August 17, 2022

Scientists announce plans to resurrect extinct Tasmanian tiger

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Like something out of Jurassic Park, a Dallas-based genetics company announced Tuesday it is working to resurrect Australia's extinct Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, to slow biodiversity loss and climate change.

Colossal Biosciences, which is already using genetic engineering to "de-extinct" the woolly mammoth, announced Tuesday it has the DNA and $10 million in funding for its second de-extinction project with the Tasmanian tiger -- the world's largest carnivorous marsupial, before it died off almost a century ago.

The Tasmanian tiger, which was native to Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea, appeared about 4 million years ago and went extinct as a result of hunting by humans. The last known thylacine died in 1936, with the species officially declared extinct in 1982.

Colossal's goal is to reintroduce a genetically-modified hybrid Tasmanian tiger, within the next decade, into parts of Australia to hunt non-native predators that prey on native herbivores in an attempt to re-balance the ecosystem.

Read more: https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2022/08/16/dallas-colossal-biosciences-announces-de-extinction-project-resurrect-tasmanian-tiger-thylacine-australia-tasmania-biodiversity-loss/3641660669688/


Colossal Biosciences announces it has started working to "de-extinct" the Tasmanian tiger, with plans to re-introduce the species within the next decade to its native Tasmania and Australia. Image courtesy of Colossal Biosciences

August 17, 2022

"Where's this money going?" Millions donated after Uvalde shooting still haven't reached victims and

“Where’s this money going?” Millions donated after Uvalde shooting still haven’t reached victims and families

by Uriel J. García, Texas Tribune

The largest fund for those affected by the May 24 massacre is still months away from distributing most of the $16 million it has raised. Some families are turning to smaller donations to get by.


UVALDE — Alfred Garza III wakes up around 11 a.m. most days and downs a can of Monster Energy drink. After a shower, he heads to a popular eatery here, El Herradero de Jalisco, and orders a fajita chicken salad. Then, he makes his way to his father’s mechanic shop, where he hangs out until evening.

Then he goes home to watch Netflix or YouTube videos until he falls asleep around 1 a.m.

That’s been the grieving father’s routine since May 24, when a gunman killed 10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza, his only child, along with 18 other students and two teachers at Robb Elementary. Since that day, he’s been unable to muster the will to return to his old life and his job as a salesman at a local auto dealership.

Garza, 35, worries he’ll fall behind on his mortgage and car payments. He’s scrounging to pay for gas and food. And he’s confused about why he’s been unable to find meaningful financial assistance from nonprofits or the state, despite millions of dollars being made available to the people of Uvalde after the shooting.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/16/texas-uvalde-shooting-relief-money-victims/

August 17, 2022

AP, Texas Tribune and other newsrooms ask court to unseal Henry Cuellar search warrant

by Matthew Choi, Texas Tribune


The Texas Tribune and other national and local news organizations on Tuesday asked a federal court to unseal a search warrant used in the January FBI raid of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s Laredo home and campaign office.

The raid was a remarkable move by the executive branch on a sitting lawmaker given the search’s proximity to Cuellar’s competitive March 1 primary. The details of the raid have not been officially released, but Cuellar’s attorney, Joshua Berman, has said that the congressman is not the target of a federal investigation. Cuellar has also said that the raid will show he has done no wrong.

Shortly after the raid, ABC News reported that a grand jury sought records related to Cuellar, his wife and one of his campaign staffers over connections to Azerbaijan. Cuellar is a member of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus and often speaks out advocating for the oil-rich country. The Associated Press confirmed the report.

“The adequacy (or inadequacy) of the Justice Department’s guidance on taking overt investigative steps close-in-time to an election is a subject of keen public interest and a source of recurring public debate,” the news organizations write in their request.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/16/henry-cuellar-fbi-raid-search-warrant/

August 17, 2022

Keller school officials order 41 books -- including the Bible and an Anne Frank adaptation -- off of

Keller school officials order 41 books — including the Bible and an Anne Frank adaptation — off of library shelves

by Brian Lopez, Texas Tribune


Ahead of the first day of school, the Keller Independent School District is removing all books that were challenged last year within the school district, including the Bible, “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison and a graphic novel adaptation of Anne Frank’s “The Diary of Young Girl.”

