National-Virus is thought to be Source of honeybee Woes
Summary: Scientists have identified a virus, new to the US which is suspected as possible culprit in the deaths of billions of honeybees. Scientists suspected viruses or bacteria after blasting dead hives with radiation and apparently killing whatever caused the disorder. Using complex genetic sequencing similar to running a suspects fingerprints, the scientists found Israeli acute paralysis virus in honeybees from almost every destroyed colony while bees in non-affected colonies were free of it. There is suspicion the virus came to the US from Australia, because the start up of bee imports from Australia began in 2004 around the same time the first hive collapses were reported. While the virus may be not be the single cause it is definitely an important part of eventually figuring out what is decimating honeybees, killing between 50-90% of commercial hives in the US.
Opinion: Honeybees are directly connected to the health of the nation and our economy, more than 90 crops depend on honeybees for pollination accounting for 14 billion dollars worth of seeds and crops pollinated and 33% of all food eaten by Americans each year.The a Finding out what is killing honeybees is an important priority because without them, we can not survive. I have read reports of the honeybees dying off for sometime now and in Yes!Magazine I recall it was mentioned that Einstein once theorized what would happen to the world without bees, his guess was that all life would die in less than 4 years. So if you think honeybees aren't important think again.
Opinion: Honeybees are directly connected to the health of the nation and our economy, more than 90 crops depend on honeybees for pollination accounting for 14 billion dollars worth of seeds and crops pollinated and 33% of all food eaten by Americans each year.The a Finding out what is killing honeybees is an important priority because without them, we can not survive. I have read reports of the honeybees dying off for sometime now and in Yes!Magazine I recall it was mentioned that Einstein once theorized what would happen to the world without bees, his guess was that all life would die in less than 4 years. So if you think honeybees aren't important think again.
International-Russia's Resurgence
Summary: In what is seen as a show of strength Russia has restarted it's Cold War tradition of sending it's long range bombers into Nato and US airspace. The latest incursion saw 8 Russian bombers near Norway's airspace and continuing into Nato patrolled airspace, resulting in both Norwegian and British fighters being scrambled to shadow the bombers. Russia has also recently sent bombers close enough to Guam for US fighters to be scrambled for the first time since the end of the Cold War. Flush with revenue from the demand for oil and natural Russia has been flexing its muscles in what many see as an attempt to return to it's status as a superpower.
Opinion: Russia can no longer be written off as a second class power. The hard years of the 90's are all but forgotten as President Putin has Russia back on track to become a major world power. Although his methods may be extreme Putin has showed Russia means business and is not afraid to throw its weight around, something many in the west see as cause for concern. Putin's Russia is barely a democracy, with opposition groups being outlawed and members arrested, journalists being murdered, and ultra-nationalist youth movements like Nashi boasting more than 100,000 members. There is no doubt that Russia will once again be a superpower, the only question is what kind of superpower will Russia be?
Opinion: Russia can no longer be written off as a second class power. The hard years of the 90's are all but forgotten as President Putin has Russia back on track to become a major world power. Although his methods may be extreme Putin has showed Russia means business and is not afraid to throw its weight around, something many in the west see as cause for concern. Putin's Russia is barely a democracy, with opposition groups being outlawed and members arrested, journalists being murdered, and ultra-nationalist youth movements like Nashi boasting more than 100,000 members. There is no doubt that Russia will once again be a superpower, the only question is what kind of superpower will Russia be?
1 comment:
Must keep a watch on the honeybees.
Watch for Russia's attempt to return to communism.
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