Feb. 23 Weekly News Quiz: Where did Navalny Die?

In Aug. 2020, Alexei Navalny was hospitalized after being poisoned with a nerve agent. He was medically evacuated to Berlin. On Jan. 17, 2021, Navalny returned to Russia and was detained for violating parole conditions by failing to report to Russia’s Federal Prison Service during his illness. On Feb. 2, his suspended sentence was replaced with a prison sentence, as he was sent for two and half years in a “corrective labor colony” in Vladimir Oblast, near Moscow. In Oct. 2021, he was awarded the Sakharov Prize for his work on human rights. On Mar. 22, 2022, Navalny was sentenced to nine more years in a “strict regime penal colony,” according to Russian state-owned news agency Tass. Prosecutors accused him of stealing $4.7m (£3.5m) of donations given to his now-banned organizations, including his anti-corruption foundation – accusations which his supporters say are fabricated. While in prison, Navalny has denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine via social media. Amnesty International recognizes Navalny as a prisoner of conscience. In December 2023, his spokesperson said he was located in a prison colony in the town of Kharp, near the Arctic Circle, about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow. On Feb. 16, 2024, Navalny felt unwell during a walk in his prison and subsequently fell unconscious and died. The exact cause of Navalny’s death remains unclear.

In a move that surprised many and could only be seen as peak Trump entrepreneurship, Donald Trump launched a sneaker line a day after a New York judge delivered a heavy blow to his wallet and reputation. On Feb. 17, 2024, amidst legal turmoil and just when you’d think he might lay low, Trump chose to step into fashion with $399 branded sneakers. This launch happened at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, a site known for sneaker culture celebrations rather than political comeback stories.

Quasars are not your average celestial bodies; they’re the universe’s spotlight, making even the brightest stars look dim in comparison. Imagine a beacon so luminous it makes our sun seem like a faint candle, shining 500 trillion times brighter. Discovered through collaborative efforts by scientists from the Australian National University, the European Southern Observatory, the University of Melbourne, and France’s Sorbonne Université, this particular quasar, powered by a supermassive black hole with an insatiable appetite, devours the mass equivalent of our sun every day. The light from this astonishing object has journeyed for over 12 billion years to reach us, offering a glimpse into the universe’s distant past. Its accretion disk, a colossal seven light-years across, acts as the stage for this spectacular light show.

The European Union, in its role as the guardian of digital spaces, has turned its regulatory gaze towards TikTok. On Feb. 19, 2024, the EU launched a formal investigation into TikTok over concerns that the platform might not be doing enough to protect its youngest users – the minors, from falling down the so-called “rabbit holes” of content that could be harmful. This investigation also scrutinizes TikTok’s compliance with the Digital Services Act, focusing on the platform’s addictive design, age verification processes, and default privacy settings.

Launched into the digital “sky” of possibilities on Feb. 15, 2024, Sora, OpenAI’s groundbreaking AI model capable of turning text into videos, draws its name from the Japanese word for “sky.” This name choice symbolizes the limitless possibilities and vast potential of AI technology, akin to the expansive and boundless nature of the sky itself. Introduced to revolutionize video creation, Sora promises realistic and imaginative videos based on textual prompts.

The enigmatic Tesla Cybertruck, a futuristic vehicle with a stainless steel exterior known for its strength and durability, has been reported by owners to exhibit small orange rust spots after being exposed to rain. These incidents, surfacing across platforms and forums since the Cybertruck’s delivery in December, have sparked discussions and concerns. Wes Morrill, a seasoned engineer at Tesla, clarified that these minuscule invaders are mere surface contaminants – perhaps rogue particles from the Cybertruck’s adventurous journey via railway or its birthplace in the factory, taking temporary shelter on its stainless steel canvas. They are not, as one might fear, signs of decay in the Cybertruck’s robust body. Owners can banish these unwelcome guests with cleaning agents like Bar Keepers Friend or Citrisurf 77, restoring their Cybertrucks to their original, unblemished glory.

In a twist that might disappoint fans of home remedies everywhere, Apple has made it clear that the popular method of using rice to dry out a wet iPhone is more folklore than fact. The tech giant warns that this well-intended but misguided solution can lead to rice particles harming the device. Instead, Apple advocates a more gentle approach: unplugging the device, tapping it gently to shake off excess liquid, and then letting it air dry in an environment with a decent airflow.

HBO has decided to make “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” fans wait a little longer for their favorite segments to hit YouTube. Announced after the Season 11 premiere on Feb. 18, 2024, HBO will now post the main story segments on YouTube on Thursdays instead of the very next day. This move aims to encourage viewers to tune into Max, HBO’s streaming platform, in hopes of consolidating viewership in one place. While John Oliver himself seemed less than thrilled about this revised policy, hoping HBO might reconsider, fans will have to adjust their weekly routines. So, if you’re used to starting Monday with a dose of John Oliver’s sharp wit, you might need to find a temporary placeholder until your Thursday fix.

Former Congressman George Santos sued Jimmy Kimmel. The reason? Kimmel allegedly used fake names to procure Cameo videos from Santos, only to air them on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in a segment titled “Will Santos Say It?” Seeking at least $750,000 in damages, Santos accuses Kimmel of copyright infringement, fraud, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment.

‘The Zone of Interest’ speaks volumes in German, Polish, and Yiddish. It’s the first and only film to win both the Outstanding British Film and Best Film Not in the English Language awards at BAFTA. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, this British-Polish co-production delves into the life of Rudolf Höss, portrayed by Christian Friedel, a German Nazi commandant stationed next to the Auschwitz concentration camp.

On Feb. 21, 2024, Beyoncé became the first Black woman to record a No. 1 song on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs when “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at the top spot. Beyoncé beat Linda Martell’s “Color Him Father,” who held the record for the highest-charting Black woman at No. 22 more than 50 years ago. Described as “act ii” of the three-act project that began in 2022 with Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed “Renaissance” album, her new country album will be released on Mar. 29.

On Feb. 18, 2024, John Travolta, the iconic star known for lighting up the dance floor and the silver screen alike, celebrated a significant milestone, turning 70. This celebration was marked by heartfelt tributes from his daughter Ella, who praised him for being a beacon of light and beauty, and by memorable moments with his children and beloved pet dog Peanut.