The Int'l Man's Hot Links Archive 2026: Jan 1 -

Hot Links Archive 2026 (1): January 1 -

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• Climate Clock - "The science is clear: we are in a Climate Emergency. Decades of increasing carbon emissions are harming the natural and societal systems upon which humanity depends, threatening untold ecological and human devastation if we do not #ActInTime. The good news: there is still time."
• Climate Change - "Check out all about climate change and crisis: best 1800+ science, evidence, facts, information, news, reviews and resources."
• Doomsday Clock moved closest ever to destruction - "The Doomsday Clock symbolising how near humanity is to destruction has been moved one second forward to 89 seconds to midnight - the closest it has ever been."
• Our world in data - "Research & data to make progress against the world's largest problems."
• Artificial Intellignce: Apps, Books, Chatbots, News, Resources & Tutorials - "Everything you need to know about AI and Chatbots! 1000+ resources."
• Covid, mpox & Bird Flu - "4000+ Up-To-Date Advice, Facts, News & Recources."
• War in Ukraine - "Live coverage of the all the latest developments in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine."
• Catch up on today's global news - "CNN Headlines is a curated channel covering major news events across politics, international, business, and sport, and showcasing the most impactful stories of the day."

January 12, 2026

• Golden Globes 2026: The full list of winners - "The Golden Globe Awards have been handed out in Los Angeles, honouring the best in film and television of the past 12 months."
• Chalamet beats DiCaprio to Golden Globes glory - "Timothée Chalamet was among the main winners as Hollywood's finest gathered for this year's Golden Globe Awards."
• Golden Globes 2026: See every look from the red carpet - "From Marilyn Monroe's sequined V-neck dress to Lady Gaga's periwinkle ballgown, the Golden Globes have delivered their fair share of glamour, sparkle and show-stopping outfits over the years. This year's Golden Globes was no different, with the stars of TV, film and, for the first time, audio (now recognized in a dedicated podcast award) descending on the Beverly Hilton hotel for the annual ceremony."
• Nikki Glaser’s best jokes from the 2026 Golden Globes - "In a world full of mediocre Hollywood sequels, Nikki Glaser, returning to host the Golden Globes for a second year running, proved Sunday that reboots can sometimes work."
• The first ‘Battle’ for award show domination is won &asmp; other takeaways from the 2026 Golden Globes - "Toward the end of the evening, Julia Roberts claimed it had been 'a beautiful night to be an artist,' and that was very much the case - even if the reality of the outside world didn’t quite break into the room like it sometimes does."
• ‘Completely bonkers’: Trump’s Greenland mining dreams collide with reality - "Greenland’s untapped mineral wealth has helped land the island at the top of President Donald Trump’s empire-building wish list. Greenland's untapped mineral wealth: Greenland has over 1,100 identified mineral sites, but there are only two active mines and just eight active licenses for mining. More than 600 sites contain minerals designated by the US to be essential to its economy and national security."
• ‘Fateful moment’ for Denmark amid Trump threats to take over Greenland - "Danish prime minister says country is at a crossroads and accuses US of turning its back on Nato."
• Data Centers are Lousy for the Planet. Should We Move Them to Space? - "Data centers are hot. Literally. In the U.S., data centers burn through more than 4% of total annual energy consumption, says the Pew Research Center - a figure that is expected to grow by more than 130% by the end of this decade. And all that power generates a lot of heat. A large data center campus can throw off up to 100 megawatts of waste heat, sufficient to power 100,000 homes."
• Why luxury carmakers are now building glitzy skyscrapers - "Bugatti is synonymous with high-performance, ultra-expensive supercars. But now the luxury French brand is entering a very different kind of race – not on the track, but in the skyline. In the heart of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, Bugatti is building its first residential tower. With the cheapest apartments set to cost $5.2m, the company is entering a fast-growing marketplace for the world's super-rich - branded residences."
• Eggie, Neo, Isaac & Memo are domestic robots. But would you let them load your dishwasher? - "The idea of having a friendly robot butler that can do all the dull duties of running a home has existed for decades. But now, thanks to AI, it's genuinely happening and this year the first truly multi-purpose domestic bots will start to enter homes. In Silicon Valley, they're being trained at speed to fold laundry, load the dishwasher, and clean up after us."
• Philippe Junot, former husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco, dies aged 85 - "Philippe Junot, the former husband of Princess Caroline of Hanover, has died at the age of 85. His daughter, Victoria, confirmed the news on social media, announcing that he passed away peacefully in Madrid on Thursday, January 8, surrounded by his family."

