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David Berman (1967–2019) was an American musician, singer and poet. In 1989, with Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich, he founded the indie-rock band Silver Jews, and was its only constant member until its dissolution in 2009. He provided the band's characteristic lyrics and the simple country-rock sound they developed from their early lo-fi recordings. His abstract, autobiographical lyrics were his creative priority, and he extensively labored over them. Despite believing his work was unappreciated, Berman cultivated a passionate following and became an influential figure in indie rock. After he announced his withdrawal from music in 2009, his return to music in 2019, under the moniker Purple Mountains, prompted an enthusiastic response. His return to music closely preceded his death. Berman's life was marred by difficulties; his music and poetry showcase a forlorn quality, using varied characters in eccentric and surreal circumstances. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

Kidman at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con

... that Nicole Kidman (pictured) is the first Australian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress?
... that following Soviet occupation in 1940, the Lithuanian Armed Forces were transformed into the Lithuanian People's Army, dropped all use of Lithuanian national symbols and faced repression?
... that Harry Steele purchased the Albatross Hotel in a bankruptcy sale and ultimately owned it for over half a century until his death?
... that David Bowie's 1967 composition "Let Me Sleep Beside You" was rejected as a single due to its suggestive title?
... that the name of Church Street station has been changed twice since 2019?
... that Gheorghe Eminescu, nephew of Romania's national poet, spent time in communist prisons, including one which allocated him a 25-centimeters-wide (10-inch) sleeping area?
... that at the height of their popularity, eight-ball jackets were such a status symbol in the East Coast hip hop scene that they were frequently stolen at gunpoint?
... that Skálmöld & Sinfóníuhljómsveit Íslands documents a symphony orchestra playing heavy metal music?

In the news

MVP Cooper Kupp

In American football, the Los Angeles Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl (Cooper Kupp pictured).
Cyclone Batsirai makes landfall in Madagascar, displacing at least 112,000 people and leaving more than 100 others dead.
In association football, the Africa Cup of Nations concludes with Senegal defeating Egypt in the final.
Indian playback singer and composer Lata Mangeshkar dies at the age of 92.

On this day

February 15: National Flag of Canada Day (1965); Statehood Day in Serbia (1804)

British troops surrendering in Singapore

1113 – Pope Paschal II issued the papal bull Pie postulatio voluntatis, formally recognising the establishment of the Knights Hospitaller.
1493 – Christopher Columbus wrote a letter, which was widely distributed upon his return to Portugal, announcing the results of his first voyage to the Americas.
1900 – Second Boer War: British cavalry led by John French defeated Boer forces to end a 124-day siege of Kimberley in present-day South Africa.
1942 – Second World War: Japanese forces led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita captured Singapore, with the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history (pictured).
2012 – The world's deadliest prison fire took place at the National Penitentiary at Comayagua, Honduras, killing 361 people.

Ibn Tabataba (d. 815)
V. A. Urechia (b. 1834)
Roger B. Chaffee (b. 1935)

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Today's featured picture

Osteospermum is a genus of flowering plants in Calenduleae, one of the smaller tribes of the family Asteraceae, which includes sunflowers and daisies. The plants are also known as daisybushes and African daisies. The genus is closely related to the Chrysanthemoides. This photograph depicts a cultivar of Osteospermum known as 'Pink Whirls', which has flowers featuring spoon-shaped petals.

Photograph credit: Jon Sullivan

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