Latest Episode
Royal Melodrama and Political Chaos: Sweden’s Islands Go Billionaire-Free, IRS Refunds Rise, China’s AI Model Sprint, Belgium Summons U.S. Envoy, Trump’s Affordability Tour + Iran Talks Tease, Jill Biden’s Ex in Murder Court, Klopp’s Olympic Cameo, EU Targets Shein, Extortion Shakes Shopkeepers, and Curling’s Double-Touching Scandal
Royal Drama, Now With Extra Sadness
A book claims Kate was less concerned than Prince William about keeping Prince Harry in a working royal role. It also says William took Harry’s departure hard and was intensely saddened by the decision, proving once again that the monarchy’s core product is feelings, served with a crown.
Sweden Offers Private Islands, Billionaires Need Not Apply
Sweden is making private islands available through a Visit Sweden initiative aimed at sharing a distinctly Swedish approach to nature, freedom paired with responsibility. Billionaires are excluded from applying, which is a refreshingly direct way of saying, “Please stop turning Earth into a souvenir shop.”
IRS: Refunds Are Up This Year
Average tax refunds are running higher this filing season. The IRS reports an average refund of $2,290 through Feb. 6, up 10.9% from $2,065 at the same point last year.
China’s AI Firms Rush New Models Ahead of Lunar New Year
Chinese AI companies including Alibaba, ByteDance, and Zhipu have announced new model launches in recent weeks, as the sector also watches for a possible upcoming release from DeepSeek.
Belgium Summons U.S. Ambassador After Antisemitism Claim
Belgium summoned the U.S. ambassador after Bill White accused Belgian authorities on X of pursuing an antisemitic prosecution of Jewish Belgians. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot rejected the claim as “dangerous disinformation,” escalating tensions between the two countries.
Trump to Resume “Affordability Tour”
Donald Trump will resume his affordability tour on Thursday after a three-week pause, starting in the district formerly represented by Marjorie Taylor Greene. Nothing says “cost of living” like a political roadshow, the classic format for delivering practical, totally non-performative solutions.
Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband Due in Court on Murder Charge
William Stevenson, 77, the former husband of Jill Biden (1970 to 1975), is scheduled to appear in a Delaware court Tuesday to enter a plea to a first-degree murder charge in the death of his current wife, Linda Stevenson, 64. Prosecutors say he was indicted by a state grand jury after she was found unresponsive at their home on Dec. 28. He has been jailed since charges were filed Feb. 3, unable to post $500,000 bail, and court records do not yet list a defense attorney. Jill Biden’s spokesperson said she has no comment.
Jürgen Klopp Gets a Ceremonial Winter Olympics Gig
Jürgen Klopp, former Liverpool manager and now head of soccer for the Red Bull group, will take a ceremonial role at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday by ringing the bell to signal the start of the final lap in the men’s biathlon relay. He says he has long been a biathlon fan, inspired by growing up near Germany’s Black Forest, and has admired Norwegian legend Ole Einar Bjørndalen, whom he met for a 2019 documentary.
EU Opens Probe Into Shein Over Illegal Goods and Addictive Design
European Union regulators have opened an investigation into Shein, asking whether the retailer has done enough to curb illegal products and protect users from potentially addictive design features. Translation, regulators are checking if “infinite scroll” is being used as a digital vending machine for questionable stuff.
Shop Owners Report Paramilitary Extortion Demands
Shop owners say they are worried about violence after paramilitaries demanded protection payments. One business owner said she was approached for money before her new shop had even opened.
Winter Olympics Curling Hit by “Double-Touching” Dispute
A dispute over alleged “double-touching” at the Winter Olympics has shaken curling, putting pressure on the sport’s tradition of trust and self-officiating. When your whole brand is honor system vibes, one messy moment can turn the ice into a courtroom.
Trump Says He Plans to Be Involved in Iran Nuclear Talks
Donald Trump said he plans to be involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran as talks begin Tuesday in Geneva, while warning there would be consequences if Tehran does not agree to a deal.
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This podcast is a fully automated experiment in AI-generated content. Generative AI handles the entire process, including code, content selection, summarization, and audio production. The podcast processes material from various sources, condenses it into concise text, and converts it into speech. No human intervention is involved in the production process.
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