brooklynite
brooklynite's JournalFace of a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman revealed by scientists
Source: NBC News
Particularly given that her skull was smashed into 200 pieces, possibly by a rockfall, before it was meticulously pieced together by scientists over the last six years.
This is Shanidar Z, a Neanderthal woman whose face was recreated by archaeologists at England’s University of Cambridge. By reimagining her facial features, rather than just the skull itself, the university said a report published on its website Thursday, that experts have been given new insight into what our ancient cousins actually looked like.
Turns out they may have been more similar than we thought — both in terms of their facial features and their thoughts about death.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/neanderthal-woman-face-reconstructed-iraq-scientists-cave-rcna150344
Biden: 'Destroying property is not a peaceful protest'
Source: Washington Post
“We've all seen the images, and they put to the test two fundamental American principles,” Biden said in quickly scheduled remarks at the White House. “The first is the right to free speech and for people to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard. The second is the rule of law. Both must be upheld.”
He added: “Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is. … Destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It’s against the law. Vandalism, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations. None of this is a peaceful protest.”
Biden also strongly condemned antisemitism and Islamophobia, as well as anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian rhetoric.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/05/02/university-protests-columbia-ucla-live-news/#link-NWKNKRRXJVADHL6L66ZYDMJZOQ
Man says his emotional support alligator, known for its big social media audience, has gone missing
Joie Henney has thousands of social media users following his pages devoted to Wally, the cold-blooded companion that he calls his emotional support alligator. He has posted photos and videos online of people petting the 5 1/2-foot (1.7 meter) alligator like a dog or hugging it like a teddy bear. Wally’s popularity soared to new heights last year when the gator was denied entry to a Philadelphia Phillies game.
Now Henney said he is distraught after Wally vanished while accompanying him on an April vacation in Brunswick, Georgia, a port city 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Savannah. He said he suspects someone stole Wally from the fenced, outdoor enclosure where Wally spent the night on April 21.
In social media posts, Henney said pranksters left Wally outside the home of someone who called authorities, resulting in his alligator being trapped and released into the wild.
https://apnews.com/article/emotional-support-alligator-lost-wally-henney-georgia-84f4e843061e5b54a6880db479532c82
"If you strike at the King you must kill him" (Ralph Waldo Emerson).
Despite the obvious impending failure, Marjorie Taylor Greene plans to carry on with her Motion to Vacate.
At any other time, if a Member attempted to dethrone a Speaker and failed, their political career would be over. Welcome to the modern Republican House Caucus.
Police breaking up pro-Gaza camp at UCLA (live on CNN)
https://twitter.com/krassenstein/status/1785992964189114853UCLA Gaza protestors apparently have a loyalty test...
https://twitter.com/SiaKordestani/status/1785397163662745610Introducing Amtrak Borealis trains with Expanded Service between St. Paul and Chicago via Milwaukee
ST. PAUL, Minn., and CHICAGO – Tickets are now available for a second daily Amtrak service between the Twin Cities and Chicago, via Milwaukee: new state-sponsored Borealis trains originate from St. Paul at midday and from Chicago in the late morning. Travelers seeking a more comfortable, sustainable and productive choice than driving will have double the current rail options, starting May 21, 2024.
Amtrak Borealis coach fares start at $41 each way between St. Paul and Chicago for adults, with everyday discounts for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel and families, groups, and others.
Amtrak Borealis trains will offer Coach and Business Class in addition to a café car featuring regional items. Customers will enjoy wide reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seats, free Wi-Fi, and views of the Mississippi River between St. Paul and La Crosse, Wisc., in daylight in both directions across Wisconsin.
The trains will make the current Empire Builder stops between St. Paul and Milwaukee and Hiawatha stops between Milwaukee and Chicago (see schedule). Another benefit of the Amtrak Borealis service is a new eastbound Amtrak origination from Ramsey County’s Union Depot in St. Paul.
“A second daily passenger rail service connecting St. Paul to Chicago via Milwaukee is a welcome addition to our transportation system, providing more choices and travel flexibility for passengers,” said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, Minnesota Department of Transportation. “We appreciate our partnerships with communities, federal, state and local governments, the host railroad CPKC, and Amtrak that were needed to get this service on-track, and to provide another safe, reliable transportation option. We look forward to continuing these partnerships as we work toward further building out passenger rail options in the Midwest.”
