Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People's Party has won Costa Rica's presidential election, avoiding a runoff with 48.3% of the vote, according to preliminary results. Fernández, the successor to outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, aims to continue his political agenda, while her closest challenger, Álvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party, conceded and promised a constructive opposition. Official results are pending a manual count to begin Tuesday.

Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People's Party has won Costa Rica's presidential election, avoiding a runoff with 48.3% of the vote, according to preliminary results. Fernández, the successor to outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, aims to continue his political agenda, while her closest challenger, Álvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party, conceded and promised a constructive opposition. Official results are pending a manual count to begin Tuesday.

Drawing from multiple sources, a lawsuit challenges the Trump administration's visa freeze affecting 75 countries, alleging discrimination based on nationality and perceived welfare risk, while the documentary "Melania" surprisingly exceeded box office expectations despite negative reviews and counter-campaigns, raising questions about Amazon's potential political motivations. Additionally, mortgage rates may experience a slight decrease in February due to bond market movement and economic data, although the housing market remains sluggish, and the Federal Reserve's future actions will significantly influence rate trends.

Drawing from multiple sources, a lawsuit challenges the Trump administration's visa freeze affecting 75 countries, alleging discrimination based on nationality and perceived welfare risk, while the documentary "Melania" surprisingly exceeded box office expectations despite negative reviews and counter-campaigns, raising questions about Amazon's potential political motivations. Additionally, mortgage rates may experience a slight decrease in February due to bond market movement and economic data, although the housing market remains sluggish, and the Federal Reserve's future actions will significantly influence rate trends.

Multiple news sources report that FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologized for a joke about British football fans at the Qatar World Cup, while in Costa Rica, right-wing populist Laura Fernández won the presidential election in a landslide, vowing to address violence and continue economic growth. Additionally, Anutin Charnvirakul has become Thailand's new Prime Minister after the previous one was removed for ethical misconduct, with his political future to be decided in an upcoming general election.

Multiple news sources report that FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologized for a joke about British football fans at the Qatar World Cup, while in Costa Rica, right-wing populist Laura Fernández won the presidential election in a landslide, vowing to address violence and continue economic growth. Additionally, Anutin Charnvirakul has become Thailand's new Prime Minister after the previous one was removed for ethical misconduct, with his political future to be decided in an upcoming general election.

Multiple news sources report that Notepad++ was compromised for six months in a supply chain attack, where suspected Chinese state-sponsored hackers distributed backdoored versions through manipulated update channels to select users. This incident underscores the risks associated with software update mechanisms and the potential for targeted malware distribution.

Multiple news sources report that Notepad++ was compromised for six months in a supply chain attack, where suspected Chinese state-sponsored hackers distributed backdoored versions through manipulated update channels to select users. This incident underscores the risks associated with software update mechanisms and the potential for targeted malware distribution.

Notepad++, a popular text editor, was compromised for six months, allowing suspected Chinese state-sponsored hackers to distribute backdoored versions to select users through manipulated update channels. This supply chain attack highlights the vulnerability of software update mechanisms and raises concerns about the potential for widespread malware distribution targeting specific individuals or organizations.

Notepad++, a popular text editor, was compromised for six months, allowing suspected Chinese state-sponsored hackers to distribute backdoored versions to select users through manipulated update channels. This supply chain attack highlights the vulnerability of software update mechanisms and raises concerns about the potential for widespread malware distribution targeting specific individuals or organizations.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Norway's Crown Prince, was arrested for assault and violating a restraining order, just before his trial on multiple rape charges; this development follows the release of US documents revealing his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, had extensive contact with Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014, prompting an apology from her. Høiby faces 38 offenses, including four alleged rapes, and prosecutors are seeking to detain him for four weeks due to concerns about potential re-offenses.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Norway's Crown Prince, was arrested for assault and violating a restraining order, just before his trial on multiple rape charges; this development follows the release of US documents revealing his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, had extensive contact with Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014, prompting an apology from her. Høiby faces 38 offenses, including four alleged rapes, and prosecutors are seeking to detain him for four weeks due to concerns about potential re-offenses.

Multiple news sources reveal that since March, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been using AI tools from Palantir and Credal AI, founded by Palantir alumni, to screen grants, applications, and job descriptions for noncompliance with Trump-era executive orders targeting gender ideology and DEI initiatives, with these audits primarily occurring within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). While Palantir earned over $35 million from HHS during this period, neither the company nor HHS publicly disclosed the use of AI for these specific purposes, and ACF staff conduct a final review of AI-flagged items.

