A day of two halves sees Honda and VR46 claim the top three as opposite fortunes for Yamaha see all their machinery stay in the pits on Wednesday.
Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) headed the timesheets on Day 2 in Sepang, putting in a notable laptime and becoming the fastest Honda rider ever at the venue - taking a chunk off test rider Aleix Espargaro's top lap at the Shakedown last week. Franco Morbidelli slots into second just ahead of teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio as Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team complete the top three. Action was curtailed a little early due to rain, but the morning made for some interesting laptimes…
One of the biggest stories of the day, however, was off track - Yamaha. After an issue on Day 1 for Fabio Quartararo - after his crash which later caused him to withdraw from the remainder of the test - the all-new YZR-M1 was kept in the pits on Wednesday. A precaution from the Iwata marque as they say they know the issue but not the cause and are investigating before doing any more running. So both Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP and Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP stayed in the box on Day 2.
Johann Zarco (5) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Castrol Honda LCR
HONDA HCR CASTROL & HONDA LCR:
Mir will take the plaudits on the second day in Sepang. It's the factory's first time dipping their toe in the coveted 1:56s, which confirms their continued progress that we saw towards the end of last season. Both Mir and Honda HRC Castrol teammate Luca Marini remain very positive about the performance of the 2026 RC213V, but - as expected and understandably - they're keeping their feet firmly on the ground, insisting that they're not looking at the timesheets. Marini ended the day sixth fastest with the mileage limited due to the afternoon weather, as HRC eye another solid day at the office on Thursday to head to Thailand in very good shape.
In the LCR box, Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) was also pleased with the how Day 2 went, with the Frenchman looking to have a solid long run on the final day to see where the package stacks up to the competition. And of course, Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) was back on track and said that he made solid progress in the morning, while also getting a taste of what his Honda feels like in the wet conditions for the first time. The Brazilian is upbeat about his feeling on a MotoGP bike heading into the final day of testing in Sepang.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) finished third at Sepang, day 2. Photo courtesy VR46 Racing Team.
DUCATI LENOVO TEAM, PERTAMINA ENDURO VR46 RACING TEAM, BK8 GRESINI RACING MOTOGP:
Continuing to go about their business quietly and methodically, Ducati's charge was led by Morbidelli in second - the only rider other than Mir to drop into the 1'56s. A 1'56.983 was good enough for the Italian, just 0.109s adrift of Mir and Honda in P1. Giannantonio continued his strong test and was third overall, a further 0.066s behind the #21, and said the front end feeling was a key improvement.
In factory red, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was again in P8 as his test continued; despite wanting to do a Sprint simulation, the morning saw him do six runs but none more than four laps long. Still, he was very positive about his feeling come the end of play. Teammate and reigning World Champion Marc Marquez was taking it easier on day two having topped the opening day of action and was 15th after a total of 30 laps. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), meanwhile, became the latest rider to crash at Turn 5 as he was back testing the 2024 aero package. He was OK and did go back out in the brief dry spell in the afternoon but didn't improve his morning time, finishing 12th overall.
Maverick Viñales (12) at Sepang test, day 2. Photo courtesy KTM Tech3.
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING & RED BULL KTM TECH3:
Over at the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing outfit, Pedro Acosta was in fine form, setting laps in the low 1'57s - quicker than KTM's previous fastest ever time at Sepang but yet to crack the 1'56s. The Spaniard used an updated front fairing both in the wet and dry, getting valuable data en-route to fourth. Brad Binder was the lowest-placed KTM in 13th, his tougher day compounded by a couple of messy practice starts. As well as his on-track exploits, however, it's also worth noting that he continues to develop his working relationship with new crew chief Phil Marron.
At Red Bull KTM Tech3, Maverick Viñales took advantage of the rain to spin some wet laps and acquire useful data and experience whereas Enea Bastianini remained in the box and completed the top ten. It's a marked improvement for Tech 3 as during the same test last season, both riders weren't just continuing their adaptation but struggling to find a direction. This year, they're firmly in the top ten with fifth and tenth respectively on day two - let's see what time attacks on day three bring.
Raul Fernandez (25) and Ai Ogura (79) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Trackhouse Team
APRILIA RACING & TRACKHOUSE MOTOGP TEAM:
Marco Bezzecchi continued his honeymoon with the RS-GP in P6, fastest Aprilia, with Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse MotoGP Team right on his tail. Speaking of, the tail unit of the Aprilia caused plenty of chat on Day 2, with new aero fins sticking straight up making their debut in pitlane, which was tested back-to-back. The Noale factory were also testing a swingarm.
Ai Ogura slotted into P9 for Trackhouse, with only Bagnaia in eighth splitting the Aprilia-running race riders on Wednesday. Test rider Lorenzo Savadori was also back out putting in the kilometers.
That's all she wrote on Day 2, but there's more to come on Thursday in a final push at Sepang. Join us for more from 10:00 (UTC +8)!
Classification day 2 session 1
Classification day 2 session 2
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC Castrol:
Mir Reigns Supreme on Second Day in Sepang.
The Honda RC213V and Joan Mir set a new reference over a single lap while Luca Marini kept pace as weather curtailed the afternoon's running.
With a positive first day in their pocket, the Honda HRC Castrol squad were immediately back to work around the 5.54-kilometre-long circuit. Wednesday's action would again show that even in its early stage, the 2026 Honda RC213V has continued on the path set out in 2025 as engineers continue to work on refining all of the small details.
Leading the charge was Joan Mir who blitzed the field early in the day and set a 1'56.874. 0.6s faster than his Q2 time from the Malaysian GP just a few months ago. Although the time is impressive, Mir and Honda HRC remain focused on the work ahead with plenty more still to come in the 2026 season. Rain would see Mir do just two laps after the lunch break.
Another productive day saw Luca Marini continue to focus on the testing plan in the morning, the afternoon rain prematurely ending his chances to push from a single fast lap. 0.676s back from his teammate, the Italian was left content with what he achieved given the more limited track time. This evening will be spent finalising the plan and finding the balance between testing final items in Sepang and what can also be assessed in Buriram.
A final day of testing remains, and Honda HRC Castrol are eager to make the most before heading to Buriram, Thailand for the second test and first race of the season. Work to be done, but the first two days have certainly helped to maintain Honda HRC's momentum into the new year.
Joan Mir (36) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Joan Mir: "I think we have to be happy about the lap time today! This morning, I was feeling quite strong and I was able to push for a good lap, my confidence is growing and this translates to what we saw today with the new tyre. Today we focused on the lap time in the morning before getting back to the puzzle of testing after. Tomorrow, we need to make another step and make up for the time we lost to the rain. At the moment I am happy with what we've done but there will also be a lot of work to do after the test."
