Student body president of the University of Florida under fire for using student fees to host one of President Trump’s sons
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, student representatives at the University of Florida introduced a bill to impeach student body president Michael Murphey for improperly using student fees to pay one of President Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr., and former Fox News host and adviser Kimberly Guilfoyle to speak on campus. According to The New York Times, “[Murphy] paid them $50,000 with university funds [and] some students say the payment was a violation of the Student Senate code — and possibly the law.” Murphy has not responded to multiple requests for comments and a thorough investigation is now taking place to determine his impeachment.
Greta Thunberg sets sail for home and the U.N. Climate Conference
On Wednesday Nov. 13, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg posted a picture and tweet on Twitter saying, “So happy to say I’ll hopefully make it to COP25 in Madrid. I’ve been offered a ride from Virginia on the 48ft catamaran La Vagabonde.” As the conference takes place Dec. 2-13, Thunberg hopes to reach Spain in time for the conference, and those interested in Thunberg’s journey can also track the boat’s location online at https://sailing-lavagabonde.com/. According to NPR, “[Thunberg] had one more message for Americans: Vote. ‘We must realize this is a crisis, and we must do what we can now to spread awareness about this and to put pressure on the people in power,’ she told The Guardian.”
Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick joins Democratic presidential race
Making a late entry into the Democratic race with less than three months before the primary vote, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, announced on Thursday, Nov. 14 that he would be running for president becoming the 18th Democratic candidate. According to The New York Times, “In his announcement video, [Patrick] offered a hint of what he hoped would be a unifying message in the weeks ahead. ‘We will build as we climb, to welcome other teachers and learners, other seekers of a better way and builders of a better future… This won’t be easy, and it shouldn’t be.’”
Scientists are looking for 10,000 pets for the largest study ever of aging in canines
On Thursday, Nov. 14 at the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting in Austin, Texas, a five-year project was launched to study canine longevity in the hopes of understanding human longevity as well. According to the Associated Press, “The project will collect a pile of pooch data: vet records, DNA samples, gut microbes and information on food and walks… ‘What we learn will potentially be good for dogs and has great potential to translate to human health,’ said project co-director Daniel Promislow of the University of Washington School of Medicine.” With the study, the dogs will continue to live at home with their owners and follow their regular routines. All ages, sizes, purebreds and mutts are welcomed to join the study and owners can nominate their pets by going to the project’s website, https://dogagingproject.org/.
Photo: A. Chafik