Multiple news sources reveal that since March, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been using AI tools from Palantir and Credal AI, founded by Palantir alumni, to screen grants, applications, and job descriptions for noncompliance with Trump-era executive orders targeting gender ideology and DEI initiatives, with these audits primarily occurring within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). While Palantir earned over $35 million from HHS during this period, neither the company nor HHS publicly disclosed the use of AI for these specific purposes, and ACF staff conduct a final review of AI-flagged items.

Multiple news sources highlight both advancements and concerns: the open-source AI agent OpenClaw is gaining traction despite a security vulnerability in Moltbook, while researchers have discovered a *Beauveria bassiana* fungal solution to combat climate change-driven bark beetle infestations. Separately, reports cover potential political interference in NIH appointments, challenges for Asda, the discovery of archaeological objects from HS2 construction, and new insights into the feeding mechanisms of *Archaeopteryx*.

Multiple news sources highlight both advancements and concerns: the open-source AI agent OpenClaw is gaining traction despite a security vulnerability in Moltbook, while researchers have discovered a *Beauveria bassiana* fungal solution to combat climate change-driven bark beetle infestations. Separately, reports cover potential political interference in NIH appointments, challenges for Asda, the discovery of archaeological objects from HS2 construction, and new insights into the feeding mechanisms of *Archaeopteryx*.

Multiple news sources report that Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, is missing from her Arizona home, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department is treating the case as a crime scene due to concerning evidence found at the residence. Authorities have ended the search and rescue effort, with Sheriff Nanos stating that Nancy Guthrie's medical condition requires medication, and the FBI is assisting in the investigation.

Multiple news sources report that Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, is missing from her Arizona home, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department is treating the case as a crime scene due to concerning evidence found at the residence. Authorities have ended the search and rescue effort, with Sheriff Nanos stating that Nancy Guthrie's medical condition requires medication, and the FBI is assisting in the investigation.

Multiple sources report significant discounts on Amazon devices, including a record-low price for the Echo Show 8, promoted as a smart Valentine's Day gift, and a notable price reduction on the Yamaha SR-C30A soundbar and subwoofer combo, praised for its easy setup and improved audio quality for movies and gaming. These deals offer consumers opportunities to upgrade their home entertainment and smart home setups at reduced costs.

Multiple sources report significant discounts on Amazon devices, including a record-low price for the Echo Show 8, promoted as a smart Valentine's Day gift, and a notable price reduction on the Yamaha SR-C30A soundbar and subwoofer combo, praised for its easy setup and improved audio quality for movies and gaming. These deals offer consumers opportunities to upgrade their home entertainment and smart home setups at reduced costs.

Multiple news sources report on concerning AI deepfake abuse, particularly on the Civitaian marketplace, alongside a booming global electric vehicle market driving battery technology advancements expected by 2026. Significant global events from February 2nd, 2026, include the Rafah crossing reopening, explosions in Iran, a Ukrainian blackout, and Venezuelan amnesty for political prisoners, while other headlines range from Punxsutawney Phil to Ring's AI feature expansion.

Multiple news sources report on concerning AI deepfake abuse, particularly on the Civitaian marketplace, alongside a booming global electric vehicle market driving battery technology advancements expected by 2026. Significant global events from February 2nd, 2026, include the Rafah crossing reopening, explosions in Iran, a Ukrainian blackout, and Venezuelan amnesty for political prisoners, while other headlines range from Punxsutawney Phil to Ring's AI feature expansion.

Multiple news sources report on diverse developments, including a potential fungal solution for bark beetles, the unearthing of a large archaeological collection from HS2 construction, EPA action to advance farmers right to repair their own equipment, and concerns about political influence at the NIH. Other key stories cover Asda's financial difficulties, hemp industry regulations, the transgender rights debate, condemnation of Trump-era immigration policies, the Crans-Montana fire investigation, low awareness of alcohol as a carcinogen, and EPA action to advance farmers right to repair their own equipment.

Multiple news sources report on diverse developments, including a potential fungal solution for bark beetles, the unearthing of a large archaeological collection from HS2 construction, EPA action to advance farmers right to repair their own equipment, and concerns about political influence at the NIH. Other key stories cover Asda's financial difficulties, hemp industry regulations, the transgender rights debate, condemnation of Trump-era immigration policies, the Crans-Montana fire investigation, low awareness of alcohol as a carcinogen, and EPA action to advance farmers right to repair their own equipment.