U.S. begins second phase of operations in the Persian Gulf
Warships from the U.S. and 40 other countries began today the second phase of naval maneuvers started days ago, criticized by Iran as a factor of tension in the Persian Gulf.
The war games began on May 6, based on the a, by which vessels carrying transit about 35 percent oil and 40 percent of derivatives consuming industrialized economies Westerners.
The V U.S. Fleet, based in Bahrain, is hosting the maneuvers and in a statement the American command considered them ‘the largest exercise of its kind in the region’ and specified that it ‘perform a wide range of defensive operations to protect trade and international exchanges’.
Late last year, the head of the Iranian Navy, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, described the U.S. military like maneuvers as a failure by the absence of several of the countries guests, based on daily monitoring of the strategic water way.
This year the exercise coincides with increased tension in the Gulf due to constant threats of aggression against Iran’s nuclear facilities by the Israeli government, Iran has warned that any attack on its territory will be met with a ‘crushing response’.
Among the measures in response to a military attack, Iran has alerted that it is able to block the waterway within a few hours.
The Persian Gulf has been the scene of several incidents involving U.S. drones that have approached the Iranian airspace and then been scrambled by fighters of the Islamic Republic.
Mexico’s Popocatepetl Volcano Steams, Rumbles as Eruption Looms
Because of a greater eruption alert of the Mexican volcano Popocatepetl, now to a yellow stage, the Mexican government is keeping emergency measures on the communities of Santiago Xalitzintla, San Pedro Benito Juarez and San Nicolas de los Ranchos.
In the last hours the volcano has kept long periods of tremor with exhalations of water steam, gas and ashes, even some explosive component.
The reports by civil protection said that in the yellow stage number 3, in which the alert stage it is now, it is necessary to keep a security ratio of 7.4 miles with control over the traffic.
If the alert reaches the red stage number 2, that would mean there is the need of a total evacuation of the area.
If the committee of the National Center for Disasters Prevention (Cenapred) detects intermediate level explosions in the top of the volcano, the alert will change to red alert to start the total evacuation, which is calculated to be done in six hours in those three communities.
Two shelters in Izucar de Matamoros and San Pedro Cholula have been enabled, with conditions to give shelter to 11, 085 people, and elements of the Mexican Army, medical personnel and civil protection have moved to the region immediately
The necessary items such as food, 40,000 bottles with water, mattresses and other things will be delivered to the affected people
Emergency measures included a census on the total of animals and cattle to transfer them to secure places.
Cenapred urges the population to be alert to the official information of the volcano, located in the limits of the states of Morelos, Puebla and Mexico.
The Popocatepetl is the second highest volcano in Mexico, with 5,500 metres over sea level, excelled only by the Citlatepetl, with 5,610 meters, also known as Pico de Orizaba, located between Puebla and Veracruz.
Eating more insects could help fight world hunger
A report issued by the Organization for Food and Agriculture of the United Nations (FAO) indicated that consumption of insects could help improve nutrition and reduce pollution. The information adds that more than two million people around the world eat insects as part of their diet.
“The reluctance of consumers” remains a major obstacle in many Western countries, says the report published Monday.
According to the UN, wasps, beetles and other insects are “underutilized” as food for people and animals.
Insects could be the food of the future, according to a study conducted by the BBC insect rearing is more efficient than other animals because “for every 10 kilos of food you obtain eight kilos of worm. With the same amount you get three kilos of pork.
According to FAO, insects have as much protein as meat, essential amino acids, fiber, calcium and vitamin D.
Holland is one of the countries where insects are investigated for food, according to the researcher at the Dutch University of Wageningen, Arnold Van Huis, insect consumption is less risky than eating meat.
“Insects are not as familiar with humans, it is difficult for them to share their diseases,” he said referring to as Mad Cow disease, avian influenza, among others.
Via PL