Luca Marini (10) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Luca Marini: "We had a busy morning, trying to make the most of every lap and really hit our targets. Even without the second session, we did a lot. Between me and the other Honda riders we split the work load a little bit which also has helped us to be more productive. It's been a good test so far and we are not in a big rush to do a huge job tomorrow; we can focus on what we need to do and find the balance."
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco finished 14th on the second day of testing at Sepang.
- The Frenchman and his team had a productive and solid second day at Sepang, focusing on testing different configurations and collecting valuable data for future adjustments.
- Johann and the technicians tried various setups to find the most comfortable bike balance for him, and they identified some positive aspects.
- However, afternoon rain disrupted their plans, preventing them from completing their work. Tomorrow will be crucial to assess the improvements, with a long run scheduled.
Johann Zarco (5) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Castrol Honda LCR
Johann Zarco 14th - (1'58.346) : "The bike's balance is a narrow window, and we are working hard to find it so we can push and improve. We couldn't find it straight away today, but we tried many things, which helped us understand what could work. Then, we were unlucky with the weather, as it started to rain, so we couldn't nail the job. Tomorrow should be a good opportunity to gain consistency and keep improving, as we made progress before the rain. The long run will be important to see if we've found the right solution."
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished 17th on the second day of testing at Sepang.
- Determined to keep learning and pushing, the Brazilian rider had a consistent day working alongside his crew.
- Moreira completed 34 valuable laps to assess the bike's behavior, even in rainy conditions, which was another first for him.
- By the end of the day, Diogo was satisfied with the work done and is looking forward to trying a long run tomorrow, the final day of testing.
Diogo Moreira (11) at Sepang during the rainy day 2 session 2. Photo courtesy Pro Honda LCR
Diogo Moreira 17th - (1'58.571): "Today I rode in the rain for the first time. At the beginning, I was quite cautious, but lap after lap, I started to feel more comfortable on the bike. I'm getting to know the bike better as the laps go by, and that's important. The electronics are really good and are a great help. Tomorrow, we'll probably do a long run. I can't wait!"
The post MotoGP: Mir and Honda Top Day 2 of the Sepang Test appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.
Cybersecurity experts usually advise victims against paying ransomware crooks, but that advice goes double for those who have been targeted by the Nitrogen group. There's no way to get your data back from them!…
The UK competition regulator is set to report on a request for £246 million in subsidies to the Post Office, a publicly owned company, to cover its costs in compensation for the Horizon IT scandal and tax liability for IR35, a mechanism commonly used by tech consultants.…
A man who sued his college after being suspended over a rape allegation was hired into a powerful position at the federal agency tasked with defending workers against workplace discrimination, including sex discrimination.
Benjamin North, who maintained his innocence during the lawsuit, went on to become an attorney who took public stances against what he characterized as the excesses of Title IX, the law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education.
Less than eight years after his case was closed following an agreement with the university, North has quietly become the new assistant general counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to a screenshot of the agency's employee directory and an agency employee who requested anonymity to avoid retaliation.
"You need people in that office who understand that their job is to uphold the law and to apply the law faithfully."
North now reports directly to Acting General Counsel Catherine Eschbach, according to the employee.
"The general counsel's office is an incredibly important part of the EEOC," said Jenny Yang, a partner at the law firm Outten & Golden and a former EEOC chair. The general counsel holds the power to decide which employers to sue and over which issues, and oversees litigation brought in the agency's 15 regional offices, and assistant general counsels help coordinate litigation "for the entire agency," Yang said. They often review cases and their evidence to evaluate the merits and help determine whether the agency should invest its limited resources into pursuing a suit, she said.
"You need people in that office who understand that their job is to uphold the law and to apply the law faithfully," she said. (Neither North nor the EEOC responded to requests for comment.)
North's role could have even more heft than usual, the EEOC employee said, given how many attorneys have left the agency and the office of the general counsel under the second Trump administration. The office is typically filled with "experienced litigators," the employee said, noting that North was still a college student 10 years ago and now has been hired into "a very senior position" in which he will "have a huge impact on the cases that the EEOC chooses to bring."
College Allegation CaseNorth sued Catholic University after he was accused of rape by a fellow student, investigated, and suspended for two years. In his legal complaint, he claimed he and his accuser met at a party, then in an upstairs bathroom "engaged in consensual sex." According to the judge's ruling in the case, North sought to refute the accuser's allegation that she had taken three shots of vodka and became distraught. The university found that she had been incapable of giving consent due to intoxication and suspended North.
North alleged in his suit that the university had violated its own policies as well as Title IX, which prohibits gender discrimination at federally funded institutions. The Title IX claim rested on North's allegation that the university had been biased against him and gave his accuser "preferential treatment," thereby "discriminating against [him] based on his gender." He sought $1 million in damages as well as injunctive relief.
In 2019, the case was closed when North and his legal team stipulated to dismissal, indicating an agreement between the plaintiff and defense, usually a settlement. (Catholic University declined to comment.)
North also dealt with Title IX claims as an attorney after completing law school. Before taking his role in the government, North most recently worked at Binnall Law Group. The firm published an article on its website in 2018 saying that universities use Title IX to "abuse the Constitutional rights of students accused of sexual misconduct."
At Binnall, North served as a Title IX adviser who helped students in such proceedings. (Binnall did not respond to a request for comment.)
North wrote an op-ed for The Federalist in 2021 about Title IX arguing that a Biden administration nominee had "led the charge against students' civil rights and due process" and that men's rights are often violated in university proceedings after they're accused of sexual assault.
Now, North could help guide litigation at the EEOC.
"It sends a concerning signal to have hired somebody with his background."
"Given that we are the agency tasked with enforcing protections against sexual violence in the workplace, it sends a concerning signal to have hired somebody with his background," the EEOC employee said.
That signal will be sent both internally to staff, the employee said, about what the agency wants to focus on and to workers who have experienced sexual harassment or assault at work about whether the agency will take their claims seriously.
Reshaping the EEOCNorth is not the first EEOC hire who has raised eyebrows during the second Trump administration. Last April, EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas appointed Shannon Royce, a longtime Christian conservative activist, as her chief of staff. Royce had been serving as president of the Christian Employers Alliance, which sued the EEOC in 2021 over its defense of the rights of trans people at work. Her group also sued the EEOC over its inclusion of abortion care in the protections offered by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
On January 12, the Christian Employers Alliance announced that it had notched an agreement with the EEOC in which the agency agreed not to enforce abortion and gender identity requirements against its members while the EEOC "considers revising its policies."
