birds

Tennessee’s largest companies secure sales tax exemptions for everything from jet fuel to water • Tennessee Lookout

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Tennessee's largest companies secure sales tax exemptions for everything from jet fuel to water • Tennessee Lookout

Tyson chicken barns in West Tennessee on April 21, 2021. (Photo: John Partipilo) They’re scattered across the rural Tennessee landscape: blue-sided barns stretching the length of five U.S. football fields, clustered together in groups numbering as few as three to as many as 20. Each of Tennessee’s nearly 2,200 industrial chicken barns produce about 200,000 … Read more

Two dozen companies working to find bird flu vaccine for cows, US agriculture secretary says

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Two dozen companies working to find bird flu vaccine for cows, US agriculture secretary says

Twenty-four companies are working to develop an avian flu vaccine for cattle, as the virus spreads among U.S. dairy herds, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told Reuters on Wednesday.Bird flu has infected 90 dairy herds across 12 states since late March, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Three dairy farm workers also have been … Read more

Going to the elections like the five foolish virgins

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Going to the elections like the five foolish virgins

The Cypriot political scene has many “characters” who win or are rewarded even when they lose. Another “character” getting elected won’t end the world. A protest vote is viewed as a serious matter, but some see it as glorifying nothingness. The rise of the far-right in Cyprus is seen as a natural consequence, requiring an admission of mistakes made by various institutions.

Animals collapse, water shortages bite amid India’s searing heat

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Animals collapse, water shortages bite amid India’s searing heat

Animals collapsed and people jumped on water tankers with buckets amid shortages due to blistering summer heat in north India. Delhi recorded temperatures touching 47 C (116.6 F) and saw its first heat-related death. Authorities are investigating a 52.9 C reading in one area. Delivery personnel are spending more time on scooters due to the heat, and companies like Zomato are taking measures to help them. The extreme temperatures have also led to more fires in several parts of the country. India, along with other countries in Asia, is experiencing unusually high temperatures, which scientists attribute to human-driven climate change. India has set a target of becoming a net-zero emitter by 2070.

From Akamas to vultures, a simple public warning

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From Akamas to vultures, a simple public warning

The need for civil society organizations to act as environmental watchdogs remains urgent, as recent revelations have shown violations of environmental conditions in the Akamas area. The scandal involved roadworks that ignored environmental conditions, and the Forestry Department was supposed to oversee the project. The Water Development Department had warned about violations a year before environmental NGOs raised the alarm. Additionally, efforts are being made to protect Griffon vultures from extinction, with poison baits and power line collisions being major threats. Despite efforts to persuade the Electricity Authority to make infrastructure safer, losses of vultures and eagles continue due to collisions and electrocutions.

Nations consider vaccinating workers exposed to bird flu

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Nations consider vaccinating workers exposed to bird flu

The United States and Europe are taking steps to acquire or manufacture H5N1 bird flu vaccines to protect at-risk poultry and dairy workers, veterinarians, and lab technicians.

Birds poisoned in Nicosia, Green party charges

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Birds poisoned in Nicosia, Green party charges

Dozens of pigeons died in Nicosia’s old town after someone poisoned them. The Green party is calling for the culprit to be found immediately.

Emperor penguins suffered mass breeding failures in 2023 amid record low sea ice

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Emperor penguins suffered mass breeding failures in 2023 amid record low sea ice

Record low sea ice in late 2023 led to breeding failures in one-fifth of Antarctica’s emperor penguin colonies, with tens of thousands of chicks likely dying as a result. The penguins depend on sea ice attached to the shore to raise their young, and if the ice breaks up too early, the chicks may freeze or drown. Some colonies adapted by moving their breeding locations to better ice, showing that the birds can adjust to changing conditions to some extent. However, scientists predict that 99% of emperor penguins could be lost by the end of the century if sea ice continues to decline due to climate change.

Man fined €2,000 for bird trapping

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Man fined €2,000 for bird trapping

A man in the Dasaki Achnas area was fined two thousand euros for bird trapping offenses after being caught with eight chaffinches, nets, and a bird mimicry device. The British Bases are committed to prosecuting and imposing heavy fines on illegal bird trappers, with joint operations with organizations like CABS continuing to be successful. Officials are planning to enhance surveillance equipment and technology to further combat bird trapping. Since 2016, the Police action plan has nearly eliminated this illegal activity within the British Bases.

Environment commissioner advocates rooftop gardens

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Environment commissioner advocates rooftop gardens

Fact: Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou suggested creating more rooftop gardens to help mitigate the effects of urban heat islands caused by concrete cities.