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☆ Thailand: Nearly 1,000 endangered animals repatriated to Madagascar in anti-trafficking landmark
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-30 | by ( Chris Lau | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand is sending almost 1,000 highly endangered tortoises and lemurs home to Madagascar in a landmark victory against animal trafficking, with the first batch on its way on Saturday. Thai police recovered 1,117 animals, eight of which had died, during an anti-trafficking operation in the southern Thai province of Chumphon in May. Tortoises rescued in Thailand are put under authorities' care before being sent home to Madagascar. Attapol Charoenchansa, director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, told CNN he expected the operations would have a deterrent effect. Between 1975 and 2019, Thailand directly and indirectly exported almost 35,000 animals or their products from Madagascar, according to the report.

Persons: munch, Chalermchai, Charoenchansa, ”, that’s Organizations: Thailand CNN, Convention, International Trade, Fauna, Department of National, Wildlife, Plant, Qatar Airways, Department of National Parks , Wildlife, Plant Conservation Department of National Parks , Wildlife, CNN Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Madagascar, Thai, Chumphon, Asia, Southeast Asia

☆ Woman survives falling and tumbling 150-feet at Washington state waterfall site
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-15 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Dennis-Romero-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Dennis Romero | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

A woman sustained serious injuries this week after falling and tumbling more than 150 feet down an embankment at a Washington state waterfall popular with hikers, authorities said. The fall at Racehorse Falls near Deming, Washington, on Tuesday afternoon was the fifth one at the attraction this year, Whatcom County Fire District 14 said in a statement Wednesday. A woman tumbled and fell more than 150 feet down an embankment at Racehorse Falls, Wash., on Tuesday. Though the lush waterfall near the U.S.-Canada border and about 100 miles north of Seattle is a draw for hikers, its rainy climate and rocky environment can make for a perilous trek. The waterfall itself plunges 169 feet, the department says.

Persons: David Moe Organizations: Whatcom County Fire, Firefighters, Bellingham Fire Department, U.S ., Department of National Resources Locations: Washington, Deming , Washington, Whatcom County, Tuesday, Bellingham, Seattle, U.S, Canada

☆ Canada's 'shoestring' navy needs drastic changes to buy the new submarine fleet it wants
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Submarines could be very useful for defense of Canadian territory, or asserting a presence in contested Arctic waters. But tripling Canada's submarine fleet will require more than buying new boats. AdvertisementThough Canada acquired its first submarine in 1914, its recent experience with undersea boats has not been a happy one. In 1998, the Royal Canadian Navy bought four used British Upholder-class diesel-electric subs that became surplus as Britain switched to an all-nuclear submarine fleet. Several foreign shipbuilders have expressed interest in selling subs to Canada, including South Korea's Hanwha Ocean and Sweden's Saab.

Persons: —, Paul Mitchell, Mitchell, Refits, Sweden's, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Royal Canadian Navy, NATO, Business, Canadian Forces College, Canada's Department of National Defense, East, Pacific, RCN, Britain, Sweden's Saab, Canada, Shipbuilding Strategy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Canada, Britain, Germany, Victoria, Canadian, Russia, China, Pacific, Davis, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Barents, West, British Columbia, South, Forbes

☆ Tiger populations in Thailand are bouncing back
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —As Global Tiger Day rolls around, there’s good news for the big cats in Thailand. Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation/WCS ThailandThe DNP began working with WCS to “build and strengthen site-based protection,” says Jornburom. Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation/WCS ThailandA ‘conservation-dependent species’While Thailand’s success story offers hope, the outlook across the region is not so optimistic. This has left small, isolated tiger populations in Myanmar, Indonesian Sumatra, and peninsular Malaysia — the latter of which is worrying conservationists after a recent spate of tiger deaths. WEFCOM currently boasts most of the country’s tiger population, and has the potential to support up to 2,000 tigers, according to WCS.