Lucas also hired Connor Clegg, a former Fox News producer, in the agency's communications department. In 2018, Clegg was impeached as student body president at Texas State University over uncovered social media posts in which he mocked Asian tourists with hashtags that included "#pearlharborwasbad" and "#kimjongil." He was later found not guilty by the Student Government Supreme Court.
More recently, Clegg posted a long rant to social media about an interaction with a traffic enforcement officer who "barely spoke a lick of English" and reposted a tweet from late Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk that said, "There is an undeniable War on White People in The West."
North's hire comes after Lucas has asserted new priorities at the agency.
Related
How Trump Twisted DEI to Only Benefit White Christians
In a post to X in December, she directly solicited complaints from white men who allege they've been discriminated at work based on their race or sex. She has also instructed agency officials to focus on cases that line up with her own personal priorities, which include "defending the biological and binary reality of sex and related rights," "rooting out unlawful DEI-motivated race and sex discrimination," and "religious bias and harassment, including antisemitism."
Meanwhile, under her leadership, the general counsel's office dropped the litigation it had already brought on behalf of transgender workers and in a disparate impact racial discrimination case.
The post EEOC Quietly Hired Lawyer Who Crusaded for Cases of Discrimination Against Men — Including His Own appeared first on The Intercept.
There is good news for administrators: Microsoft has delivered on its promise to build Sysmon functionality into Windows.…
I've thoroughly enjoyed all of Janice Hallett's previous crime books. The Examiner is, frankly, more of the same - and I'm happy with that!
You, the reader, are given a series of transcripts and have to work out what crime (if any) has been committed. You don't find out who the victim(s) is/are until reasonably far through the story. The characters are well realised (although a little similar to some of her others). The twists are shockingly good and will make you flick back to see if you could have spotted them.
Hallett is exquisite at building tension through the slow drip-drip-drip of reveals. OK, so the transcripts are a bit unrealistic but they make a good scaffold. While it might be nice to include user avatars on the WhatsApp messages, the characters' voices are unique enough to distinguish them easily.
Much like The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, the book plays around with symbolism and the nature of faith. You may find yourself sympathising with the characters and then quickly recanting!
Technical IssuesViper, the publisher, seem to have messed up the structure of this eBook. Despite being published in 2024, they're using an ancient and obsolete version of the Blitz ePub CSS which itself was archived back in 2020. As well as strange indents, there's a hard-coded 2em margin only on the right.
Accessibility is poor. All the abbreviations use the <abbr> element. But some kind of automated find-and-replace has mangled most of them. For example, the "Masters degree in Multimedia Art (Full-Time Programme)" is shortened to "MMAM(FTP)" and then given the nonsensical abbreviation of "Molecular Area Per Molecule (File Transfer Protocol)"!
Much like before I've written to them asking them to correct it.
Earlier this year, Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick dramatically defected to Reform. Since then, not everything has gone to plan.
According to Politics UK, both Braverman and Jenrick accidentally voted WITH Labour to abolish the two cap-benefit cap last night on 3 January. This is a direct conflict with Reform's party line.
The wealthy, high-profile contacts of late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein surprises no one. From one US president to another, billionaires to yet more billionaires, Israeli war criminals to British politicians, and transatlantic fascists to royalty. However, Epstein's close friendship with Noam Chomsky is one that will be both notable and appalling for leftists.
What we know about Chomsky's relationship with EpsteinFor decades, Chomsky railed against US imperialism, and its propping up of a settler-colonial system, "worse than apartheid" in occupied Palestine.
He exposed the hypocrisy of Western media propaganda and called out its cynical smears against progressive movements.
Chomsky's political positions might make you think he'd never socialise with convicted paedophile Epstein. But, the close friendship between the two is abhorrently apparent.
Chomsky maintained a very "close friendship" with Epstein even after the latter's imprisonment in 2008. And the academic's support for free speech and the fact he has unapologetically "met and corresponded with everyone" — including war criminals — does not explain the level of warmth in their interactions.
Chomsky once said his dealings with Epstein were mostly financial. But new communications releases show that:
- The two spoke about dinner and holiday plans, while sharing jokes and affectionate exchanges.
- Epstein served as a social and political connector, linking Chomsky up with prominent far-right figure Steve Bannon and Israeli war criminal Ehud Barak.
- Epstein made numerous payments to Chomsky and his relatives. Chomsky's wife called Epstein a "very dear friend", and even a "hero" at one point.
- While there's no evidence he went to Epstein's island, Chomsky insisted he was "eager" to. And in one response to an invitation, he said "I'm really fantasizing about the Caribbean island".
- Chomsky gave Epstein advice in 2019 about how to deal with the sex-crime allegations against him. His response downplayed the accusations and treated Epstein like the victim. Chomsky described "a hysteria that has developed about abuse of women" that could cause "torture and distress" to someone like Epstein.
Countless academics needed money and linked up with Epstein for financial reasons. The serial rapist, on the other hand, collected connections in exchange for information or favours. For his part, Epstein was a white supremacist eugenicist who ran a network of groomers, paedophiles, and rapists. Amongst that network were people like Chomsky, academics who legitimised Epstein's sickening actions.
Chomsky repeatedly and consistently chose to not only ally himself with Epstein but considered him a close personal friend whom he often defended despite public knowledge of his depravity. In doing so, Chomsky chose to spin heinous lies about the women and girls Epstein tortured.
And, Chomsky didn't just look the other way on Epstein.
Fellow academic Lawrence Krauss also faced accusations from numerous women, asked Epstein for advice on how to deal with them. He said he would trust Epstein's words over those of the women accusing the multi-millionaire. Chomsky, meanwhile, continued to appear publicly with Krauss despite the allegations against him.
"Unforgivable"Journalist Matt Kennard, who has interviewed Chomsky on numerous occasions, responded to the latest revelations by saying the academic's:
consorting with Epstein is unforgivable
Philosopher Émile Torres added:
Chomsky has shown a clear pattern of poor judgment and low moral standards.
Author Vijay Prashad, meanwhile, said:
There is no defence for this, in my view, no context that can explain this outrage.
He also clarified that, in addition to Epstein being a sex offender, he:
was a man of the Far Right and a Zionist
Epstein's connection with Israel is clear, though we don't know all the details. It's not just that the father of his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, was reportedly an Israeli "superspy". Numerous sources highlight his own apparent connections to Israel and its intelligence agency too.
Epstein's work in the arms trade reportedly saw him work with numerous governments. And he often bragged about how he advised dodgy regimes around the world, while:
making a fortune out of arms, drugs, and diamonds.
