Fintech CEO Gökçe Güven, founder of rewards platform Kalder and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, faces federal charges including securities and wire fraud related to a $7 million seed round. The DOJ alleges Güven misled investors by inflating client lists and revenue projections, impacting the burgeoning fintech sector and raising concerns about due diligence in venture capital. Kalder, which aims to help companies monetize rewards programs through affiliate sales, claimed partnerships with major organizations like Godiva and IATA.

Fintech CEO Gökçe Güven, founder of rewards platform Kalder and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, faces federal charges including securities and wire fraud related to a $7 million seed round. The DOJ alleges Güven misled investors by inflating client lists and revenue projections, impacting the burgeoning fintech sector and raising concerns about due diligence in venture capital. Kalder, which aims to help companies monetize rewards programs through affiliate sales, claimed partnerships with major organizations like Godiva and IATA.

UK Police are investigating Lord Mandelson for potential misconduct after leaked emails suggest he shared sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation highlights the intersection of political figures and controversial individuals, raising ethical concerns about transparency and abuse of power. This incident underscores the importance of accountability in public office and the potential societal impact of information sharing.

UK Police are investigating Lord Mandelson for potential misconduct after leaked emails suggest he shared sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation highlights the intersection of political figures and controversial individuals, raising ethical concerns about transparency and abuse of power. This incident underscores the importance of accountability in public office and the potential societal impact of information sharing.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the Rafah border crossing tentatively reopened with limited access, while a lawsuit challenges the Trump administration's visa freeze. Elsewhere, Don Lemon was arrested at an anti-ICE protest, sparking debate over First Amendment rights and potential political motivations, and at the Grammy Awards, artists like Bad Bunny and Olivia Dean used their platforms to advocate for immigrants and criticize past immigration policies.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the Rafah border crossing tentatively reopened with limited access, while a lawsuit challenges the Trump administration's visa freeze. Elsewhere, Don Lemon was arrested at an anti-ICE protest, sparking debate over First Amendment rights and potential political motivations, and at the Grammy Awards, artists like Bad Bunny and Olivia Dean used their platforms to advocate for immigrants and criticize past immigration policies.

Adobe Animate, a long-standing 2D animation platform, will be discontinued, with new purchases ceasing on March 1st. Existing users have a one-year window to download their files as Adobe shifts focus to newer platforms, marking a significant change in the animation software landscape.

Adobe Animate, a long-standing 2D animation platform, will be discontinued, with new purchases ceasing on March 1st. Existing users have a one-year window to download their files as Adobe shifts focus to newer platforms, marking a significant change in the animation software landscape.

Waymo secured $16 billion in funding, led by Dragoneer Investment Group, to expand its robotaxi service to 20 new cities and overseas markets, valuing the company at $126 billion. This investment, a significant increase from the $5.6 billion raised in 2024 at a $45 billion valuation, will be used to grow Waymo's fleet of over 2,500 vehicles and potentially disrupt the global transportation market. The funding round included new investors like Sequoia Capital and DST Global, signaling strong market confidence in Waymo's autonomous vehicle technology.

Waymo secured $16 billion in funding, led by Dragoneer Investment Group, to expand its robotaxi service to 20 new cities and overseas markets, valuing the company at $126 billion. This investment, a significant increase from the $5.6 billion raised in 2024 at a $45 billion valuation, will be used to grow Waymo's fleet of over 2,500 vehicles and potentially disrupt the global transportation market. The funding round included new investors like Sequoia Capital and DST Global, signaling strong market confidence in Waymo's autonomous vehicle technology.

Multiple news sources report that Devon Energy is acquiring Coterra Energy for approximately $26 billion in stock, creating a major oil and gas producer in the Permian Basin and other key regions. This merger, the largest in the sector in two years, signals a resurgence in energy dealmaking after a slowdown, driven by stabilizing oil prices and limited consolidation opportunities.

Multiple news sources report that Devon Energy is acquiring Coterra Energy for approximately $26 billion in stock, creating a major oil and gas producer in the Permian Basin and other key regions. This merger, the largest in the sector in two years, signals a resurgence in energy dealmaking after a slowdown, driven by stabilizing oil prices and limited consolidation opportunities.

