Maybe combining Musk’s companies is really about space AI data centers. But reports from Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal indicate that SpaceX’s IPO pursuit includes a push to have major index providers find a way around the usual waiting periods before they’ll add newly listed companies.
At NiemenLab, Laura Hazard Owen shows how Jeff Bezos’ statements have changed since purchasing it in 2013. From curiosity at the start and “genuine” but corny bits like #democracydiesindarkness, to the abandoned endorsement of Kamala Harris in 2024 and last year’s cancellation-driving changes.
Today, sweeping layoffs of 300-plus sliced its sports desk, international reporters, tech reporters (including its Amazon reporter), and others. Former EIC Marty Baron called it one of “the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organizations.”
Just a few years after Overwatch 2’s free-to-play 5v5 replaced the original, Blizzard announced it’s dropping the “2.” There’s been a steady flow of other changes lately (like the return of 6v6), but the plan for this next year includes 10 new heroes (Domina, Emre, Mizuki, Anran, and Jetpack Cat arrive when S1 launches February 10th), new maps, menu updates, a Conquest meta event, Reign of Talon narrative arc, and more.
A report from Bloomberg lays out how the prediction market reportedly directly contacted Juice Reel CEO Ricky Gold, pressuring him to say the data his firm had provided to an analyst was inaccurate.
The analysis from Jordan Bender, an equity research analyst at Citizens, found that in their first three months, users on sites like Kalshi were losing more money than on established gambling sites like FanDuel and DraftKings, at least in proportion to the amount wagered. This cuts against Kalshi’s claims that it offers a customer-friendly way to bet on real-world events.
While being banned from the Super Bowl, the two large prediction markets have suddenly felt overcome by the spirit of giving in New York City this week. Kalshi advertised a $50 giveaway today, and Polymarket announced what it says will be “New York’s first free grocery store” when it opens on February 12th.
A Washington Post report digs into one 67-year-old man’s experience being targeted by a warrantless administrative subpoena that doesn’t need sign off from a judge or jury.
Among their demands, which they wanted dating back to Sept. 1: the day, time and duration of all his online sessions; every associated IP and physical address; a list of each service he used; any alternate usernames and email addresses; the date he opened his account; his credit card, driver’s license and Social Security numbers.
US District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed two of the charges Mangione faced in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, and doing so, removed the death penalty as a punishment for a potential jury to consider when the case goes to trial.
