Japan ruling party is set to seal a decisive win in snap election called by PM Sanae Takaichi exits polls suggest.
The country first female PM is seeking a public mandate
Monthly Archives: February 2026
Market will test a Musk merger that promises space based internet
The combination of xAI and SpaceX before much anticipated IPO has analysts expecting big things but financial queries remain.
Elon Musk move past week to combine xAI and SpaceX has created one of world mega and most valuable private companies which analysts says offers a mix of potential growth and financial danger as it move towards public markets.
Space
The two companies are different SpaceX was founded in 2002 and has establish itself as premiere nongovernmental space exploration operation.
Musk XAI venture was started less than three years before to focus on AI and latest social media.
XAI acquired the social media platform x last March.
As spaceX prepares to go public later this year the merger could be Musk way of positioning SpaceX strategy to contest with expected IPO of two of his biggest contest.
OpenAI and Anthropic in AI race said Ali Javaheri a research analyst.
Analyst told media that both entities have something to gain from coming together.
SpaceX gets edge ahead of its IPO and xAI can expand its AI infrastructure while getting much needed injection of cash as one expert put it.
In Monday reveal Musk said the merger will create company with AI rockets space based internet direct to mobile device communication and world foremost real time information and free speech platform.
Space with its massive payload capacity and basically a near monopoly in space.’
I think it is going to help Musk other companies kind of catch up in AI data center race and AI training race said Rocco.
Musk added he desire to create AI data centers in space by launching a constellation of million satellites that operate as orbital data centers.
Space
Musk is pushing forward this concept.
SpaceX described the satellite plan to regulators according to fling submitted to Federal Communications Commission and reviewed by NBC News.
There is industrial logic behind combining SpaceX which would launch and design satellites that would host the compute with XAI which has experience operating these compute clusters and has Grok model that would run on it.
The concept of data centers in space is conceivable.
Del Deo said one Cynical view of the merger is that SpaceX need sexy narrative ahead of its IPO to get investors more excited in stock and drive sort of valuation that they are hoping for.
Bloomberg said that the merger would value the combined companies at $1.25 trillion with bulk of valuation $1 trillion coming from SpaceX.
A Tuesday note co authored by Dan Ives global head of technology research at Wedbush securities said this would mark largest tie up across Musk enterprises yet.
Forest analyst wrote in Tuesday report that aligning the merger as well as the FCC filing ahead of its Potential IPO as classic Musk valuation inflation.
SpaceX is packing a narrative of hype scalable lo lowest cost AI compute from space the kind of storyline that expands TAM lifts growth multiples and reframes starship as structure cost moat the analyst wrote.
These are classic ingredients for pre IPO narrative life and familiar pattern in Musk era market signaling its positions ambitions are inevitability inviting investors to price in future that emerging has to substantiate.
I can not think of another one that would be more hyped than this everyone is attempting to get a piece of SpaceX he said.
I think it is going to price higher than most people expect and most people expect it to be largest IPO in history.
SpaceX and xAI joining forces has driven gossips over what this means for Musks electric company Tesla.
Tesla announced it earning release that it is investing about $2 billion to acquire shares of XAI is proffered stock.
The two companies entered into framework agreement to evaluate potential AI collaborations Tesla added.
In the long Run, Rocco said he thinks it would be good synergy but that it would be very hard sell.
He said if he were private investor in SpaceX he would just want to come public on its own they have monopoly.
Gene Muster managing partner said in interview that he thinks Tesla shareholders would welcome combination.
NASA is sending Crew 12 astronauts to ISS on February 11
The Crew 12 astronauts will soon make their method to ISS joining three remaining Spacefarers on board after previous mission was cut short due to medical worries.
NASA was planning a February 15 launch date for mission but it has moved it up to February 11.
It is now targeting to liftoff no earlier than 6,01 AM Eastern that day from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
ISS
The crew members are in quarantine and if everything goes well on launch day the Dragon capsule they are on will dock with lab at almost 10: 30 am on February 12.
Spacex had to ground its Falcon 9 rocket after problem with its upper stage for few days leaving the Crew 12 flight shcedule in queries.
But on February 6 the Federal Aviation Administration cleared it for next flight.
NASA will livestream the mission prelaunch, launch and docking activities on NASA + Amazon Prime and YouTube Channel with launch coverage starting at 4 AM Eastern Time on February 11.
