Latest news with #IndigenousTribes
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Parasitic sea vampire bites RFK Jr in health chief's bizarre new stunt
Robert F Kennedy Jr has found himself in another awkward situation involving animals. On a tour of the Nez Perce salmon hatchery in Idaho on Thursday, RFK Jr let a parasitic sea vampire, also known as a lamprey, bite his arm until the creature left a 'hickey' behind. The head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) posted about the blood-letting adventure on X, writing 'Lampreys hickeys at the Nez Perce salmon hatchery' while showing off pictures of the experience. Lampreys are jawless fish that look like eels but are a completely different species. They have a round, sucker-like mouth full of sharp teeth that they use to latch onto other fish and suck their blood for nourishment. Not content with just one hickey, however, RFK Jr held the roughly two-foot-long lampreys as they sucked blood from both his arms, his wrists, and another person nearby. There is no medical or scientific reason for letting a lamprey bite him, leaving many to question the bizarre stunt. The animal's bites can cause injury, infections, or even significant blood loss with prolonged contact. They aren't used in any therapeutic treatments. One of the fish parasitic lampreys feed on in the wild are salmon, and Indigenous tribes in the Pacific Northwest consider the vampire-like fish a food substitute when salmon supplies run low. RFK's visit to the hatchery aimed at promoting the health and well-being of tribal communities by discussing the importance of traditional foods, like salmon and lampreys. The health secretary shared the images on his X account, where users many of his supporters applauded the move. 'Bro you wild. I like it though, keep it up,' one X user commented. Others welcomed RFK JR to Idaho, with one saying: 'Hey you are in my hood! Idaho is beautiful right?!' However, this is just one of several odd run-ins the HHS secretary has had with nature, and with parasites specifically. In 2012, it was revealed that RFK Jr had a worm in his brain that ate a portion of it before dying. The incident reportedly took place two years early, leading to brain fog and issues with short-term memory. RFK Jr let the creatures bite him on both arms and wrists and also let one bite another person standing nearby RFK Jr held multiple 2-foot-long lampreys during his Thursday visit to Idaho, where he promoted the health and well-being of tribal communities RFK Jr said during a 2012 court deposition while he was divorcing his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, that doctors initially thought he had a brain tumor. However, RFK Jr went for a second opinion before surgery and a doctor revealed that the supposed tumor had not grown and was likely a parasite. 'They said that this is almost certainly a parasite that got into your brain… it's a parasite that's very common in India where I had done a lot of environmental work,' RFK Jr said, according to CNN. The new health secretary was also at the center of controversy right before the 2024 election, after he confessed to dumping a dead bear cub in New York's Central Park. On August 4, 2024, RFK Jr posted a video on X that in 2014, he dumped the baby bear in the park after another car had hit the animal in the woods north of the city. The 71-year-old said he retrieved the cub from the roadside and had intended on skinning and eating the meat, but abandoned the plan due to travel plans with friends. Unfortunately for RFK Jr, he noted that his drunk friends talked him into staging an accident in the famous park, making it look as if the bear had died in the middle of Manhattan after being struck by a bicycle. The incident led a giant mystery that baffled local authorities after the bear's body was discovered by a dog walker in October 2014. RFK Jr did not suffer any penalties for illegally dumping the bear as the statute of limitations for that violation in New York had expired. Still, it led some to question the future member of the Trump Administration's fitness to serve, with critics calling the bear incident evidence of reckless behavior.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Buck Moon', the first full moon of summer, to grace skies Thursday night
Attention all stargazers, the first full moon of this summer rises on Thursday night in the U.s. The first full moon of July is called a Buck Moon, hailing from the Indigenous Algonquin tribes in the Eastern U.S., according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The name honors the new antlers of buck deer that push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur during the early summer. The July full moon can also be referred to as a Thunder Moon due to frequent summer thunderstorms, according to the almanac. Critical Change Made To 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast The peak of the full moon occurred just after 4:30 p.m. ET, but the moon will essentially look full for the next two nights. Next up on the full moon list will come Aug. 9 when it gets the name "Sturgeon Moon." Here are the rest of the moon names: September 7: Corn Moon October 6: Harvest Moon November 5: Beaver Moon December 4: Cold Moon If clouds get in the way or you don't have the chance to check out the bright lights of a full moon on Thursday evening, you'll have plenty of chances to stargaze for the article source: 'Buck Moon', the first full moon of summer, to grace skies Thursday night
