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Post-Mortem Examination of a Whale Reveals Severe Injuries

April 13, 2024, 2 Minutes Read

Photo by Wayne Parry/ AP Photo.

A recent post-mortem examination conducted on a whale that washed ashore on New Jersey's Long Beach Island has uncovered shocking findings. The juvenile male humpback whale, measuring nearly 25 feet in length, was discovered lifeless in Long Beach Township. The examination, carried out by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, has revealed that the animal suffered extensive blunt force injuries, including a fractured skull and vertebrae.

Details of the Examination

The necropsy, conducted on Thursday evening and released by the center on Friday, highlighted the severity of the injuries sustained by the whale. Sheila Dean, the director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, reported that the whale exhibited signs of trauma around its head, indicating bruising. The examination further revealed multiple fractures in the skull and cervical vertebrae, as well as numerous dislocated ribs and a dislocated shoulder bone.

The Implications of the Findings

The discovery of such extensive injuries raises concerns about the well-being of marine life and the potential threats they face in their natural habitats. The blunt force trauma inflicted upon the whale suggests a significant impact, possibly caused by a collision with a vessel or other man-made structures. Such incidents highlight the importance of maritime safety measures and the need for increased awareness and vigilance while navigating coastal areas.

Furthermore, the findings underscore the vulnerability of marine mammals and the critical role played by organizations like the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in studying and protecting these species. Through necropsies and other research activities, these organizations contribute to our understanding of the challenges faced by marine life and help develop strategies to mitigate these threats.

Numerous scientific agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the Marine Mammal Commission; the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, say there is no evidence linking offshore wind preparation to whale deaths.

NOAA said Friday there have been 16 large whale deaths on the East Coast in 2024: 7 humpbacks between Massachusetts and North Carolina; 4 North Atlantic right whales, which are critically endangered, in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Georgia; two sperm whales in South Carolina and Florida; two minke whales in North Carolina and Virginia, and one fin whale in Rhode Island.

The post-mortem examination of the whale also showed evidence of past entanglement with fishing gear, although none was present when the whale washed ashore. Scars from a previous entanglement unrelated to the stranding event were found around the peduncle, which is the muscular area where the tail connects to the body; on the tail itself, and on the right front pectoral flipper. (Source: Long Beach. NJ/AP News)

The U.S. Army Introduces Joint Battlefield Training in the Philippines

The U.S. Army is introducing a joint battlefield training in the Philippines to improve combat readiness.

The $12 Billion High-Speed Passenger Rail Line between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles Area

A groundbreaking project that will revolutionize transportation between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

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Tragedy struck Rio de Janeiro state as heavy rains caused landslides and floods, resulting in the loss of at least eight lives. The Brazilian authorities reported that amongst the victims was a 6-year-old child who is currently missing in the countryside city of Mendes.

One of the most heart-wrenching incidents involved a family in the city of Barra do Pirai, where four members, including an 8-month-old baby, lost their lives when their house was destroyed by a landslide. This unfortunate event highlights the devastating impact that natural disasters can have on families and communities.

The aftermath of the heavy rains has left more than 100 people homeless across the state, according to reports from various city mayors. The displacement and loss of homes further compound the already dire situation faced by the affected individuals and their families.

Local media reported several cases of residents are attempting to save lives through improvised rescue teams.

The state government has issued a warning, emphasizing the high possibility of additional floods and landslides in ten cities, including the capital city of Rio de Janeiro. The ongoing threat of further natural disasters adds to the urgency of implementing measures to mitigate the impact and ensure the safety of residents. (Source: Rio De Janeiro/AP)

Heavy rains caused landslides and floods in Rio de Janeiro

February 23, 2024, 1 Minute Read

Photo from AP

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The loss of life in the huge avalanche that hit the mining town of Masara in Maco town, Davao de Oro rose to 92, said the Provincial Government Thursday night, February 15, 2024.

It added that 36 individuals have stayed missing, while at least 32 were harmed.

