challenges, including composing original dad jokes and evaluating the significance of color names. Claude 3.7 Sonnet's performance suggests significant advancements in artificial intelligence.

Chegg Inc., a leading online education platform, is suing Alphabet, Google's parent company, over alleged unfair competition caused by Google's AI-powered summary tool, Google AI Overviews. Chegg claims that the tool has led to a significant decline in traffic to its website, forcing it to weigh "strategic alternatives" for its business. The company argues that Google's dominance in search is stifling online freedom and providing synthetic, error-ridden answers.

President Donald Trump's nominee to head the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy says China is the top U.S. competitor in both areas and warned the future depends on who leads in key sectors. The nomination comes amid escalating tensions between the two nations over trade, technology, and security. Kratsios emphasizes the significance of American leadership in emerging technologies to maintain national security and economic competitiveness.

Even Elon Musk refers to X as Twitter occasionally. This is despite the fact that he changed Twitter's name to X in 2023. The inconsistency reflects a lingering brand identity crisis, with Musk struggling to fully abandon his past affiliation with the platform.

The upcoming trial over the Dakota Access Pipeline could have far-reaching consequences for free speech and environmental activism in the US. Greenpeace's alleged support for protests against the pipeline has led to a $300 million lawsuit, threatening the organization's financial future if it loses. The trial is seen as a test of the limits of free speech and civic action in the face of corporate retaliation.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is introducing legislation on Monday to toughen U.S. trade enforcement laws and address the impact of Chinese-supported companies moving portions of their production to other countries to circumvent American duties. The bill aims to give the U.S. Commerce Department new tools to address concerns about China's trade practices and its Belt and Road Initiative, a Chinese international infrastructure project aimed at boosting trade and connecting Asia, Europe and Africa. Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana and Democratic Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota are leading a group of more than dozen senators introducing the legislation.

The first two cutting-edge lithography machines from ASML Holding are now "in production" at Intel's factories, with early data indicating they are more reliable than earlier models. Intel has produced 30,000 wafers in a single quarter using these new high numerical aperture (NA) lithography machines, marking a significant shift in strategy for the company. The new machines can print features onto chips using fewer exposures, saving time and money.

Intel's first two cutting-edge lithography machines from ASML Holding have achieved positive results in early production, indicating improved reliability over earlier models. The new high numerical aperture (NA) machines can print features onto chips using fewer exposures and processing steps, saving time and money. Intel plans to use these machines to develop its 18A manufacturing technology, scheduled for mass production later this year.

Guyana's government expects a consortium led by U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil to brief officials by the end of March on plans to develop offshore gas, the country's vice president told Reuters. Guyana is the fastest-growing economy in the world thanks to rapid expansion of output from offshore oilfields controlled by the Exxon-led consortium, in which Hess and CNOOC also participate. The government believes that commercial development of the gas resources will drive growth in the domestic economy.

A US judge has declined a request by the Associated Press to restore its access to presidential events after the Trump administration blocked the agency in a dispute over the term "Gulf of America". The ban has meant that the AP, which hundreds of news outlets rely on, has been unable to access press events at the White House as well as Air Force One. The AP argues that the ban is retaliatory and infringes on First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and the press.

Coterra Energy has exceeded quarterly profit estimates on higher oil production, raising the dividend by 5% as drilling efficiencies boosted output to a record high. The company's improved cycle times and strong well performance drove the increase in production to 681,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). Coterra's forecast for total overall production in 2025 suggests continued growth, with an expected higher oil mix.

China has deployed 400 high-performance servers beneath the sea as part of an expanding underwater data center in Lingshui, Hainan, providing computing power equivalent to 30,000 high-end gaming PCs operating simultaneously. This infrastructure will complete a year’s worth of computations for an average PC in just one second and can enable DeepSeek’s AI assistant to handle 7,000 conversations per second. The newly-installed module is linked to an existing facility to form a computing cluster designed to support AI-driven applications.

A second federal judge, John Bates, is facing a long-shot bid by a Republican lawmaker to have him impeached after ruling against President Donald Trump's agenda, highlighting the increasingly politicized judiciary in the United States. The impeachment effort has been met with criticism from bar groups and law professors, who argue that it smacks of intimidation. The move reflects broader tensions surrounding executive power, accountability, and the implications of judges' actions within government agencies.

Intel's new process technology, 18A, could be a game-changer for the company if it delivers on its promises. Process node technology is crucial in determining the performance and price of advanced computer chips, and Intel's success with 18A would have far-reaching implications for the industry and consumers alike. If successful, Intel 18A would provide a significant boost to the company's financials and restore its competitive position in the market.

The appeals of Elizabeth Holmes and Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, who were convicted of defrauding investors about Theranos's blood-testing technology, were denied by the Northern District Court of California. The court upheld their $452 million joint restitution order and rejected their arguments that improper testimony from former employees and government reports unfairly influenced the jury. Holmes was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison, while Balwani received nearly 13 years.