January 11, 2026

• The week in 31 photos - "Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye."
• Trump’s territorial ambition: new imperialism or a case of the emperor’s new clothes? - "Trump’s attack on Venezuela suggests expansionism is under way but some argue it is simply standard US foreign policy stripped of hypocrisy."
• Trump’s foreign policy sounds rather king-like - "Two months ago, President Donald Trump and his allies ridiculed Trump’s opponents for their massive 'No Kings' rallies. They cast it as melodramatic to compare Trump’s actions and aims to a king. Trump in a New York Times interview this week said nothing could stand in his way except himself."
• Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’ - "On topic after topic, President Trump made clear that he would be the arbiter of any limits to his authorities, not international law or treaties."
• Greenlanders ‘don’t want to be Americans’, say political leaders amid Trump threats - "Five parties issue joint statement after US president warns he would acquire the island 'the nice way or the more difficult way'."
• The 2026 Golden Globes Nominations - "This year’s nominees span film, television, podcasts, and original music. The 83rd Annual Golden Globes streaming live Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 5PM PT / 8PM ET."
• Hollywood celebrates best in film & TV this Sunday with the Golden Globes - "CNN's Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga speak with Brent Lang, the Executive Editor of Variety, about who could win big this Sunday at the Golden Globes."
• Remember when Julia Roberts upended tradition by wearing a suit to the Golden Globes? - "Can a single red carpet look turn you into a style icon? If it’s a Giorgio Armani suit and you’re Julia Roberts, yes, it can. In 1990 Roberts, then just 22, wore a charcoal gray Armani suit from the designer’s menswear collection to attend the 47th Golden Globes."
• 'HermÈs of durian': The luxury fruit cashing in on China's billion-dollar appetite - "With an aroma that has been likened to cabbage, sulphur and sewers - depending on who the nose belongs to - the durian packs a pungence so divisive that it's banned on some public transport and hotels. Fans from the region have christened it the 'King of fruits'."
• A rare look at one of Earth's most remote places - "Frozen in for nine months every year and located 800km from the next town, Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland, offers a fascinating glimpse at life at the edge of the world."
• iPhone’s monumental impact 19 years after debut - "CNN's Kasie Hunt looks at the major cultural impact of the iPhone 19 years after its debut."
• Rare first Superman comic once stolen from Nicolas Cage sells for $15m - "A rare copy of the 1938 comic that introduced Superman to the world has sold to an anonymous collector for $15m. The private sale of the Action Comics No 1 copy - once stolen from actor Nicolas Cage's home and returned to him over a decade later - was announced on Friday."
• Ranked: The World’s 50 Largest Economies by GDP in 2026 - "The global economy is projected to reach $123.6 trillion in 2026. The United States remains the world’s largest economy, accounting for over $31.8 trillion in GDP. The top five economies generate more than 55% of global economic output."

January 10, 2026

• All the tech & gadgets announced at CES 2026 - "Catch up on all of the news from the biggest tech event of the year."
• Cell phone footage raises new questions about ICE agent’s tactics before fatal shooting - "As he approached Renee Good’s vehicle on a Minneapolis street on Wednesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross held up his phone camera and recorded video. Less than a minute later, he was still recording when he drew his weapon and fatally shot Good as she accelerated."
• Trump says US needs to 'own' Greenland to prevent Russia & China from taking it - "We will do it 'the easy way' or 'the hard way', he added. The White House said recently the administration is considering buying the semi-autonomous territory of fellow Nato member Denmark, but it would not rule out the option of annexing it by force."
• Donald Trump Reveals Diddy 'Asked Me for a Pardon' in a Letter, but He Doesn't Plan to Grant It - "The president previously said the mogul was 'very hostile' towards him, and 'made some terrible statements'. In an exclusive report by the New York Times published Thursday, Jan. 8, the outlet said the president, 79, stated that he has no intention of helping the disgraced music mogul, 56."
• 16 Michelin-approved food destinations for 2026 - "The Michelin guide, that titan of taste and tires, has revealed its list of top 16 foodie destinations for 2026 and it makes for appetizing reading."
• The World’s 50 Largest Economies & How Fast They’ve Grown Since 2000 - "The U.S. has averaged 2.1% in real GDP growth annually over the past 25 years. China has the highest average real GDP growth of 8.0% over the time period. India, now the world’s fifth largest economy (surpassing the UK), grew at an average rate of 6.4% per year."
• Ranked: The World’s Top Silver Producers - "Mexico leads global silver production despite holding just 6% of the world’s known reserves. The Silver Institute projected that the silver market would end in a deficit for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, with the cumulative deficit reaching almost 820 million ounces."
• Here’s What Happens When You Drink Wine Every Day, According to Registered Dietitians - "Daily wine habits can affect your heart, sleep, and more. Drinking wine every day can affect sleep, energy, weight, and long-term health, with risks increasing as intake goes beyond one small glass. While wine contains antioxidants, you'd need to drink more than is healthy to see real benefits - similar perks can come from fruits, vegetables, coffee, or tea instead."
• What are your chances of beating top tennis stars? - "'All you have to do is win five or six points': Your chances of beating the world's top tennis stars in a new tournament. An unusual tennis competition that pits amateurs against professionals in one-point matches is launching at the Australian Open. But could an unknown player really take down one of the world's best?"
• Hero or brutal tyrant? The controversy over 16th-Century explorer Magellan - "An acclaimed new film dramatises the pioneering voyage of the world-famous Portuguese navigator - a trailblazer who has been accused of 'incontinent bloodlust'."