Persons: It’s, Pornkamol Jornburom, she’s, ”, Pornkamol, WEFCOM, WCS, Stuart Chapman, they’ve, Chapman, Thailand Chapman, ” Stuart Chapman Organizations: CNN, Initiative, Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife Conservation Society, Tigers, Thailand Department of National Parks , Wildlife, Plant, Patrol, GPS, WWF’s Tigers Locations: Thailand, Wildlife, Kha, Thung, Thung Yai, WEFCOM, Southeast Asia, Singapore, Java, Bali, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesian Sumatra, Malaysia, “ Thailand

☆ US begins pulling military equipment from Niger ahead of withdrawal deadline
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( Anneclaire Stapleton | Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The US priority was first to remove sensitive equipment from Niger, a source familiar with the matter said. Much of the US military and equipment has been in Niamey at what’s known as Base 101. A source confirmed this flight was to withdraw military equipment and some personnel. The relationship between the US and the military junta grew increasingly strained as Biden administration officials called for a clear path to free and fair elections. The US was also forced to wait for the Nigerien military junta to approve flight clearances to withdraw personnel and equipment, an agreement which was only reached last month.

Persons: Sergey Lavrov, Michael Langley Organizations: CNN, US Department of Defense, Department of National Defense of, Nigerien, US, Biden, Russia’s Defense, Russian, US Africa Command Locations: Niger, Republic of Niger, Niamey, what’s, US, West African, Kremlin, Russia, Burkina Faso, Mali

☆ Why Yemen’s Houthi rebels welcome conflict with the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Since mid-November the rebels have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Strait of Bab al-Mandab. The Red Sea is a vital waterway that connects to the Suez Canal, through which 10% to 15% of world trade passes. In its fight, the Houthi group has distracted from Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, shored up domestic and international support, and made its name known among those who knew little to nothing about the movement, they say. That narrative has taken hold among those who oppose the Gaza war the world over. Yemen’s civil war began in 2014, when Houthi forces stormed the capital Sanaa and toppled the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government.

Persons: Abdel Malek al, Houthi, ”, Allah, Thomas Juneau, ” Juneau, ’, Ahmed Nagi, Juneau, Israel, “, Biden, Netanyahu, ” Mohamed Ali al, Nagi, ” Nagi, ” Mohammed Ali Al, Yemen's Houthi, ” “ Houthis, Nadwa, Yemenis, ” Dawsari Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemeni, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, Canada’s Department of National Defense, Yemeni Armed Forces, European Union, NATO, United, Crisis, UN, BBC, Political Council, Galaxy Leader, Getty, Middle East Institute Locations: Constantinople, Istanbul, United States, Saudi, Israel, Gaza, Bab, Suez, Iran, China, India, Tehran, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Red, Solidarity, Aden, Instagram, US, United Kingdom, Brussels, Saudi Arabia, tatters, Yemen's province, Hodeida, AFP, America, Washington ,

☆ Philippines, Australia start sea, air patrols in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Earvin Perias/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - The Philippines and Australia began their first joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, days after Manila took similar steps with the U.S. as Pacific nations warily eye an increasingly assertive China. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Philippines is ramping up efforts to counter what it describes as China's "aggressive activities" in the South China Sea, which has also become a flashpoint for Chinese and U.S. tensions around naval operations. The patrols will be carried out in the West Philippine Sea, said Philippine Department of National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong, using Manila's term for waters in the South China Sea that fall within its exclusive economic zone. China has accused the Philippines of enlisting "foreign forces" to patrol the South China Sea and stirring up trouble.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Anthony Albanese, Earvin, China's, Richard Marles, Marcos, Marles, Arsenio Andolong, Karen Lema, William Mallard Organizations: Australia's, Rights, Australia, ., Philippine, Australian Defence Force, Armed Forces, Philippine Department of National Defense, South China, Toowoomba, Cooperative, Thomson Locations: Manila, Philippines, Rights MANILA, South, China, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, South China, U.S, West Philippine, Philippine, United, Taiwan, West Philippine Sea

☆ Philippines, Australia Start Sea, Air Patrols in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines and Australia began their first joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, days after Manila took similar steps with the U.S. as Pacific nations warily eye an increasingly assertive China. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Philippines is ramping up efforts to counter what it describes as China's "aggressive activities" in the South China Sea, which has also become a flashpoint for Chinese and U.S. tensions around naval operations. The Philippines and the United States concluded three-day joint sea and air patrols on Thursday, starting in waters near Taiwan, a democratically governed island that China claims as its own, and ending in the West Philippine Sea. China has accused the Philippines of enlisting "foreign forces" to patrol the South China Sea and stirring up trouble.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, China's, Richard Marles, Marcos, Marles, Arsenio Andolong, Karen Lema, William Mallard Organizations: Australia, ., Philippine, Australian Defence Force, Armed Forces, Philippine Department of National Defense, South China, Toowoomba, Cooperative Locations: MANILA, Philippines, South, Manila, China, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, South China, U.S, West Philippine, Philippine, United, Taiwan, West Philippine Sea

