Tim Cook joins the cast of Severance.

Today’s topics

• Senate Unveils “GENIUS” Stablecoin Plan—Yes, That’s Really the Name

• Apple Redefines Invitations

• NASA’s Rover Captures Mars Moon Eclipse

• New Zealand Grants Legal Personhood to Mt. Taranaki

• Tim Cook Cast in Severance

  and more…

Senate Unveils “GENIUS” Stablecoin Plan—Yes, That’s Really the Name

Crypto-supporting Republicans are making a comeback with a new stablecoin bill from Senator Bill Hagerty. Called the GENIUS Act (because, of course), it gives state regulators some authority, places the Fed in charge of big-bank issuers, and lets the OCC oversee nonbanks holding over $10 billion in tokens. Unlike last year, when Democrats shut down crypto legislation, Republicans are now in control. With Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott and crypto advocate Cynthia Lummis backing it, this bill has a real shot.

BlackRock Brings Bitcoin to Europe

BlackRock is set to launch a bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe within weeks. The product will be based in Switzerland—the hub of banking secrecy and luxury watches—under BlackRock’s newly established iShares Digital Assets AG.The Wall Street giant was among the first to introduce U.S. bitcoin ETFs after securing SEC approval in early 2024. Since then, its IBIT fund has surged to $57.5 billion, proving that institutional investors can’t resist a shiny new asset class.

Spotify Finally Turns a Profit

Spotify’s stock soared 13% on Tuesday after the company posted its first-ever full-year profit. The streaming giant closed out 2024 with a net income of €1.14 billion, proving that profitability is possible—if you raise prices and slash enough jobs.

Apple Redefines Invitations

Apple just launched Invites, an app for creating stylish RSVPs—because apparently, existing invite apps weren’t up to Apple’s standards. In the tech world, this move is called Sherlocking—when Apple “borrows” a popular app’s idea (looking at you, Partiful) and markets it as revolutionary.Partiful, crowned Google Play’s Best App of 2024, has already thrown shade at Apple for the blatant rip-off. Now, Invites enters the ring with Evite, Posh, and Paperless Post. But let’s be real—you’re going to use it. Apple owns you

Ferrari’s First EV Is on the Way

Ferrari is officially going electric. The luxury automaker announced that its first fully electric car will debut on October 9 at its Maranello HQ. While the roar of petrol engines will soon be replaced by… whatever an electric Ferrari sounds like, CEO Benedetto Vigna assured fans that performance won’t be compromised.Ferrari also plans to launch six new models this year, undeterred by political shifts or potential trade wars. The future of high-performance luxury is charging up.

NASA’s Rover Captures Mars Moon Eclipse

NASA’s Perseverance rover has filmed the most detailed footage yet of Phobos eclipsing the Sun, using its Mastcam-Z camera. This marks the highest zoom and frame rate ever recorded of a Phobos eclipse from the Martian surface. Sure, it won’t fix Earth’s problems—but it’s still an incredible glimpse into the cosmos.

NASA's Artemis Program Delays

NASA has announced delays in its Artemis moon missions. The next mission, Artemis II, which aims to send astronauts around the Moon, has been postponed to April 2026. The subsequent Artemis III mission, intended for a lunar landing, is now planned for mid-2027. These delays are attributed to issues discovered with the Orion crew capsule’s heat shield during the uncrewed Artemis I test mission in 2022.Read more.

Science Confirms: Midlife Women Talk More, Men Just Nod

Science backs up what many have long suspected—women between 25 and 65 speak 3,000 more words per day than men. While a 2007 study suggested men and women were equally talkative, new research shows midlife women have a lot more to say—likely from juggling everything while men zone out.

New Zealand Grants Legal Personhood to Mt. Taranaki

New Zealand has officially recognized Mt. Taranaki as a legal person, acknowledging it as a living ancestor in Māori tradition. The law, passed Thursday, restores the mountain’s name, returns it to local tribes, and includes a formal government apology for the colonial-era seizure of over a million acres of Māori land. Taranaki Maunga now joins the Urewera forest (2014) and the Whanganui River (2017) in receiving legal personhood, reinforcing Indigenous rights and environmental protection.

Factory Farm Pollution Hits U.S. Communities of Color

A University of Virginia study found that industrial swine farms in North Carolina release high levels of ammonia pollution, disproportionately affecting Indigenous, Hispanic, Latino, and Black communities.Despite health risks, ammonia remains unregulated under the Clean Air Act, and policy changes are slow due to industry influence. Researchers urge stronger air quality regulations. Read more

Philadelphia Eagles Win Super Bowl LIX, Ending Chiefs’ Dynasty Bid

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX, stopping the Chiefs' quest for a historic third straight title.

Jalen Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP, throwing for 221 yards and scoring three touchdowns. The Eagles' dominant defense shut out the Chiefs until late in the third quarter, while Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce struggled to make an impact. Read more

Tim Cook Cast in Severance

Apple CEO Tim Cook just got “severed” in a new Severance Season 2 promo. In the clip, Cook reports for duty at Lumon Industries, fully embracing the show’s eerie workplace dystopia.

With Apple TV+ reportedly spending $200 million on the new season, Cook is making sure it gets the attention it deserves.

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