January 9, 2026

• CES 2026 live - all the latest news from Day 4 of the world's biggest tech show - "We're live from CES 2026 – here are the latest gems we've found."
• Iran's supreme leader to Trump: Focus on your own country - "Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says regime ‘will not back down’ as biggest anti-government protests in years spread across Iran."
• Russia strikes Ukraine with Oreshnik ballistic missile, one of its most advanced weapons - "The strike marks the first time in more than a year that Moscow has unleashed the Oreshnik, which can contain multiple warheads and carry either conventional or nuclear payloads."
• Swiss ski resort bar fire owner arrested - "Jacques Moretti has been detained as he poses a potential flight risk, Swiss media reported. Owner of Swiss ski resort bar where 40 died in New Year's Eve fire taken into custody."
• Vance criticises Denmark & Europe's handling of 'critical' Greenland - "US Vice-President JD Vance says Greenland is 'critical' for the defence of the US and the world against possible Russian or Chinese missile attacks - and that Europe and Denmark have 'not done a good job' in securing the area."
• Brigitte Bardot laid to rest in funeral ceremony broadcast across Saint-Tropez - "Brigitte Bardot laid to rest in funeral ceremony broadcast across Saint-Tropez. Brigitte Bardot, the film star turned animal rights activist, has been laid to rest after a funeral service in Saint-Tropez attended by her favourite politician, the far-right leader Marine Le Pen."
• Brigitte Bardot's son Nicolas Charrier traveled from Norway, where he lives, to Saint-Tropez for the funeral of his mother - "BB's only son was, in fact, the second name on the funeral announcement, just below that of Bernard d'Ormale, the deceased's husband. Brigitte Bardot rejected her son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, because she never wanted to be a mother, viewing her pregnancy as a burdensome 'tumor,' leading her to describe motherhood as a tragedy and saying she'd rather have given birth to a dog, a sentiment expressed in her memoirs which caused estrangement and a lawsuit from her son and ex-husband."
• Poignant farewell to Bardot from family she barely knew including lookalike great-granddaughter - "Among the mourners at Brigitte Bardot's funeral, a little blonde girl in a navy velvet hat and smart coat stood out amongst the hundreds who had gathered to pay their respects. The youngster is the late film icon's great-granddaughter and bears something of a resemblance to the French film legend who died in December aged 91."
• How airlines ensure pilots are completely sober before their flights - "Bottle-to-throttle: The precautions airlines take to make sure your pilot is sober."
• The Tech That Will Invade Our Lives in 2026 - "From talking computers to self-driving cars, here are the trends to watch: 1. We'll finally be talking to our computers. - 2. The search continues for a successor to the smartphone. - 3. A.I. is changing how we browse the web. - 4. Self-driving taxis are becoming widespread."
• 20 best hair growth products for thinning hair - "The best hair growth products that’ll actually work, according to dermatologists."
• From Kardashian Injectable Lips to Mar-a-Lago Face - "Tressie McMillan Cottom, Jessica Grose and Meher Ahmad on why plastic surgery and fillers no longer feel like a secret - or a stigma."
• If you think your life is complicated, meet the President of France, Emmanuel Macron - "At 48 years old, Macron’s family looks like this: First stepdaughter: 49 years old - Second stepson: 51 years old - Wife (Brigitte): 72 years old. So technically speaking, he is the youngest member of his own family."
• All of the World’s Silver Reserves by Country, in One Visualization - "Peru alone holds roughly 22% of the world’s known silver reserves. Mexico dominates global silver production, but its reserve base is much smaller than several peers."

