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.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Halle Berry revealed that winning an Oscar didn't change her career trajectory as she still faced racial bias in casting, leading her to advise Cynthia Erivo not to rely on awards for validation. Separately, Jacob Elordi was hospitalized with second-degree burns after joking about method acting, while Ricky Gervais criticized celebrities for making political speeches at the Grammys.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Halle Berry revealed that winning an Oscar didn't change her career trajectory as she still faced racial bias in casting, leading her to advise Cynthia Erivo not to rely on awards for validation. Separately, Jacob Elordi was hospitalized with second-degree burns after joking about method acting, while Ricky Gervais criticized celebrities for making political speeches at the Grammys.

Multiple news sources report on diverse developments, including the discovery of *Beauveria bassiana* fungal strains as a potential biocontrol for bark beetles and the unearthing of a massive archaeological collection during HS2 railway construction. These sources also cover concerns about political interference in NIH appointments, Asda's financial struggles, Fab5's mechanism of action against gammaherpesvirus gB, and other issues like the Crans-Montana bar fire investigation and low public awareness of alcohol as a carcinogen.

Multiple news sources report on diverse developments, including the discovery of *Beauveria bassiana* fungal strains as a potential biocontrol for bark beetles and the unearthing of a massive archaeological collection during HS2 railway construction. These sources also cover concerns about political interference in NIH appointments, Asda's financial struggles, Fab5's mechanism of action against gammaherpesvirus gB, and other issues like the Crans-Montana bar fire investigation and low public awareness of alcohol as a carcinogen.

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.

Multiple news sources report that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has tentatively reopened, marking a milestone in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, though progress is slow. While Israel and Egyptian state TV announced the reopening, only a small number of Palestinians, primarily medical patients and their companions, have been allowed to cross, highlighting the limited and largely symbolic nature of the opening.

Multiple news sources report that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has tentatively reopened, marking a milestone in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, though progress is slow. While Israel and Egyptian state TV announced the reopening, only a small number of Palestinians, primarily medical patients and their companions, have been allowed to cross, highlighting the limited and largely symbolic nature of the opening.

Multiple news sources report that Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, predicted six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2026, continuing a tradition rooted in European farming customs that draws large crowds to Gobblers Knob in Pennsylvania. While the prediction aligns with weather experts' forecasts for continued cold conditions in the eastern United States, the event's popularity is also fueled by the festive atmosphere and the cultural impact of the film "Groundhog Day."

Multiple news sources report that Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, predicted six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2026, continuing a tradition rooted in European farming customs that draws large crowds to Gobblers Knob in Pennsylvania. While the prediction aligns with weather experts' forecasts for continued cold conditions in the eastern United States, the event's popularity is also fueled by the festive atmosphere and the cultural impact of the film "Groundhog Day."

Multiple news sources report that Firefox will introduce an AI control option on February 24th, allowing users to disable all AI-powered features, including a built-in chatbot, translations, and tab group suggestions, in response to user concerns about the browser's increasing AI integration. This "AI kill switch," promised by Mozilla's CEO, demonstrates the company's commitment to user choice and trust by offering control over current and future AI functionalities.

Multiple news sources report that Firefox will introduce an AI control option on February 24th, allowing users to disable all AI-powered features, including a built-in chatbot, translations, and tab group suggestions, in response to user concerns about the browser's increasing AI integration. This "AI kill switch," promised by Mozilla's CEO, demonstrates the company's commitment to user choice and trust by offering control over current and future AI functionalities.

Multiple news sources report that nearly half of state attorneys general are urging the House Judiciary Committee to expand its investigation into potential influence on federal judges, specifically focusing on the Federal Judicial Center's "Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence" and its perceived climate change-related bias. Led by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, the attorneys general are concerned the manual, which includes a foreword by Justice Elena Kagan and references to climate experts, inappropriately attempts to influence case outcomes.

Multiple news sources report that nearly half of state attorneys general are urging the House Judiciary Committee to expand its investigation into potential influence on federal judges, specifically focusing on the Federal Judicial Center's "Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence" and its perceived climate change-related bias. Led by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, the attorneys general are concerned the manual, which includes a foreword by Justice Elena Kagan and references to climate experts, inappropriately attempts to influence case outcomes.