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☆ How climate change could be driving ‘killer’ cold outbreaks in oceans
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —It’s not just ocean heat that’s affecting marine life – new research shows extremely cold events are welling up and causing mass mortalities. And the same planet-warming pollution that’s driving the climate crisis is likely to blame for these “killer events” on the other end of the temperature spectrum. The world’s oceans have been plagued by unprecedented heat over the past year, fueling concerns for marine life. “Climate change is actually really complex,” said Nicolas Lubitz, lead author of the study and a researcher at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. He said seasonal upwelling events are common in that area, with water temperature dropping quickly.

Persons: CNN — It’s, ”, Nicolas Lubitz, “ It’s, Lubitz, “, Ajit Subramaniam, School’s Lamont, it’s, ” Subramaniam Organizations: CNN, welling, James Cook University, East Australian, Columbia Locations: Queensland, Australia, South Africa

☆ A grey whale was seen in the Atlantic for one of the only times in the last 200 years. Scientists say it's bad news for the planet.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Patrick Whittle | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Grey whales have been extinct from the Atlantic Ocean since the 18th century. Scientists were thrilled to see the whale, but its presence is probably linked to climate change. Researchers with the New England Aquarium in Boston found the gray whale while flying 30 miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, on March 1. Gray whales were almost hunted to extinction during the era of commercial whaling. They also sound very different — while humpback whales are known for their haunting songs, gray whales make gurgles, grunts and croaks.

Persons: Orla O'Brien, O'Brien, Gray Organizations: Service, —, New, Aquarium, Anderson Cabot Center, Ocean, Atlantic, International Union for Conservation of Nature Locations: England, PORTLAND , Maine, Boston, Nantucket , Massachusetts, Atlantic, Florida, Massachusetts, Canada, New England, Asia

PUEBLA, Mexico (AP) — A four-year-old giraffe named Benito arrived Tuesday at his new home in a large animal park in central Mexico. The 7.5-acre (3-hectare) enclosure at the Africam Safari park in central Puebla state already holds seven giraffes, including three females. At the Africam park, Benito will start eating leaves from the acacia tree, one of the favorite foods of giraffes in their native habitat in Africa. The trip to the Africam Safari park, which started late Sunday, took around 30 hours, less than originally expected. At the Africam Safari park, the giraffes live in a much larger space that more closely resembles their natural habitat.

Persons: Benito, ”, Frank Carlos Camacho, munch, “ Benito, Camacho, “, —, ” Camacho, Flor Ortega, Benito couldn’t, zookeepers Organizations: Ciudad Juarez, National Guard, Modesto Locations: PUEBLA, Mexico, Puebla, Ciudad Juarez, Ciudad, El Paso , Texas, Africa, Africam, Sinaloa, Pacific

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — A giraffe named Benito started a 40-hour road trip Monday to leave behind the cold and loneliness of Mexico’s northern border city of Ciudad Juarez to find warmth — and maybe a mate — in his new home 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) to the south. With temperatures in Ciudad Juarez reaching as low as 39 degrees F (4 degrees C) Monday, Benito set off in a crate strapped to the back of a flat-bed truck. Benito is being transported across Mexico to Africam Safari park in central Puebla state where the low temperatures are about 20 degrees F warmer than in Ciudad Juarez. So he was donated to Ciudad Juarez. At the Africam Safari park, the giraffes live in a much larger space that more closely resembles their natural habitat.

Persons: Benito, —, ”, “, Flor Ortega, Benito couldn’t, zookeepers, munch, Frank Carlos Camacho, Camacho, “ Benito, Benito “, Benito doesn't, Maria Verza Organizations: Modesto, National Guard, Associated Locations: CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, Ciudad Juarez, Puebla, Benito, Pacific, Sinaloa, El Paso , Texas, Zacatecas, Mexico City