Among those recovered from the landslide site are simply body parts, the Provincial Government said, citing the 7 p.m. Thursday report of the Maco Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Some of the bodies have not yet been recognized, as a portion of the death are as yet subject for validation.

Rescuers moved on February 13 the search and rescue tasks to lsearch and retrieval, as it has been over a week since the landslide happened.

The avalanche hit Maco on February 5, covering a few houses, a terminal of a bus transport company, and a barangay hall.

The catastrophe happened following heavy rains brought by the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) andthe trough of a now scattered low pressure area since January 28.(Source: Sunstar- Davao, Philippines)

Death toll in Masara landslide rises to 92

February 16, 2024, 2 Minutes Read

Photo from AP

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Police Net P11- M Shabu in Cebu

February 9, 2024, 1 Minute Read

CEBU CITY, Philippines - Police held onto thought shabu worth more than P11 million in purchase bust activities in Metro Cebu before first light on Friday, February 9.

First to fall was a certain Mitch, 32, who was captured in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City with 100 grams of shabu worth P680,000.

Police said Mitch is a high-value individual (HVI) in the list of drug personalities operating in Cebu City.

Another HVI, Rogelio Gabuya, 56, was captured an hour later in Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue. The suspect was found with one kilogram of shabu, which was worth P6.9 million.

In Barangay Tangkey, Talisay City, P4 million worth of shabu was recuperated from Egie Relampagos and Randy Daan.

Suspects also yielded a 9mm type gun, police said. (Source: Calvin Cordova/MB)

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Marines killed in helicopter crash near San Diego

February 8,2024, 3 Minutes Read

Five U.S. Marines have been confirmed dead after their helicopter crashed during stormy weather in the mountains near San Diego. The CH-53E Super Stallion went missing on Tuesday night while returning from training at Creech Air Force Base. The military has started efforts to recover the remains of the deceased and is currently conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash. The wreckage of the helicopter was found on Wednesday morning in the Pine Valley area, about an hour's drive from San Diego. Search-and-rescue operations are still ongoing for the five missing Marines.

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went missing on Tuesday night after completing a training mission in Nevada. The authorities conducted a search operation on the ground and in the air, and they were able to locate the aircraft around 9 a.m. on Wednesday near the mountain community of Pine Valley, which is approximately 45 miles away from San Diego. Due to the heavy snow, the rescue teams faced challenges in reaching the helicopter. As of Wednesday night, there is still no information available regarding whether the rescuers have reached the chopper or the fate of the five individuals who were onboard.

The Marines were flying back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego from Creech Air Force Base, located northwest of Las Vegas. They had just completed unit-level training at Creech. The last contact with the helicopter was at around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Mike Cornette from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. This information was based on a "ping" received by a Cal Fire dispatch center. The helicopter, built to withstand severe conditions, disappeared during a historic storm that brought heavy snow and record rainfall to California. Forecasters predicted that more rain and snow would hit the region on Wednesday night.

The individuals on the aircraft have not been named, but they were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, as stated by the military. Although the Super Stallion can accommodate numerous people, the typical crew consists of four members: a pilot, copilot, crew chief, and mechanic/gunner, according to the U.S. Navy website. President Joe Biden was given a briefing on the missing Marines by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who answered questions while the president was en route to New York City for campaign fundraisers. The military is collaborating with federal, state, and local agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and the state Civil Air Patrol. (Source: San Diego/ AP)

Photo: (Denis Poroy/AP)

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Ecuador has taken a significant step forward in the field of medical ethics, as its high court recently decriminalized euthanasia. This decision came after a terminally ill woman, who had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), filed a lawsuit arguing for the right to a dignified death. The Constitutional Court ruled in her favor and has now instructed lawmakers and health officials to establish regulations for the procedure. Prior to this ruling, Colombia was the only country in Latin America to permit euthanasia, while several countries and states around the world, including Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, and certain regions of Australia, have already legalized the practice. Chile is currently engaged in discussions on the matter, and in the United States, some states allow for assisted suicide, where patients administer the lethal drug themselves under medical guidance.