China claims “indisputable sovereignty” over almost all 1.3 million square miles of the South China Sea, and most of the islands and sandbars within it, including many features that are hundreds of miles from mainland China. If they (China) close off the South China Sea, perhaps the next target may be the Straits of Malacca and then the Indian Ocean,” Teodoro said. But since taking office last year, Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr has taken a stronger stance over the South China Sea than his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. Marcos has also strengthened US relations that had frayed under Duterte, with the two allies touting increased cooperation and joint patrols in the South China Sea in the future. As part of the Marcos administration’s commitment to boost the Philippines defense and monitoring capabilities in the South China Sea, Teodoro said further “air and naval assets” have been ordered.

Persons: ”, of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr, “ It’s, it’s, Teodoro, “, ” Teodoro, It’s, Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos, Defense Lindsey Ford, ” Ford, Aaron Favila, China “, Xi Jinping Organizations: Philippines CNN, CNN, of National Defense, Department of National Defense, Defense, AP Locations: Manila, Philippines, China, Philippine, South China, South, United States, Republic of, Beijing, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, The Hague, Ukraine, Russia, Malacca, China . Washington, Second, The Philippines

☆ A 5G-powered wildfire-detection tool is helping first responders contain fires faster
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Sarah Sloat | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Pano AI, a wildfire-detection startup, uses ultrahigh definition, 360-degree cameras and an artificial-intelligence platform to scan, identify, and monitor wildfires. Pano AI alerted the state's Department of National Resources, which began a partnership with the startup in March, and provided visual and location data. Pano AI estimated its alert sped up the response time by 20 to 30 minutes. There are over 100 Pano AI systems deployed across the US and Australia. A Pano AI detection image of the Flat Fire in California.

Persons: —, Rogers, Pano AI's, Sonia Kastner, Arvind Satyam, Kastner, Satyam, Hilary Franz Organizations: Service, state's Department of National Resources, Research, 4G Locations: Washington, Mount Rainier, Australia, Canadian, British Columbia, San Francisco, California

☆ Cooler conditions bring some hope as Canada wildfires rage on
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 21 (Reuters) - Wildfires ravaging Canada's British Columbia province are showing some signs of easing and the weather conditions should improve through Monday into Tuesday, through crews are still battling "epic" blazes, emergency officials said. Blazes are also raging further north as Canada reels from its worst wildfire season on record, which many experts have blamed on climate change. British Columbia, which sits on Canada's Pacific coast, could get some rains this week from Tropical Storm Hilary, which hit California on Sunday, forecasters have said. The air quality index in many fire-affected areas - including Central Okanagan, Eastern Fraser Valley, Kamloops - hit above 10 on Monday, signaling a high risk, the British Columbia government said. Fires continued to burn about 15 km from Yellowknife and it was unclear when they will reach the city, officials said.

Persons: Hilary, Jerrad Schroeder, Jason Brolund, Brolund, Denny Thomas, Michael Perry, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Canada's, U.S ., Tropical, Kamloops Fire, British Columbia, Government, Northwest Territories, Canada's Department of National Defence, Canadian Broadcasting Corp, Thomson Locations: Canada's British Columbia, Canada, U.S, U.S . Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, California, Kamloops, Central Okanagan, Eastern Fraser Valley, British, New York, U.S . East Coast, Yellowknife, Northwest, West Kelowna

☆ Fact Check-Video of train with military vehicles is from Canada, not US
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A video showing a train carrying armoured military vehicles stopped beneath a highway overpass was shot in Montreal, Canada and is not evidence of increased military activity in the United States in June 2023. The video, however, is from Canada and shows Canadian military equipment. A spokesperson for Canada’s Department of National Defence said the video shows vehicles belonging to the Canadian Armed Forces returning from a military exercise held in May 2023. This is a standard, annual military exercise. The video shows armoured vehicles of the Canadian Armed Forces being transported within Canada and is not evidence of any heightened military activity in the U.S.

