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A rare celestial event is set to captivate stargazers and astronomers alike on February 28, as all seven planets—Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars—will align in the night sky. This planetary alignment, described by scientists as a rare coincidence, last occurred in April 2022 during a total solar eclipse over North America. Leading up to this event, six of the seven planets will begin to align starting January 21. While alignments of three to eight planets are not uncommon, seven-planet alignments are particularly rare. Although the planets will appear to line up along the ecliptic, they will not form a straight line due to their differing orbits in three-dimensional space. Stargazers are advised to seek dark, open areas for optimal viewing, as most planets will be visible to the naked eye, except for Neptune and Uranus, which may require a telescope. 
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Jan 10 2025, 11 ameznews.inA revolution in space travel is on the horizon as British startup Pulsar Fusion unveils its innovative nuclear fusion-powered rocket, the Sunbird. Designed to rendezvous with spacecraft in orbit, the Sunbird will attach itself and utilize nuclear fusion to propel them at unprecedented speeds. Founder Richard Dinan emphasized that space is a more logical environment for fusion, which is challenging to achieve on Earth. The rocket will employ Duel Direct Fusion Drive (DDFD) engines, using helium-3 and deuterium to generate propulsion through charged particles. Although the technology could potentially reduce travel time to Mars by half and reach Pluto in four years, successful space testing of fusion remains unproven. Currently in early development, Pulsar aims to achieve orbital fusion by 2027. Initially, Sunbirds will transport satellites, but their true capabilities may revolutionize interplanetary missions. 
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Apr 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inChina announced on Friday that it will impose a 34 percent tariff on all imports of US goods starting April 10, in retaliation for the steep tariffs recently introduced by the United States. The Chinese finance ministry confirmed that this additional levy will be added to existing tariff rates on American products. Furthermore, China's Commerce Ministry is enacting export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium and yttrium, which are essential for various technologies. In response to the US tariffs, which include a 10 percent levy on imports globally and a particularly harsh 34 percent on Chinese goods, Beijing plans to file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO). This escalation marks a significant step in the ongoing trade conflict, with China vowing to take necessary countermeasures to safeguard its economic interests. 
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Apr 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA groundbreaking study published in *Science* reveals that bonobos, our closest living relatives, utilize compositionality in their vocal communication, challenging the long-held belief that this capability is unique to humans. Researchers investigated bonobo calls in the Kokolopori Community Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, developing a comprehensive "bonobo dictionary" that decodes the meanings of individual calls and their combinations. By analyzing over 300 contextual parameters, they established that bonobo vocalizations can express commands, emotions, and refer to events. The study identified call combinations that exhibit compositionality, akin to human language structures, suggesting that complex communication may have deeper evolutionary roots. This research implies that the ability to create nuanced meanings from smaller units likely existed in our common ancestors, predating human language by millions of years, and highlights the sophisticated nature of animal communication. 
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Apr 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inFollowing President Donald Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs on nearly all countries, including key allies, speculation arises about potential fallout, particularly for US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. According to Politico, if the tariffs lead to economic repercussions or public discontent, Lutnick may become the scapegoat for the administration. The former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald has been described as a controversial figure within the White House, pushing aggressive trade policies, including the recently implemented tariffs, which impose a staggering 54% rate on China. Despite warnings from experts about possible market instability or recession, Lutnick insists that these tariffs will generate revenue and has reportedly advocated for even higher rates. Meanwhile, the Trump administration remains optimistic, asserting that their strategy aims to level the playing field for American industries, with spokesperson Kush Desai claiming they have the "best and brightest trade team" in history. 
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Apr 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a significant financial downturn, the world's 500 richest individuals collectively lost $208 billion in wealth following US President Donald Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs. Notably impacted was Mark Zuckerberg, whose fortune plummeted by $17.9 billion, a nine percent drop. This decline marks the fourth-largest single-day fall in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index's history and the most substantial since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Jeff Bezos also faced a $15.9 billion loss due to a nine percent drop in Amazon shares, while Elon Musk saw $11 billion vanish as Tesla shares fell 5.5 percent. Other notable billionaires affected included Michael Dell, Larry Ellison, and Bernard Arnault, whose LVMH conglomerate lost $6 billion amid fears of a new 20 percent EU tariff on US-bound exports. Trump's tariffs particularly targeted nations perceived as adversarial, imposing a staggering 54 percent on Chinese goods. 