"The Court recognizes that the issue at hand pertains to the rights of individuals to live with dignity and the freedom to develop their personality," stated the ruling. "Therefore, after careful examination, it determines that there are exceptions to the inviolability of life when it aims to protect other rights." The lawsuit was filed in Ecuador in August 2023 by Paola Roldán, who argued that the right to a dignified death should be granted to those who suffer from serious or incurable diseases. Roldán emphasized the importance of allowing individuals to end their lives freely and voluntarily in order to alleviate intense physical or emotional pain and suffering. At the age of 42, Roldán began experiencing symptoms of ALS, a debilitating disease that progressively weakens muscles and impairs physical functions. With difficulty, she expressed her gratitude to the court for advocating solidarity, autonomy, freedom, and dignity.

Under Wednesday's ruling, lawmakers and officials have been given a year to create the necessary rules and regulations to implement the decision. However, the court has also granted Roldán's request for an expedited permission to end her life. This can only be done if a doctor performs the procedure and she expresses her consent, either directly or through a representative if she is unable to do so herself. There is also a condition that she must be experiencing intense suffering due to a serious, irreversible bodily injury or an incurable illness. Roldán's attorney, Farith Simon, stated that this ruling opens the possibility for anyone to seek the same permission, as long as they meet the specified conditions. (Source: Ecuador/AP)

Ecuador decriminalizes euthanasia following a lawsuit by a terminally ill patient

February 8, 2024, 3 Minutes Read

Photo by: Dolores Ochoa /AP

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The Berlin Zoo is mourning the loss of Ingo, their oldest resident, who passed away at the impressive age of at least 75 years old. Ingo had been living at the zoo since the mid-1950s and was considered a true legend. The zoo announced his death on February 3rd through social media posts, highlighting his remarkable age. Although his exact place of origin remains unclear, a ring on his leg with the inscription "Cairo, 23.6.1948" indicated that he had been ringed at a young age, confirming his age of at least 75. With the passing of Ingo, the title of oldest animal at the zoo now belongs to Fatou, a 66-year-old gorilla.

Ingo, the flamingo, had been a resident of the zoo in West Berlin since 1955. He had migrated from the communist east side of the divided city, where he had previously lived in Tierpark zoo. Recently, a ring with an inscription was discovered, shedding light on his history. Though it is believed that Ingo had offspring, there are no detailed records to confirm this. Lately, Ingo had been showing signs of limping and occasionally needing a break from his fellow flamingos, choosing to stand apart from them. Despite this, he exceeded the average lifespan of wild flamingos, living well beyond 30 years. The zoo director, Andreas Knieriem, stated that an autopsy revealed that Ingo's death was a result of multiple age-related changes. (Source: Berlin/ AP)

Berlin's zoo mourns Ingo, a flamingo who died at 75

February 8, 2024, 2 Minutes Read

Photo: Gregor Fisher/AP

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German Military frigate heading for EU mission to protect ships

February 8, 2024, 2 Minutes Read

The German Navy's frigate embarked on a journey towards the Red Sea on Thursday to join a European Union mission aimed at safeguarding cargo ships from attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Hessen, carrying approximately 240 personnel, departed from Wilhelmshaven fully prepared for the task at hand. The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, emphasized that the mission would solely focus on maritime operations and would not participate in any offensive strikes. EU foreign ministers are supposed to approve the Red Sea mission on Feb. 19. Authorities have said that seven nations in the coalition are prepared to give ships or planes.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command has conducted self defensive strikes against two Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles on Wednesday, which were poised to be launched in the Red Sea. In addition, airstrikes have been launched to target Houthi rocket arsenals and the launch sites of their attacks.

Airstrikes by the United States and the United Kingdom, supported by other allies, have been launched in recent weeks against Houthi missile arsenals and attack launch sites. An air attack last Friday in Iraq and Syria designated other Iranian-moved civilian armies and the Iranian Progressive Watchman in reprisal for a robot strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan. (Source: Berlin/ AP)

Photo by: Sina Schuldt/ DPA via AP

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