CBS News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
"Alligator Alcatraz" migrant detention center nears completion in Everglades amid growing backlash
Construction is nearly complete on "Alligator Alcatraz," a controversial migrant detention center deep in the Florida Everglades. But while the state moves forward, opposition from environmental groups, Indigenous tribes and local residents continues to mount. DeSantis defends site: "We aren't adding anything" Gov. Ron DeSantis has maintained that the facility, being built on a little-used runway, will not harm the environment and is necessary to support immigration enforcement efforts. "This is already built. We aren't adding anything," DeSantis said. "It's opposed by people against deportation." The governor has said the Everglades site is part of a broader plan to house 10,000 migrants statewide, including at a designated site in North Florida and a possible future location in Okeechobee County. DeSantis says these facilities will ease the burden on local jails, noting that Broward County currently holds 212 migrant detainees in custody. Critics cite environmental and cultural concerns Not all Floridians were aware of the project's location or scope. Vincent Cuchel, who often fishes in the Everglades, said he was surprised by the news. "I wonder about the construction. We will have to wait and see," Cuchel said. For many critics, the opposition is about more than immigration policy. Indigenous leaders have voiced deep concern over the facility's placement in a culturally and environmentally sensitive area. The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma has joined the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida in opposing the project. "For the Miccosukee, this area protected us. It became our permanent home," said Miccosukee advocate Betty Osceola. Protests grow as facility nears opening Last weekend, demonstrators lined the road in front of the detention center. Activists are also organizing another protest for this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., using social media to rally support. Despite mounting opposition, state officials continue to push ahead with the facility's opening, while critics vow to keep fighting.
Economy ME
12-06-2025
- Science
- Economy ME
Strawberry Moon shines over Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders Region, occurring once every 18.6 years
Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders Region witnessed a rare celestial spectacle yesterday evening with the rise of the full moon of Dhu Al-Hijjah, commonly referred to as the Strawberry Moon. This event signifies the last full moon of the year 1446 AH, emerging from the farthest point on the southeastern horizon. Such a phenomenon takes place only once every 18.6 years, with the next occurrence anticipated in 2043. Astronomical experts clarify that this event is associated with the Moon's extreme southern declination, part of the Metonic Cycle, which spans approximately 19 years, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Upon its ascent, the Moon exhibited a golden-pink hue due to atmospheric effects, earning it the title 'Strawberry Moon,' a name attributed in some cultures to signify the last full moon of spring. The Northern Borders Region has become a preferred locale for observing astronomical events, credited to its expansive horizons and minimal light pollution, which significantly enhances visibility of the night sky. Story behind the Strawberry Moon The term Strawberry Moon derives from the fact that June is the month when strawberries are harvested, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Moons are often named for the seasons, as seen with May's Flower Moon, which references the abundance of blossoms in spring. According to Western Washington University, the Strawberry Moon name was embraced by several Indigenous tribes. Other Native American tribes have referred to this lunar phenomenon as the Hot Moon and the Blooming Moon, celebrating the spring season, and the Hatching Moon or Birth Moon, symbolizing new life. Beyond North America, Europeans have historically referred to it as the Rose Moon or the Honey Moon, as June marks the beginning of the honey harvest. Read more | Blood Worm Moon: What to know and how to watch this week's total lunar eclipse (Photo Credit: SPA) Tips for observing the Strawberry Moon The moon is clearest when viewed from locations free of light pollution and at elevated positions. For those planning ahead for 2026, ideal viewing spots should offer an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. Generally, best practices for moon observation suggest allowing 'plenty of time for your eyes to adjust and look carefully,' as noted by NASA . However, the full moon can be observed in greater detail using binoculars or a small telescope, enabling viewers to see various features of the moon, including its mountain ridges and impact marks from other celestial bodies. As for the 2025 Strawberry Moon, it was notably the lowest-hanging full moon of the year as perceived from the Northern Hemisphere. According to EarthSky, this Strawberry Moon was the lowest full moon since 2006, attributed to the major lunar standstill. This phenomenon, occurring every 18.6 years, results in moonrise and moonset happening at the most extreme northern and southern points.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