January 8, 2026

• CES 2026 day 3 - "The 11 best gadgets we've seen today, from IKEA smart lights to the Motorola Razr Fold."
• This may be the real reason Trump wants Greenland - "America’s next conquest might become Trumpland. During his first term, his designs on Greenland were considered a joke - just another brazen boast of a president who loves to shock."
• Buying Greenland? Trump, Truman & the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean' - "In the summer of 2019, the Trump Administration voiced an interest in buying Greenland from Denmark."
• Elon Musk’s xAI under fire for failing to rein in ‘digital undressing’ - "Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, has?been flooded with sexual images of mainly women, many of them real people. Users have prompted the chatbot to to 'digitally undress' those people and sometimes place them in suggestive poses."
• What to Know About the Oil Tanker Seizures Escalating U.S.–Russia Tensions - "The Trump Administration intercepted two tankers in separate operations on Wednesday, operations that could inflame tensions with Russia."
• What happens to the planet if Trump gets his hands on all of Venezuela’s oil? - "The largest oil reserves of any country on the planet, more than 300 billion barrels, are estimated to lie beneath the ground in Venezuela. President Donald Trump is now laying claim to these vast deposits after his capture of the country’s president Nicolás Maduro."
• All of the World’s Oil Reserves by Country, in One Visualization - "Just four countries control more than half of the world’s proven oil reserves. Despite the energy transition, fossil fuels still account for nearly 70% of global energy demand."
• Watch: Trump says Maduro copied his dancing. Did he? - "In a speech to Republican members of Congress at the Kennedy Center, Trump claimed that former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro imitated his dance moves."
• 52 Places to Go in 2026 - "Our list for the new year features an eclipse, a revolution and a tiger reserve. What’s on yours?"
• Oligarch linked to bribery paid Andrew £15m for mansion - "Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received millions of pounds from an oligarch using funds from a firm implicated in criminal corruption, a BBC investigation has found. Kazakh billionaire Timur Kulibayev has told the BBC through his lawyers that he used a loan from a company called Enviro Pacific Investments to help him buy Andrew's former mansion."
• Inside the sub-zero lair of the world's most powerful computer - "It looks like a golden chandelier and contains the coldest place in the known universe. What I am looking at is not just the most powerful computer in the world, but technology pivotal to financial security, Bitcoin, government secrets, the world economy and more. Quantum computing holds the key to which companies and countries win - and lose - the rest of the 21st Century."
• Mapped: Global Inflation by Country in 2025 - "Global inflation averaged 4.2% in 2025, with many countries showing resilience in the face of historic U.S. tariffs. In the U.S., inflation declined from 3% in 2024 to 2.7% in 2025. Inflation was highest in Venezuela, at 269.9% for the year."
• The Most Beautiful Home Libraries T Magazine Has Covered - "Our Favorite Home Libraries: From Connecticut to Cairo, reading spots that will seem like paradise to book- and design-lovers alike."

January 7, 2026

• CES 2026 day 2 - "The 11 best gadgets we've seen today, from smart flashlights to new Dell XPS laptops."
• US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military, says White House - "The White House told the BBC that acquiring Greenland - a semi-autonomous region of fellow Nato member Denmark - was a 'national security priority'."
• Why Trump wants to take Greenland - "The US president’s zero-sum thought process might just boil down to taking Greenland because he can."
• The ‘Donroe doctrine’: Maduro is the guinea pig for Donald Trump’s new world order - "The Trump administration’s intention to 'reassert and enforce the Monroe doctrine to restore American pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere'."
• Everyone is talking about Greenland. Here’s what it’s like to visit - "In June 2025, United Airlines launched a twice-weekly direct service from Newark to Nuuk. The island had already seen a tourism boost after Trump turned his attention to it."
• Swiss bar hit by deadly fire had not been inspected in five years - "Le Constellation bar, where 40 people died in the inferno, had not had a fire inspection since 2019, the president of the Crans-Montana council said."
• Lego unveils tech-filled Smart Bricks - to play experts' unease - "Lego has unveiled Smart Bricks - tech-filled versions of its small building blocks - which it says will bring sets to life with sound, light and reaction to movement."
• The World’s $111 Trillion in Government Debt, in One Giant Chart - "Together, the U.S. and China hold 51.8% of the world’s government debt. Global debt climbed to $111 trillion in 2025, amounting to 94.7% of worldwide GDP, with Japan, Sudan, and Singapore holding the highest debt-to-GDP ratios, while the United States ranks 11th globally with a ratio of 125%."
• 12 Communication Habits to Ditch in 2026 - "Over-relying on AI - Leaving people on read - Breadcrumbing - Minimizing other people's concerns - Breadcrumbing - ...."
• How to help your body detox itself - "Your body has plenty of ways to cleanse itself. Here's how to help it along."
• How I changed my personality in six weeks - "Based on emerging research showing people can shift their core personality traits, Laurie Clarke tried tweaking hers. Here's what happened."
• Does heading the ball cause dementia? - "Why sports stars who head the ball are much more likely to die of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease. Professional soccer players and American football stars are at much greater risk of developing dementia. What can we do to help them?"
• The 40 most exciting books to look forward to in 2026 - "From big-name authors Colson Whitehead, George Saunders and Maggie O'Farrell to buzzy debuts and powerful non-fiction, these are the titles you'll want to add to your reading pile this year."
• The 20 best places to travel in 2026 - "From a Polynesian island ringed by blue lagoons to the heart of Chile's wine country, these are BBC journalists' top destinations this year."
• 'Embrace the imperfection': Eight quick fixes to revitalise your home - "How to transform your living space for the new year - and create a unique, artisan-style look, without spending on 'fast furniture'."

