Italy is facing extensive travel disruption throughout February 2026, with over twenty strikes impacting air, rail, and port services. Travelers should anticipate significant delays and cancellations, particularly on key dates affecting national airlines, major railway operators, and port activities.
Indonesia has conditionally lifted its ban on Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok, following a commitment from X Corp to implement stricter content controls and comply with national regulations. The ban, imposed in January over the generation of sexually explicit deepfake images, was rescinded after X submitted a detailed plan for enhanced safety measures and ongoing supervision.
A viral AI-generated version of Taylor Swift's 'The Fate of Ophelia' in Brazil, titled 'A Sina de Ofélia,' has brought to the forefront legal ambiguities surrounding AI, authorship, and unfair competition in Brazilian copyright law. The track, featuring synthetic voices of Brazilian artists, was removed from Spotify but continues to circulate, prompting discussions on new legislation.
A new report from the UK's Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) calls for government regulation of AI-generated news. Key recommendations include fair payment for news publishers whose content is used by AI systems and the implementation of transparent 'nutrition labels' to inform users about content origins and generation methods. The think tank warns that without intervention, AI could narrow public perspectives and undermine independent journalism.
French residents are experiencing several financial adjustments as of February 1, 2026. These include a slight reduction in electricity bills, a decrease in the Livret A savings rate, and increases in the prices of cigarettes and motorway tolls, impacting daily expenses and savings across the country.
China is set to implement mandatory artificial intelligence education for all primary and secondary school students from September 1, 2025. The curriculum will feature a tiered approach, requiring at least eight hours of AI instruction annually, aiming to cultivate a generation proficient in AI and bolster the nation's technological prowess.
Fujitsu and Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS) have successfully developed new AI technology to predict solar radiation events. Utilizing Fujitsu's Wide Learning explainable AI, this innovation aims to enhance the safety of space exploration and protect critical infrastructure from space weather impacts.
The NTT Group, including NTT, NTT DOCOMO, and NTT DATA, will jointly exhibit at MWC Barcelona 2026 from March 2-5. They will present IOWN optical technologies and AI-powered services under the theme 'Photonics Unlocks an Intelligent Power-Optimized Future,' addressing energy consumption and enhancing digital infrastructure.
China's Ministry of Education has mandated the integration of Artificial Intelligence courses into the information technology curriculum for elementary and middle school students, effective September 2025. This initiative aims to cultivate AI literacy and future talent, with tiered curricula covering AI basics, data, coding, and ethical use.
Uber co-founder Garrett Camp has made a significant donation of €5 million to the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA). This funding is earmarked to advance human-centered artificial intelligence research, emphasizing the development of trustworthy and socially beneficial AI technologies. The gift marks Camp's first contribution to a European research institution.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is set to host the third Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) from January 26-27, 2026. Under the patronage of King Salman, the event will gather over 10,000 participants, including 40+ labor ministers, experts, and thought leaders, to discuss critical labor market transformations and foster international cooperation.
Pope Leo XIV has cautioned against the pervasive dangers of 'fake news' and the trivialization of information in digital media, emphasizing the need for discernment and quality communication. His remarks were made on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of an Italian television program and reiterated in an address to a Vatican charity coalition.
A recent flash poll conducted by the Edelman Trust Institute indicates that Germany, alongside the United States and the United Kingdom, largely rejects the growing use of Artificial Intelligence. The survey found that over a two-to-one margin of respondents in these nations resist further AI adoption, highlighting widespread skepticism and unease in developed markets.
An ad promoting housing affordability features an AI-generated voice resembling Donald Trump, used with his administration's permission. The ad highlights Trump's proposals to direct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds to lower rates and to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, aiming to make homeownership more accessible in the United States.
Large sections of Istanbul are undergoing planned electricity outages on January 17-18, 2026. These interruptions, announced by BEDAŞ and AYEDAŞ, are crucial for maintenance, investment, and safety-related works to enhance the city's power infrastructure.
Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in data privacy, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. This renewed partnership aims to foster a secure and trusted digital ecosystem, crucial for Nigeria's rapidly expanding digital economy. Key initiatives include capacity building and joint efforts to address emerging digital challenges.
France Télévisions has announced a significant reorganization to become 'streaming first,' placing digital and streaming services at the core of its operations. The move, affecting 60% of its workforce, aims to adapt to declining linear TV viewership and strengthen digital and AI capabilities, with a new AI department and revamped editorial structure. The public broadcaster also recently unified its branding under 'france.tv' and expanded streaming partnerships.
Japan and ASEAN digital ministers convened in Hanoi, Vietnam, reaching a significant agreement to collaborate on developing new artificial intelligence models and establishing related legal frameworks. The initiative, proposed by Japan's Communications Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, also emphasizes human resource development and aims to bolster regional competitiveness in the global AI landscape.
Chinese firms are rapidly advancing in tangible AI products, including AI-enhanced glasses, autonomous cleaners, and robotic helpers. The country's AI hardware market, excluding smartphones and cars, is projected to grow 18% annually through 2030 from $153 billion in 2025, fueled by strategic government initiatives and a focus on self-sufficiency.
Amazon has announced plans to close its Milton Keynes fulfilment centre, the company's first in the UK, affecting 590 employees. The e-commerce giant stated that workers will be offered transfers to a new, larger facility in Northampton or other Amazon sites, following a consultation process.
