Multiple news sources report that Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas criticized the Chicago White Sox for omitting him from their Black History Month graphic, despite his significant contributions and record-breaking stats during his 16 years with the team. Thomas expressed his disappointment on X, highlighting his feeling of being forgotten despite his impact on the organization's success.

Multiple news sources report that Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas criticized the Chicago White Sox for omitting him from their Black History Month graphic, despite his significant contributions and record-breaking stats during his 16 years with the team. Thomas expressed his disappointment on X, highlighting his feeling of being forgotten despite his impact on the organization's success.

According to multiple news sources, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow at Gobbler's Knob in Western Pennsylvania on February 2, 2026, predicting another six weeks of winter. Despite sub-zero temperatures, an estimated crowd of 30,000 people attended the 140th annual Groundhog Day event to witness Phil's prediction.

According to multiple news sources, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow at Gobbler's Knob in Western Pennsylvania on February 2, 2026, predicting another six weeks of winter. Despite sub-zero temperatures, an estimated crowd of 30,000 people attended the 140th annual Groundhog Day event to witness Phil's prediction.

Multiple news sources report that President Trump is commissioning a 250-foot "Independence Arch" for Washington, D.C., intended to be the world's largest triumphal arch, surpassing even the Arc de Triomphe, despite its proposed location near Reagan National Airport's flight path potentially posing logistical challenges. The White House plans to seek approval from relevant commissions, touting the arch as an iconic landmark reflecting Trump's vision and America's greatness.

Multiple news sources report that President Trump is commissioning a 250-foot "Independence Arch" for Washington, D.C., intended to be the world's largest triumphal arch, surpassing even the Arc de Triomphe, despite its proposed location near Reagan National Airport's flight path potentially posing logistical challenges. The White House plans to seek approval from relevant commissions, touting the arch as an iconic landmark reflecting Trump's vision and America's greatness.

The Indian rupee and stock market are expected to surge following the U.S. decision to reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, a move prompted by India's agreement to cease Russian oil purchases. This tariff reduction reverses previous penalties imposed in response to India's crude oil imports from Russia, signaling a positive shift in trade relations.

The Indian rupee and stock market are expected to surge following the U.S. decision to reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, a move prompted by India's agreement to cease Russian oil purchases. This tariff reduction reverses previous penalties imposed in response to India's crude oil imports from Russia, signaling a positive shift in trade relations.

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.

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 focus on Costa Rica's development and 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 focus on Costa Rica's development and economic growth, while her closest challenger, Álvaro Ramos, conceded and promised a constructive opposition.

Synthesizing multiple news sources, the coming week is crucial for US-Iran relations as both nations weigh diplomacy against escalating tensions amid military posturing, while domestically, the Trump administration faces legal challenges over its visa freeze and scrutiny regarding potential influence on federal judges. Globally, developments include political shifts in Texas and Costa Rica, rising discussions on universal basic income, and escalating international tensions involving Israel, China, and FIFA.

Synthesizing multiple news sources, the coming week is crucial for US-Iran relations as both nations weigh diplomacy against escalating tensions amid military posturing, while domestically, the Trump administration faces legal challenges over its visa freeze and scrutiny regarding potential influence on federal judges. Globally, developments include political shifts in Texas and Costa Rica, rising discussions on universal basic income, and escalating international tensions involving Israel, China, and FIFA.

Multiple news sources report that a Democrat flipped a Texas State Senate seat, narrowing the House Republican majority to a precarious one-vote margin, creating challenges for Speaker Mike Johnson as the House attempts to navigate a government shutdown and upcoming funding votes. While some downplay the impact, the slim majority necessitates near-unanimous Republican support to pass legislation, further complicated by a large number of House members heading for the exit.

Multiple news sources report that a Democrat flipped a Texas State Senate seat, narrowing the House Republican majority to a precarious one-vote margin, creating challenges for Speaker Mike Johnson as the House attempts to navigate a government shutdown and upcoming funding votes. While some downplay the impact, the slim majority necessitates near-unanimous Republican support to pass legislation, further complicated by a large number of House members heading for the exit.

Multiple news sources report that singer Billie Eilish sparked controversy at the Grammy Awards by declaring "no one is illegal on stolen land" and "f--- ICE," leading to criticism and accusations of hypocrisy, with some suggesting she donate her property to Native Americans. This has ignited debate about celebrity activism and its impact, with some questioning the sincerity of such statements.

Multiple news sources report that singer Billie Eilish sparked controversy at the Grammy Awards by declaring "no one is illegal on stolen land" and "f--- ICE," leading to criticism and accusations of hypocrisy, with some suggesting she donate her property to Native Americans. This has ignited debate about celebrity activism and its impact, with some questioning the sincerity of such statements.

Multiple news sources report that US citizens and immigrant rights groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, arguing it's an unlawful and discriminatory nationality-based ban based on false claims about immigrants relying on public welfare. The lawsuit alleges the administration's policy violates legal immigration processes and relies on unsupported claims about immigrants becoming public charges.

Multiple news sources report that US citizens and immigrant rights groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, arguing it's an unlawful and discriminatory nationality-based ban based on false claims about immigrants relying on public welfare. The lawsuit alleges the administration's policy violates legal immigration processes and relies on unsupported claims about immigrants becoming public charges.

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.

Drawing from multiple news sources, right-wing populist Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People party won Costa Rica's presidential election in a landslide victory, exceeding the 40% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Fernández, the political heir of outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves, promised to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade and vowed to continue the country's path of economic growth.

Drawing from multiple news sources, right-wing populist Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People party won Costa Rica's presidential election in a landslide victory, exceeding the 40% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Fernández, the political heir of outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves, promised to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade and vowed to continue the country's path of economic growth.