January 6, 2026

• CES 2026 - "Live from Las Vegas, CNET covers the coolest gadgets, trends and companies at the world's largest tech show."
• NVIDIA Kicks Off the Next Generation of AI With Rubin - "NVIDIA today kickstarted the next generation of AI with the launch of the NVIDIA Rubin platform, comprising six new chips designed to deliver one incredible AI supercomputer."
• Nvidia unveils self-driving car tech as it seeks to power more products with AI - "Nvidia has unveiled a new tech platform for self-driving cars as the world's leading chip-maker seeks more physical products to embed AI into. Speaking at the annual CES technology conference in Las Vegas, boss Jensen Huan said the system - called Alpamayo - would bring 'reasoning' to autonomous vehicles."
• BjÖrk Calls for Greenland Independence as Trump Revives Takeover Threats - "'The chance that my fellow Greenlanders might go from one cruel colonizer to another is too brutal to even imagine,' the Icelandic musician wrote on Instagram."
• ‘Enough Is Enough’: Greenland’s Prime Minister Issues Stark Warning as Trump Renews Annexation Threat - "'No more pressure. No more hints. No more fantasies about annexation,' he urged on Sunday, emphasizing that while Greenland is open to a dialogue with the U.S."
• The world’s most punctual airlines & airports in 2025 - "With an estimated 38.9 million flights taking place internationally in 2025, and a delicate geopolitical landscape causing airspace constraints, the hurdles impacting punctuality are getting trickier than ever. 12 airports and airlines around the world has last year excelled in terms of punctuality, thus reaping the rewards in terms of passenger satisfaction and cost savings."
• 31st Critics Choice Awards red carpet in 13 key looks - "The annual ceremony is considered a bellwether for the Oscars, with the industry closely monitoring how hotly tipped movies like 'Sinners' and 'Hamnet' perform among the Critics Choice Association’s (CCA) hundreds of members. The star-studded awards show also offers a glimpse at the fashion trends that may unfold between now and the Academy Awards in mid-March."
• 48 of The Most Controversial Celebrity Looks of All Time - "From Björk's swan dress to Jane Birkin's backwards gown to Kristen Stewart's shorts at the Oscars."
• 9 signs Google’s Gemini just ended ChatGPT’s dominance - "Forget ChatGPT, here's why Gemini is already winning the AI war."
• Five lifestyle tweaks to help you live well for longer - "Simple, science-backed changes you can make now to keep yourself healthier in later life."
• 5 ways to improve your health in 2026 - "Aiming for a healthier year? A doctor shares the 5 science-backed habits that matter most. Get healthier in 2026 by focusing on 5 simple behaviors."
• ‘Autofocus’ glasses can change their lenses in real time - "Finnish eyewear company IXI is gearing up to launch smart glasses that look just like ordinary spectacles, but are able to 'autofocus' based on the perceived needs of the wearer."
• Want your Rolls Royce to match your pet Labrador? Anything is possible in luxury car customization - "This is one part of a growing industry trend catering to those who can have nearly anything they want in their cars. This sort of extreme customization has existed as long as cars have, but growing global wealth is bringing it into more automakers in more places, not just Rolls-Royce."

