Netflix 13M New Subscribers. Microsoft $3 Trillion. Mac Hits 40.

Stock markets closed mixed. S&P 500 continues to hit fresh all-time high. Microsoft surpasses $3T in market value, becoming the second company ever after Apple to cross the threshold.

Netflix Scores Big: 13 Million New Subscribers Surpass Expectations. In a Q4 surprise, Netflix gained over 13 million subscribers, beating Wall Street's estimate of 8.7 million. The boost included 1.2 million new paid subscribers in the US, but the real win was international growth, particularly in Europe and Asia. With this surge, Netflix reaches a record high of 260.3 million subscribers globally.

Netflix Shakes Up Subscriptions. Big changes are coming to Netflix subscriptions in the US. The basic, ad-free plan at $12 per month will vanish, leaving subscribers with three options: Basic with Ads for $7 per month, ad-free Standard at $15.50, or Premium for $23. Additionally, sharing outside your household incurs an extra member fee of $8 per month. Time to choose your new binge-watching package.

Microsoft Hits Milestone. Microsoft's market cap surged beyond $3 trillion in intraday trading, just two weeks after briefly surpassing Apple as the world's most valuable public company. The tech giant's shares have risen over 7% year-to-date, with investor optimism fueled by its robust investments in artificial intelligence.

The Mac Hits 40. As Apple's iconic Macintosh turns 40, it remains a resilient force despite being a smaller segment of the company's business. The original Mac was unveiled by Steve Jobs 40 years ago, and its legacy endures. Recent financial results indicate strong Mac sales, showcasing sustained success. Apple's lineup expands with the upcoming release of the Vision Pro, reinforcing the Mac's role as a key player alongside the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. What's next for this enduring tech legend?

Insect-Inspired Mini-Robots. Meet the mini-bug and water strider – two tiny robots developed at Washington State University, that could claim the title of the smallest, lightest, and fastest fully functional micro-robots ever created. Weighing just eight milligrams and 55 milligrams, respectively, these insect-like robots can move at approximately six millimeters per second. The potential applications for such miniature robots range from artificial pollination and search and rescue to environmental monitoring, micro-fabrication, and even robotic-assisted surgery.

DNA Predicts Suspect's Face, Sparks Controversy. In a bid to crack cold cases, US police are using DNA-generated 3D face models and running them through facial recognition tools. However, this approach faces criticism from civil liberties experts. In 2017, the East Bay Regional Park District Police tried to solve a 1990 murder case using a predicted face generated from DNA. In 2020, they pushed it further by running the rendering through facial recognition software, raising concerns about reliability and potential misidentifications. Now critics argue it's risky and could make innocent individuals suspects.

Cancer-Hunting mRNA Treatment. Scientists at Strand Therapeutics have devised a method to precisely activate and deactivate mRNA in specific tissues, offering a more targeted approach to treating tumors. The spotlight on mRNA continues to grow, with clinical trials exploring its potential for vaccines beyond Covid-19, including flu and herpes. Now, the focus is on using mRNA to combat cancer by guiding cells to produce proteins that signal the immune system to target tumors. It's not just cutting-edge science; it's a promising chapter in the fight against cancer.

What’s Up with Boeing. In response to recent incidents, Boeing's CEO asserts that planes won't take to the air unless the company is 100% confident in their safety. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded several jets for inspections after an emergency landing prompted by a plug replacement issue on an Alaska Airlines plane. Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci reveals that inspections have revealed loose bolts on many Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets. The FAA is currently reviewing data from an initial group of 40 planes as the airline addresses and rectifies the identified issue.

Unearth Mysterious Roman Dodecahedron in England. A group of amateur archaeologists hit the jackpot stumbling upon a rare ancient Roman artifact called a dodecahedron at a potential Roman site in England. The circular copper alloy object, ranging from the size of a golf ball to a grapefruit, boasts a distinctive 12-sided form with various holes and knobs. The purpose of this enigmatic discovery remains shrouded in mystery.

The champions of the Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 have been revealed.

Scientists have achieved the first rhino IVF pregnancy, which could help save the species from dying out.