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is one of three sprawling but sparsely populated nations that have U.S. ties governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs), under which Washington is responsible for their defense and provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive military access to strategic swathes of ocean. Yun said he signed the agreement with RMI Foreign Minister Jack Ading in Honolulu, Hawaii, at a ceremony also attended by Marshallese President David Kabua. Analysts and former officials had blamed a delay in finalizing the Marshall Islands COFA on U.S. State Department lawyers wanting to control how new funds were spent and objecting to their being earmarked to address the nuclear legacy, fearing this could lay the U.S. open to more claims. A person familiar with the deal said all current federal programs, including education programs and the U.S. Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Sandra Maler and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Louis Mapou, Hu'akavemeiliku Siaosi, Surangel Whipps, Kausea Natano, Joseph Yun, Biden, Yun, Jack Ading, David Kabua, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Sandra Maler, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: U.S ., Country, New, Tonga's, Tuvalu's, United, Marshall, Reuters, The, Free Association, Washington, Northern, RMI, RMI Foreign, U.S, Congress, . State Department, U.S . Postal Service, U.S . Congress, Thomson Locations: U.S, Federated States, Micronesia's, WASHINGTON, United States, The Republic, China, Northern Pacific, Palau, Micronesia, Washington, Honolulu , Hawaii, Marshall, Kwajalein

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is one of three sprawling but sparsely populated nations that have U.S. ties governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs), under which Washington is responsible for their defense and provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive military access to strategic swathes of ocean. Yun told Reuters he planned to sign the COFA deal with RMI Foreign Minister Jack Adding in Honolulu, Hawaii, at 2 p.m. local time (0000 GMT Tuesday). Analysts and former officials had blamed a delay in finalizing the Marshall Islands COFA on U.S. State Department lawyers wanting to control how new funds were spent and objecting to their being earmarked to address the nuclear legacy, fearing this could lay the U.S. open to more claims. A person familiar with the deal said all current federal programs, including education programs and the U.S. Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Louis Mapou, Hu'akavemeiliku Siaosi, Surangel Whipps, Kausea Natano, Joseph Yun, Biden, Yun, Jack, David Kabua, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Sandra Maler Organizations: U.S ., Country, New, Tonga's, Tuvalu's, United, Reuters, The, Marshall, Free Association, Washington, Northern, RMI, RMI Foreign, U.S . Congress, . State Department, U.S, U.S . Postal Service, Thomson Locations: U.S, Federated States, Micronesia's, WASHINGTON, United States, Marshall, Pacific, The Republic, China, Northern Pacific, Palau, Micronesia, Washington, Honolulu , Hawaii, Kwajalein

☆ US Budget Fight Could Create Opening for China in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The Biden administration had hoped to see Congress endorse by Sept. 30 new 20-year funding programs for Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau, which after decades of relative neglect now find themselves at the center of a U.S. battle for influence with China in the Northern Pacific. The stopgap "continuing resolution" (CR) that prevented a federal government shutdown does not include approval for this new program, however, and while it maintains federal services to the COFA states, it leaves holes in other parts of their budgets. "Both are countries that recognize Taiwan and are key components of U.S. defense architecture in the Pacific," she said. Paskal said Palau's funding under its existing COFA had dwindled as it approached its final year and it had been banking on funds from the new package to help cover budget deficits. The Washington embassies of Palau and the Marshall islands did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Persons: David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON, Biden, Cleo Paskal, Paskal, Kaleb Udui, Marshall, Washington, David Brunnstrom, Don Durfee, Josie Kao Organizations: U.S, Congress, Marshall, Northern Pacific, Free Association, Washington, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, U.S . Congress, Palau's Finance, Howard, COFA, . State Department, State Department, Pacific, Forum Summit Locations: U.S, Micronesia, Palau, China, Northern, Marshall Islands, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington

☆ US budget fight could create opening for China in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The stopgap "continuing resolution" (CR) that prevented a federal government shutdown does not include approval for this new program, however, and while it maintains federal services to the COFA states, it leaves holes in other parts of their budgets. "Both are countries that recognize Taiwan and are key components of U.S. defense architecture in the Pacific," she said. Paskal said Palau's funding under its existing COFA had dwindled as it approached its final year and it had been banking on funds from the new package to help cover budget deficits. The Washington embassies of Palau and the Marshall islands did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Don Durfee and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Biden, Cleo Paskal, Paskal, Kaleb Udui, Marshall, Washington, David Brunnstrom, Don Durfee, Josie Kao Organizations: U.S, Congress, Marshall, Northern Pacific, Free Association, Washington, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, U.S . Congress, Palau's Finance, Howard, COFA, . State Department, State Department, Pacific, Forum, Thomson Locations: U.S, Micronesia, Palau, China, Northern, Marshall Islands, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington

