The Daily Populous

Thursday January 18th, 2024 night edition

image for ‘Unique biodiversity’: Scientists discover four new species of Octopus off the coast of Costa Rica

Scientists have discovered at least four new octopus species in a roughly 260-kilometre square area off the coast of Costa Rica.

A mother octopus broods her eggs near a small outcrop of rock unofficially called El Dorado Hill.

One of the new species - dubbed the Dorado Octopus for the unofficial name of the outcrop it was found on - was discovered at one of these hydrothermal springs.

The other three species were found away from the hydrothermal springs in the deep sea nearby.

The Schmidt Ocean Insititute says this allows local scientists and students to easily access the samples, helping inform strategies for managing the region's deep seas.

Researcher Fiorella Vasquez (University of Costa Rica) processes a deep-sea octopus sample in the main laboratory during the "Octopus Odyssey (too)" expedition off Costa Rica.

In 2024, the Falkor (too) will be operating off the coast of Peru and Chile, welcoming more scientists from South America on board. »

Larian boss says the studio’s games won’t come to subscription services

Authored by videogameschronicle.com
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Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke has said the company won’t be putting any of its games on subscription services.

Commenting on X, the Baldur’s Gate 3 director said a world in which game subscription services became the dominant business model would be bad for developers and consumers alike.

Having previously suggested that Baldur’s Gate 3 would never come to Xbox Game Pass, Vincke went on to rule out bringing any of the company’s titles to subscription services. »

Kentucky Republican Pushes Bill to Make Sex With First Cousin Not Incest

Authored by newsweek.com

A Kentucky Republican has introduced legislation that would amend the state's law so a person who had sex with their first cousin would no longer be criminally liable for incest.

According to the Kentucky General Assembly website, it would strike "first cousin from the list of familial relationships" defined as unlawful incest in the state.

In November 2022, Wilson ran unopposed for the 82nd District of the Kentucky House after Republican incumbent Regina Huff retired. »

Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the Terrorist Designation of the Houthis

Authored by whitehouse.gov

The United States and the international community have been united in our response and in condemning these attacks in the strongest terms.

Today, in response to these continuing threats and attacks, the United States announced the designation of Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

If the Houthis cease their attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the United States will immediately reevaluate this designation. »

Bank: Michigan GOP defaulted on $500K loan, hasn’t made payment in months

Authored by bridgemi.com

"It's an illusion that (the debt) is a function of the Karamo administration,” her executive director, Jim Copas, told Bridge Michigan on Wednesday.

The Michigan GOP could pay off the debt "tomorrow if we chose to,” Copas said.

Attorneys for the MRP Trust, meanwhile, have also requested dismissal of the case, along with sanctions against Karamo and the Michigan Republican Party’s state committee. »