'Pyramid built by forgotten civilization' in Amazon rainforest may be the world's tallest ancient structure
A strange peak in the middle of the Amazon rainforest may actually be the largest pyramid ever built in the ancient world. Known as Cerro El Cono, the massive, pyramid-shaped formation is cloaked in mystery due to both its striking structure and the extreme difficulty of reaching it. The 1,310ft pyramid-shaped hill sits in Peru's Sierra Del Divisor National Park, near the Ucayali River in the Amazon. Unlike other mountains, however, this extremely steep peak has a set of distinct flat surfaces - like the Great Pyramid Of Giza - which have been covered by vegetation over the centuries. Moreover, this one great peak sticks out from the completely flat rainforest around it, adding to speculation that Cerro El Cono may not be a natural formation. While scientists believe the giant hill is just a geological oddity, possibly a volcano or natural rock formation, local Indigenous tribes view Cerro El Cono as a sacred mountain spirit which protects their communities, calling it 'Andean Apu'. This ancient tradition of worshipping mountain spirits dates back to a time before the Inca Empire, between 500 and 1000 CE, but another theory surrounding Cerro El Cono predates even these ancient myths. Although the few studies of this area have yet to find evidence to prove it, local legends claim that Cerro El Cono sits on the ruins of an ancient pyramid built by a long forgotten civilization that lived in the Amazon. According to Peruvian news outlet La Republica, fringe researchers have picked up on the local folklore of the Indigenous tribes, believing that Cerro El Cono is a man-made structure just like the Great Pyramid at Giza. If this were proven true, it would make Cerro El Cono the tallest ancient structure in history, soaring past Giza's 481ft. In fact, this incredibly steep structure would stand more than three times taller than any other ancient pyramid or temple that has been discovered. Cerro El Cono may one day join the growing list of mysterious ancient structures, some of which predate the Egyptian pyramids. One of these ancient structures is Gunung Padang, first re-discovered by Dutch explorers in 1890, and said to be the world's oldest pyramid. Studies show that the 98ft-deep 'megalith' submerged within a hill of lava rock dates back more than 16,000 years. In 2023, scientists said the structure promises to upend the conventional wisdom on just how 'primitive' hunter-gather societies actually were - revealing the true 'engineering capabilities of ancient civilizations'. Another alleged pyramid called the Yonaguni monument sits just 82ft below sea level near the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. This mysterious structure continues to astonish researchers since its discovery in 1986, with new studies revealing that the rocks are roughly 12,000 years-old. However, neither of these ancient monuments would match the height of Cerro El Cono if it is actually man-made, with Gunung Padang being just 312ft tall and the Yonaguni monument measuring only 90ft in height. Despite the local legends and mysterious shape of the massive Amazonian peak, scientists maintain that the likeliest answer is that Cerro El Cono may be an extinct volcano that rose up suddenly in the rainforest. Specifically, it could be a strangely-shaped volcanic cone, volcanic plug, or igneous intrusion which formed millions of years ago. A volcanic cone is a hill or mountain formed by the accumulation of volcanic materials, such as lava, ash, and debris, ejected from a volcano's vent during eruptions. A volcanic plug (also called a volcanic neck) is a solid, cylindrical mass of hardened magma that forms inside a volcano's vent or conduit. After the volcano becomes inactive, surrounding softer volcanic materials like ash erode away, leaving the more resistant plug standing as a distinct hill or peak. An igneous intrusion is a body of molten magma that pushes into or between existing rock layers beneath the Earth's surface but cools and solidifies before reaching the surface. When exposed by erosion, intrusions can form hills, ridges, or peaks, depending on their shape and size. Regardless of how Cerro El Cono came into existence, it is a completely unique formation in the Amazon. In fact, Cerro El Cono rises so steeply out of the flat rainforest that the peak can be seen clearly from over 250 miles away.