NASA decided to bring Crew 11 members back home on January 15 a month earlier than planned citing medical worries with one of members.
The affected astronaut was stable.
ISS
The ISS did not have necessary instrument be able to diagnose them properly.
All four members of Crew 11 flew home leaving whole space station in hands of three people namely NASA astronaut Chris William and two cosmonauts for Russian Side.
They will joined by Crew 12 NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway europe space agency Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaey.
Body believed to be Lil Jon missing son Nathan smith recovered from pond in Milton
A body has recovered by search teams in Milton on Friday and it is believed to be Lil Jon missing adult son Nathan Smith police told.
A search for LiL Jon 27 year old son who was famous as DJ Young Slade had been ongoing since earlier this week.
In latest news Friday afternoon the Milton Police Department told just before noon that divers with Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body in pond near intersection of near Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road where Smith was reported missing Tuesday.
The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith pending official confirmation by Fulton County Medical Examiner Office a Milton Police post on Facebook said.
Based on investigation to date there is no show of foul play.
lil john
He was surprisingly talented young man music producer an artist and engineer and graduate of NYU.
We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are proud of him.
He was loved and appreciated and in our last time together we were comforted in knowing that we showed very sentiment to him.
Thank you for all of prayers and help in trying to locate him over last several days.
In update Friday afternoon the Milton Police Department said before noon that divers with Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body in pond near the intersection of near Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road where Smith was first reported missing Tuesday.
The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith official confirmation by Fulton County Medical Examiner Office a Milton Police post on Facebook said.
Based on investigation to date there is no indication of foul play.
The department added its Criminal Investigations Division will nonetheless continues to treat this is open and active investigation.
lil john
Milton PD added no further details will be released until official cause and manner of death is decided by the medical examiner office and all investigate leads have been examined.
We extend our deepest condolences to Smith family during this difficult time.
The department asks the community and members of media to honor family request for privacy as they grieve and navigate this tragedy. Milton PD said.
Smith was said to have ran from his home around 6 am Feb 3 just few hundred feet from neighborhood pond where law enforcement concentrated search efforts.
Authorities released few details about circumstances surrounding Smith disappearance but said he may have disoriented and in need of help.
In statement rapper Lil Jon Says he and Smith mom Nicole Smith are heartbroken and devastated about the tragic death of their son and thanks public for prayers and support they received during this time.
I m extreme heartbroken for tragic loss of our son Nathan Smith.
His mother and I are devastated.
Nathan was kindest human being you would ever meet.
He was immensely caring, polite, passionate, warmhearted he loved his family and the friends in his life to fullest.
lil john
Kamala Harris gives campaign accounts latest life in fight against Trump
The former VP is partnering with People for American Way to repurpose her dormant X accounts and TikTok which retain millions of followers from 2024 race.
The brains behind Kamala Harris 2024 social media machine are staging second act.
Harris campaign pages on TikTok and X have remained inactive since her November defeat to Donald Trump are being changed into progressive advocacy tool through companion with people for The American Way.
quint
The rebranded accounts now called Headquarters retain million of followers accumulated during campaign.
Trump War Room campaign accounts on x has active since election continuing to shape political narratives online.
We often think that MAGA and Trump are ones who sort of are able to command attention online and i think that goal of this account is to turn that on its head Butler said.
He will operate as rapid reply account that will highlight progressive leaders and uplifting content as Harris noted in her video announcement of project.
Vice President Harris and People for The American Way announced the new venture Thursday detailing it as attempt to funnel young people into both offline and online action for progressive values.
The former vice president will serve as honorary chair emerita of headquarters but will not have editorial control over content according to announcement.
Her senior adviser Kirsten Allen will join organization a board of directors.
Arlie Shuggar who led Harris video rapid reply will join Headquarters as director.
Parker Butler who spearheaded Harris digital rapid reply in 2024 will be senior adviser as will Lauren Kapp who led the campaign TikTok attempt.
Kapp and Butler together run consulting company.
Luminary strategies which will assist run the accounts.
kamala harris tour
People for the American Way which has almost 1 million members plans to expand operation to YouTube and Substack developing long form video content alongside rapid reply social media posts.
The initiative represent Democrats attempt to contest in online ecosystem that Trump has permeated for a decade.
Democrats attempt to gain traction have flopped with audiences who have labeled certain attempts as cringe.