Epstein represented much of what Chomsky spent much of his public-facing life criticising. His long-time association will forever change any reputation he may have had as a serious academic opposed to injustice to one of someone who upheld and supported the rape, abuse, and terrible torture of girls and women.
After all, what is the point of grand declarations in relation to capitalism, colonialism, and Zionism if one's choices repeatedly support and protect an overseer of a network of abuse?
Featured image via the Canary
By Ed Sykes
Snowflake and OpenAI have struck a multi-year, $200 million partnership to bring OpenAI's advanced models, including GPT-5.2, directly into Snowflake's enterprise data platform. The collaboration is designed to let Snowflake's large customer base, more than 12,000 organisations, build AI agents and semantic analytics tools that operate on their own data without moving it outside Snowflake's governed environment. Under the agreement, OpenAI models will be natively embedded in Snowflake Cortex AI and Snowflake Intelligence, making it possible to run queries, derive insights, and deploy AI-powered workflows using natural language interfaces and context-aware agents. Customers can analyse structured and unstructured data, automate…
This story continues at The Next Web
Joan Mir is the fastest overall after two days of testing at Sepang. Mir was one of two riders to get into the 1'56s on Wednesday, the other being Franco Morbidelli. Almost everyone improved their lap time on Day 2, with only Marc Marquez, Johann Zarco, and Alex Marquez not beating their times from Tuesday. The rain played a role, robbing the riders of track time in the afternoon.
Combined times from Days 1 and 2:
David Emmett Wed, 04/Feb/2026 - 11:45
As he prepares to embark on his first ever headline music tour, Peter Capaldi takes Jude Rogers through 13 records that have defined his life, from the parallels between Talking Heads and Doctor Who, to the time he found himself in a room with Kate Bush
Peter Capaldi's latest role isn't to fuck the fuck in (or indeed fuck the fuck off) like The Thick Of It's Malcolm Tucker, or nail an outfit inspired by David Lynch and David Bowie as he travels through time as the Twelfth Doctor. It's to sit on a tour bus from Newcastle to Edinburgh, Cardiff to Brighton, get behind a microphone, and sing. "I'm not or trying to be a pop star or anything,"...
The post Doctor's Orders: Peter Capaldi's Favourite Albums appeared first on The Quietus.
Apple's AirTag makes it easy to keep tabs on everyday items like keys, bags and luggage using the Find My network. Setup is quick, requires no tools and takes just a minute or two as long as you have a compatible iPhone or iPad. Once paired, your AirTag quietly works in the background to help you locate misplaced belongings. This guide walks through how to set up an AirTag, how to name it so you can easily identify what it's attached to and what to do if setup doesn't go as planned.
What you need before setting up an AirTagBefore you begin, make sure you have the following:
An iPhone or iPad signed in to your Apple Account
Bluetooth enabled on that device
Location Services enabled
iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later (AirTag 2nd generation requires iOS or iPadOS 26.2.1 or later)
A stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection
You'll also want to ensure iCloud Keychain is enabled and that your Apple Account setup is fully completed in Settings.
How to set up an AirTag using your iPhone or iPadThe easiest way to set up an AirTag is directly through the on-screen setup prompt.
Remove the plastic tab from your AirTag to activate the battery.
Hold the AirTag near your unlocked iPhone or iPad.
When the setup animation appears, tap Connect.
Choose a category for your AirTag, such as Keys, Backpack or Luggage. If you select Custom Name, you can type your own label and choose an emoji.
Tap Continue to link the AirTag to your Apple Account.
Tap Done to finish setup.
Once completed, the AirTag will appear under the Items tab in the Find My app. If you're setting up multiple AirTags, make sure only one is near your device at a time. If more than one is detected, a notification will appear saying "More than one AirTag detected". If this happens, move the others farther away and try again.
How to add an AirTag using the Find My appIf the setup animation doesn't appear automatically, you can add an AirTag manually through Find My.
Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the Items tab.
Tap the Add button.
Select Add AirTag or Other Item (if you're adding a compatible FindMy Network accessory).
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup.
You can add up to 32 items in Find My, including AirTags, shared items and compatible accessories. If you've reached the limit, you'll need to remove an item before adding a new one.
What to do if your AirTag won't connectIf setup fails or the pairing animation disappears, try the following steps:
Lock your iPhone or iPad, unlock it again and wait about 15 seconds for the animation to reappear.
Make sure Bluetooth and Location Services are turned on in Settings.
Check that Find My has permission to use Precise Location.
Ensure you're signed in to your Apple Account and iCloud Keychain is enabled.
Verify your device is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS (iOS or iPadOS 26.2.1 or later).
If the AirTag still won't connect, the battery may need replacing. AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery, and swapping it only takes a minute. If issues persist after replacing the battery, you may need to reset the AirTag and try setup again.
How to name and label your AirTagNaming your AirTag makes it much easier to identify when you're tracking multiple items. During setup, Apple offers preset labels like Keys or Backpack, but you can customize these at any time.
To rename an AirTag after setup:
Open the Find My app.
Tap Items and select your AirTag.
Tap Add Name or Rename Item.
Choose a preset label or select Custom Name.
Optionally add an emoji for quick visual identification.
Clear labels are especially helpful if you use AirTags for travel, work gear or shared household items.
Apple AirTagEngadgetAttaching your AirTag to everyday itemsAirTags don't have built-in clips or adhesive, so you'll usually need an accessory to attach one securely. Depending on how you plan to use it, that could mean a key ring, luggage tag, wallet insert or bike mount.
If you're unsure which style works best, Engadget has rounded up the best Apple AirTag accessories, covering options for keys, bags, wallets and more. Choosing the right accessory helps ensure your AirTag stays attached and works the way you expect.
Wrap-upAfter setup, your AirTag will automatically update its location using Apple's Find My network. You can view its last known location, play a sound to help locate it nearby or use Precision Finding on supported iPhones to guide you directly to it. With just a few minutes of setup and a clear label, an AirTag can become a reliable way to keep track of important belongings, whether you're at home or on the move.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/how-to-set-up-an-airtag-120000789.html?src=rss
Problems with a new digital European system for certifying fishing catches are hampering producers and delaying exports, according to ministers from several EU member states.…
Not to act like a condescending jackass smartass, but I noticed that there's a genuine lack of historical context and more isolationist sensationalism, even here. It's frustrating.
What do I mean by this?
When people call and talk about "rich people"/"billionaires" as though this is a new phenomenon.
They're plutocrats, descendants of monarchy/aristocracy. Call them what they are.
"LaTe sTAgE CapITalIsM"
NO. It's NEOFEUDALISM. It has always been FEUDALISM. Call them what they are.