☆ Deep-sea explorers captured the first ever photos of a long-lost Japanese shipwreck from World War II's Battle of Midway
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A team led by the Ocean Exploration Trust also assessed two other wrecks from the Battle of Midway. AdvertisementAdvertisementResearchers used a remotely operated vehicle to reach the shipwreck, which lies more than 5,400 meters beneath the ocean's surface, Van Tilburg said. Ocean Exploration Trust/NOAAThe Japanese lost more than 3,000 men during the fight, while the US lost a little more than 350. Ocean Exploration TrustViewers following along at home included people whose family members served on the ships and helped build the vessels, Cook said. We have been friends with Japan before and after the war much longer than the period where we've been adversaries," Van Tilburg said.

Persons: Hans Van Tilburg, Van Tilburg, Akagi, Megan Cook, Cook, we've Organizations: Ocean Exploration, US, Service, Google, NOAA's, Marine Sanctuaries, Akagi, Exploration Trust, NOAA, Ocean Exploration Trust, Nautilus, Imperial Japanese, Heritage Command, Exploration Locations: Midway, Japan, Wall, Silicon, Yorktown

☆ Hurricane Lee strengthens to Category 5 storm in Atlantic as East Coast impact still uncertain
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Hurricane Lee has strengthened into a major Category 5 storm, packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 160 mph as it spins over the Atlantic well east of the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center said in an 11 p.m. The hurricane was located about 700 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, the hurricane center said in the 11 p.m. advisory. How close will Hurricane Lee get to the US? An area of high pressure over the Atlantic, known as the Bermuda High, will have a major influence in how quickly Lee turns. In the northern Pacific, Hurricane Jova remains a major hurricane, albeit far from any possible shorelines, roughly 650 miles west-southwest from the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center Thursday night.

Persons: Hurricane Lee, Lee, it’s, Coast Lee, Lee churns, Margot, Hurricane Jova, Jova, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, National Hurricane Center, Virgin Islands, Bermuda Locations: Caribbean, Leeward Islands, Atlantic, Puerto Rico, East Coast, Bermuda, Lee, Coast, Carolinas, Cabo Verde Islands, Pacific, Hurricane, Baja California

☆ Invasive species cost the world $423 billion every year and are causing environmental chaos, UN report finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Scroll through the gallery to see more of the planet's most problematic invasive species. Sarefo / Wikimedia Commons In pictures: Invasive species around the world Prev Next‘Prevention, prevention, prevention’Along with invasive species, other key drivers of biodiversity loss include destruction of land and sea habitats, exploitation of organisms, climate change and pollution. As well as flammable invasive plants sparking and spreading wildfires, climate change is enabling invasive species to move north – even to remote areas such as high mountains, deserts and frozen tundra. Preventing the arrival of new species into new regions is the best way to manage threats from invasive species, according to the report. For invasive species that have already taken hold, eradication has been a useful tool, especially on islands, according to the report.

Persons: ”, Helen Roy, ” Roy, David Gray, Peter Stoett, Anibal Pauchard, Ian Hitchcock, Starling, MENAHEM KAHANA, Phil Mislinski, Jeff J Mitchell, SANJAY KANOJIA, MUNIR UZ ZAMAN, ” Stoett, Stoett, –, ” Pauchard Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, Services, billabong, Nile Virus, Ontario Tech University, Chile’s Institute of Ecology, Pacific, World Wildlife Fund, US Department of Agriculture, USA, Studies, New Zealand Government, European, Starlings, AFP, Getty, North, Wikimedia Locations: Darwin, Australia, Africa, Caribbean, Guam, North America, Hawaii, Maui, Antarctica, Pacific, North, South America, Azov, China, Japan, Europe, Bermuda, New Zealand, New York, USA, Australasia, South Africa, United States, AFP, East Africa, Western Asia, Americas, Kenya, India, Puerto Rico, Kunming, Montreal

