Chased by protesters Japan suspends whale hunt
Japan temporarily suspended its annual Antarctic whale hunt after repeated disruptions by an anti-whaling group, The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Kazakhstan Today reports.
Almaty. February 17. Kazakhstan Today - Japan temporarily suspended its annual Antarctic whale hunt after repeated disruptions by an anti-whaling group, The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Kazakhstan Today reports.
A new four million pounds anti-whaling super-ship has claimed its first victory after clashing with Japanese whalers in the Antarctic Ocean, Daily Mail reported.
Activists chased Japanese Whalers across the icy seas for several weeks in a desperate bid to prevent their annual hunt of the enormous mammals.
The high tech Gojira ship is understood to have blocked the Japanese fleet on the sea forcing the ships to flee.
Anti-whaling campaigners today welcomed the news that Japanese whaling ships had halted their hunt in the Antarctic.
Japanese government officials said the country's fleet had suspended its Antarctic whaling activities in the wake of repeated disruptions by direct action group Sea Shepherd that has targeted the whaling vessels on the high seas.
The Japanese fleet set sail in November to the Southern Ocean to hunt up to 945 whales under a loophole in the worldwide ban on whaling which allows catching the ocean mammals for 'scientific' purposes.
Japan's continued whaling in the Antarctic has drawn criticism from countries including the UK and Australia.
Today the International Fund of Animal Welfare (Ifaw) said it had received reports that the fleet was heading back to port early with less than half its projected quota.
Japan introduced scientific whaling to skirt the commercial whaling ban under a 1986 moratorium, arguing it had a right to watch the whales' impact on its fishing industry, Reuters informed.
The fleet, consisting of some 180 people on four vessels, is aiming to cull about 850 minke whales in Antarctic waters this season, which is scheduled to end around March.
In the same period last year, Japan killed 506 minke whales, well below its planned catch of around 850.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
Over 300 babies born in flood-stricken areas in Kazakhstan
325 babies were born in the regions of Kazakhstan that declared recently a local state of emergency due to flooding. 387 pregnant women are under the doctor’s care, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Most babies were born in Kostanay, Aktobe and West Kazakhstan regions since the beginning of the floods, Aigerim Urazaliyeva, the Kazakh Healthcare Ministry’s official spokesperson, said.
5,035 children from flood-hit regions are staying at temporary shelters of which 62 were taken to hospitals.
She noted over 1,000 people sought psychological assistance.
7,617 flood victims have chronic diseases. All of them are monitored by health workers, she added.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
2 schools shifted to online learning amid flooding in N Kazakhstan
Images | Depositphotos
347 pupils of two schools switched to online learning amid flooding in North Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Schools were temporarily shifted to online teaching in Zarechnyi and Pokrovka villages as the River Yessil overflowed.
All villagers of Zarechnyi were evacuated amid flood risks. Ice jams triggered flooding in Pokrovka village leaving tens of homes on Beregovaya Street underwater.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
First Kazakh Senate Speaker passes away
Images | senate.parlam.kz
An outstanding statesman, the first Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan (1996-1999), Baigeldi Omirbek has passed away today in Astana, Kazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh Senate’s press service.
Baigeldi Omirbek was born in 1939 in Dzhambul region, KazSSR.
Baigeldi Omirbek served as the deputy of the Parliament of Kazakhstan of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th convocations. He worked at the Senate for more than 16 years.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China officially opens in Beijing
Images | Kunsultan Otarbai/Kazinform
The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China has been opened in a grand ceremony at the China National Opera House in Beijing, Kazinform News Agency reports.
As part of the ceremony, an ethno-auyl (village) and the cultural events are being presented before the China National Opera House building.
Addressing the guests and participants of the event were Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Li Shulei, Kazakh Sport and Tourism Minister Yermek Marzhikpayev and Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Sun Yeli.
Opening the festive gala concert was the theatrical choreographic performance ‘Yer saltanaty’ by the soloists of the Abay Opera House, artists of the Astana Ballet Theatre and the ‘Shattyq’ Dance Theatre.
People's artist of Kazakhstan Roza Rymbaeva, honored artist of Kazakhstan Mayra Mukhamedkyzy, opera singer Zarina Altynbaeva, ethno-rock group ‘Ulytau’, choir group of Abai Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, ensembles ‘Serper’ and ‘Sazgen Sazy’ and the ballet troupe ‘Astana Ballet’ will take part in the concert dedicated to the opening of the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakh nationals urged to leave Ukraine's Odessa and Kharkiv regions
Images | Depositphotos
The Kazakh Embassy in Ukraine has recommended nationals of Kazakhstan to consider departing the Odessa and Kharkiv regions in a statement published on the embassy’s official website, Kazinform News Agency reports.
In view of rising tensions and unstable security situation in the Odessa and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ukraine recommends the nationals of Kazakhstan to consider deaprting these regions," the statement reads.
The Embassy notes that to travel from Ukraine to Kazakhstan, the nationals of Kazakhstan can use two land routes - through Poland or Moldova, and then travel by commercial flights.
In case of departure through Poland, they will need a Schengen visa, while visa is not required to enter Moldova.
At the same time, the Embassy calls on all citizens not to ignore the air raid alerts and immediately seek shelter," the Embassy says on its Telegram channel.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.