Putin critic dies, Trump fraud verdict, and bad breath.

Happy Saturday! Today’s edition is 744 words, a 3-minute read.

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Today’s Big Story

Putin critic Alexi Navalny has died

Russia's prison service announced the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

• Navalny was imprisoned for exposing corruption in Putin's inner circle and leading the most effective political movement against the Russian government. Navalny's team had warned repeatedly that he could be killed in prison and detailed the appalling conditions and lack of medical care. Other prisoners were allegedly encouraged to torment him.

• Navalny collapsed on a flight from Siberia to Moscow in August 2020. Doctors in Germany determined he’d been poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok — a favorite of the Russian security services. Despite this, he returned to Russia, was arrested, and shuttled between prisons for three years. During his imprisonment, he continued to oppose Putin and support his cause.

• President Biden blamed the Kremlin for Navalny's death and said his administration was considering sanctions against Moscow.

• During an interview in the Oscar-winning 2022 documentary Nalvany, Nalvany was asked what his message to the Russian people would be if he were killed. His response was: "You are not allowed to give up. If they decide to kill me, it means that we are incredibly strong. We need to utilize this power."

Saturday’s Quick Hits

• New York Judge Arthur Engoron ruled on Friday that former President Trump, his companies, and other defendants must collectively pay nearly $364 million in a civil fraud trial related to Trump's business practices. Trump also can’t be an officer or director of any New York business for three years. (More)

• Egypt is building an enclosed area with high concrete walls along its border with Gaza, potentially to house Palestinians. Photos and videos show workers erecting barriers and security towers near the Rafah crossing. The Sinai Foundation for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said the project aims to create an isolated area for refugees in case of a mass exodus. (More)

• Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said in a speech at West Virginia University that he will not run for president in 2024. Manchin emphasized his commitment to supporting a presidential candidate who can unite the country and that he didn't want to act as a "spoiler" in a likely rematch between Biden and Trump. (More)

• Two juveniles have been charged in connection with the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade that caused one death and 22 injuries. They were taken into custody after the parade and charged with gun-related and resisting arrest charges. Further charges are anticipated as the police investigation progresses. (More)

• Tiger Woods withdrew from the second round of the Genesis Invitational due to illness. Woods, who has had 5 back surgeries in his career, battled back spasms during Thursday's round. The tournament was his first official PGA Tour event since withdrawing from the Masters in April. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• Actor Christian Bale’s non-profit Together California just broke ground on a children’s foster care village in Palmdale, CA. It will have 12 homes and studio apartments that will shelter hundreds of teenagers who are transitioning out of foster care. (More)

• The US Mint's American Women Quarters Program introduced five new quarters featuring impactful women in US history. Civil rights activist Pauli Murray, who co-founded the National Organization for Women and became the first Black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest, is on the first release. Other quarters this year will honor salsa singer Celia Cruz, Civil War surgeon Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Hawaii Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink, and Native American writer Zitkala-Ša. (More)

• A new prosthetic limb called MiniTouch lets wearers sense temperature and feel warmth. It works by transmitting thermal information from the prosthetic fingertip to the wearer's arm. In testing, an amputee in Italy was able to distinguish hot and cold objects with 100% accuracy. The technology was designed to allow amputees to feel human connection again. (More)

• The Wayfinding Centre, opening in April, is a pioneering training facility dedicated to making public transportation more accessible for people with disabilities. The 31,000-square-foot center in Ireland is the world's first of its kind and will provide confidence and familiarization training for people with access needs. (More)

Bonus Material

A Delta flight had to turn back after maggots fell on a passenger’s head. 

Scientists have figured out what causes bad breath.

Dubai’s newest building seems to defy the laws of physics. 

Ten animals with superpowers.