Wednesday, February 4, 2026
30 stories
Consumer Reports Unveils Top 10 Vehicles for 2026 — All Electrified
For the first time, all of Consumer Reports' top 10 vehicle picks come in electric or hybrid versions. The Honda Civic is a new entrant at $24,695, while the refreshed Tesla Model Y retains its spot. Several models come in below the $50K average new vehicle price.
↗CBS NewsHyundai Claims Eight 2026 Car and Driver Editors' Choice Awards
Hyundai earned eight Editors' Choice awards from Car and Driver, reinforcing the brand's reputation for a competitive and well-rounded lineup. The awards span multiple vehicle segments.
↗PR NewswireAutomakers Report Robust January Sales, Kia Teases 2027 Telluride Hybrid
U.S. automakers reported strong January sales results. Kia previewed the all-new 2027 Telluride SUV with a hybrid variant and the upcoming K4 hatchback, signaling confidence in a balanced lineup.
↗The Truth About CarsVehicle Purchase Intent Remains Strong, Used-Car Supply Growing
TransUnion reports four in ten U.S. adults plan to buy a car in 2026, most within the next year. High purchase intent points to increased vehicle sales and a growing used-car supply that could benefit buyers.
↗GlobeNewsWirePhiladelphia Auto Show Highlights EVs and Family Fun
The 2026 Philadelphia Auto Show showcased plug-in hybrids like the new Toyota RAV4 PHEV alongside luxury and customized vehicles. The show reflects the industry's accelerating shift toward electrification.
↗WHYYGrammys 2026 Make History with Bad Bunny, Kendrick, and Billie Eilish
The 2026 Grammy Awards made history with landmark wins. Red carpet standouts included Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga, Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter, and Rosé. The show was praised for meeting the cultural moment.
↗LA TimesDisney+ Launches 24/7 Hannah Montana Stream for 20th Anniversary
Disney+ is rolling out a 24/7 Hannah Montana marathon stream celebrating the series' 20th anniversary, featuring episodes, movies, and concert specials. February also brings new original content to the platform.
↗IGNNetflix February 2026: Bridgerton, Love Is Blind, and New Comedy Specials
Netflix's February lineup includes new seasons of Bridgerton and Love Is Blind, plus Sommore's 'Chandelier Fly' stand-up special covering celebrity scandals and everyday humor.
↗HuffPostOh, Mary! Welcomes New Stars on Broadway
The hit Broadway show Oh, Mary! is welcoming new cast members. High Spirits opens at New York City Center today, and Oedipus closes on Broadway this Sunday.
↗BroadwayWorldNicki Minaj Weighs In on Prince Harry's Family Drama
Nicki Minaj shared thoughts on Harry and Meghan during Katie Miller's podcast, revealing she loves watching The Crown and has advice for the Duke of Sussex on his public family disputes.
↗Daily Express USIran to Begin Negotiations with United States
Iran's president has instructed the foreign minister to pursue direct negotiations with the United States, marking a potential diplomatic breakthrough. The talks could reshape Middle East dynamics and nuclear deal discussions.
↗WORLD News GroupRussia Targets Civilian Infrastructure in Belgorod Energy Strike
A missile strike hit a major energy facility in Belgorod, Russia, causing power and heat outages during severe frost. The incident highlights ongoing infrastructure vulnerabilities in the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone.
↗EuronewsIndia-US Trade Deal Applauded by Global Leaders
Global leaders praised a new India-US trade deal as a win for friendship and fair trade. The UK Parliament also called the separate India-UK FTA a 'significant achievement' built on strong partnership.
↗School DekhoMoldova FM: Russia 'Choosing to Attack Soft Targets'
Moldova's foreign minister accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and soft targets, calling for stronger international accountability measures against the attacks.
↗EuronewsIndia Successfully Tests SFDR Technology for Long-Range Air-to-Air Missiles
India entered an elite group of nations possessing Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology, a critical capability for developing long-range air-to-air missiles. The achievement significantly enhances India's combat effectiveness.
