Neighborly Relations

This is The World Today [View in browser](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvYnVqYzZmOHhzei8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) Neighborly Relations [Formerly DailyChatter - Why are we changing our name?](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvMTNqb3E0Mjg5aC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) [Share Today's Edition](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvemNiZDZmOTd4dy8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) [GlobalPost] [Listen to Today's Edition](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvcjR5anI1NTMzMy8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) [GlobalPost] [Share Today's Edition](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvMzQ1Zjg1OW5pbC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) [Listen to Today's Edition](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvZ2toN2V5bGVwbi8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) GlobalPost is an exclusive benefit for subscribers of The Charlotte Observer The Largest Daily Newsletter Devoted to World News Neighborly Relations THE WORLD TODAY — Tuesday, September 3, 2024 Neighborly Relations Neighborly Relations Need to Know Neighborly Relations [North Macedonia](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvbTRyNTNnaThxZC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) Five months after he was elected to office in early May, North Macedonia’s nationalist, right-wing Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski unveiled his plan to integrate the country into the European Union. “The government is fully committed to the realization of our strategic goal of full integration into the EU,” said Mickoski, [according](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvYThwb3hnamlxNC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) to local English-language newspaper Sloboden Pecat, or ‘Free Press.’ “In this process, we not only see the future of our country as a full member of the EU, but also as a modern, economically stable and prosperous country that meets the highest European standards.” The prime minister – and leader of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity political party (VMRO-DPMNE) – might be speaking out of both sides of his mouth, however. His election already has raised eyebrows among skeptical officials in European capitals and Washington. VMRO-DPMNE lost power in 2017 when voters ousted former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski amid corruption allegations, authoritarian leanings, the unfair [suppression](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvamhtY3Yybnc5Ni8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) of political opponents, and fears that his nationalist government was unenthusiastic about joining the EU, Reuters [explained](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvem0ydGhtMzNrei8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). His successors failed to make much headway in their efforts to achieve accession, however, leading citizens to give Mickoski a chance. But Mickoski appears inclined to ruffle feathers abroad and at home. American diplomats, for instance, were monitoring events in North Macedonia after Mickoski claimed that leaders of the Democratic Union for Integration, an ethnic Albanian opposition party, were threatening to destabilize the country, Balkan Insight [reported](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvbHdwcmUzN205ZS8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). North Macedonian security forces and ethnic Albanians briefly clashed in 2001, raising fears that violence akin to what happened throughout the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s might erupt in this corner of the former communist – and since disintegrated – country again. Mickoski has also said that he would refuse to refer to his country as the Republic of North Macedonia, [added](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvejIxbHhzZm5xNy8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) Radio Free Europe, because he believed the “North” appellation was a “shameful adjective.” Many European countries, especially Greece, had refused to recognize North Macedonia as an independent nation unless it differentiated itself from Macedonia, a province in northern Greece. Greek leaders didn’t want their neighbors to the north ever claiming that Greek territory should belong to them. Even though Mickoski used his country’s official name after taking his oath of office, Greek leaders warned that the prime minister’s comments could complicate North Macedonia’s EU bid, the Associated Press [noted](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvYXUyZGlpdXlmNC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). Reopening an issue that had been put to rest in 2019 was not “good neighborly relations,” they said, [according](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvaHVkZ2s3bjg1dC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) to the Anadolu Agency. That, the AP added, could bring Mickoski’s plans to join the EU to an immediate halt because Greece could, and would, likely veto its bid. Even so, North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova later insisted that she had a “human right” to refer to the country as she liked. [Share this story](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvbjRxMzM5OWdkeS8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) Neighborly Relations ~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvNWVpOXd4ZzN3cy8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~ The World Briefly Boiling Over Boiling Over [Gaza](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvcGs1cmI0YTJjdS8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) / [Israel](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvdG40Z2JpcG80Yi8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) / [West Bank](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvZ2hvbnF3endmYi8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) Widespread protests and a national strike took place across Israel on Monday, as people took to the streets to demonstrate against the government’s failure to reach a hostage-release deal after Hamas reportedly killed six Israeli hostages, the Wall Street Journal [reported](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsveWJhdmhtY202Zi8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). On Sunday, the Israeli military found the hostages dead in a tunnel in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, where Israel and Hamas have been engaged in conflict since October. Israeli officials said the hostages were likely killed 48 to 72 hours before Israel’s forces got to them. Hamas blamed the deaths on Israel and the US, claiming they died as a result of Israel’s bombing campaigns. The deaths sparked anger among many Israelis, prompting tens of thousands of people to participate in impromptu protests across the country. Separately, Histadrut, Israel’s largest labor union, launched a nationwide strike that led to the shutdown of schools, government offices and businesses, including Ben Gurion International Airport, which paused flights for several hours. However, the strike was cut short by a labor court ruling, which mandated that it would end at 2:30 p.m. local time, citing its political nature rather than economic concerns, NPR [added](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvdDJlMmZ0Zjc5di8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). The demonstrations reflect growing frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which many Israelis accuse of condemning hostages to death by not negotiating effectively with Hamas. Protesters say Netanyahu has failed to secure the release of the hostages, with many calling him a murderer and criminal for not pursuing negotiations more aggressively. Protesters believe that a ceasefire could have saved the hostages’ lives and continue to press for a deal. Even so, the protests and strikes also exposed divisions within Israeli society, with some municipalities and businesses choosing not to participate. While many Israelis support a hostage deal, right-wing factions and members of Netanyahu’s ultranationalist coalition remain opposed to any deal that might end the war, prioritizing military action over negotiation. Israel has been embroiled in a conflict in Gaza since Oct. 7, when Hamas and its allies launched a bloody attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in about 250 hostages