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Coral reefs are on course to become the first ecosystem that human activity will eliminate entirely from the Earth, a leading United Nations scientist claims. View post: Coral reefs 'will be gone by end of the century'

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The area covered by Arctic sea ice reached its lowest point this week since the start of satellite observations in 1972, say German researchers. See original here: Arctic ice cover hits historic low

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Compared to some of South America's megafauna stand-out species-the jaguar, the anaconda, and the harpy eagle come to mind-the tapir doesn't get a lot of love. Read more here: Loving the tapir: pioneering conservation for South America's biggest animal

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Endangered seals in a marine protected area are heading towards local extinction, even while the same species thrives in an unprotected area nearby. See the article here: Seals slide towards extinction in Hawaiian reserve

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Has the tide turned in Ohio? At one point, several months ago, Ohio had executed more prisoners in 2011 than any other state. In 2010, Ohio was behind only Texas in the number of executions carried out. Texas has been the most prolific purvey of state-sponsored death since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Ohio was literally...

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By ADAM LIPTAK – The New York Times – WASHINGTON — The precedent is novel. More precisely, the precedent is a novel. In a series of rulings on the use of satellites and cellphones to track criminal suspects, judges around the country have been citing George Orwell’s “1984” to sound an alarm. They say the Fourth Amendment’s promise...

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By Matt Smith, CNN Austin, Texas (CNN) — An attorney general’s opinion effectively halts a Texas state commission’s investigation into allegations that flawed science led to a man’s 2004 execution, according to a draft report released Friday. The opinion prevents the Texas Forensic Science Commission “from…[For full story: http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/09/09/texas.execution.probe/ ] Read more from the original source: Texas commission...

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Friday, 09 September 2011 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF LAKE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA ORDINANCE NO. 2957 AN ORDINANCE RESCINDING ORDINANCE NO. 2834 WHICH ESTABLISHED A PUBLIC DEFENDER LEGAL FEE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM, REGISTRATION FEE, AND REIMBURSEMENT FEE SCHEDULE WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2834 established a Public Defender Legal Fee Reimbursement Program, Registration Fee, and Reimbursement Fee Schedule; and WHEREAS, at...

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Acclaimed director Werner Herzog (pictured) came out strongly against capital punishment at the premiere of his anticipated doc Into the Abyss in Toronto last night, telling attendees that no one from his generation who remembered the Nazi era could support the death penalty. Herzog was met by a standing ovation as he took to the stage at the...

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by Jim Henson, The Texas Tribune One of the oddest moments of the GOP presidential primary debate Wednesday night in California occurred when the audience burst into applause in response to moderator Brian Williams’ recap of Gov. Rick Perry’s record of presiding over 234 executions. Williams had not yet even finished asking his question when the crowd erupted...