News 20 January 2026 - 21 January 2026

Coles at one-year high ahead of ACCC review, low volume keeps bid hidden
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Coles at one-year high ahead of ACCC review, low volume keeps bid hidden

Coles shares closed at A$24.41 Friday, a 52-week high, up 1.5% on light volume of 2.10 million, below the 3.08 million average. The ACCC will begin monitoring supermarket prices at Coles and Woolworths from July 1 under new excessive-pricing rules. Coles’ price-earnings ratio stands at 32.28, with a 2.99% dividend yield. The company’s FY26 investor day is set for August 25.
June 27, 2026
Which U.S. states really ban phones at school? A new report card ranks them as UK tightens rules
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Which U.S. states really ban phones at school? A new report card ranks them as UK tightens rules

North Dakota and Rhode Island received top grades for “phone-free” school policies in a new national report card released Tuesday. Tennessee earned a “C,” while Montana and South Dakota scored zero. Thirty-eight U.S. states now have laws or policies regulating student cellphone use, Ballotpedia said. Britain ordered schools to go “phone-free by default” this week and launched a consultation on children’s social media use.
January 21, 2026
Nova Launcher bought again: Instabridge says it will keep the Android favorite alive — but ads are already showing up
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Nova Launcher bought again: Instabridge says it will keep the Android favorite alive — but ads are already showing up

Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher and is considering ads in the free version, while Nova Launcher Prime will remain ad-free. Users and tech sites report ad tracking code and new ad permissions in the latest update, with some already seeing ads in the app drawer. Instabridge says Nova is not shutting down and is exploring paid tiers. The app now lists Instabridge as developer on Google Play.
January 21, 2026
Apple TV Down? App Store, iTunes and Music glitch as Apple services stumble for hours
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Apple TV Down? App Store, iTunes and Music glitch as Apple services stumble for hours

Apple restored App Store and Apple TV services late Tuesday after an outage disrupted downloads, purchases, and streaming for some users. Developer tools, iMessage, iCloud Mail, and Apple Maps Traffic were also affected. Apple resolved the issues by about 11:04 p.m. ET but did not specify a cause. All services were operating normally early Wednesday, according to Apple’s status page.
January 21, 2026
China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Is Spreading Fast — and It’s Exposing a Solo-Living Anxiety
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China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Is Spreading Fast — and It’s Exposing a Solo-Living Anxiety

A Chinese app known as “Are You Dead Yet?” requires users to tap a button daily or it alerts an emergency contact after two missed days. The app’s viral growth follows a high-profile solitary death in Shanghai and rising concern over people living alone, with single-person households topping 100 million in 2024. Developers plan to rebrand the app globally after backlash over its blunt name.
January 21, 2026
Technology News 21.01.2026
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Technology News 21.01.2026

Microsoft unveiled Rho-alpha, its first robotics model from the Phi series, capable of translating natural language into robot control signals for bimanual tasks. Rho-alpha is being tested on dual-arm and humanoid platforms, with early access applications open and a release planned via Microsoft Foundry. A study of over 20,000 US adults found daily personal use of AI chatbots linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms. Researchers reported a dose-response effect and warned AI is
January 21, 2026
Honor Magic 8 Pro reviews call it a Galaxy S26 Ultra rival — but you might not be able to buy it
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Honor Magic 8 Pro reviews call it a Galaxy S26 Ultra rival — but you might not be able to buy it

Honor’s Magic 8 Pro, featuring a 200MP telephoto camera and OLED display, launched in parts of Europe and Asia but not North America. Reviews praise its camera and battery but note quirks in software and display, including erratic auto-brightness. Specs and battery size vary by region. Pricing in Singapore starts at S$1,499.
January 21, 2026
RedMagic 11 Air goes global on Jan 29 as slim gaming phone targets buyers outside China
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RedMagic 11 Air goes global on Jan 29 as slim gaming phone targets buyers outside China

RedMagic will launch its 11 Air gaming smartphone globally on Jan. 29 after a Jan. 20 debut in China, where it sells for 3,699 yuan ($530) and up. The device features a 6.8-inch 144Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 7,000mAh battery, and a 24,000-rpm cooling fan. Asus has halted new phone development, casting doubt on its ROG Phone series. International pricing and carrier details for the 11 Air remain unannounced.
January 21, 2026
Android 17 is coming: Google’s latest Android updates offer fresh clues
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Android 17 is coming: Google’s latest Android updates offer fresh clues