Based on multiple news reports, conservative populist Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People's Party won Costa Rica's presidential election with 48.3% of the vote, avoiding a runoff and succeeding outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves. Fernández pledged to consolidate Costa Rica's development and focus on economic growth, while her closest challenger, Álvaro Ramos, conceded and promised a constructive opposition.

Based on multiple news reports, conservative populist Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People's Party won Costa Rica's presidential election with 48.3% of the vote, avoiding a runoff and succeeding outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves. Fernández pledged to consolidate Costa Rica's development and focus on economic growth, while her closest challenger, Álvaro Ramos, conceded and promised a constructive opposition.

Multiple news sources report that a 22-year-old Australian woman died after her backpack became entangled in a ski lift at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Japan; she was suspended in midair, suffered a heart attack, and later died in the hospital. The resort has issued an apology, launched an investigation into the incident, and is cooperating with police while reviewing safety procedures to prevent future occurrences.

Multiple news sources report that a 22-year-old Australian woman died after her backpack became entangled in a ski lift at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Japan; she was suspended in midair, suffered a heart attack, and later died in the hospital. The resort has issued an apology, launched an investigation into the incident, and is cooperating with police while reviewing safety procedures to prevent future occurrences.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, recent global events include political transitions in Costa Rica with Laura Fernández's presidential win and Thailand with Anutin Charnvirakul becoming Prime Minister, alongside controversies like FIFA President Gianni Infantino's apology and the unveiling of mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Developments also include the emergence of Moltbook for chatbots and American speedskater Jordan Stolz's potential to elevate his sport's popularity, particularly in Europe.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, recent global events include political transitions in Costa Rica with Laura Fernández's presidential win and Thailand with Anutin Charnvirakul becoming Prime Minister, alongside controversies like FIFA President Gianni Infantino's apology and the unveiling of mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Developments also include the emergence of Moltbook for chatbots and American speedskater Jordan Stolz's potential to elevate his sport's popularity, particularly in Europe.

Synthesizing information from various sources, key developments include China's mandate for mechanical car door releases by 2027 due to safety concerns, the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market and battery technology advancements, and the emergence of new technologies like the open-source AI agent OpenClaw alongside rising concerns about AI deepfakes. Global events and trends span from geopolitical incidents and scientific solutions to technological advancements and market shifts, painting a complex picture of the near future.

Synthesizing information from various sources, key developments include China's mandate for mechanical car door releases by 2027 due to safety concerns, the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market and battery technology advancements, and the emergence of new technologies like the open-source AI agent OpenClaw alongside rising concerns about AI deepfakes. Global events and trends span from geopolitical incidents and scientific solutions to technological advancements and market shifts, painting a complex picture of the near future.

Moltbook, launched in late January by Octane AI's Matt Schlicht, is a social media network designed for AI agents to interact, share information, and form communities, although human observation is permitted. While resembling Reddit with its forum-like structure and user voting system, the platform utilizes agentic AI through OpenClaw, enabling bots to perform tasks and generate content, though the authenticity of AI-driven posts and the claimed 1.5 million user base have been questioned.

Moltbook, launched in late January by Octane AI's Matt Schlicht, is a social media network designed for AI agents to interact, share information, and form communities, although human observation is permitted. While resembling Reddit with its forum-like structure and user voting system, the platform utilizes agentic AI through OpenClaw, enabling bots to perform tasks and generate content, though the authenticity of AI-driven posts and the claimed 1.5 million user base have been questioned.

Multiple news sources report that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will close for approximately two years starting July 4th for a $200 million renovation project overseen by the Trump administration, despite some controversy surrounding the recent renaming of the center to include "Trump." While the extent of the structural changes remains unclear, the administration claims the complete closure will expedite the process and result in a world-class arts venue, addressing long-standing financial and structural issues.

Multiple news sources report that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will close for approximately two years starting July 4th for a $200 million renovation project overseen by the Trump administration, despite some controversy surrounding the recent renaming of the center to include "Trump." While the extent of the structural changes remains unclear, the administration claims the complete closure will expedite the process and result in a world-class arts venue, addressing long-standing financial and structural issues.