January 5, 2026

• From Caracas 'fort' to New York court: Maduro's capture in pictures & maps - "The US says its military operation to capture Venezuela's president took months of planning, but when Donald Trump gave the order to launch, 'Operation Absolute Resolve' only lasted about 150 minutes."
• Venezuela's NicolÁs Maduro Says ‘Happy New Year’ to U.S. Agents in New Video Upon Arrival at N.Y. Air Force Base - "The White House’s official Rapid Response X account shared footage of his apparent perp walk, showing the moment Maduro was escorted by federal agents at the US Drug Enforcement Administration offices in New York."
• Greenland, Cuba, Iran: Here are all the countries Trump has warned since his Venezuela strike - "Since the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Máduro by US forces at the weekend, US President Donald Trump and members of his administration have issued warnings to several other countries and territories - including Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Iran and Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark."
• 'We need Greenland': Trump repeats threat to annex Danish territory - "Donald Trump has again proposed annexing Greenland, after Denmark's leader urged him to 'stop the threats' over the island. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen responded by saying 'that's enough now' and described the notion of US control over the island as a 'fantasy'."
• Ten found guilty of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron - "The defendants were accused of spreading false claims about her gender and sexuality, as well as making 'malicious remarks' about the 24-year age gap between the couple."
• Leonardo DiCaprio to Miss Palm Springs Film Fest Gala Due to Venezuela Air Restrictions - "DiCaprio was set to receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his performance in 'One Battle After Another.' However, Variety has learned the Oscar winner was not able to leave St. Barts due to air restrictions in the area following the international conflict."
• The best budget espresso machines in 2025, tried & tested - "This budget espresswo machine is proof that you dont have to spend thousands to get good espresso."
• The Father of Modern Dress Watches Had a Brilliant Return to Form in 2025 - "Patek Philippe's iconic dress watch had an impressive return to form in 2025 with the 6196P, the best Calatrava in years."
• Charted: The Decline of Global Wine Production & Consumption - "Global wine production fell nearly 19% between 2015 and 2024, reaching its lowest level in a decade. Wine consumption also declined during the period."
• 10 Must-Read Tech Books Of 2025 - "Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company by Patrick McGee. - Source Code: My Beginnings by Bill Gates. - Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation That Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom by Dan Caruso."
• Gold price rises after US captures Venezuela's Maduro - "Gold was about 2.4% higher at $4,433 an ounce, while the price of silver was up by 4.9%, as money was moved into so-called 'safe-haven' assets. The gold price saw its best annual performance last year since 1979 after rising by more than 60%, reaching an all-time high of $4,549.71 on 26 December."
• Bluefin tuna fetches record $3.2m at Tokyo auction - "A bulky bluefin tuna made a splash at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market on Monday morning, fetching a record 510.3 million yen ($3.2m) at the market's first auction of the year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish came from Kiyomura Corp, the operator of popular sushi chain Sushi Zanmai, which has outlets across the country and abroad."

January 4, 2026

• Spies, drones & blowtorches: How the US captured Maduro - "For months, US spies had been monitoring Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's every move. A small team, including one source within the Venezuelan government, had been observing where the 63-year-old slept, what he ate, what he wore and even, according to top military officials, 'his pets'."
• Venezuela's Maduro arrives at Brooklyn detention center - "CNN's Evan Perez reports outside of the New York detention center with Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro will be held."
• Who is Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife & ‘first combatant’ of Venezuelan socialism? - "Captured along with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro early Saturday was his wife and top adviser, Cilia Flores, who was dragged from their bedroom along with her husband by US troops."
• U.S. will ‘soon’ annex Greenland, wife of top Trump aide implies - "Former Trump administration official and wife of top Trump aide Stephen Miller, Katie Miller, posted Saturday on X (formerly Twitter) an image of Greenland covered in the U.S. flag with the text 'SOON'."
• Swiss open criminal case against managers of ski resort bar after deadly fire - "The managers of a bar where a fire killed 40 people and injured another 119 have been placed under criminal investigation, Swiss prosecutors have said. The French couple - named by the media as Jacques and Jessica Moretti - are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence."
• Brigitte Bardot Foundation issues warning about scam memorabilia - "The Brigitte Bardot Foundation said it was aware of 'crude fabrications' being advertised online alongside claims the proceeds will go to the animal welfare charity."
• Today is Warren Buffett’s last day as Berkshire CEO. Business leaders tell us what they learned from him - "Warren Buffett has worn many hats over the years: The stock-picking Oracle of Omaha. An avuncular, Dairy-Queen-eating, Coke-drinking product pitchman. A living symbol of capitalism and its complexities. But for generations of business leaders, the 95-year-old has also served as something else: a teacher."
• Your Bedroom Probably Isn’t Dark Enough - "Even small amounts of light at night disrupt melatonin, circadian rhythms, and increase risks for heart issues, diabetes, and mental health problems like anxiety and depression, requiring near-total darkness (under 1 lux) for optimal health."
• 'The Sideways Effect': How A Wine-Obsessed Film Reshaped The Industry - "The 2004 movie about an obsessive wine snob helped boost California's pinot noir production by 170 percent."
• The 10 Wines You Should Be Drinking in 2026 - "Whether because of stereotypes or evolving tastes, these wines tend to be dismissed. But they still offer great beauty and are worth exploring: Bordeaux - California Chardonnay - Merlot - Napa Cabernet - Port and Madeira - Ribera del Duero."
• AI Changed Work Forever in 2025 - "Future historians will see that the seeds of a profound transformation were planted in 2025. By 2050, most people will command workforces larger than the biggest multinational corporations of today. But our 'employees' won’t be people sitting in cubicles or standing on factory floors. They will be fleets of AI agents - digital workers."
• 6 Space Stories To Watch in 2026 - "Pandora planet hunter, Jan. 5 - Gaganyaan-1 crew capsule, Early Jan. - Artemis II moon mission, Feb. 5 - Haven-1 space station module, May - Boeing Starliner, April - Griffin-1 lunar lander and rover, July."

