December 7, 2023 - Thursday

[WORLD] Former Peruvian President Fujimori has been released from prison on humanitarian grounds, despite objections from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Alberto Fujimori, Peru's former president, who was serving a 25-year sentence for corruption and human rights abuses, has been freed from prison due to a humanitarian pardon. The decision by Peru's Constitutional Court has sparked controversy and warnings that Peru may be flouting international law. Fujimori, wearing a face mask and receiving oxygen, left the prison accompanied by his daughter and son amidst cheers from supporters.

No sources available.

[NATION] The presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania face criticism for their responses on campus antisemitism and genocide during a House hearing.

The presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania are facing scrutiny and criticism for their testimony at a House hearing on campus antisemitism and genocide issues. The university leaders were questioned about whether calling for the genocide of Jews violates the code of conduct at their respective schools, and their responses were seen as ambiguous and evasive. Business leaders, donors, and politicians expressed disappointment and called for further discussions on the matter. The presidents defended their positions by emphasizing the importance of free speech on campuses.

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[BUSINESS] McDonald's is set to open its first CosMc's spinoff in Bolingbrook, Illinois, featuring specialty beverages and coffees.

McDonald's has announced the opening of its first CosMc's spinoff in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The CosMc's concept will focus on specialty beverages and coffees, and the opening in Bolingbrook will mark a soft opening for the pilot concept. McDonald's plans to open a total of 10 CosMc's locations, including nine in Texas, by the end of 2024. The company identified specialty beverages and coffees as a fast-growing area and created CosMc's to cater to this trend.

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[TECHNOLOGY] Google has launched its Gemini AI model, available in its chatbot Bard and in WhatsApp with Pixel 8 Pro. Future releases will include multimodal capabilities.

Google has introduced its Gemini AI model, which is currently accessible in the Bard chatbot and will soon be incorporated into WhatsApp and Gboard. It is currently in a text-based form but will be expanded to include multimodal capabilities in the future. Gemini is expected to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT and offers improved features and information for English-speaking users in 170 countries.

No sources available.

[SPORTS] The New York Yankees are nearing a trade for outfielder Juan Soto with the San Diego Padres.

The New York Yankees are close to completing a blockbuster deal with the San Diego Padres that would send All-Star outfielder Juan Soto to the Bronx. While the trade has not been finalized, there is significant momentum and the Yankees are willing to include pitcher Michael King in the package. Soto's agent, Scott Boras, believes Soto would thrive with the Yankees, citing his past success at Yankee Stadium. The trade would be a major move during MLB's Winter Meetings in Nashville.

No sources available.

[SCIENCE] Wildfire smoke is reversing years of air quality improvements in the United States, threatening public health and causing additional deaths, according to a new study.

A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health reveals that the intensity and frequency of wildfires are causing a concerning increase in air pollution in the Western United States. This trend has resulted in an estimated 670 additional premature deaths annually in the region, undoing the progress made in air quality improvement initiatives. The study highlights the alarming effects of wildfires on air quality and public health.

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[HEALTH] A recent study compared the health benefits of a vegan diet to an omnivore diet using identical twins.

A study tracking 22 pairs of identical twins for eight weeks compared the effects of a vegan diet to an omnivore diet. Both groups ate healthy diets, but one twin in each pair followed a vegan diet while the other ate an omnivore diet. The results showed several health benefits from the vegan diet, including improved heart health. However, nutritionists emphasize that not everyone may benefit from a vegan diet and that individualized dietary choices are important. The study provides valuable insights but does not provide a definitive answer on whether a vegan diet is healthier than an omnivore diet.

No sources available.

[ENTERTAINMENT] TV legend Norman Lear, known for revolutionizing American comedy with shows like "All in the Family," dies at age 101.

Norman Lear, a writer-producer-developer who transformed American comedy with groundbreaking sitcoms in the early '70s, passed away at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 101. Lear's shows, such as "All in the Family" and "Sanford and Son," were known for tackling political and social issues head-on, addressing topics like racism and abortion. He was a pioneer in using humor to address the serious challenges of his time. Lear will be remembered as a creative genius who championed justice and equality.

No sources available.