People genuinely act surprised when collapse happens. Have you ever put yourself in the shoes of those Roman plebs? The 1790s Frenchmen? Or any of the empires that had fallen? I'm sure all the plebs acted the same, acting all surprised that things are falling, while having never bothered to notice things falling in the first place, because they hAd bIlLS tO PaY.
There's this illusionary sense of belief that your period of time is unique in history, even among people above 60. The horror, the collapse, the "evil". The sense that what you're experiencing (the collapse) has never occured to nor been experienced by people before them. You speak of your experience as though it's a novel, unprecedented phenomenon, divorced from historical examples. There's no examination of history, at all.
You keep tranferring power/authority/consent form/permission slip to the ruling class through one of their instruments called money, and you're suprised you don't have power?
It had happened and it will happen again if you don't look at a history book.
That is not to say that there aren't historically aware people in here. But I'm sure you can count them on your fingers and toes.
submitted by /u/Sad-Measurement-7535[link] [comments]
The second session of testing on Wednesday at Sepang was a washout. The rider sat in the pits after the break for lunch, saving tires to do time attacks on the final day, and at 4pm, shortly after the first few riders ventured out again, the rain came, eventually turning into a proper downpour. A few riders got some time in the wet, most notably Diogo Moreira, using the opportunity to get his first taste of Michelin's rain tires. Maverick Viñales and Franco Morbidelli also got some wet track time.
David Emmett Wed, 04/Feb/2026 - 11:21
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) employees who had their details exposed in a significant 2023 data breach will each receive £7,500 ($10,279) as part of a universal offer of compensation.…
Your Party MP Zarah Sultana has backed the Greens' candidate Hannah Spencer in the Gorton and Denton by-election later this month. Sultana has also called for left unity and stressed the threat to Muslims posed by the far-right of which Reform UK is part:
The unelected interim leadership of Your Party has still not formalised local branches or ensured members have access to their own data. This should have been resolved months ago, allowing local members to democratically select a Your Party candidate for the upcoming Gorton & Denton by-election.
The candidate list is now published and it is clear that Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and trade unionist, is the strongest challenger to Labour and Reform. I am, therefore, giving my personal critical support to her and the Green Party in this by-election, and I urge others to do the same.
I have always been clear that the left is strongest when it is united. Our real opponents are not one another. They are Reform and the far-right. As a young Muslim woman, I understand viscerally what it would mean for the far-right to gain power in this country. This is not an abstract debate for me, nor the millions of people across the country whose safety would be directly affected.
That is why I want Your Party to become what it was founded to be: a mass working-class party that unites the left, provides a genuine socialist and anti-imperialist alternative, and prevents Nigel Farage and his cronies from ever getting the keys to Downing Street. Together, Your Party will be that vehicle.
Ultimately, defeating fascism must be our number one priority.
My statement on the Gorton & Denton by-election: pic.twitter.com/HSrgDf70h2
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) February 3, 2026
Sultana's statement followed an "awful", factional statement by the Your Party 'Grassroots Left' slate that she has backed. The statement attacks the Greens as 'pro-capitalist, pro-NATO' and says that the faction cannot "lend unconditional support" to Spencer.
Of course, no one asked them to or suggested that they should lend unconditional support to anyone. As Sultana pointed out, the far-right is an existential threat to Muslims and other minority groups and defeating fascism has to take priority over purism and posturing. The Workers Party has recognised this and announced it will not stand a candidate to allow support to concentrate behind Spencer to defeat the red, blue and teal Tories.
Zarah Sultana did the right thing by coming out with a clear statement of support. If the whole of Your Party does not galvanise to help the Greens win what is likely to be a tight election between them and the Farage fascists, shame on it.
Featured image via the Canary
By Skwawkbox
In an appalling move, Keir Starmer has moved to block some of the dirt on Peter Mandelson from getting out. The reason given is as follows:
SpaceX has paused flights of its workhorse Falcon 9 after a second stage failure resulted in the spent rocket tumbling uncontrollably back to Earth.…
Open Source Policy Summit 2026 European tech leaders are waking up to the risk of the US simply turning off their IT services.…
Amazon is warning users of its media services that it will not protect them against patent infringement claims relating to media codec technology supported by those services.…
Stepping into VR is about more than strapping on a headset and loading a game. The best VR headsets today are gateways to fully realized experiences, whether that's gaming, fitness, creative work or simply spending time inside a richly rendered virtual world. As the hardware has improved, so has the sense of presence, with sharper displays, wider fields of view and tracking systems that make movement feel more natural and responsive. The result is VR that feels less like a novelty and more like a platform you can actually spend time in.
That said, not every headset is built for the same function. Some prioritize ease of use and standalone play, while others demand a powerful PC in exchange for higher fidelity. Compatibility also matters more than ever, especially as VR begins to overlap with mixed reality and early smart glasses experiments. Whether you want a simple way to explore virtual spaces or a high-end rig that pushes immersion as far as possible, this guide breaks down the best VR headsets you can buy in 2026 and explains who each one is really for.
How we test VR headsets
I tend to judge candidates for the best VR headset on a few basic criteria: Ergonomics, immersion and controls. It's not that hard to shove a mobile display into a plastic headset and strap some cheap elastic headbands onto it. But it takes real design skill to craft something that's well balanced, includes a supportive headstrap, and doesn't feel uncomfortable after 30 minutes.
My test for ergonomics is fairly simple: How long can I wear a headset until I start to feel discomfort? For the most ergonomic devices, like the Quest 3, that could easily be an hour or two. But heavier PC hardware often feels cumbersome after just 15 minutes — you won't find those kinds of devices in our list of the best VR headsets.
Immersion, meanwhile, comes from having high resolution screens with fast refresh rates, like a 120Hz refresh rate, helping users feel fully present inside a virtual world. Field of view is also a major element, as it describes how well VR screens can cover what you see. A narrow FOV makes it feel like you're peering through a pair of binoculars, which limits your sense of "presence." The best VR headsets aim for a wider field of view, helping virtual environments feel more natural and fully surround you.
A wide field of view, on the other hand, can make it seem like you're actually flying over the globe in Google Earth. We look at a few popular video games, like Superhot, Beat Saber and Pistol Whip, on every headset to judge how immersed we feel and how enjoyable the gaming experience is overall.
The best controllers fit naturally in your hands and offer accurate tracking. The industry has basically adopted the design of Meta's excellent touch controllers, but we're also seeing intriguing leaps forward like Valve's finger tracking gamepads. We judge controllers based on how easy they are to hold, how they hold up to sweaty gameplay sessions and how easily headsets can track their position in space.
