George Soros’s Foundation Pours $220 Million Into Racial Equality Push

Mr. Soros’s group will invest $150 million in grants for Black-led racial justice groups, and another $70 million toward local grants for criminal justice reform and civic engagement opportunities.

Texas Supreme Court denies Texas GOP’s appeal to hold in-person convention this week in Houston

The Texas Republican Convention in Fort Worth in 2012.

The Texas Republican Convention in Fort Worth in 2012.
Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

The Texas Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the Republican Party of Texas seeking to host its in-person convention this week in Houston. Justices also denied a similar petition spearheaded by other party officials and Houston activist Steve Hotze.

Monday’s news effectively kills the party’s chances of holding its in-person gathering as planned, which was set to begin July 16 at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center. As of Saturday, the State Republican Executive Committee, considered the party’s governing board, had reaffirmed the party’s commitment to proceeding with the event, which was expected to draw roughly 6,000 people.

Last week, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner directed the city’s legal department to work with Houston First Corp., the operator of the convention center, to review its contract with the party. The group later sent a letter to the party informing them that the event had been canceled. The party responded, saying it would sue Turner, the city of Houston and Houston First Corp., arguing that the gathering was protected under both the Texas and U.S. Constitutions and should be allowed to continue as planned. A Harris County judge denied a request by the party that would have let them proceed with the convention, and, soon after, the party said it would file an appeal to the Texas Supreme Court.

As the back and forth has ensued, party officials have said repeatedly that they have a contingency plan to host the event virtually.

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School shark, sold as ‘flake’ in Australian fish and chip shops, listed overseas as critically endangered

Earn your dollars differently, fools!

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Species classed as ‘conservation dependent’ under national laws so can be commercially traded despite suffering 90% drop in numbers

A shark routinely sold in Australian fish shops has been listed as critically endangered by an international conservation body, prompting environmentalists to call for stronger protection of the species.

It comes as the government is due to release an interim report into Australia’s national environmental laws, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Continue reading…

Team Lioness: the Kenyan women rangers risking their lives for wildlife | Environment | The Guardian

Purity Amleset Team Lioness, a patrol unit among 76 rangers from the local Maa community. Their job is to protect wildlife from poaching, trafficking in bushmeat and human-wildlife conflict.

“I risk my life to spare their life [wildlife],” says Amleset, who is on a regular 20km patrol to visit the local community, tracking and recording GPS coordinates of wildlife sightings, as well as threats like snares or any suspicious activity along the way.

“I grew up here with wildlife as our friends. We are thriving together. The water point, we share together with wildlife. The grass we use to herd the cattle, [we] herd together with wildlife,” she says.

Eunice Mantei, 20, says: “You know before, us females in our community we were seen as a weak point. In our society we are not recognised, our worth is just to give birth and take care of the children. But now we have been recognised.

“We are working in the same field like men … Our families depend on us, [whereas] before they used to depend on men solely. Now … I can use my salary to educate my younger brother … to give my mother good health and raise the standard of my family. That feeling of being recognised drives me to be a female ranger.”

 

Source: Team Lioness: the Kenyan women rangers risking their lives for wildlife | Environment | The Guardian

Poem of the week: The Sparrows of Butyrka by Irina Ratushinskaya | Books | The Guardian

Irina Ratushinskaya

 

The Sparrows of Butyrka 

Now even the snow has grown sad –
Let overwhelmed reason go,
And let’s smoke our cigarettes through the air-vent,
Let’s at least set the smoke free.
A sparrow flies up –
And looks at us with a searching eye:
‘Share your crust with me!’
And in honourable fashion you share it with him.
The sparrows – they know
Who to ask for bread.
Even though there’s a double grille on the windows –
And only a crumb can get through.
What do they care
Whether you were on trial or not?
If you’ve fed them, you’re OK.
The real trial lies ahead.
You can’t entice a sparrow –
Kindness and talents are no use.
He won’t knock
At the urban double-glazing.
To understand birds
You have to be a convict.
And if you share your bread,
It means your time is done.

  • Translated by David McDuff

Source: Poem of the week: The Sparrows of Butyrka by Irina Ratushinskaya | Books | The Guardian

The Netherlands Permanently Shuts Down Mink Fur Farms — Lady Freethinker — Truth Troubles

In a significant win for animal rights, the Netherlands – one of the world’s largest producers of mink fur – has voted to permanently shut down its mink farms as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday, the Dutch Parliament voted on several proposals impacting the mink industry, including a ban on restocking 17 […] […]

The Netherlands Permanently Shuts Down Mink Fur Farms — Lady Freethinker — Truth Troubles

Open Thread | Kanye Running for President?😒😒 — 3CHICSPOLITICO

So, Kanye is running for President. UH HUH Lips so pursed.😒😒😒 In case you don’t see it, this is a stunt to help Dolt45. In 2020, there is no Jill Stein. So, Kanye’s trying to be the Jill Stein. This is nothing but a stunt to help Dolt45. It’s not a coincidence that this stunt […]

Open Thread | Kanye Running for President?😒😒 — 3CHICSPOLITICO

“We are coming for Dolt45. We have been on a mission to rid this country of that man, and we will not waver from that.” Indeed, we need to stay on target, be sure everyone who can votes to replace Dolt45, the GOP Senate majority, build a larger lead in the House, take back state legislatures…

Canada’s largest Indigenous police force has never shot anyone dead | LRInspire

TORONTO — In its 26 years of existence, officers with Canada’s largest Indigenous police force have never shot and killed anyone and no officer has died in the line of duty, despite a grinding lack of resources and an absence of normal accountability mechanisms. It’s a record of which the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service is…
— Read on lrinspire.com/2020/07/12/canadas-largest-indigenous-police-force-has-never-shot-anyone-dead/