by Maddie Robin Image from 190212232845-rare-black-leopard-exlarge-169.jpg
After months of waiting patiently, a team of biologists in Kenya got rare footage and images of the black leopard. While black leopards have been sighted throughout Africa in the past, this is the first time that high-quality imagery confirms it. The last sighting captured in photo of the black leopard was in Ethiopia in 1909, and that photo now sits in the Museum of Natural History in the United States. The team of biologists, led by Nick Pilfold, managed to capture a slew of photos and video footage of the elusive animal in the dark, all looking like something straight out of a movie. Capturing these photos and videos took months of preparation and waiting patiently. Pilfold and his team first placed remote cameras to track the leopard population near a conservation area in Laikipia County last year after hearing about a possible black leopard sighting. After months of waiting, they finally got the images they had been waiting for. These leopards pitch black coats are a result of melanism, a mutation in the genes that causes an overproduction of pigment. And although 11% of leopards globally have melanism, the majority of these leopards live in South-East Asia, making these images captured in Africa all the more rare. The photographer, Will Burrard-Lucas, shot these images using a Contraptions Camera, which focuses on nature and wildlife footage. The cameras were placed near animal trails and water, like pools and springs. They were left on for 24 hours in most places. Burrard-Lucas says that it has been his dream to photograph this leopard in particular. “For many years, they remained the stuff of dreams and of far fetched stories told around the campfire at night,” he wrote on his blog. “Nobody I knew had ever seen one in the wild and I never thought that I would either.” However, leopards are described as being critically endangered on the International Union of Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. While the total population decline of their species unknown, considering how elusive and rare they are, scientist do know that several things such as hunting, habitat loss, and conflict with farmers has already dropped their numbers significantly. That’s why, with these photos, come the cries from people that although it is great that we now have footage of the beautiful animal, to leave it alone. Hopefully, biologists and locals heed these calls and leave these endangered animals alone. Maybe next time images like these are captured, there will be more of them to see.
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by Alan Nemirovski Image from Washington Post
On February 15th 2019, United States’ President Donald Trump declared a state of national emergency on the country’s border with Mexico, hoping that with this declaration, he will be able to allocate funding towards the construction of a wall along the border, after Congress repeatedly refused to provide such funds. This move comes after he refused to sign a funding bill back in December of 2018, which caused a 35-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. The shutdown ended when the President signed a temporary funding bill, that was to reopen the government until February 15th. However, as the date fast approached, he continued to demand $5.7 billion USD for the border wall, and the bill he ended up signing on that date only contained $1.375 billion USD of funding for “existing technologies”. The move to declare a national emergency was made by President Trump, according to the New York Times, “in hopes of diverting $3.6 billion from military construction projects to build his promised wall”. This move is considered by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as “lawless” and “does violence to our Constitution and therefore our democracy”. As such, she has scheduled a vote on a resolution that would end the declaration. The vote is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26th 2019. According to various media outlets, it seems that the Democratic House is very likely to pass the resolution, and while less-likely, it might even be possible for them to get the Republican Senate on their side. However, even if the resolution passes, it would need to be signed by the President. And that is where President Trump might end up using his presidential veto power for the first time since taking office. That is, the power vested in one branch of government (or one person in this case) to cancel or postpone a decision, enactment, etc. made by another branch of government (as defined per Dictionary.com). Many legal experts say that this national emergency has been declared unconstitutional. Even 16 states have filed a lawsuit against the President. All we know right now is that is that the emergency has been declared, and that Democratic lawmakers are moving swiftly to block it. The declaration of such an emergency may set a dangerous precedent for future presidents, and allow them to declare almost anything as an emergency to further their own agenda. As for us in Canada, we will just have to wait and see what the vote on the 26th will bring, and what consequences will arise from that. by Evelyn Wisebourt Image from daughter_father.jpg
Roopesh Rajkumar, a 41 year old man accused of abducting and murdering his 11 year old daughter, Riya Rajkumar, died in a Toronto hospital on the 20th of February, 2019. He was admitted into the trauma center after self-inflicting a bullet, seconds after being taken into custody by police on the 14th. Roopesh was allegedly taking his daughter out to celebrate her birthday. However, Riya’s mother, with whom lived the girl, grew worried after they failed to arrive at the prearranged time at 6:30 pm. She contacted the police as soon as Roopesh claimed that he would kill the young girl. The police issued an amber alert at around 11:30 pm, alerting the community about the situation, as well as to where the vehicle was last spotted. Roopesh was taken into custody once Peel Police stopped him on Highway 11. Simultaneously, the police made their way into his Brampton home, where they found the murdered child. Her exact cause of death is yet to be released. by Emily Gerstein Image from britain-attack-tribute-concert-e1519238072630.jpg As the current decade comes near its end, a transition in our music top charts has become more apparent than ever. If you look back at Billboard’s top 40 in 2010, you’d see names like Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Lady Gaga, and Miley Cyrus. Pop had reigned superior for years, but in the later 2010’s, rap has come to a rise. Giants like Drake, Post Malone, Travis Scott, Migos among countless others are all that makes up the best of the best nowadays. Now, I have nothing against the genre, and even I can’t resist rapping along to Cardi B when I’m in that kind of mood. But then again, there’s a rather somber undertone to this movement. Pop has always been what I listen to when I need to lift my spirits, whether I’ve had a stressful day at school or I need some motivation during a study session or a workout. So why is it that pop isn’t getting the same recognition that it used to less than ten year ago? Enter Ariana Grande. Sure, she’s been around for quite some time, but it always felt like she was overlooked, or not taken as seriously as the other popstars. Her insane vocals have always been the focus of her music, but as her audience I could never quite connect to her lyrics and messages. On May 22, 2017, everything changed in the world of Ariana Grande. After her concert at The Manchester Arena during her Dangerous Woman Tour, an Islamist terrorist detonated a handmade bomb as fans were leaving the venue. There were 23 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and a lasting impact on the city of Manchester and the heartbroken singer. It surprised her fans and everyone else how quickly Grande returned to the spotlight. Two weeks later, she held Manchester United, a benefit concert to raise money for the victims and the city, as well as to give hope to a city who had lost so much. Grande’s first single after the attack, no tears left to cry, shook the world with its maturity and meaningfulness, in contrast to her earlier projects. For the first time, we could feel what she was feeling, and her message was strong and empowering and one I was finally able to relate to. Since then, Grande has refused to slow down. She puts out chart-topper after chart-topper, with god is a woman, a feminist anthem, and breathin, in which she opened up about her mental health. Her new album thank u, next, released only six months after its precedent sweetener has broken countless world records and every song off of the album reached the top charts. Grande has realized her power to relate to her audience, and for that reason she currently sits as the most influential person in music. She has revitalized pop music from basic bubblegum to intricate trap beats and soulful lyrics. I don’t see Ariana Grande going anywhere for awhile now, so I’m going to say thank u, next to everyone else. |
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