“This route includes eight stations in Wisconsin, and doubling the frequency of the service will better connect the many businesses, universities and tourist attractions along this corridor,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “This expansion is thanks to the work WisDOT was able to do together with Minnesota, Illinois and Amtrak, as well as the opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We will continue to work with federal and state partners to explore more passenger rail options in Wisconsin.”
“We are proud to collaborate with neighboring states and our federal partners to offer more Amtrak service in the Midwest,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman.
“Ensuring passenger rail that’s safe, reliable and accessible is one of the many reasons Illinois continues to distinguish itself as the transportation hub of North America under Gov. JB Pritzker.”
The new service is sponsored by the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Amtrak now operates 29 state-supported routes with 18 state partners.
“Through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification Program we are working with grantees on dozens of other possible new Amtrak routes,” said President Roger Harris.
“Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, interest from state transportation departments and others for new or expanded Amtrak service across the country is at an all-time high.”
“This is a win for passenger rail expansion in America, and more importantly, it’s a win for a growing number of Americans who rely on passenger rail and benefit from it,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose. “Investments in rail have long helped Midwesterners and the region’s economy, and this new service will mean additional access for people traveling between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois while contributing to economic growth.
“The Federal Railroad Administration applauds the strong partnership between the states and Amtrak, and through President Biden’s infrastructure package, we know even more progress is underway,” Bose added.
https://media.amtrak.com/2024/04/introducing-amtrak-borealis-trains-with-expanded-service-between-st-paul-and-chicago-via-milwaukee/
Arizona may be one vote away from a repeal of its Civil War-era abortion law
Arizona RepublicIndications are the closely divided Republican-controlled Senate will approve the repeal with not a vote to spare.
Arizona has been center stage of the national abortion debate ever since an April 9 state Supreme Court ruling upheld the 1864 law. It bans abortions in all cases, except to save the life of the mother, and imposes prison terms for doctors or others who aid in an abortion.
The ruling has divided the GOP majority at the statehouse, with a handful of Republicans in both chambers willing to join with Democrats to repeal a 160-year-old law that they feel is unreasonable and inappropriate for current times.
Police begin dismantling pro-Palestinian encampment at UW-Madison; multiple arrests underway
Source: Wisconsin State Journal
WISC-TV reported that just before 7 a.m., several police officers arrived at the encampment on Library Mall and played a recorded message on a loop saying that it was a final warning and that protesters were in violation of university code. About 20 minutes later, nearly 60 police officers, some with riot shields but not dressed in full riot gear, arrived and began removing tents and other items.
There were no initial physical clashes with police but just after 8 a.m., police began arresting some protesters. Law enforcement from the the Wisconsin State Patrol, Dane County Sheriff's Office Madison Police and UW-Police were on the scene, according to initial reports. Television images showed a line of officers between protesters and other officers, who worked to remove the encampment.
In an unusual effort to head off the disruptions that have rocked other campuses around the country, campus leaders and the UW Police Department warned students last week to comply with state law and university rules, which prohibit unauthorized camping on campus.
Read more: https://madison.com/news/local/palestine-protesters-uw-madison-police/article_d441cdd0-07b2-11ef-9d0a-4f3ceb9067e5.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
Police respond to UCLA after violent clashes break out amid dueling demonstrations
Source: KABC Los Angeles
People were beaten and hit with sticks as the clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters went on for roughly three hours before police intervened. At times, protesters would use barricades as weapons.
Before police arrived, a group piled on one person who lay on the ground, kicking and beating them until others pulled them out of the scrum.
"The violence unfolding this evening at UCLA is absolutely abhorrent and inexcusable," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass posted on X. Later in the morning, Bass said she would be returning to Los Angeles early in wake of the incident. She was in Washington D.C.
Read more: https://abc7.com/clashes-break-out-at-ucla-amid-dueling-demonstrations-between-pro-palestinian-and-pro-israeli-protesters/14749246/
Profile Information
Name: Chris BastianGender: Male
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Home country: USA
Member since: 2002
Number of posts: 94,902
