Whales spark joy in New York but face threats from boat traffic

12 Sept 22:15 Key points summarised by AI

Humpback whales are making a remarkable comeback in New York's waters, transforming from a rare sight to a regular occurrence, delighting observers against the backdrop of the city's skyline.
This resurgence is attributed to successful conservation efforts, cleaner water, and a plentiful food supply like Atlantic menhaden, with climate change also influencing whale distribution.
Despite their thriving numbers, these whales face severe threats from New York's bustling maritime traffic, with vessel strikes and entanglements being primary causes of injury and death.
New policies, including the Whale Awareness Act, are being implemented to educate boaters and integrate marine mammal protection into safety courses to mitigate collision risks and protect the growing whale population.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.