However, it's important to look at a virtual reality headset's specs as a whole, including compatibility with your existing hardware and the kind of experiences you plan to use it for. Depending on what you're looking for in yourVR headset, you'll want to consider factors like your PC's CPU and graphics card if you plan to use the headset to play the best VR games. You might not need a super powerful PC, but you should check the minimum requirements for the headset you're looking to purchase. If you're not looking to invest in a VR headset solely for gaming, features like head tracking allow you to explore your environment just by simply moving your head in the simulator. This often results in a more immersive and realistic experience.
Other VR headsets we've tested HTC Vive Focus VisionThe Vive Focus Vision is a sleek premium standalone VR headset that can also deliver solid PC VR. But it's also running aging hardware, it's riddled with software issues and it's expensive compared to the Meta Quest 3.
Meta Quest ProAs great as the Meta Quest 3 is, the Quest 2 is still a very good entry-level VR headset, and it's worth considering if it's on sale below its current $250 list price. The Meta Quest Pro, on the the hand, is an expensive boondoggle best ignored.
HTC Vive Pro 2Outside of Meta's hardware, the HTC Vive Pro 2 remains a fantastic PC headset, but it's far more expensive than the Valve Index, which is more comfortable and offers better audio.
VR headset FAQs How do VR headsets work?At the most basic level, a VR headset is simply a high quality screen that you're holding up to your face. For a wired headset, the actual work of rendering a game is done on either a PC or game console. For completely wireless devices, like the Meta Quest 3, that work is handled right on the headset. They rely on either external sensors, or sensors built into the headsets, to map your physical space. While you can use a traditional gamepad or keyboard and mouse in VR, they typically use motion tracking controllers to immerse you in their 3D environments.
What VR headset is best for full body tracking?While we're still waiting for a truly great haptic VR bodysuit to arrive, you can still achieve accurate body tracking with most Steam VR-compatible PC headsets. The Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro 2 both rely on room-tracking sensors that can map your body more effectively than the built-in sensors on competitors. You can also add HTC Vive Trackers to wrist and leg straps, as well as belts, for even better coverage. The Meta Quest 3 doesn't have any easy body tracking solutions, but you can add Vive trackers when it's plugged into your PC to mimic a Steam VR headset.
Only a few experiences, like VRChat, take advantage of full body tracking at the moment. Currently there aren't any body tracking solutions for the PlayStation VR and VR2, but we're intrigued by the company's Mocopi body trackers, which were really announced in Japan.
What VR headsets are better than Oculus?Oculus is the previous name for Meta's VR hardware. Currently, Meta only supports the Quest 3, Quest 3S and Quest Pro, all of which are wireless headsets. As we explain above, PC VR headsets can generally achieve better quality virtual reality, since they rely on more powerful graphics hardware.
What VR headsets work with Xbox?Currently, Microsoft's Xbox consoles don't support any VR headsets.
Recent updatesNovember 2025: Updated to include the Apple Vision Pro M5.
April 2025: Updated to include review scores for our top picks, where applicable.
November 2024: Added the HTC Vive Focus Vision to the "others we tested" section.
October 2024: Updated our "best cheap VR headset" top pick to be the Meta Quest 3S.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/best-vr-headsets-140012529.html?src=rss
After the surprise news that Yamaha decided to suspend testing at the Sepang MotoGP test due to a technical issue with their new V4 machine, Technical Director Max Bartolini spoke to the media at Sepang. Bartolini was interviewed by Dorna, then spoke to assembled journalists.
The extremely unusual decision to stop testing was taken after Fabio Quartararo stopped on track on Tuesday toward the end of the day. Identifying the cause of the problem had led Yamaha racing in Japan to decide to suspend their testing program until they can figure out a solution, or a way of continuing to run the engine safely.
David Emmett Wed, 04/Feb/2026 - 09:40
The launch of the Artemis II mission to send humans around the Moon is fast approaching. The Register had a go at building Lego's latest SLS set and found it a lot of fun, particularly making whooshing noises as the rocket "launches."…
There's no doubt about it — if you stopped time today, Waymo would be named the robotaxi winner outside of China, or certainly in the West. No other company compares in robotaxi deployment to date. Now, there are companies that think they can catch up, or whose chief aim is ... [continued]
The post $16 Billion for Waymo to Dominate the Robotaxi Market in the West appeared first on CleanTechnica.
Value-packed, all-new LEAF scores another industry award The all-new 2026 Nissan LEAF was named a Car and Driver Editors' Choice winner. The annual list names the best cars, trucks, SUVs and vans from the 2026 model year, ranked across 47 unique vehicle segments. "Redesigned for 2026, the new LEAF provides the range, performance, ... [continued]
The post 2026 Nissan LEAF Named a 2026 Car and Driver Editors' Choice Winner appeared first on CleanTechnica.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"The Global Economy's Warning Signals Are Broken.
"From markets to spending to debt, usually reliable indicators that forecast where the economy is headed are proving deeply fallible… The cooperative system of trade based on rules is giving way to great power aggression and mercantilism. With so much change happening so fast, historical patterns are cracking."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/business/economy/global-economy-forecasts.html
"Gold extends rally, jumps over 2% after best day since 2008.
"Gold prices climbed more than 2% on Wednesday, building on their best day since 2008 in the previous session, as bargain-hunting and a softer dollar supported bullion. The closely watched employment report for January will not be released this Friday because of the partial shutdown."
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-extends-rally-jumps-over-013913040.html
"Gold giant becomes major buyer of U.S. debt…
"Tether is no longer just a crypto liquidity provider. It is now one of the largest private holders of both gold and U.S. government debt, placing it in territory traditionally occupied by banks, asset managers and sovereign institutions."
https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/gold-giant-becomes-major-buyer-of-u-s-debt
"The Treasury market is treading in dangerous waters…
"While yields have remained relatively contained compared to historic highs, several "dangerous" undercurrents are causing unease among global investors… Total U.S. national debt has surpassed $38 trillion. Annual net interest payments are nearing $1 trillion, now rivaling major expenditures like defence and Medicare."
https://www.ft.com/content/c1229d2e-b871-4419-b9ed-7a9589c5a296
"The trillion-dollar question for AI business models.
"Here is a sobering truth about artificial intelligence: It is not yet profitable. Money is pouring into AI, and funds flow through it - for the time being. But when one examines AI companies' profits, clear data is hard to find."
https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/ai-business-models/
"An AI bubble is not big tech's only worry…
"Digital advertising, which accounts for a large and growing share of big tech's revenues, is looking less recession-proof. Having shrugged off the previous two downturns of their short history, in 2008-10 and 2020, digital ads are likely to take a serious knock when the next one eventually hits."