January 3, 2026

• US strikes Venezuela & captures Maduro - "Venezuela president Maduro captured and flown out of country after ‘large scale’ US strike, says Trump."
• Champagne sparklers & a fast-spreading inferno: How a deadly Swiss bar tragedy unfolded - "Swiss authorities said Friday that the champagne sparklers were the likely cause of the fire, though the official inquiry remains ongoing."
• What happened in the Crans-Montana bar fire in Switzerland - visual guide - "While the cause of the disaster is still under investigation, videos and photos suggest the blaze spread quickly."
• The world has a new EV king. It’s not Tesla - "In 2011, Tesla CEO Elon Musk dismissed Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD as a competitor. But some 14 years later, BYD beat the American EV pioneer at its own game. The Chinese car giant has overtaken Tesla as the world’s largest seller of EVs, according to 2025 data released by the two rivals this week."
• China’s robot sports craze could eventually put humanoids in homes - "Beijing hosted the world’s first Humanoid Robot Games, which put machines through their paces in soccer, boxing, martial arts and other sports."
• Aspirin, CT scans & sleep: Five questions raised by Trump’s new disclosures on his health - "The oldest president to assume office has been dogged by questions about recent doctors’ visits, bruises on his hands and whether he’s fallen asleep during public events."
• Trump shops for marble for new White House ballroom - "Before his visit to Trump International Golf Club, the president made a detour to Arc Stone & Tile, a stone importer near Mar-a-Lago that bills itself as an Italian marble specialist, where he planned to buy marble and onyx, according to a White House official. The purchase, which the official said would be made at Trump’s personal expense."
• Elon Musk's Grok AI says images of 'minors in minimal clothing' caused by safeguard lapses - "Elon Musk's xAI was under international scrutiny over allegations on Friday that it was filling its platform with sexualized, AI-generated images of women and minors."
• The Biggest Technological Breakthroughs Of 2025 - "Breakthrough Of The Year: First Successful Commercial Moon Landing. Computing Breakthrough of The Year: Google’s Verifiable Quantum Demo. Materials Breakthrough Of The Year: Turning Paper Into Plastic. Engineering Breakthrough Of The Year: ..."
• Debit Card Ownership Surpasses 13 Billion Globally - "With 13+ billion debit cards in circulation, with 60% share of global card transactions, and debit rails powering most digital wallets today."
• Warren Buffett’s Portfolio - 10-Year Evolution (2015 → 2025) - "This bar chart tracks the strategic transformation of Buffett's top holdings (Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio Companies) over a decade. Buffett’s shift reflects a pragmatic embrace of platform tech and inflation-resilient assets - while retaining core consumer and financial anchors."
• A Close Look At The Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project - "An Apex Predator Among Space-Dwelling Chronographs."
• M5 MacBook Air 2026: New Chip, But OLED is Reportedly Delayed - "Apple delays OLED MacBook Air to 2028, focusing on Pro models first. The 2026 M5 MacBook Air will come with an LCD display."

January 2, 2026

• In pictures: New Year welcomed around the world - "Countries around the world have welcomed in the New Year. The island of Kiritimati - an atoll in the remote Pacific nation of Kiribati - was the first place to enter 2026."
• Search for Swiss fire victims continues as relatives face long wait for identification - "Around 40 people have died and 115 are injured. Investigators are continuing to search for victims of a fire at Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana."
• Switzerland to hold five days of mourning after 40 killed in resort fire, as investigators rush to identify victims - "President Guy Parmelin has said the country will hold five days of mourning, describing the blaze as one of the most traumatic events in Switzerland's history. 'It was a drama of an unknown scale,' he said, paying tribute to the many 'young lives that were lost and interrupted'."
• Trump says health is 'perfect' amid ageing concerns - "In an interview about his health, Trump talked about using hand makeup, getting by on little sleep and taking lots of aspirin."
• 3 keystone habits that can transform your health in 2026 & make everything easier - "Set an alarm on your phone or a reminder on your laptop. These small reinforcers create systems of support for behavioral changes: Conscious breathing - Mindful movement - Mind-body connection - How to make keystone habits stick."
• How Chevy Chase made ‘Weekend Update’ work - "Fifty years ago, weeks before the premiere of the show that would become 'Saturday Night Live,' Chevy Chase had a camera test."
• Why everything from your phone to your PC may get pricier in 2026 - "The cost of lots of the devices we all use could be forced up in 2026 because the price of Ram - once one of the cheapest computer components - has more than doubled since October 2025."
• Nine science-backed ways to help you feel better in 2026 - "From channelling your anger to writing lists and singing more often - here are some science-backed tips to boost your wellbeing."
• The surprising benefits of a glass of orange juice - "The habit of drinking a glass of orange juice can have a considerable effect on your health. Cohort studies - which track tens of thousands of people over time - show that individuals who eat lots of citrus fruits are less likely to go on to suffer from heart disease and stroke."
• Why you don't need electrolytes for everyday exercise - "Professor Close explains that it's unusual for your body to run low on electrolytes as the body naturally keeps levels stable."
• What a huge festive meal does to your brain? - "Many of us will throw modesty out the window when it comes to Christmas lunch. But what do these blow-out festive meals do to our body and brain?"
• Wuthering Heights to The Odyssey: 16 of the most exciting films coming up in 2026 - "From Emerald Fennell's divisive new adaptation of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights to Christopher Nolan's wildly anticipated ancient Greek epic, here are BBC critics' picks of the films to see in the year ahead."
• Beat the winter blues with these restorative escapes - "From a Maldivian island alliance to Peru's pisco heartlands, these warm-weather trips pair sunshine with soul-enriching experiences."
• Monaco to celebrate 130 years of automotive history in landmark Grimaldi Forum exhibition - "For the first time, Monaco is putting its century-plus relationship with the automobile on full display. Opening this week, a new exhibition traces the Principality’s unique bond with cars, from the earliest motor vehicles to today’s racing legends."