Tesla continues to suffer vandalism at its Supercharger stations but will now take the legal route by prosecuting suspects. The EV manufacturer was responding on X to a post reporting another case of vandalism, with suspects defacing stations and filching charging cables. Tesla's efforts aim to restore order and protect its brand.

President Donald Trump's offer to engage in "economic development" with Russia as part of talks to end the war in Ukraine may be a strategic move to bypass existing sanctions and tap into Russia's valuable rare earth minerals. The president's suggestion could also be seen as an attempt to shift the focus away from Western efforts to isolate Russia's economy, which have had mixed success. Trump's comments on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are also notable for their timing, coming just days after a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Apple Fellow Phil Schiller testified in court that he initially raised concerns over the 27% commission charged on web-based purchases, citing potential compliance risks and an "antagonistic relationship" between Apple and developers. The reduced fee was a result of the Epic Games-Apple ruling, but it only applied to 3% of the original commission for transactions outside the App Store. Apple's internal debate over the issue revealed the company's efforts to balance its compliance with the court's order.

President Donald Trump is set to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, reigniting trade tensions with the U.S.'s closest neighbors. This announcement follows Trump's previous rollback of tariff plans, highlighting his ongoing strategy to use tariffs as a tool for reshaping trade policies and fulfilling campaign promises. The potential tariffs could lead to increased prices for consumers and complicate economic forecasts, particularly in relation to inflation and Federal Reserve interest rate decisions.

Despite concerns over inflation and economic uncertainty, stocks are still poised for further upside after Wall Street largely shrugged off recent risk-off market action. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed Monday's trading day in the green, up around 0.1%, while the S&P 500 erased earlier session gains to fall 0.5%. Analysts attribute the resilience of the markets to a combination of positive catalysts, including Nvidia's earnings and the potential for an interest rate cut.

The FDA has approved JOURNAVX(suzetrigine), a novel non-opioid pain medication developed by biotech giant Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., marking the introduction of the first new class of pain treatment in over two decades. This approval bolsters confidence in the pharmaceutical industry's strategy to target sodium channels and offers a safer alternative to opioid medications. The FDA's nod for suzetrigine is a significant step forward in addressing the complex issue of pain management.

The explosion during SpaceX's seventh test flight of its Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster on January 16th, 2025, was caused by sustained fires triggered a self-destruct. The fires in the aft section of Starship led to "all but one of Starship's engines" executing controlled shut down sequences, resulting in a loss of communication and ultimately the spacecraft's safety system triggering its own destruction. SpaceX believes the incident was caused by increased stress on the propulsion system's hardware due to vibrations during flight.

The US Office of Personnel Management has told HR officials that employees not replying to an email asking what they did last week will not be taken as a resignation and staff were not obliged to respond. The directive, ordered by billionaire Elon Musk, was meant to justify the jobs of federal workers but raised questions about his authority in Trump's government. This decision aims to protect employees from being forced into potentially damaging responses that could harm their careers.

The new gaming monitor from Asus boasts a 27-inch 180Hz IPS panel and supports ELMB Sync, offering sharp image quality at all times. The monitor's response time is just one millisecond, and it features a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. With FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility, the VG27AQ3AZ should provide a smooth gaming experience.

The AOC Q27G40SE is a 27-inch QHD gaming monitor featuring a Fast IPS panel with a high 300Hz refresh rate, 1ms GTG response time, HDR10 support, and FreeSync technology to minimize screen tearing. Its fast response time and high refresh rate are designed to deliver smooth visuals during gaming sessions. The monitor also covers a wide range of color spaces, making it suitable for both gaming and media consumption.

The Group of Seven nations are still debating a possible joint statement marking the third anniversary of the war between Ukraine and Russia, with Canada expressing disagreement with the US position on the conflict. Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that discussions continue, but no consensus has been reached. The G7 presidency is set to pass to Canada in 2025, which may impact the future of joint statements on the issue.

The latest Apple tech, including performance and features, can now be purchased by anyone without breaking the bank. The compact desktop's "next-level performance" comes with a significant discount of up to 30% on select models. With the introduction of Apple's M4 chipset, this affordable option is ideal for those who want to tackle demanding tasks like music production and video editing.

Meta's recent changes threaten to exacerbate the problem of misinformation on social media. The company's fact-checking program is being rolled back in favor of a Community Notes approach that allows users to comment on posts with minimal oversight, creating an environment where false information can spread quickly. This move undermines the authority of Meta as a gatekeeper for content and leaves users to rely on their own judgment to separate fact from fiction.

Accused Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada is willing to plead guilty in a deal with prosecutors in the United States if the arrangement spares him from the death penalty. Zambada has pleaded not guilty to 17 US felony counts, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapons charges, but his lawyer says he does not want to go to trial. The decision comes as Zambada faces significant pressure after being taken into US custody last July.