T. Jayasinghe is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Political News
Image Source : UNESCO
The Great Barrier Reef is the overall largest coral reef system in the world, recognized for its beauty and ecological importance. Inshore reefs, one of its various types, form within about 10 kilometers of the coastline of Queensland and play an important yet very often overlooked role. These reefs only form a small proportion of this World Heritage-listed area but with a rich and unique biodiversity that underpins both marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
Inshore reefs are formed in shallow waters and mostly near mainlands. For this reason, they might be subjected to freshwater run-off, sediments, and nutrients of rivers breaking upon them. Despite these challenges, the reefs have adapted to the dynamic environment in which they live and show their remarkable resilience. Their proximity to the coastline makes them more accessible and provides a critical habitat for species that may not be found on the more distant outer reefs.
Unique Biodiversity
Inshore reefs support life forms on the reef-from colorful species of coral to an abundance of marine life, including fish, mollusks, and sea turtles. Their proximity to mangroves and seagrass beds creates an intricate ecosystem in which many juvenile species find shelter and food before venturing out into open ocean water. This biodiversity is not only crucial in maintaining ecological balance but is also extremely vital for the sustainability of fisheries and tourism around the area.
Image Source : The Ocean Agency/XL Catlin Seaview Survey/Richard Vevers
Environmental Importance and Conservation
Inshore reefs provide a natural barrier from erosion and extreme weather events, but they are generally more susceptible to human activities that include coastal development and agricultural runoff. Their protection is highly relevant, with efforts in place to monitor those sensitive ecosystems in order to take protective measures with the view of sustaining them for the future.
Though they may form but a fraction of the Great Barrier Reef, the contribution of inshore reefs in terms of biodiversity and maintaining environmental stability is immense; their protection is paramount to maintaining health in the general reef system upon which livelihoods and communities dependant on these systems rely.
W. Waweru is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Politics News
Image Source : Saul Leob
In an offer to persuade Donald Trump to return to the debate stage with Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats arranged to set a brand new message for a campaign to promote and label the former president a “chicken” for “saying he won’t be debate again”.
The Democratic National Committee would publish on static billboards and mobile billboards.
The chicken billboard will be released at Trump’s rally Monday in Indiana, Pennsylvania, such as a digitally-altered picture of Trump in a chicken customed with a combination of statements “There’s no debate: Donald Trump’s a chicken.”
The DNC usually reported that they would be receiving staffers costumed in chicken style to Trump Rallies as part of this presidential promotion, however, the following publication, on Monday, a spokesperson for the group explained that this could no longer exist. Besides a pro-Harris college student group at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania College – where Trump would make a Public Service Announcement reporting “inflatable chicken: to his campaign.
While Harris and Trump assembled for the first debate, ABC News hosted it, early this month in Philadelphia.
The pair reached strong matches above immigration, inflation, and abortion, however, about two days later, Trump stated on Truth Social, “There will be no third debate!”
Image Source : Democratic National Committee
While Harris and Trump assembled the debate just only once this event, Trump also debated with President Joe Biden in June 2024, when he was still in the competition.
On Saturday, Harris’ campaign stated that she wouldaccept CNN's invitation to participate in a debate on the following month, October 23.
“Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate. It is the same format and setup as the CNN debate he attended and said he won in June when he praised CNN’s moderators, rules, and ratings," Harris campaign co-chair Jen O'Malley Dillon stated in an interview on Saturday.
C. Janith is a Jadetimes news reporter covering science and geopolitics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a partial military mobilization in Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Image Source : (Nick Paton/Getty)
Sometimes, it’s painful to be right. As Russia and her allies prepare for the inevitable military confrontation, we must all hope and pray that people in the West somehow awaken to the truth. NATO cannot win in such a confrontation. All the coming conflicts can end in mutually assured destruction (MAD).
The news that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expanding his nation’s army to be the second largest in the world comes at a moment when Russia and others are in deep peril. The Western alliance is ready to green-light the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia’s interior.
