The remote location of the stranding meant the whales that had not yet died had to be euthanised. — AFP/VNA PhotoViet Nam News WELLINGTON — Up to 145 pilot whales have died in a mass stranding on a remote part of a small New Zealand island, authorities said on Monday. The stranding was discovered by a hiker late Saturday on Stewart Island, 30 kilometres off the southern coast of the South Island. Half of the whales were already dead and due to the condition of the remaining whales and the remote, difficult to access location, the decision was made to euthanise the remainder. "Sadly, the likelihood of being able to successfully re-float the remaining whales was extremely low," said Ren Leppens, the Department of Conservation’s operations manager on Stewart Island. "The remote location, lack of nearby personnel and the whales’ deteriorating condition meant the most humane thing to do was to euthanise. "However, it’s always a … [Read more...] about 145 whales die on remote New Zealand beach
New zealand north island
6.7-magnitude quake jolts New Zealand’s remote islands, no tsunami alert
New Zealand GeoNet recorded that the quake occurred at 4:18 p.m. local time, with epicenter of 132 km below and 785 km away from Whakatane in north island. United States Geological Survey recorded the quake at 6.9 magnitude with epicenter of 111 km below. Ministry of Civil Defense of New Zealand said that based on current information, the initial assessment ruled out a subsequent tsunami threat after the quake. … [Read more...] about 6.7-magnitude quake jolts New Zealand’s remote islands, no tsunami alert
Scientist launches hunt for Loch Ness ‘monster DNA’
More than 1,000 people claim to have seen the Loch Ness Monster (Photo: AFP/Andy Buchanan) Neil Gemmell has travelled from the University of Otago in New Zealand to collect water samples in the Scottish lake, in the hope of finding out more about the creatures that inhabit its depths. "Over 1,000 people claim that they have seen a monster. Maybe there is something extraordinary out there," he told AFP, as he dropped a five-litre probe into the loch. Gemmell said he would be keeping an eye out for "monster DNA" but the project was more aimed at testing environmental DNA techniques to understand the natural world. Local resident Adrian Shine said Gemmell's findings could contribute to his own long running research programme - The Loch Ness Project. The venture was itself inspired by the efforts of earlier international explorers like American Dan Scott Taylor who patrolled the loch in his Beatles-inspired Yellow Submarine in the late 1960s. "I'm sure that some species will be found … [Read more...] about Scientist launches hunt for Loch Ness ‘monster DNA’
VN leaders’ foreign visits expected to up FDI
A view of Đồng Nai Province. According to the Foreign Investment Agency, in the first five months of the year foreign direct investment in new projects was worth US$4.66 billion, 17 per cent down from last year’s figure for the same period. — Photo cafef.vn According to the Foreign Investment Agency, in the first five months of the year foreign direct investment (FDI) in new projects was worth US$4.66 billion, 17 per cent down from last year’s figure for the same period. Capital addition by existing projects plunged by 46 per cent to $2.5 billion. The first five months of last year saw several new large projects licensed while some existing major investors also brought in more money. But this year most projects have been small or medium-sized, with the largest being South Korea’s LG Innitek Hai Phong, which has an investment of $501 million. Thai-invested Bac Lieu Wind Power Project No 3 involves an investment of $365.76 million, while … [Read more...] about VN leaders’ foreign visits expected to up FDI
New Zealand halts new offshore oil and gas exploration
New Zealand is halting all new offshore oil and gas exploration as part of its efforts to deal with climate change, the centre-left government said on Thursday (Apr 12). New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. (Andy WHARTON/AFP) "(We are) taking an important step to address climate change and create a clean, green and sustainable future for New Zealand," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. The oil and gas industry in New Zealand generates about NZ$2.5 billion a year (US$1.8 billion), including NZ$1.5 billion in exports, and employs about 11,000 people. Ardern said existing drilling and exploration permits would not be affected, meaning no existing jobs would be lost. She said there would also be limited new on-shore permits around the North Island's Taranaki region, where most of New Zealand industry is concentrated. "We're striking the right balance for New Zealand - we're protecting existing industry and protecting future generations from climate change," she said. … [Read more...] about New Zealand halts new offshore oil and gas exploration