OpenAI Plans Biometric ‘Real-Humans-Only’ Social Network to Tackle X’s Bot Problem

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Lead: OpenAI is reportedly developing a small-team social app aimed at eliminating automated and fake accounts that have plagued platforms such as X. Sources told Forbes on January 28, 2026, the project is early-stage and envisioned as a “real-humans-only” network that may use biometric verification. The plan would pair identity proofing with AI-powered content tools … Read more

Daily Life in Minneapolis Amid Federal Sweeps

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In late January 2026, residents across Minneapolis described a new, everyday reality after federal agents moved through neighborhoods: a Saturday morning shooting that killed intensive-care nurse Alex Pretti and a broader surge of ICE and federal activity have left people organizing mutual aid, altering school routines and changing simple acts like leaving the house. Community … Read more

Fed Meeting Today: Powell Says ‘Stay Out of Elected Politics’ to Successor

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Lead On January 28, 2026, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to keep the target federal funds rate at 3.50%–3.75% after three consecutive quarter-point cuts last year. Chair Jerome Powell used the post-decision press conference to defend central bank independence and offered a five-word piece of advice for whoever follows him: “Stay out of elected … Read more

Tom Morello announces surprise benefit concert at First Avenue – bringmethenews.com

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Lead Tom Morello, the guitarist known for Rage Against the Machine, will headline a surprise benefit at First Avenue in Minneapolis at noon on Friday, Jan. 30. The event, announced Wednesday by the venue, lists Rise Against, Al Di Meola and Ike Reilly among the performers and names an additional unnamed special guest. First Avenue … Read more

South Africa Cancels Release of ‘Melania’ Documentary – The New York Times

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Lead: South African cinemas abruptly lost a planned theatrical premiere of the documentary “Melania” on Jan. 28, 2026, after local distributor Filmfinity said it would not proceed with the territorial release. Filmfinity’s sales and marketing head, Thobashan Govindarajulu, told local media the move followed “recent developments” but declined to identify them. The cancellation came despite … Read more

AlphaGenome: DeepMind’s A.I. Aims to Decode the Human Genome

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Researchers at Google DeepMind unveiled AlphaGenome on Jan. 28, 2026, a machine-learning system designed to predict how DNA sequence changes alter gene activity. Built on extensive molecular datasets and presented in Nature, the model can flag mutations likely to turn genes off or inappropriately activate them — findings with direct relevance to cancer and other … Read more

Australia euthanizes dingoes tied to Canadian backpacker’s death, prompts outcry

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Lead: Queensland authorities announced the euthanization of dingoes after the body of 19-year-old Canadian backpacker Piper James was found on K’gari on January 19, 2026. Six animals were put down as part of a plan targeting a pack of 10 that rangers said showed aggressive behaviour; officials said the action followed safety concerns. An autopsy … Read more

FBI shows up at Fulton County election hub days after Trump referenced possible 2020 election arrests – NBC News

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Federal agents carried out court-authorized law-enforcement activity at the Fulton County Election Hub on Wednesday, an action the FBI confirmed but described only as ongoing. The Atlanta Field Office said the matter is under investigation and declined to provide operational details. The visit came days after former President Donald Trump, speaking at the World Economic … Read more

These Billionaires Are Speaking Out Against ICE, Minnesota Killings – Forbes

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Lead: In the days after 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, a growing group of high-profile business leaders and public figures publicly condemned the shootings and called for accountability. The incident, which followed the earlier killing of Renee Good in Minnesota this month, has prompted protests across the … Read more

Charity Pierce, My 600-lb Life Star, Dies at 50

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January 28, 2026 — Charity Pierce, who gained national attention on Season 3 of TLC’s My 600-lb Life, died early Tuesday morning at age 50. Family sources told TMZ she passed at 1:20 a.m., surrounded by loved ones after a period in hospice care. Her daughter, Charly Jo, confirmed the death in a Facebook post, … Read more

NTSB Faults FAA, Army Equipment and Tower Culture in Potomac Midair Collision

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Lead: On Jan. 29, 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that a sequence of regulatory, procedural and equipment failures allowed an Army Black Hawk helicopter to collide with American Airlines Flight 5342 over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport, producing catastrophic results. The NTSB unanimously found that the Federal Aviation Administration approved … Read more