“Attached is a list of all books that were challenged last year. By the end of today, I need all books pulled from the library and classrooms. Please collect these books and store them in a location. (book room, office, etc.),” Jennifer Price, executive director of Keller ISD’s curriculum and instruction, wrote in an email sent to principals, obtained by The Texas Tribune.

Attached to the email was a list of 41 book titles to be removed, including all versions of the Bible and “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” by Maia Kobabe, which depicts Kobabe’s journey of gender identity and sexual orientation.

The direction to remove all 41 books surprised some local residents because a school district committee made up of members of the public met last year and recommended that some of the books now being removed — including Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” and “Anne Frank’s Diary” — remain in student libraries.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/16/keller-isd-removes-books/

August 17, 2022

South Korea offers 'audacious' economic aid to North if it abandons nuclear weapons

SEOUL, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- South Korea will help "dramatically improve" the North Korean economy if the regime commits to denuclearization, President Yoon Suk-yeol said Monday.

Yoon made the proposal in a speech marking Liberation Day, a holiday that commemorates the defeat of Japan in World War II and the end of Tokyo's colonial rule over Korea.

"I am here to propose an audacious initiative that can dramatically improve North Korea's economy and its people's livelihoods," Yoon said in a ceremony on the lawn of the presidential office, "if North Korea stops developing nuclear weapons and transitions to substantial denuclearization."

Yoon originally made the offer during his inaugural address in May, but he hadn't provided any further details until Monday.

Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2022/08/15/Yoon-Suk-Yeol-North-Korea-audacious-plan-denuclearization/6361660554971/

August 17, 2022

The Daily Show: Don't worry, be happy? Really, Trevor?

August 17, 2022

Ecuador president going to U.S. cancer center following melanoma diagnosis

QUITO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso is traveling to a U.S. hospital known for its cancer treatment for medical tests and will likely have surgery there after being diagnosed with melanoma on this right eyelid, he said on Tuesday, saying it would not affect his presidential duties.

Lasso, a former banker and businessman who took office in May of last year, underwent surgery on July 29 to remove a carcinoma in the lower part of the eyelid, but will follow up with more tests at his doctor's recommendation, he said at a press briefing before departing for Houston on Tuesday evening.

Lasso said he was going to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

"I feel very good," Lasso told reporters before departing. "It is an issue that must be dealt with to prevent it from spreading in the future, in this case, all over my face."

Lasso said he will likely have another surgery on his eyelid on Thursday.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ecuador-president-going-us-cancer-center-following-melanoma-diagnosis-2022-08-17/

August 17, 2022

Philips parts ways with CEO in midst of massive recall

AMSTERDAM, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Philips (PHG.AS) Chief Executive Frans van Houten will leave the company in October, the Dutch health technology firm said on Tuesday, after a key product recall cut its market value by more than half over the past year.

Philips said Van Houten would be replaced on Oct. 15 by Roy Jakobs, head of the company's Connected Care businesses. Van Houten's third term as CEO had been due to end in April.

Jakobs, 48, is currently overseeing the company's recall of millions of ventilators and machines for the treatment of sleep apnea. That process has lopped almost $30 billion off Philips' value as investors fear large claims.

"The time is right for the change in leadership," Philips said in a statement.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/philips-says-ceo-van-houten-leave-october-2022-08-16/

August 17, 2022

Cowboys For Trump leader fighting to keep job in New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin is fighting to keep his seat as a New Mexico county commissioner as he faces possible removal and disqualification from public office for his participation in last year’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Griffin was previously convicted of a misdemeanor for entering Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. He was sentenced to 14 days and given credit for time served.

Three residents of Santa Fe and Los Alamos counties filed a lawsuit seeking to remove Griffin from being commissioner of Otero County's 2nd district for the rest of his term.

Griffin, a 47-year-old Republican, is representing himself in the two-day bench trial that began Monday.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cowboys-for-trump-leader-fighting-to-keep-job-in-new-mexico/ar-AA10IUJ8

August 17, 2022

Federal water restrictions in the West underscore severity of climate crisis - PBS NewsHour

The federal government on Tuesday announced a second round of water restrictions to states that depend on the Colorado River Basin. The move comes as the American West faces unprecedented challenges to preserve water that continues to recede rapidly. Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River program director for the National Audubon Society, joins Stephanie Sy to discuss.