Persons: Ronald, ”, Read Organizations: Canada’s Department of National Defence, Canadian Armed Forces, Facebook, Twitter, St, Canadian Forces Base, Canadian, Reuters Locations: Montreal, Canada, United States, U.S, Montreal Quebec, Montreal West, Quebec, Wainwright , Alberta, Valcartier

[1/5] An eight-year-old male African lion rests on the plains of Kafue National Park, Zambia, September 19, 2020. In the recent assessment, scientists found that more lion cubs were born into Kafue prides from 2018 to 2021. A half-century of intensive poaching has decimated wildlife populations in Africa's third-largest national park, as it has across much of the continent, with Kafue's free-roaming big cats among the victims. Bushmeat poachers have targeted the lions' grass-eating prey, leaving too little behind for the park's 200 or more of these hungry carnivores. "African white-backed vultures will come in really large numbers," said Corinne Kendall, curator of conservation and research at North Carolina Zoo which is leading the program.

Persons: Sebastian Kennerknecht, Kim Young, Overton, Panthera's, Andrew Loveridge, Corinne Kendall, It's, it's, Kendall, Gloria Dickie, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Reuters, Leopards, Africa Parks, Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife, North Carolina Zoo, Thomson Locations: Park, Zambia, Handout, Kafue, Africa, West Africa, London

In the recent assessment, scientists found that more lion cubs were born into Kafue prides from 2018 to 2021. A half-century of intensive poaching has decimated wildlife populations in Africa's third-largest national park, as it has across much of the continent, with Kafue's free-roaming big cats among the victims. [1/5] An eight-year-old male African lion rests on the plains of Kafue National Park, Zambia, September 19, 2020. But the carcasses also attract the critically endangered white-backed vultures, whose population has declined by more than 90% across West Africa in the past 40 years, largely due to poisoning. "African white-backed vultures will come in really large numbers," said Corinne Kendall, curator of conservation and research at North Carolina Zoo which is leading the program.

Persons: Kim Young, Overton, Panthera's, Andrew Loveridge, Sebastian Kennerknecht, Corinne Kendall, It's, it's, Kendall, Gloria Dickie, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Reuters, Leopards, REUTERS, Africa Parks, Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife, North Carolina Zoo, Thomson Locations: Kafue, Park, Zambia, Handout, Africa, West Africa, London

☆ FIFA concerned about Canada's refusal to honor Afghan visa letters -court filings
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Anna Mehler Paperny | Thomson Reuters | Toronto-Based Correspondent Covering Among Other Topics Migration | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Canada refused to accept "visa facilitation letters" FIFA and Canadian Senator Marilou McPhedran handed out based on a template provided by a Canadian Department of National Defence employee in attempts to evacuate 640 women athletes, their coaches and others, according to court documents. Canada said those letters were inauthentic and that it did not authorize anyone to issue them and asked police to investigate their distribution. The email is among newly released court documents that convey FIFA’s role in efforts to get young Afghan athletes and those close to them out of Afghanistan. FIFA and the Canadian government did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the documents. "After I received the visa facilitation letters from Canada, I chose not to follow through with evacuation by the American government," one unidentified plaintiff said in their affidavit.

☆ India-Russia defence firm eyes $200 mln missile deal with Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Devjyot Ghoshal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The company has been in protracted negotiations with Indonesia and details about the size and timeline of a potential deal have not been previously reported. "I have a team right now in Jakarta," Rane told Reuters in an interview, adding that a deal could be in place within the year. "The defence forces of Indonesia are extremely interested." A spokesperson for the Philippine Department of National Defence did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Western-led sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine have not impacted BrahMos production or planning, said Rane.

Canada's military has been under pressure in the face of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in recent years, including some against high-ranking officers. Previous promises of reform have fallen flat but "this time is different," Defence Minister Anita Anand told reporters. Her report said she expects the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces to remove themselves from investigating and prosecuting sexual offences. She gave no time frame but her report said the military "must address potential issues" including cases taking place outside Canada. In the past year the military has referred 57 sexual offence cases to civilian police, military officials told a briefing Monday.

☆ The US and Canada are updating a Cold War-era system to keep an eye on Russian and Chinese missiles. Experts say they need to add a lot more territory too.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The US and Canada are modernizing NORAD to watch for Russian, Chinese, and North Korean missiles. At the same time, some experts argue that the command should expand beyond North America to include Denmark and its North American territory, Greenland. North American Aerospace Defense Command, as it's now known, is also responsible for detecting and tracking North Korean missile launches. But the North Pole is still a dagger pointed at North America. The defense of North America is still on NORAD's radar.

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