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/02/02/an-ai-bubble-is-not-big-techs-only-worry
"Office CMBS Delinquency Rate Spikes to Record 12.3%, Much Worse than Financial Crisis Meltdown Peak.
"The delinquency rate of office mortgages that have been securitized into commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) spiked by over a percentage point in January to 12.3%, once again the worst ever, and 1.6 percentage point above the worst moments of the Financial Crisis…"
"Trump Is Reverse Engineering The Great Recession.
"Residential mortgage-backed securities are back. Subprime mortgages are up… one of the core financial products that led to millions of foreclosures during the Great Recession is being quietly readied for a comeback — even as economic and climate conditions make its return all the more destabilizing."
https://www.levernews.com/trump-is-reverse-engineering-the-great-recession/
"Trump unveils $12bn critical minerals stockpile scheme in apparent move to counter China's dominance.
""Today we're launching what will be known as Project Vault to ensure that American businesses and workers are never harmed by any shortage," Trump said at the White House on Monday. He compared it to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)…"
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/03/trump-critical-minerals-stockpile-project-vault
"Former Farming Leaders Warn U.S. Agriculture Could Face 'Widespread Collapse'.
"Current economic conditions and Trump administration policies could lead to "a widespread collapse of American agriculture," a bipartisan coalition of former Agriculture Department officials and leaders of farm groups warned in a letter on Tuesday."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/us/politics/us-agriculture-warning.html
"Farmer warns rising feed costs will hit food prices [UK].
"The Met Office declared the summer of 2025 was the hottest since records began in 1884, which led to a drought being declared across the Midlands from July until December… the dry weather led to a drastic reduction in the supply of silage…"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c050r4rz81zo
"Germany eyes lasers, spy satellites in military space spending splurge…
"Germany will build an encrypted military constellation of more than 100 satellites, known as SATCOM Stage 4, over the next few years, the head of German Space Command Michael Traut told Reuters on the sidelines of a space event ahead of the Singapore Airshow."
"German Borrowing Costs at Highest Since 2011 on Spending Spree… as investors demand higher premiums to account for the record debt burden they need to absorb…
"It comes as Germany seeks to raise €512 billion ($604 billion) from debt sales this year to fund a spending spree aimed at fixing its infrastructure and modernizing its armed forces."
"Damning EU report lays bare bloc's 'dangerous dependence' on critical mineral imports.
"The EU is struggling to free itself from dependence on China and countries in the global south for critical minerals and rare earths needed for everything from smartphones to wind turbines and military jets."
"EU States Seek Russian Fertilizer Ban in Next Sanctions Package.
"Nordic duo Finland and Sweden have proposed a possible ban on imports of Russian fertilizer as part of the EU's next sanctions package, as the gas-based product has become a way around current gas-related sanctions."
https://www.energyintel.com/0000019c-23a7-d32e-a99c-7faf3c9e0000
"Ukraine war briefing: second round of Abu Dhabi talks set for tense start after 'massive' strikes on Kyiv.
"Senior Ukrainian and Russian officials are due to meet in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for a second round of talks brokered by the Trump administration. The two-day talks are expected to mirror last month's format…"
"Russia warns of military measures if US deploys weapons in Greenland…
"Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned on Tuesday that Moscow would take "military and technical compensatory measures" if the United States deploys elements of its proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system on the Arctic island."
"Steeper Discounts on Russian Oil Test India Response to US Deal.
"Discounts on Russian oil being offered to Indian refiners have widened over the past 10 days, raising the question of whether processors will be encouraged to snap up cargoes despite a trade agreement with the US that hinges on lower purchases."
"Top China Official Vows to Boost Consumption to Overhaul Economy.
"China will press ahead with building a unified market to unleash domestic consumption as countries around Asia face a "pivotal juncture" in the transformation of the global economy, a top economic official said."
"Japan Claims 'World First' Retrieval of Rare Earths in Deepsea Drill.
"In a statement posted on X, PM Sanae Takaichi said the deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu removed sediment containing rare earth minerals from an area near Minamitori-shima (Minamitori Island) at a depth of nearly 6,000 ki
lometres."
https://www.asiafinancial.com/japan-claims-world-first-retrieval-of-rare-earths-in-deepsea-drill
"Yen Crisis Tracker.
"The Japanese yen is mired in a protracted decline linked to escalating worries about the country's financial health. With a new prime minister heading into an election, investors are bracing for policy shifts that could reshape the market."
https://www.reuters.com/data/yen-crisis-tracker-2026-02-03/
"Bank of Japan won't come to the rescue of a Takaichi-driven bond rout.
"Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi should not count on the Bank of Japan's help in taming sharp bond yield rises given the huge cost of intervention, including the significant risk of igniting unwelcome yen falls, sources say."
"North Korea: teenagers 'executed for watching Squid Game' as regime wages war on K-Drama and K-Pop…
"Interviewees said that newer South Korean content was reaching North Korea faster than in previous decades. They mentioned popular South Korean dramas from the 2010s, including Crash Landing on You, noted for its North Korea setting, and Descendants of the Sun, which features military themes."
"Thailand: From 'Economic Tiger' to the 'Sick Man of Asia'.
"Thailand's economy is in a structural crisis, transitioning from a high-growth "Economic Tiger" to a stagnant state as its main pillars of consumption, manufacturing, and tourism falter. The decline is driven by deep-seated issues, including a shrinking population."
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/economy/40062077
"Rohingya Again Abandoned as Myanmar's Conflict Enters a Far Deadlier Phase.
"This Rohingya Myanmar crisis exemplifies systemic human rights failures embedded in the junta's state policy of impunity, where airstrikes target civilians and aid blockades starve millions, reviving perils for the Rohingya minority…"
"Death toll of terrorist attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan rises to 250: official.
"More than 250 people have been killed in coordinated attacks launched by terrorists across Pakistan's Balochistan province since Saturday, a security official has said, with fighting continuing as government forces pursue the attackers."
https://www.trtworld.com/article/9abdf9b86bb1
"Afghan Migration to Crisis-Stricken Iran: A Mirror of a Deeper Catastrophe in Afghanistan.
"From what we hear and see, Iran's economy is more fragile and unstable than ever. Items such as cooking oil, rice, chicken, and red meat are no longer ordinary commodities; they have become luxury, scarce goods and concrete indicators of a collapsing livelihood."
"'Game is over': Iran's ex-leaders, hardliners clash after protest killings.
"Several of Iran's former leaders, including some who are currently imprisoned or under house arrest, have released damning statements over the killing of thousands during nationwide protests, garnering threats from hardliners."
