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The Minnesota Zoo announced Thursday that during a routine medical examination on Wednesday, its 12-year-old Amur tiger experienced cardiac failure and died. The tiger was born in the Czech Republic in 2009 and given the name Putin, then lived at the Denmark Zoo for six years before arriving in Minnesota. At the time of cardiac failure, the tiger was undergoing a preventative health exam, which included sample collection, according to a news release from the zoo. According to the zoo, specimen collection is important due to the globally-threatened nature of the Amur tiger — there are approximately 103 Amur tigers...

Full title: Apple CEO Cook calls for U.S. Congress to pass comprehensive federal privacy legislation in TIME op-ed “In 2019, it’s time to stand up for the right to privacy—yours, mine, all of ours,” Apple CEO Tim Cook writes in an op-ed for TIME Magazine. “Consumers shouldn’t have to tolerate another year of companies irresponsibly amassing huge user profiles, data breaches that seem out of control and the vanishing ability to control our own digital lives.” “This problem is solvable—it isn’t too big, too challenging or too late.... {snip} ….“We believe the Federal Trade Commission should establish a data-broker clearinghouse,...

(CNN)Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the United States "an ultimatum," demanding the extradition of the cleric he believes is behind the failed July 15 coup attempt. The state-run Anadolu news agency reported that Erdogan had said the US had to choose between its relationship with Turkey and Fethullah Gulen, a former Erdogan ally who has been in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania for decades. Turkey has requested his extradition, while Gulen denied involvement in the coup. Breaking down Turkey's rapprochement with Russia Breaking down Turkey's rapprochement with Russia 08:12 While ties with Washington threaten to cool over the Gulen issue,...

A newly-released email and lobbying documents filed with Congress reveals new ties between Clintonworld and members of a network operated by a mysterious Islamic cleric from Turkey. Connections between Clinton and acolytes of the imam, Fethullah Gulen, could muddle the complex relationship between the U.S. and Turkey, a key NATO ally, if the former secretary of state wins the White House. TurkeyÂ’s president, Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, has mounted an aggressive crackdown against Gulen and his followers, known as Gulenists. ErdoÄŸan, who was once allied with Gulen, has even personally asked President Obama to extradite the 74-year-old guru, who has lived...

Tarrant County Community College southeast campus in Arlington is on lockdown midday Tuesday after reports of an armed suspect near campus. Scanner traffic indicates that Grand Prairie Police are looking for an armed burglary suspect who has a stolen .22 firearm. Suspect is reportedly wearing a black hoodie. Officials believe the suspect may be in a wooded area behind the campus. TCC sent out an alert to students telling them a lockdown is in effect. If they were in a building, students were told to stay in the room, turn out lights and stay away from doors and windows.

State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst said it’s time for Texas transportation officials to talk about real reforms to address the public outrage over the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor. The Brenham Republican’s reaction followed Thursday’s actions taken by the Texas Transportation Commission. The panel adopted a set of guiding principals and policies which will govern the development, construction and operation of all toll road projects on the state highway system and the controversial Trans-Texas Corridor. Bob Colwell, Texas Department of Transportation public information officer for the Bryan district, said the adoption of the guidelines does not reflect the final approval of Interstate 69...

Here is the full press release issued Thursday afternoon by State Representative Wayne Christian: Today State Representative Wayne Christian (R-Center), President of the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC), announces an agreement on vital issues regarding the Trans-Texas Corridor. The Transportation Commission adopted a minute order today reaffirming five statutory requirements proposed by the members of the TCC and issuing two new protections for future transportation infrastructure development.  The minute order is a response to a February 4 letter from the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC), the conservative caucus of the Texas Legislature.  Rep. Christian, along with thirty-three of his colleagues in the State House, signed it...

The same immigration agents who, day after day, encouraged the cleaning lady at their office to become a citizen on Friday saw Blanca Ruiz finally take the oath. Ruiz, a native of Mexico, was among nearly 500 immigrants sworn in as U.S. citizens at this year's largest naturalization ceremony in Tucson. The ceremony recognized Citizenship Day, which is celebrated today. The Tucson Convention Center teemed with proud new citizens from 69 countries. Mexico contributed the most people, close to 300. Ruiz, who is from the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico, took it all in. At 60, she almost couldn't...

Thermal depolymerization The loading station of the pilot plant in Carthage, Missouri Thermal depolymerization (TDP) is a process for the reduction of complex organic materials (usually waste products of various sorts, often known as biomass) into light crude oil. It mimics the natural geological processes thought to be involved in the production of fossil fuels. Under pressure and heat, long chain polymers of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon decompose into short-chain petroleum hydrocarbons with a maximum length of around 18 carbons. The process has been referred to with various names, including thermal conversion process (TCP). Thermo chemical conversion (TCC) is a...