January 1, 2026

• Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026 - "New Year’s celebrations around the world."
• A very Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve - "Champagne and caviar? Anyone can do it. A massive portrait of Jesus Christ painted rapidly onstage while the president of the United States watches on reverently before auctioning it off to a woman in a top hat for $2,750,000? That is New Year’s Eve at Mar-a-Lago."
• Xi Jinping vows to reunify China & Taiwan in New Year’s Eve speech - "Reunification ‘is unstoppable’, says Chinese president, a day after the conclusion of intense military drills."
• 'Several dozen' believed to have been killed in fire at Swiss ski resort bar, say authorities - "The fire began at around 01:30 (00:30 GMT) in Crans-Montana in a bar called Le Constellation. The cause is not known, but officials don't think it was an attack."
• Predicting What’s Out in 2026 - "Welcome to part one of a four-part series about what we predict 2026 will usher in and what we’re leaving behind - grudgingly or gladly - in 2025. I asked some of the most funny, clever, deranged people I work with to help me compile this list."
• Donald Trump Celebrates George Clooney’s French Citizenship: ‘Wasn’t a Movie Star at All’ - "The actor and his wife, along with their 8-year-old twins, were recently naturalized as French citizens."
• George & Amal Clooney move into Provence estate - "Having been embroiled in a legal battle over the purchase of Domaine du Canadel, George and Amal Clooney finally have the keys to the Provence estate."
• The 2025 Politics Yearbook: Most Likely to Be Extreme & Chaotic - "Hottest Newcomer: Zohran Mamdani - Biggest Loser: Elise Stefanik - Most Surprising Dropout: Marjorie Taylor Greene - Most Impressive Comeback: ..."
• The Night Manager review: The globe-trotting thriller's long-awaited second series is 'irresistible' - "Ten years on, the spy drama has returned - and the show is 'as enticing' as Tom Hiddleston's hero, who combines 'good intentions' with 'bad-boy allure.'"
• Where to travel in 2026: The best places to visit - "Whether you’re a full-time nomad or a once-a-year vacationer, every special travel memory begins with one essential question: where to? The places to go in 2026 list includes a region that will experience a rare total solar eclipse, a city that has been crowned a capital of culture, a foodie haven that just scored a major global recognition, a beloved tourist island that is bouncing back from a brutal natural disaster, and more."
• Working With the Kardashians - "Informally known as the 'Plastic Surgeon to the stars,' Dr. Fisher has done work on several members of the Kardashian family, who have raved about their results in interviews on TV."
• 11 architecture projects set to shape the world in 2026 - "2026 may be shaped by bigger, blockbuster buildings. Among them are long-awaited museums, record-breaking skyscrapers and a soaring Catholic basilica almost 150 years in the making. Here are 11 of architecture projects - in the US and beyond - set to become the year’s most talked-about."
• Gold & silver see rollercoaster end to blockbuster year - "Gold and silver have seen a rollercoaster end to a year in which their prices are on track to record their biggest annual gains since 1979. The price of gold soared by more than 60% this year to hit a record high of more than $4,549 an ounce before falling after Christmas to stand at about $4,330 on New Year's Eve."
• Climate Change - "Check out all about climate change and crisis: best 1800+ science, evidence, facts, information, news, reviews and resources."