Category Archives: planetkillers

Russian and American Military Dolphins Might Face Off This Summer – The Wire

{I am not sure what is worse – us training dolphins and sea lions for our military use, or that all the trainers are smiling at the camera. Will we eventually train hawks to act as “drones” with little web cams and small armaments?}

The dolphins will be testing a new anti-radar system, created to “disorientate enemy sonars”, said LaPuzza. While the dolphins are doing that, the sea lions will be trained to “look for mines and naval divers.” According to the paper, they also allegedly plan to test out new dolphin armor developed at the University of Hawaii. This will be NATO’s first use of militarized sea creatures.

This trip could also mark the first meeting of Russian and American sea creatures. Russia and the United States are the only countries known to have militarized dolphins at this time. Crimean dolphins, which were owned by Ukraine before Russia recently acquired (well, stole) them, have trained in the Black Sea previously. Since Russia is revamping the Sevastopol dolphin training center, it is extremely likely the Black Sea will be home to both sea creature units at the same time this summer.

The United States Navy does not seem particularly concerned with the rival dolphins hanging out, even though the Russian program has been rather secretive about its plans: “We have no official data on the Russian center, and I cannot say how we assess the capabilities of your dolphins,” says LaPuzza. The United States dolphins and sea lions might be at a disadvantage, though. The American critters will be traveling several thousand miles from their home base in San Diego, to the naval ship in the Black Sea. The creatures will travel in special baths so they are as comfortable as possible. Dolphins (probably) don’t get jet lag, but a several thousand mile trip will certainly be an adjustment. LaPuzza does note that “there is no cause for concern” in regards to the sea creatures travels, “as they are protected by the law on the protection of marine mammals.”

The US creatures will also have to adjust to the new waters. The Black Sea has a salinity of about 17 percent, whereas the Pacific Ocean, regular home to the US dolphins, has a salinity of 35 percent. Additionally, the water temperature will be an adjustment. The Navy did not address whether the salinity or temperature will affect the sea lions and dolphins abilities to perform exercises. If the Russian and American dolphins do meet, at least NATO will be there to keep the peace. Unless, of course, the mammals decide to join forces and form their own navy instead.

via Russian and American Military Dolphins Might Face Off This Summer – The Wire.

Ebola outbreak in west Africa affecting diets continent-wide | The Raw Story

Ebola outbreak in west Africa affecting diets continent-wide | The Raw Story.

Humans, the world over, will eat ourselves into extinction by eating so much meat!

Agoutis, antelopes, chimpanzees, porcupines and other species are all in danger of extinction in Ivory Coast, but today they have at least a few weeks’ respite.

Ironically, “Ebola is a good thing for the preservation of wildlife,” said Colonel Jerome Ake, the Yamoussoukro regional director for water and forestry.

A break in hunting will also benefit the natural environment, since hunters flush out game by starting large brush fires, which they are not always able to keep under control.

In the past 10 years, such blazes have killed 120 people and destroyed more than 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 square miles) of forest and other land, a region twice the size of Luxembourg. But in these days of Ebola, fewer fires are likely to be started.

WHO | Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update

The following details were provided to WHO by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia on 17 April 2014:

The patient is a 54 year-old man with underlying health conditions. He travelled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with a pilgrimage group of 18 people from 15 to 28 March 2014 and became ill on 4 April. He sought treatment in a private clinic in Johor, Malaysia on 7 April and went to a hospital on 9 April. The patient died on 13 April. The patient visited a camel farm on 26 March, during which he consumed camel milk.

via WHO | Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update.

Invasive foreign species pose a threat to the global ecosystem. So when will we learn not to meddle with nature? – Telegraph

Twelve thousand alien species of animals and plants from other lands have taken up residence in Europe, according to the European Union – and as human traffic and trade grow, that influx will surely increase. So, according to the House of Commons environmental audit committee in its latest report on invasive non-native species, it is time to do something about it.

via Invasive foreign species pose a threat to the global ecosystem. So when will we learn not to meddle with nature? – Telegraph.

Just as big a problem in US – Florida having huge problem – pun intended – with Burmese Pythons being let loose in wild and now with no natural predators chomping up Everglades species.

NEJM Ebola Brief: What does it mean? | Mens et Manus

While deforestation in the DRC may not have brought ZEBOV to Guinea, it’s possible that it still played a significant role in the emergence of Ebola among West African human populations. If enough bats migrated out West due to habitat displacement, increased population density would boost ZEBOV transmission… Resulting in above average Ebola prevalence among reservoir bats. This enabling condition – paired with the common Guinean practice of poaching bats – might have created viable circumstances for emergence among humans… But this is just one possible theory.

Understanding Ebola’s emergence in Guinea might help us prevent similar outbreaks in the future. While the NEJM article gives us valuable insight into the virus that’s responsible for #Ebola2014, it can’t be considered in isolation when addressing this challenge. The animals that carry the disease and the environment in which they live are equally important. We must also be willing to take a step back and look at the ecosystem system that connects them.

via NEJM Ebola Brief: What does it mean? | Mens et Manus.

WHO | Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 228 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 92 deaths.

via WHO | Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update.

Close to matching ebola outbreak – and have much better medical facilities – humans creating opportunities for outbreaks?

Crop Art Size of 80 Footballs Fields Heartland Message: #NoKXL

A large crop art image—the size of 80 football field—with the message “HEARTLAND #NoKXL” has been created to send President Barack Obama a message to protect the Heartland by saying no to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Created by the Cowboy and Indian Alliance, the image art is located in Neligh, Nebraska.

The crop art is directly on the proposed path of Keystone XL, which also crosses the Ponca Trail of Tears.

via Crop Art Size of 80 Footballs Fields Heartland Message: #NoKXL.

Frazier Glenn Miller, Longtime Anti-Semite, Arrested in Kansas Jewish Community Center Murders | Hatewatch

Miller is a raging anti-Semite who has posted more than 12,000 times on Vanguard News Network (VNN), whose slogan is “No Jews, Just Right.” VNN founder Alex Linder has openly advocated “exterminating” Jews since December 2009. Miller, a close partner to Linder, has called Jews “swarthy, hairy, bow-legged, beady-eyed, parasitic midgets.” Miller is also one of VNN’s largest donors and he printed and distributed thousands of copies of VNN’s newsletter, The Aryan Alternative.

This isn’t the first time a VNN user has been arrested for violence. On January 17, 2011, less than 12 hours after posting on VNN, Kevin William Harpham placed an improvised explosive device concealed in a backpack along a Martin Luther King parade route in Spokane Washington. The lead sinkers in the radio-detonated IED were coated with Warfarin rat poison, evidently intended to increase bleeding.  Had the device functioned, dozens of men, women and children would have been killed or injured. Harpham also distributed The Aryan Alternative.

Our research shows that racist killers are hiding among us in plain sight. A forthcoming two-year study by the SPLC will show that nearly 100 people in the last five years have been murdered by active users on another prominent racist website, Stormfront.org.

via Frazier Glenn Miller, Longtime Anti-Semite, Arrested in Kansas Jewish Community Center Murders | Hatewatch.

Gunman Kills Three at Kansas City Jewish Community Center, Retirement Home | Hatewatch

Initial media reports said the man had shouted “Heil Hitler” as police moved in to arrest him in the parking lot of a nearby school. But at a 5 PM news conference, John Douglass, the police chief of Overland Park, Kansas could not confirm what the man said.

Chief Douglass said it was too early to label the afternoon attack a hate crime, adding that whatever the motive, “It’s a vicious act of violence.”

via Gunman Kills Three at Kansas City Jewish Community Center, Retirement Home | Hatewatch.