↗The HinduTrump Signs Bill to Reopen Government After Partial Shutdown
President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026 to end a three-day partial government shutdown. The House passed the bill 217-214, but DHS funding only extends through next week, setting up another potential standoff.
↗CBS NewsICE Standoff Could Trigger Another Partial Shutdown
Democrats demand accountability measures to rein in ICE personnel after fatal shootings of two protesters in Minneapolis by federal agents. DHS funding expires next week, and negotiations promise to be difficult.
↗Washington PostCNN: 10 Senate Races That Will Decide Control of Congress
Democrats need to gain four Senate seats for majority control. The map favors Republicans, but Democrats feel buoyed by recruiting wins and sweeps in off-year contests fueled by cost-of-living voter concerns.
↗CNNTrump Repeats Call to 'Nationalize' Elections
President Trump reiterated calls to federalize elections with unsubstantiated claims about election rigging, as Republicans face potentially significant losses in November midterms. The White House later walked back the comments.
↗New York TimesGovernment Shutdown Ends But DHS Funding Fight Looms
While most federal agencies are now funded through fiscal year 2026, the Department of Homeland Security only received a one-week extension. House hardliners could push for another shutdown over immigration enforcement policy.
↗USA Today'Zombie' COVID Fragments Hunt Immune Cells in Packs
UCLA researchers found that leftover coronavirus protein fragments target and destroy specific immune cells including dendritic cells and T cells. The fragments target cells with spiky, star-shaped membranes, potentially explaining long-COVID symptoms in millions.
↗ScienceAlertSun Fires Off 4 Powerful Flares, Wild Space Weather Week Ahead
The Sun unleashed four strong solar flares starting with an X1.0 event on February 1, signaling a potentially active week of space weather. More 'exciting activity' is forecast as solar maximum continues.
↗ScienceAlertFirst Complex Sulfur Molecule Detected in Interstellar Space
Astronomers have confirmed the detection of the first sulfur-bearing six-membered ring molecule in an interstellar cloud, expanding our understanding of the complex chemistry occurring in space.
↗ScienceAlertCambridge and FormationQ Launch Applied Quantum Program with IonQ
The Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University partnered with FormationQ to launch an applied quantum research program powered by IonQ trapped ion systems, bridging quantum theory with real-world applications in networking, sensing, and secure communication.
↗BioEngineerNew Study Reveals Unexpected Way to Boost Stroke Recovery
Research shows that training both arms together, not just the affected one, can significantly improve recovery after a stroke. Both arms often decline together after a stroke, suggesting a bilateral approach works better.
↗ScienceAlertS&P 500 Tumbles as Software Stocks Crash on AI Disruption Fears
The S&P 500 dropped 0.84% and Nasdaq fell 1.43% as investors rotated out of tech. Private credit stocks with software exposure plunged double digits as fears grow that AI tools like Claude Code are eating into software companies' growth and profit margins. The iShares Software ETF is now down 20% year-to-date.
↗CNBCSnap Launches Specs Inc. AR Subsidiary, Sparking Privacy Debate
Snap announced Specs Inc. as a distinct subsidiary on Jan 28, declaring it's 'built to make computing more human.' The AR unit is recruiting ~100 roles and seeking outside capital as it prepares for a 2026 consumer launch. Privacy advocates raised concerns about always-on sensor data collection.
↗Glass AlmanacCDW Beats Estimates as Enterprise AI and Cloud Spending Surges
CDW beat fourth-quarter sales and profit estimates on Wednesday as clients continue to invest heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure and cloud adoption. The results signal strong enterprise IT spending despite the broader tech selloff.
↗ReutersSpaceX Hits €1.06 Trillion After xAI Merger
SpaceX reached a €1.06 trillion valuation following its merger with Elon Musk's xAI, consolidating the billionaire's empire. The combined entity now spans rocket launches, satellite internet, and artificial intelligence.
↗EuronewsGold Reclaims $5,000 as Stocks Struggle for Direction
Gold reclaimed the $5,000-an-ounce mark as stocks struggled for direction after a software selloff. The precious metal continues its historic rally as investors seek safe haven assets amid market volatility.
↗Bloomberg