SYDNEY: The viability of a key river that feeds into Australia's biggest water system is under threat if poor conditions that killed millions of fish are not improved within six months, scientists warned Monday (Feb 18). This decades-old Murray cod was among millions of fish which died in mass kills in December and January in the Darling river. (Photo: AFP) The management of the Murray-Darling River system, which stretches thousands of kilometres across several states and supplies Australia's food bowl, has been under close scrutiny following three mass fish deaths in December and January. Authorities said millions of fish died in the Darling River events, blamed on low water flow and oxygen levels in the river as well as possibly toxic algae. Leading scientists who studied the three bouts of kills said that while a severe drought plaguing inland eastern Australia contributed to the deaths, there were also "serious deficiencies in governance and management" of the river … [Read more...] about “Urgent steps” needed to save Australia”s biggest river system
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More than 500 wildlife animals saved in Vietnam in 2018
The Hanoitimes - Vietnam is becoming a hot spot for trading and using wild animal and plant products. Many transnational trafficking cases with a large number of wildlife have been detected. New website to protect wild animals launched The Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV), a non-governmental organization, recorded 1,666 cases of wildlife-related violations in 2018, and 521 wildlife animals were saved in Vietnam thanks to the engagement of people and law enforcement agencies. According to some experts, Vietnam is becoming a hot spot for trading and using wild animal and plant products. Many transnational trafficking cases with a large number of wildlife have been detected. A wildcat was captive in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: ENV Due to illegal wildlife trafficking, many species are in danger of extinction, negatively affecting biodiversity. Many large mammals which are symbols of many regions become extinct such as one-horn rhino, tiger, gray cow, wild buffalo, … [Read more...] about More than 500 wildlife animals saved in Vietnam in 2018
521 endangered animals saved in 2018
An endangered monkey held captive. - Photo courtesy of ENV Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI – As many as 521 endangered wildlife animals were saved in Việt Nam in 2018 thanks to the engagement of people and law enforcement agencies, NGO Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV) announced on Monday. Up to 1,666 wildlife-related violations were also detected, of which 64 per cent involved illegally in advertising and trading endangered animals and products made from them. To avoid law enforcement agencies, traders use the internet as an exchange platform to commit the crimes. ENV recorded 800 wildlife violation cases on the internet, with more than 1,200 links showing signs of violation. In September 2018, Bá Thước District Police in the central province of Thanh Hoá seized a 12-litre bottle of alcohol with two bear legs inside. The bottle was advertised on Facebook. A week later, two other people were also arrested for selling bear alcohol. According to … [Read more...] about 521 endangered animals saved in 2018
May tours Europe in desperate bid to save Brexit deal
The embattled British leader is facing a rebellion in her own party and from parliamentary allies that threatens to sink both her Brexit agreement and her leadership. (Photo: AFP/HO) May had breakfast with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in The Hague before heading to Berlin for lunch with Chancellor Angela Merkel, and was then to travel on to Brussels. She is seeking "reassurances" over provisions in the EU withdrawal agreement concerning Northern Ireland, which she hopes could persuade her rebellious Conservative party to support it. European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said ahead of meeting May that he was "surprised" at being asked for more talks. "I'm surprised because we had reached an agreement on November 25" at the last EU summit, he told the European Parliament in Strasbourg. "The deal we have achieved is the best deal possible, it's the only deal possible. "There is no room whatsoever for renegotiation but of course there is room, if used intelligently, to give … [Read more...] about May tours Europe in desperate bid to save Brexit deal
May heads to Europe in bid to save Brexit deal under fire
LONDON — British Prime Minister Theresa May will visit Germany’s Angela Merkel on Tuesday as she works to salvage her Brexit deal, the day after delaying a parliamentary vote on it to avoid a crushing defeat. May will first go to The Hague for talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte before meeting Merkel in Berlin, as she struggles to unite British lawmakers behind her faltering plan. The embattled leader is facing a rebellion in her own party and from parliamentary allies that threatens to sink both the agreement and her leadership. "I will now do everything I possibly can to secure further assurances," May told mutinous MPs on Monday on her planned dash to Europe ahead of an EU summit later this week. "I will discuss with them the clear concerns that this house has expressed," she said. But European Council president Donald Tusk warned the bloc would not reopen the agreement secured in November after months of negotiations, with Brexit looming on March 29. "We … [Read more...] about May heads to Europe in bid to save Brexit deal under fire