To protect his people and prevent the Western elites from destroying Russia, Ukraine must cease to be a base/tool for Washington, London, and Brussels. The writing has been on the wall for over a decade, but the moment of truth is upon us all.
90 Seconds to Midnight
Some months back, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy urged allies to lift restrictions on Western-supplied arms that would enable his NATO proxy army to strike deep inside Russia.
In response, President Putin told the Russian people on state TV that such a move would be disastrous if peace is to be obtained. His exact words in response to the question of whether or not British Storm Shadow and US-produced Army Tactical (ATACMS) missiles could be unleashed deeper into Russia’s interior were:
“This would in a significant way change the very nature of the conflict. It would mean that NATO countries, the US, European countries, are at war with Russia.”
The day after Mr. Putin’s statements, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations gave a similar message to the UN Security Council. While no decision has been reached by Western powers on whether Ukraine should be allowed to strike into the heart of Russia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in Kyiv with an additional pledge of $1.5 billion for Zelenskyy’s war chest. If the Ukrainian dictator gets his wish, I expect the Doomsday Clock to tick ahead from 90 seconds to midnight, where it stands now.
NATO’s Homicidal/Suicidal Tendencies
News Russia’s Security Chief Sergei Shoigu in Tehran with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, just days after meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. Shoigu also held talks in St. Petersburg with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently. Naturally, the NATO alliance and Israel are worried about the potential forces being arrayed against their pact.
For most citizens, the strategies are just more threats and believable propaganda in the West. However, the real issue is not about the weapons NATO has forked over to the Kyiv regime to conduct its proxy war on Russia. The real problem, the thing Putin and Russia will be ready to go to war with NATO over, is the fact Ukraine would be using data from Western satellite intelligence (targeting) and NATO personnel who would be inputting flight missions into these missile systems. This “targeting” and the “capabilities” issue has been a smoking gun that proves NATO is already at war with the Russians. The sinking of the cruiser Moskova, which the U.S. admitted to having assisted in, is one smoldering case. In addition, the attacks on the Kerch Straight Bridge and other precision strikes could only have been achieved with NATO oversight/operation of certain systems.
A Bigger “Boom” Than Wall Street Expects?
Finally, the Western alliance has provided Ukraine with tanks, advanced missile systems and, most recently, F-16 American fighter jets (which can air launch Storm Shadow) in addition to hundreds of billions in aid for Kyiv to wage war on the Russians. The American hegemony installed Aegis systems in Romania and Poland several years ago. At that time, President Putin warned that Russia perceived such moves as offensive. NATO began training Ukraine units immediately following the Euromaidan Coup of 2014. Western powers created a fortress of Ukraine while engaging in stall tactics (lying) to Moscow (and the world) about the Minsk talks.
Now, with WW3 seeming imminent, the liberal order is voting to let Ukraine launch attacks that may even reach as far as Moscow. In Britain, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and many others are calling for green-lighting Storm Shadow. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said a few days ago he supports Zelenskky using these long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russia. The U.K.’s Minister Keir Starmer landed in Rome the other day to convince the Italians to support Kyiv using non-U.S. long-range weapons against Russia. Since Storm Shadow is a joint project of Britain, France, and Italy (see Matra BAe Dynamics and Airbus). This makes some stock market sense, even if the plan is mad.
Interestingly, since the world got out, Western powers have been considering the expanded use of Storm Shadow, BAe stock has skyrocketed from a low of about $64 per share to a high of just over $72 per share. Trading has been heavy. For the sake of the idiot investors in these companies, we can only pray Russia’s hypersonic missiles are targeting at the real enemy rather than innocent folks in cities. The huge problem we face is a clear one. In a WW3 scenario, neither nuclear-armed side will hesitate to go the final step if such a war is a lost cause. Mr. Putin is only taking the next logical and absolutely necessary step in bringing his country into a widescale war footing. As I suggested, I hate being right. It will be sad for Russia’s holy city of Kyiv to exist no more. Let’s pray it’s all over share price winnings.