TikTokers who visited Epstein Island Feel They are Being Targeted as Black SUVs Stalk Their Homes
Two TikTokers attempted to unveil the mystery surrounding Little St James the popular island formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein amid million of documents released by Department of Justice related to late sex offender.
Epstein
Their adventure became unsetting as they felt tha someone was stalking them after coming back bome.
Two content creators visited Epstein Island to view what was going on there.
According to their testimonies the unwelcome visit led to targeted intimidation leaving them worried for their lives.
In December new images of Epstein island were released as part of probe into convicted sex offender case.
The island has been cornerstone in investigation because it was reportedly site of crimes committed against underage girls.
Virginia Giuffre claim that ex Prince Andrew abused her on island.
A 2020 lawsuit also claim that Epstein would transport young women and underage girls between St Thomas and Little St James.
The images taken at Epstein Island were released as part of probe into convicted sex offender case.
Virgina Giuffre claimed that ex Prince Andrew abused her on island.
The images taken at Epstein infamous property were a room what seemed to be dental chair and other with chalkboard chairs and desk.
Epstein
These latest photos are disturbing look into world of Jeffrey Epstein and his island
Oversight Committee ranking member Robert Garcia told Axios.
The island is monitored by private security and coastal patrols to prevent trespassing.
The online community will continue to follow Batista and Nico to ensure their safety amide the perceived stalking they have been experience since visit to Little St James.
Nico a TikToker and YouTuber famous for his pranks documented his attempt to sneak onto Epstein Island on his jet ski.
He was able to make landfall but had to retreat a coastal authorities chased them away.
Nico flew a drone and scooped the island and his footage captured no trespassing signs aside from coast guards.
Scouting the area they saw security personnel and woman filming them as they attempted to approach this island.
Nico was down to repeating the adventure telling his followers.
One million like i shall attempt this again.
Content creator Matt Batista reported series of unsetting events following his expedition to Epstein Island two weeks before.
He thought it was just coincidence but it happened repeatedly. I started thinking i was being targeted he said Batista called the repair guy and had his tire replace.
Hours after parking his car at garage he went outside and saw that it had flat tire again.
Later that night he notice black SUV shining their lights on his windows.
He waited for multiple hours and attempted to leave but SUV were still there.
So he went outside and attempted to confront the drive but vehicle sped away.
The attack did not stop there.
In other clip Batista claim that YouTuber Nico who was with him during expedition observed the same vehicles on his property.
Epstein
Parasakthi Find its second wave on OTT after polarising cinema run
Sudha Kongara charged period drama arrives on Zee5 three weeks after its Pongal release hoping to fresh chat beyond the box office.
After cinema run that generate both heated debate and divided opinion.
Parasakthi is set to make its digital start.
The Sivakarthikevan led political thriller movie will start streaming on ZEE5 from february 7 three weeks after it hit cinema ahead of Pongal festival on January 10.
Parasakthi Sudha Kongara directed by places itself firm within charged socio political landscape of 1960 Tamil Nadu.
The movie follows Chezhivan played by Sivakarthikevan a young man whose personal travel becomes interwind with anti Hindi agitation that marked defining chapter in state history.
The OTT release offer Parasakthi a chance to be reassessed away from opening weekend pressures and box office expectations.
Parasakthi ott release date
Political drama find more audience on streaming platforms where viewers can relate with them and subtext at own pace.
For movie rooted in context and ideological debate this shift in viewing environment could prove important.
The movie cast consist of Kulappulli Leela Prakash Belawadi Dev Ramnath Prithvi Rajan, Gur Somansundaram and Chera with cameo from Rana Daggubati and Basil Joseph adding surprise valude behind scenes.
Sudha Kongara co wrote the movie with Arjun Nadesan with screenplay by Ganesshaa.
Dialogues by Madhan Karky and Shan Karuppusamy lend the movie political slogan with character moments.
Parasakthi heads to Zee5 the chat around it is far from over.
The movie finds appreciation or remains a polarising chapter in Sivakarthikevan a career.
Its digital release ensure the Chezhivan story continue to discuss debate rediscovered.
Parasakthi opened on a greater debut at box collecting over Rs 12 crore on first day.
Parasakthi ott release date
The momentum proved difficult to sustain.
By end of theater run the movie had cross Rs 100 crore mark worldwide.
