Genetically engineered wolf pups resembling extinct dire wolves
Genetically Modified Wolves Resemble Extinct Dire Wolves
April 08, 2025 - Colossal Biosciences, a U.S.-based biotech company, has announced the birth of three genetically modified gray wolf pups engineered to resemble the extinct dire wolf, sparking both excitement and debate in the scientific community and beyond.
In a groundbreaking development, Colossal Biosciences revealed on April 7, 2025, that it had successfully produced three wolf pups—named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—using advanced gene-editing techniques. By analyzing ancient DNA from a 13,000-year-old dire wolf tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull, the team edited 20 specific genes in gray wolf cells to recreate traits like the dire wolf’s larger size, muscular jaws, and white coat. These pups, born to surrogate domestic dogs in late 2024 and early 2025, are being hailed by the company as the world’s first “de-extincted” mammals, though they remain genetically modified gray wolves rather than true dire wolves, sharing 99.5% of their DNA with their living relatives.
The dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus), extinct for over 10,000 years, once roamed the Americas as a formidable predator. Colossal’s approach, dubbed “functional de enigmatic-extinction,” aims to restore lost traits rather than fully replicate the ancient species. The pups, now housed in a secret 2,000-acre preserve in the northern U.S., are under close observation, with early reports indicating they are healthy and growing rapidly—already weighing around 80 pounds at three to six months old, on track to reach up to 150 pounds.
Reactions have been mixed. Supporters, including Colossal CEO Ben Lamm and “Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin, celebrate the achievement as a leap forward for conservation technology, potentially aiding endangered species like the red wolf. Critics, however, argue the pups are not true dire wolves, pointing out that only a tiny fraction of the genetic differences (out of roughly 12 million base pairs) were altered. Independent scientists emphasize that these wolves lack the behavioral instincts of their extinct counterparts and question the ecological implications of such experiments. As of April 8, 2025, Colossal plans to publish a detailed paper on the project and continue breeding more pups for study, though no release into the wild is intended.
Jennie on the cover of HommeGirls Volume 11
Jennie Faces Backlash Over Topless HommeGirls Cover Photoshoot
April 07, 2025 - Blackpink's Jennie has sparked controversy with a topless pose for the cover of HommeGirls Volume 11, drawing mixed reactions from fans and critics amid her ongoing career challenges.
Jennie Kim, a member of the globally renowned K-pop group Blackpink, is at the center of a heated debate following her recent photoshoot for HommeGirls, a magazine known for its menswear-inspired fashion for women. The cover, photographed by Stevie Dance, features Jennie posing topless while covering herself with her hands, a bold move that has divided public opinion. Some fans have praised her for her confidence and artistic expression, while others have criticized the pose as inappropriate, especially given her influence on a younger audience.
The controversy comes at a challenging time for Jennie, who has been navigating multiple issues in 2025. She is preparing for the release of her highly anticipated solo album and the launch of her own label, as noted in a January 2025 Billboard cover story. However, her reputation has also been under scrutiny following recent allegations of "lazy" dancing during performances, as reported by Koreaboo on April 4, 2025. Additionally, Jennie has faced backlash over resurfaced pre-debut clips involving her and other Blackpink members using the n-word, further fueling public criticism. These controversies have raised concerns among fans about the state of Blackpink's upcoming world tour, set to begin in July 2025.
HommeGirls, founded by Thakoon Panichgul in 2019, has a history of featuring high-profile stars like Kylie Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski, often pushing boundaries with its editorial style. While the magazine aims to expand its audience and luxury brand partnerships, Jennie's cover has brought both attention and scrutiny to the publication. As of the latest updates, neither Jennie nor her team have publicly addressed the backlash over the photoshoot, leaving fans and critics awaiting her response amidst her busy schedule and ongoing controversies.
SCOTUS CJ Roberts
Supreme Court Backs Trump on Alien Enemies Act Amid Global Scrutiny
April 08, 2025 - In a landmark 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has sided with the Trump Administration, upholding its use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants accused of gang affiliations. The ruling, which reverses a lower court’s block, has sparked international debate, with world leaders already focused on U.S. actions following recent airstrikes in Somalia against ISIS.
The Supreme Court’s decision, announced on April 07, 2025, allows the Trump Administration to resume deportations under the 1798 wartime law, targeting alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The conservative majority ruled that while migrants must have a chance to challenge their deportation, such challenges must occur in Texas, not Washington, D.C., and within a “reasonable time” frame. This follows months of legal battles, including a temporary block by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg and a 2-1 D.C. Circuit Court ruling upholding that block, which the administration appealed to the Supreme Court.
The ruling has drawn mixed reactions globally. Some U.S. allies, already supportive of decisive American actions like the Somalia airstrikes, view the decision as a strong stance against transnational crime. Others, however, echo the dissent from the Court’s liberal justices—joined partially by Justice Amy Coney Barrett—who argued it rewards the administration’s efforts to evade judicial review. Critics, including the ACLU and Democracy Forward, warn of due process violations, pointing to over 200 Venezuelans already deported to El Salvador’s notorious prisons in March 2025, despite initial court orders to halt such actions.
As of April 08, 2025, the White House defends the policy as essential for national security, with officials citing the gang’s designation as a foreign terrorist organization. Meanwhile, Judge Boasberg is considering contempt proceedings against administration officials for allegedly defying his earlier orders by allowing deportation flights to proceed. The convergence of this ruling with ongoing U.S. military operations in Somalia has intensified scrutiny of the Trump Administration’s broader security strategy, with global leaders monitoring both developments closely.