☆ US military responded to Chinese and Russian vessels near Alaska
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A Russian and Chinese naval patrol consisting of several vessels operated off the coast of Alaska last week, defense officials and lawmakers said over the weekend – a show of force that prompted a US military response but did not pose a threat to the US or Canada, a US Northern Command spokesperson told CNN. NORTHCOM and the North American Aerospace Defense Command deployed planes and ships to monitor the Russian and Chinese patrol, which stayed in international waters, the spokesperson said. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski said in a statement Saturday that a total of 11 Russian and Chinese vessels had been operating near the Aleutian Islands, and were met in response by four US Navy destroyers. “For that reason, I was heartened to see that this latest incursion was met with four U.S. Navy destroyers, which sends a strong message to (Chinese President) Xi Jinping and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin that the United States will not hesitate to protect and defend our vital national interests in Alaska,” Sullivan said. Russia and China have intensified their defense and economic partnership considerably since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to a July US intelligence report, and the countries have repeatedly pledged to strengthen their military ties.

Persons: Alaska’s Republican Sens, Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski, Murkowski, Sullivan, Liu Pengyu, ” Sullivan, Xi Jinping, Vladimir, Putin Organizations: CNN, Northern Command, NORTHCOM, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Alaska’s Republican, US Navy, Alaska Command, US Coast Guard, U.S . Navy Locations: Alaska, Canada, U.S, Aleutians, Russian, United States, Russia, China, Ukraine

☆ The new low-cost US airline that promised to connect the East Coast with Japan and Korea is having a rough start
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Northern Pacific Airways launched its first revenue flight between California and Las Vegas on Friday. Startup airline Northern Pacific Airways is struggling to take off — both figuratively and literally. However, regulators required Northern Pacific to start flying before it could apply for ETOPS — igniting a mad dash for its operating certificate and a new first route. On July 9, Northern Pacific got the official green light to launch flights, with CEO Rob McKinney sharing the news on Twitter. Despite the turbulent first two years of business and a shaky inaugural, Northern Pacific is still planning to eventually fly to Asia.

Persons: Brady MacDonald, hasn't, Ted Stevens, Rob McKinney Organizations: Northern Pacific Airways, Startup, Sunday, Northern Pacific, Boeing, International, Northern, Twitter Locations: California, Las Vegas, Asia, Ontario , California, Orlando, New York City, Ted, Alaska, Europe, Reykjavik, Northern Pacific, Ukraine, Russia, Tokyo, Seoul, Russian, Southern California, Mexico, Australia, Philippines

☆ The newest US low-cost carrier is finally launching flights — but to Nevada instead of Japan or Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Northern Pacific Airways is launching its first-ever flights from Ontario, California, to Las Vegas on June 2. The carrier will use a 181-seater Boeing 757 with both economy and business class on the one-hour flights. "This announcement today represents the achievement of a major milestone for Northern Pacific Airways," he said. A screenshot of Northern Pacific Airway's booking process on its website. Northern Pacific AirwaysThe already heavily trafficked route between Southern California and Sin City was not Northern Pacific's original plan.

☆ Analysis: How North Korea could use a Pacific 'firing range' to perfect its missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Josh Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) on Monday, after firing a massive Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Saturday. So far North Korea has fired three variants of the Hwasong-12 intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. "As soon as it is out of range, or if it crosses below the horizon, North Korea will be blind." Schiller said he is not aware of any tracking vessels that North Korea positions along the flight path, and for now it doesn't have data relay satellites. If those two conditions are met, then North Korea will have fully demonstrated its deterrence capability against the United States, he said.

☆ Take a look at the planes upstart airline Northern Pacific plans to use to connect Japan and Korea with major US cities through Alaska
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Brady Macdonald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Northern Pacific CEO Rob McKinney, a professional pilot who has logged "more miles than Santa Claus and Superman combined," has vowed to create an airline seat so comfortable that passengers will want to take it home. Northern Pacific CEO Rob McKinney Northern Pacific

☆ Pacific islands a key U.S. military buffer to China's ambitions - report
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's plane makes its landing approach on Pohnpei International Airport in Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia August 5, 2019. China had made progress in the Pacific on geostrategic goals it has been unable to achieve elsewhere, said the report for the United States Institute for Peace, whose co-authors include former senior military officials. This was cause for concern but not alarm, the report added, saying the U.S. should bolster support for island states in the north Pacific where it had the strongest historical ties. A U.S. missile defence test range in the Marshall Islands is critical to U.S. space and missile-defense capabilities, it added. "China views the Pacific Islands as an area of significant strategic interest," it said.

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