SeaWorld to pursue legal action over breeding restrictions
SeaWorld has announced that they intend to “pursue legal action” over the California Coastal Commission (CCC). The CCC backed a $100-million expansion on SeaWorld’s San Diego Orca Tanks but placed restrictions on the use of the tanks. One of these restrictions being the breeding of whales being banned. SeaWorld President Joel Manby said, “The Coastal Commission went way beyond its jurisdiction and authority when it banned breeding by killer whales at SeaWorld.” The company argues that the CCC was only involved to approve land use activities and has “overstepped both federal and California law.” Attendance to the park has plummeted since the 2013 release of Blackfish, a documentary that suggests orcas become violent when kept in captivity.
Four Palestinians dead after knife attacks
Four Palestinians were killed and one was left injured in Israel on Oct. 17. The deaths preceded five separate knife attacks in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The attacks followed a month-long eruption of similar attacks due to rumors of Israel’s supposed intention to take over a hilltop holy site that is home to a Mosque which is also significant in Judaism. In the past month eight Israelis have been killed by Palestinian attacks, while 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israelis. Tension is growing over the attacks and many fear that this is the beginning of more violence in the region.
Colonial church revealed after drought lowers water levels
This year the Grijalva river watershed in Mexico has experienced a drought. This past week the water level in the Nezahualcoyotl reservoir reached a 25-metre drop from the typical water level this time of year. The drastic drop in water level has exposed a colonial-era church that sits at the bottom of the reservoir. This is the second time since the church was flooded in 1966 due to the construction of a dam. In 2002 the water level dropped so low that visitors were able to walk around the previously submerged church. The church is estimated to be over 400 years old.
Kepler telescope discovers
The Kepler telescope, a piece of equipment designed to search for Earth-sized habitable planets, has observed a star 1,500 light years away from Earth that is displaying strange signals. The star, named KIC 8462852, has began displaying dimming on a larger scale than any other previously viewed star. Light dips around 18 per cent lower than the average, leading researchers to believe that the object causing the dimming is much too large to be a planet. Yale University’s Tabetha Boyajian commented that the dimming may have been caused by a group of comets. However, the possibility of ‘other scenarios’ can’t be ruled out. Dr. Boyajian is now working with Jason Wright of Penn State University to look for signs of radio waves that might suggest technological activity.
Slovenia sets migrant limit to 2,500 a day
Slovenia will only allow 2,500 migrants to enter the country a day, half of what Croatia requested. The migrants headed toward western Europe are held up by limitations set by Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. Austria has set their daily limit to 1,500 individuals, and Slovenia has followed suit by limiting their migrant numbers in order to prevent a buildup within the country. On Sunday, Oct.11 around 40 buses of migrants were backed up in Serbia on their way into Croatia. Slovenia has become the main route for migrants as Hungary has closed its borders to migrants due to security concerns.