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Apr 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inNew research from the University of Edinburgh highlights the evolutionary significance of oviraptorosaurs, unusual feathered dinosaurs that resemble flightless birds, in understanding forelimb evolution and challenging assumptions about the T. rex. Ranging from house cat to giraffe size, these Cretaceous theropods had strong beaks and sharp claws. Contrary to the prevailing belief that reduced forelimbs in theropods like T. rex were functionless, the study reveals that oviraptorosaurs, including the two-fingered _Oksoko avarsan_, adapted their arm structure for new functions, possibly including digging. This adaptation occurred alongside a geographical expansion into the Gobi Desert, suggesting that environmental factors influenced forelimb evolution. The findings indicate that forelimb and digit reduction in these dinosaurs may not be linked to a loss of function, but rather to new survival strategies, prompting a reevaluation of how we interpret the functionality of theropod limbs, including those of T. rex. 
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Apr 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inNobel laureate Mohammad Yunus recently sparked controversy during a visit to China, where he claimed Bangladesh is the "only guardian of the sea" in South Asia, a statement that oversimplifies the complex geopolitical landscape and risks straining relations with India. By weaving India's Northeast into his narrative, Yunus implied that the region's access to the sea is contingent on Dhaka, disregarding India's own maritime capabilities and infrastructure investments, such as the Sittwe Port in Myanmar. His remarks align with China's interests in expanding its influence in the Bay of Bengal, raising concerns about Bangladesh's growing ties with Beijing. While Yunus's assertion reflects Bangladesh's economic progress, it borders on diplomatic overreach, potentially provoking a defensive response from India, which has historically supported Bangladesh's development. As tensions rise over issues like water-sharing and trade, Yunus's grandstanding may complicate an already fragile relationship between the two nations. 
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Apr 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inSouth Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol issued an apology on Friday following the Constitutional Court's unanimous decision to uphold his impeachment, which stemmed from a controversial martial law declaration. In a brief statement, Yoon expressed his remorse, stating, "I am truly sorry and heartbroken that I was unable to meet your expectations." The court's ruling effectively removed him from office, marking a significant moment in South Korea's political landscape. Yoon's impeachment has sparked widespread discussions about governance and accountability in the country. This decision reflects the court's commitment to uphold constitutional integrity amid rising tensions over political leadership. As South Korea navigates this political upheaval, the implications of Yoon's removal are likely to resonate throughout the nation's future governance and public trust in its institutions. 
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Apr 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a striking career shift, 26-year-old Huang, a Peking University graduate with a master's degree in journalism, has traded a high-paying media career for a role as a canteen worker at her alma mater, prioritizing her happiness over financial gain. Hailing from a remote area in Hunan, her parents, both bus drivers, express concern over her decision due to the job's physical demands and low pay. Despite her challenging work environment, where students affectionately call her "Mum Huang," Huang finds joy in her responsibilities, which include chopping vegetables and serving food. After experiencing the mental pressures of journalism, where she felt perpetually on duty, Huang now embraces the simplicity of her canteen job, earning 6,000 yuan a month. She hopes to become the canteen's manager one day, asserting that her choice aligns with her personal happiness, despite her peers earning significantly more. 
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Apr 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inOpenAI CEO Sam Altman's recent comment on X, where he humorously urged users to reduce the creation of Studio Ghibli-style images, highlights a deeper irony in the ongoing AI art debate. While users enjoy generating these images effortlessly, the original creators, like Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, have dedicated countless sleepless nights to their craft. This situation underscores three critical aspects: the material exploitation of artists, the legal loopholes surrounding copyright, and the aesthetic shortcomings of AI-generated art. Freelancers often find their work repurposed for AI training without consent, while corporations benefit from a system that undermines the value of creative labor. Furthermore, many artists criticize AI art as lacking emotional depth and quality, as it primarily relies on unrefined data. Miyazaki's dismissal of AI animation as "an insult to life itself" encapsulates the sentiment that true artistry cannot be replicated by machines. 
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Apr 04 2025, 1 pm
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