"US shoots down Iranian drone as Middle East tensions escalate.
"The US military said it shot down an Iranian drone that "aggressively approached" an American aircraft carrier 500 miles from Iran's southern coast on Tuesday… In a separate incident hours later, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces threatened to board and seize a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz."
https://www.ft.com/content/81c72320-dab7-4429-8859-c2bd551ec5a1
"Iran-US; Why the Next Oil Crisis Will Be More Dangerous. Markets are not fully pricing in the high chance of a major oil shock...
"So, how big are the risks? Geopolitical analysts concur that they are greater than the market is now pricing. Tina Fordham of Fordham Global Foresight argues that with at least eight destroyers and an aircraft carrier in place, the buildup is accelerating."
"All-female Syrian militia refuses to lay down arms…
"'They will only get to our land over our dead bodies,' YPJ vows as Kurds fight for de facto capital… Ms Mohammed said: "Our commanders and soldiers have played the largest role, in the war against IS, in the war against al-Nusra, on all frontlines. So we can't accept an armed force without women.""
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/03/kurdish-female-soldiers-fight-for-qamishli/
"Milk rationing begins at Israeli supermarkets as dairy strike escalates.
"Sources familiar with the details told Israel Hayom that dairy farmers plan to escalate their protest measures if the Knesset committee does not transfer the discussion of the dairy reform to the Economics Committee."
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/02/03/israel-dairy-farmers-strike-milk-shortage-crisis/
"Israel kills at least ten Palestinians in Gaza, including three children…
"A source in Gaza's ambulance and emergency services told Al Jazeera Arabic that Israeli artillery fire struck the Zaytoun and Tuffah neighbourhoods, east of Gaza City, at dawn, killing seven people, including two baby girls."
"Economic collapse in Yemen drive many towards cryptocurrency despite grave risks.
"As inflation in Yemen surged to a record 45 per cent in 2021, Aisha Hamid watched the value of her savings steadily erode. Even with inflation now down to about 20.7 per cent, the 34-year-old Sana'a resident says the damage has already been done."
https://www.newarab.com/news/economic-collapse-yemen-drive-many-towards-cryptocurrency
"Yemen accuses Eritrea and Puntland of abuses against fishermen in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
"Yemen's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has accused Eritrean forces and Somalia's Puntland administration of carrying out deadly attacks, arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions of Yemeni fishermen working in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden."
"Ethiopia's prime minister accuses Eritrea of mass killings during Tigray war.
"Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, while addressing parliament Tuesday, accused Eritrean troops fighting alongside Ethiopian forces of mass killings in the war, during which more than 400,000 people are estimated to have died."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/eritrea-ethiopia-abiy-ahmed-red-sea-addis-ababa-b2913325.html
"Central Africa: Civilians at Risk in Eastern Congo.
"Abuses against civilians by government forces and armed groups have become rampant in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo… Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and the Central African Republic have further restricted civil and political rights."
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/02/04/central-africa-civilians-at-risk-in-eastern-congo
"Gaddafi's son killed in clashes as 444th Brigade denies involvement [Libya].
"Abdullah Osman, , as an adviser and chief of cabinet to Saif al-Islam, reportedly confirmed the death following an armed confrontation with the militia, according to conflict zone journalist Levent Kemal."
"Islamic State in the Sahel and the Dangers of Continued Regional Upheaval.
"The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for last week's coordinated attack on Diori Hamani International Airport and the adjacent Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger's capital, marking one of the most high-profile attacks for IS-affiliates in the Sahel region."
https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2026-february-3/
"US military says some forces have been dispatched to Nigeria…
"Defense Minister Christopher Musa confirmed that a team was working in Nigeria but did not provide further details. A former U.S. official said the U.S. team appeared to be heavily involved in intelligence gathering and enabling Nigerian forces to strike terrorist-affiliated groups."
"US urges its citizens in Cuba to brace for protests, outages, fuel shortage…
"In recent weeks, Washington has moved to block all oil from reaching Cuba, including that from ally Venezuela, pushing up prices for food and transportation and prompting severe fuel shortages and hours of blackouts."
"Thousands march in Venezuela to demand US frees President Maduro, wife…
"Thousands carried signs in support of the abducted president, and many wore shirts calling for the couple's return from detention in a US prison. "The empire kidnapped them. We want them back," declared one banner carried by marchers."
"Colombian and Ecuadorian merchants and truckers protest escalating trade war between both nations…
"Protesters called for their governments to eliminate 30% tariffs on dozens of goods, warning the levies will hurt the economy of border provinces and affect energy companies on both sides of the border."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/protesters-trade-quito-bogota-trump-b2913301.html
"Gen Z is officially less intelligent than millennials, first recorded intergenerational IQ drop.
"Gen Z is now officially the only generation to measure lower than their predecessors in intelligence. A neuroscientist says this is because short videos and summarised texts are being increasingly relied on, but this is not how the human brain works."
"More Gen Z and millennials are getting cancer…
"Oncologists have observed a disturbing trend — cancers are increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults, particularly those in their late 20s to early 40s — namely Gen Z and millennials."
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.
The post 4th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Harry Sword explores the world of the cult London shop and record label - one of the most vital imprints for adventurous leftfield heavy metal - offering ten entry points into one of the most beguiling and bewitching catalogues out there
Crypt of the Wizard have ploughed an idiosyncratic furrow through the strangest corners of deeply underground sonics of cleaving ferocity and beyond since 2015. The shop has become an idiosyncratic institution through sheer dogged belief in the power and glory of heavy metal. Setting up on Hackney Road - and expanding to found a label in 2018 and a festival starting in 2024 - CotW remains the only specialist metal emporium in London. Initially the brainchild of founders Charlie Woolley...
The post The Strange World Of… Crypt of the Wizard appeared first on The Quietus.
Paying attention to the calls of our avian neighbours can reduce stress, find scientists in Germany
Feeling stressed? Try a dose of birdsong to lift the spirits. A new study shows that paying attention to the treetop melodies of our feathered friends can boost wellbeing and bring down stress levels.
Previous research has shown that people feel better in bird-rich environments, but Christoph Randler, from the University of Tübingen, and colleagues wanted to see if that warm fuzzy feeling translated into measurable physiological changes. They rigged up a park with loudspeakers playing the songs of rare birds and measured the blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels (a marker of stress) of volunteers before and after taking a 30-minute walk through the park. Some volunteers experienced the birdsong-enriched environment, some heard just natural birdsong, and some wore noise-cancelling headphones and heard no birdsong. Half of the recruits were asked to pay attention to the birdsong.
Continue reading...