Google updated its system-services release notes on Jan. 19, detailing new Play services and Play Store features delivered outside major Android upgrades. Leaks indicate Android 17 may introduce a split notification shade and separate toggles for Wi‑Fi and mobile data, but Google has not confirmed these changes. The company will now publish Android source code twice yearly.
January 21, 2026
Sergey Brin says Google hires “tons” without degrees as AI shakes Silicon Valley hiring
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Sergey Brin says Google hires “tons” without degrees as AI shakes Silicon Valley hiring

Google co-founder Sergey Brin said the company has hired “tons” of employees without bachelor’s degrees, reflecting a drop in degree requirements from 93% of job listings in 2017 to 77% in 2022, according to Burning Glass. Tech firms including Microsoft and Apple are also moving away from mandatory degrees. Brin urged students not to abandon computer science despite AI advances. JPMorgan and Palantir executives echoed doubts about traditional credentials.
January 20, 2026
Severe solar storm alert: NASA tracks CME as NOAA upgrades G4 geomagnetic storm
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Severe solar storm alert: NASA tracks CME as NOAA upgrades G4 geomagnetic storm

A severe G4 geomagnetic storm struck early Tuesday after a coronal mass ejection from a Jan. 18 X-class solar flare, NOAA said. A rare S4 solar radiation storm is also underway, raising risks for polar flights, satellites, and astronauts. The geomagnetic storm first reached G4 on Monday afternoon and peaked again overnight. NASA reported gaps in SOHO data but confirmed the event with other instruments.
January 20, 2026
Google’s ‘high-friction’ Android sideloading is coming — what it means for Play Store users
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Google’s ‘high-friction’ Android sideloading is coming — what it means for Play Store users

Google will require stricter identity verification for Android app sideloading starting March 2026, with new warnings for unverified developers and possible internet checks. The changes, aimed at curbing scams, roll out first in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026, expanding globally through 2027. Google says the process will add friction but not block sideloading.
January 20, 2026
SpaceX IPO watch: New report says a listing could jolt space-tech funding in 2026
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SpaceX IPO watch: New report says a listing could jolt space-tech funding in 2026

Seraphim Space said private investment in space technology reached $12.4 billion in the 12 months ending 2025, with a surge in defense satellite spending. The firm predicts funding will rise further in 2026, driven by anticipation of a possible SpaceX IPO. U.S. companies took about 60% of 2025’s SpaceTech funding. SpaceX’s IPO timing remains uncertain, according to its CFO.
January 20, 2026
Northern Lights Could Reach Farther South Tonight After NOAA Flags Severe Solar Storm
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Northern Lights Could Reach Farther South Tonight After NOAA Flags Severe Solar Storm

Severe G4 geomagnetic storm levels were recorded early Tuesday after a coronal mass ejection struck Earth, NOAA said. A rare severe solar radiation storm was also underway, raising risks for polar flights and satellites. Agencies in the U.K. and Australia reported similar conditions and warned of possible G5 intervals. NOAA notified airlines, NASA, and grid operators as the situation developed.
January 20, 2026
Comet 3I/ATLAS suddenly looks “fully active” — and astronomers say the window is closing
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Comet 3I/ATLAS suddenly looks “fully active” — and astronomers say the window is closing

NASA’s SPHEREx telescope recorded a surge in gas and dust from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS after its close solar approach. The comet, only the third confirmed interstellar object in the solar system, will reach opposition on Jan. 22, offering extended nighttime viewing. Researchers detected water and carbon monoxide emissions about 20 times higher than earlier readings. 3I/ATLAS is already leaving the solar system.
January 20, 2026
ISS-grown bacteria-killing viruses return to Earth and hit E. coli harder, study finds
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ISS-grown bacteria-killing viruses return to Earth and hit E. coli harder, study finds

Bacteriophages evolved aboard the International Space Station became more effective at killing certain UTI-causing E. coli strains once returned to Earth, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison reported. Microgravity delayed early infections and led to unique mutations in both the viruses and bacteria. Scientists say scaling up such space-based experiments remains difficult.
January 20, 2026
iPhone 18 Pro leak: Under-screen Face ID could shrink the Dynamic Island — and suppliers are lining up
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iPhone 18 Pro leak: Under-screen Face ID could shrink the Dynamic Island — and suppliers are lining up

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly feature under-screen Face ID and a smaller screen cutout, according to South Korean industry sources and supply-chain leaks. New “LTPO+” OLED panels with under-display infrared sensors are being developed by Samsung Display and LG Display for Apple. Leaks disagree on whether a smaller Dynamic Island, a single camera hole, or a shifted sensor will remain visible.
January 20, 2026
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