February 20, 2024 - Tuesday

[WORLD] Alexey Navalny's widow accuses Putin of hiding his body and vows to continue his work for a better Russia amidst challenges.

Alexey Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has criticized Russian authorities for withholding access to his body and extending the investigation into his death. Blaming President Putin for his demise, she vows to carry on his legacy for a brighter Russia. Navalny's sudden death raises concerns about the future of the Russian opposition amidst a backdrop of silenced voices and uncertain political landscape.

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[NATION] Historians' survey ranks Biden above Trump in presidential greatness, with Biden in top third and Trump at the very bottom.

In a recent survey of 154 historians and presidential experts, President Biden was ranked in the top third of U.S. presidents, placing 14th, while former President Trump was placed last at 45th. Biden received varying rankings based on the respondents' political leanings, while Trump consistently ranked in the bottom five due to his presidency's departure from historical norms. The survey utilizes a 0-100 scale to rate presidents on their overall greatness.

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[BUSINESS] China's tourism spending during Lunar New Year exceeds pre-Covid levels, reaching 632.7 billion yuan, with 474 million trips made domestically.

China experienced a significant boost in tourism spending during the Lunar New Year holiday, surpassing levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic. Data shows a 47% increase in spending compared to last year, totaling 632.7 billion yuan. The number of domestic trips reached 474 million, with a record number of travelers participating in the festivities. Despite the positive indicators, consumer spending per trip was below pre-pandemic levels, signaling lingering deflationary pressure and weak consumer confidence.

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[TECHNOLOGY] OpenAI unveils new generative video tool Sora, prompting concerns about deepfake video misuse and plans for controlled testing before public release.

OpenAI introduced Sora, a cutting-edge generative video model, raising worries about potential misuse of deepfake videos. The company prepares for controlled testing with safety testers and artists before any public launch, emphasizing caution in deployment due to concerns about adverse impacts. With plans to eventually reveal this technology to the world, OpenAI aims to showcase the possibilities of its evolving AI tools to creative professionals while ensuring safety measures are in place to prevent misuse.

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[SPORTS] East wins NBA All-Star Game 2024 with MVP Damian Lillard leading in a high-scoring blowout victory.

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game saw Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton impress with long-distance shooting, securing a blowout victory for the Eastern Conference. Lillard's standout performance earned him the MVP title in a record-breaking game, marking the East's first win since 2014. Despite star-studded rosters, the game raised concerns about competitiveness and the overall fan experience, prompting discussions on potential improvements by NBA officials and fans alike.

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[SCIENCE] Intuitive Machines aims to return the U.S. to the moon with its uncrewed lunar lander, Odysseus, launched via SpaceX Falcon 9.

An American company, Intuitive Machines, launched an uncrewed lunar lander, Odysseus, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with hopes of landing near the moon's south pole. If successful, it would be the first private company to achieve this lunar landing milestone. Additionally, the company transmitted images of Earth from space on its journey to the moon, aiming to inspire future space exploration. In a related development, the U.S. Space Force is exploring environmental studies for potential SpaceX Starship launches from Cape Canaveral.

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[HEALTH] Women benefit more from exercise, needing less to gain same benefits as men, according to a recent study.

A recent study revealed that women can experience greater cardiovascular gains from exercise, needing less physical activity to achieve similar benefits as men. Research indicates that women who engage in regular exercise see a lower risk of premature death compared to men, with women needing around 2.5 hours of exercise per week for significant health benefits. This highlights the potential gender gap in exercise recommendations and health outcomes.

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[ENTERTAINMENT] The People's Choice Awards featured 6 standout red carpet looks, showcasing bold and eye-catching fashion choices.

The recent People's Choice Awards featured stunning red carpet fashion choices, with Laverne Cox donning a vintage Mugler bustier and Giuseppe Di Morabito skirt, and Ice Spice making a statement in a vibrant Dolce & Gabbana dress. Despite major stars being absent due to the BAFTAs, attendees impressed with bright colors, exaggerated silhouettes, and unique accessories, proving that the event remains a hot spot for daring and attention-grabbing styles.

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