Workers urge Target and US companies to speak up over ICE raids
Target and mega Minnesota businesses are facing rising discontent from staff as workers fear Trump admin immigration crackdown put them at risk on job.
Employees are pushing firms to provide clearer guidance about how to reply if Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrive at their worksites and asking them to do more limit agents access to stores and parking lots.
Minneapolis
The pressure have been acute at Target a national name and one of state flagship employers after detention of two workers inside one of its suburban Minneapolis stores last month.
In aftermath more than 300 staff signed internal letter seen by BBC urging executive to speak up and take steps to keep ICE officers of Trarget properties.
At one restaurant run by Minneapolis restaurant group frustration about how executives were handling the issue prompted staff to go on strike for three days in late january.
Donald Trump
She said The call from employers need to be stronger because they are impacted too economically.
The Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha A Twin cities worker center is campaigning for DR Horton America mega Home builder and other large housing developers to speak up.
The muted reply from Target which is headquartered in Minneapolis and has long been corporate leader in states had drawn particular scrutiny.
It has said challenges at firm which has struggled to navigate political controversies related to its diversity equity and inclusion DEI practices and LGBTQ merchandise.
chelsea handler
Target is Minnesota leading corporate citizen said Ulla nilsen.
As a corporate citizen are you going to stay silent and allow our democracy to be completely destroyed?
Five people who worked at Target past month most of whom spoke to BBC on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation described growing frustration among staff spared by ICE reply.
US must be prudent when supplying arms to Taiwan Xi tells Trump
China leader Xi Jinping has call Taiwan the most important issue in China US relations during cell call with US President Donald Trump.
Xi told Trump to be prudent when supplying weapons to the island state media said adding that he attach great importance to ties with Washington and hope that both side would find ways to resolve differences.
USA President Donald Trump and Iran Presiden Ayatollah Khameni
Trump cast Wednesday call as excellent and long and thorough.
The call followed a flurry of visit by Western leaders consisting of UK PM Sir Keir Starmer to China in latest months hoping to reset relation with world second largest economy.
Trump and Xi last spoke in November when the China president invited his counterpart to visit.
Relation between two countries improved steadily in last few months following last year tariff war and fight over chips and rare earths.
These remain key points tension appear to have ebbed since the two leaders met in person in South Korea in October and stuck deal which saw both sides de escalating on few tariffs and rare earth export controls.
Negotiators from countries agreed on framework for deal on soybeans where china would lift ban on import from US and deal on TikTok which was finalised past month.
Russian media said Putin accepted Xi invitation to visit China in first half of the year.
Xi calls with two leaders have been characterized by China state media as clear sign to rest of world that China will remain a response and rational world power.
is dod funded for 2026
A Chinese daily editorial said the calls showed that China would continue to act as stabilising force at time when confrontation and unilateralism are on rise.
Beijing is shouldering its reply working together with mega stakeholders to contribute to world peace and growth through responsible major country diplomacy.
In doing so China is showing other mega players on world stage the importance of refocusing on dialogue and coordination the China daily editorial said.
Trump and Xi spoke in last November when China president invited his US counterpart to visit.
Relation between two countries improved in past few months following last year tariff war and battle over chips.
Trump himself is due to visit China in April a trip he said he very much looked forward to.
He said that Beijing was considering purchasing over 20 million tonnes of US soybeans up from current 12 million tonnes.
The relation between China and my personal relationship with President Xi is extremely good one and we both realize how important it is to keep that way he wrote in Truth Social post.
Taiwan and Soybeans Trump and Xi discuss Russia war in Ukraine with current situation in Iran and China purchase of oil and gas from US the US president wrote.
In December the Trump admin announced a huge arm sale worth around $11 bn to Taiwan which consist of advance rocket launchers self propelled howitzers and multiple missiles.
Beijing said the time that this attempt to support Taiwan independence would only accelerate the push toward a dangerous and violent situation across the Taiwan strait.
Just as the US has its concerns China for its part has concerns. Xi Told trump on Wednesday.
If two sides work in same direction in spirit of respect equality and mutual advantage we can find ways to address each other worries.
On Thursday Taiwan leader Lai Ching te told media relation with US remained rock solid and that all ongoing cooperation projects are continuing.
On Taiwan Xi said the self governed island was China territory and that Beijing must safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Us must handle issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence.
Middle East