being taken. Israel’s military response has resulted in many casualties in Gaza, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed, according to health officials in the Hamas-controlled territory. Netanyahu maintains a hardline position, insisting that eliminating Hamas and preventing their access to smuggling tunnels are integral to Israel’s security. Still, some critics allege that the prime minister is more concerned with maintaining his coalition than with the lives of the hostages. Netanyahu’s coalition partners have previously threatened to topple the government if a hostage deal means ending the war. A government collapse would lead to early elections, with current polls showing that the ruling coalition wouldn’t be reelected, according to the WSJ. [Share this story](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvZ3FuZ3Fhcm5oci8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) The Ignored The Ignored [Serbia](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvYmR5amE0Y2lnNC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) Thousands of Serbians marched in the streets of the capital Belgrade this week to protest the government’s crackdown on environmental advocates opposed to an ambitious European Union-backed lithium mining project that critics fear would cause severe damage to the environment, the Associated Press [reported](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsveGZzNThxNTVuZC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). Sunday’s demonstrations took place outside the state RTS television station, with protesters denouncing the institution for ignoring the arrests of dozens of activists opposed to the project. Environmental groups reported that Serbian authorities have detained a number of their members following big demonstrations across Serbia last month. They complained that authorities searched their homes, and confiscated their laptops and phones. Others faced threats on social media. Activist Nina Stojanovic told the crowd Sunday that between 30 and 60 people have been detained or questioned over the past two months. The Balkan country has been gripped by weeks-long protests over a planned lithium mine in the western Jadar Valley, one of Europe’s largest deposits of the valuable mineral that is needed for electric vehicles, according to NPR. The government emphasized that the mine will help boost Serbia’s economy, but many environmental advocates worry that the project will cause permanent damage to the environment in the area, including drinking water reserves and fertile land. The controversy has been intensified by the fact that the multinational Rio Tinto mining company will operate the mine. The mining giant has been [accused](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvdnhhODI4dnowYy8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) of corruption, environmental degradation and human rights abuses during its 150-year history. Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vučić has accused protesters of being part of a Western-backed ploy to orchestrate his ousting. Despite his accusations, Serbia has signed a tentative deal on “critical raw materials” with the EU, as the latter is looking to reduce its reliance on China for lithium and other key materials needed for the green transition. Vučić has also received support from EU leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz – both of whom visited the country recently. Serbia is officially pursuing EU membership, but its democratic record remains weak. The country also maintains strong ties with Russia and China, with analysts suggesting that the new memorandum on mining could bring Serbia closer to alignment with the EU. [Share this story](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvcXkyc3ByeXZiZS8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) Neighborly Relations Neighborly Relations ~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvcmxsbW40djhudS8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~ Tightening the Knot Tightening the Knot [China](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvODZ0ODN1Zjkzei8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) China unveiled a draft amendment that would make marriage easier and divorce harder, as the government seeks to build a “family-friendly society” to tackle declining birth rates, NBC News [reported](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvdWM0MWQ2M3lzai8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). Last month, the Ministry of Civil Affairs unveiled the changes, saying they seek to promote “happy and harmonious families.” Officials added that the amendment is open for public feedback until Sep. 11. Under the new rules, couples hoping to get married will not need to register their household locations – but need only use their ID cards. The changes would cut through the red tape around the marriage registration process, considering that many people no longer reside in their registered locations. However, divorces would have a mandatory 30-day “cooling-off period,” which will allow either party to terminate the process, as well as reduce impulsive divorces. The changes raised eyebrows on Chinese social media, prompting many netizens to criticize the new process as an overreach by the government. Critics noted that the amendment could prolong unhappy marriages and limit personal freedom. Others warned that the policy might further disadvantage women in divorce cases, especially given existing challenges in securing favorable rulings and the trivialization of domestic violence by courts, the South China Morning Post [wrote](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvNTZpd2oyNmxvai8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). Chinese officials countered that the changes would not impede the right to divorce. Observers explained that the draft legislation is part of the government’s effort to reverse China’s demographic crisis which is characterized by a shrinking and rapidly aging population. Government data showed that only 3.43 million couples married in the first half of this year, a 12-percent decrease from the previous year and the lowest number in a decade. Authorities have introduced a series of incentives for couples to boost birth rates, including cheaper housing, tax cuts and even allowing them to have as many as three children – a reversal of the infamous one-child policy it introduced in 1980. This year, China launched its [first four-year university degree program](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvczc4dzlyZGE0dS8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) focused entirely on matrimony, featuring courses in wedding planning, matchmaking services, and marriage counseling. Still, He Yafu, an independent demographer, cautioned that the new measures might repel young people from getting married, many of whom are increasingly seeing marriage as a less desirable life choice. Many young Chinese are delaying or putting off marriage as they face uncertainty amid high living costs, a tough job market and increasing work pressures. Others see marriage as an outdated institution with limited benefits. [Share this story](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvZmRyenU3b2VtZy8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) Weekly Quiz ~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvZ3doaDI2dGVhdC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~ Deadly Bubbles Discoveries Deadly Bubbles Humpback whales are now part of the [exclusive club](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvcjRudG1obGkwbS8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~) of animals known to create and use their own tools for foraging, according to a new [study](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvNHBjbTE5bmh0cC8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). The whale species are known to create “bubble nets” to catch krill and smaller fish. This technique requires the marine mammal to dive below prey and release bubbles from their blowholes to create a curtain that traps their meal. But the new findings showed that whales manipulate their nets, said co-lead author Lars Bejder in [a statement to the University of Hawaii News](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvMzNocmxwenR5Yi8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). “These whales skillfully blow bubbles in patterns that form nets with internal rings, actively controlling details like the number of rings, the size and depth of the net, and the spacing between bubbles,” he said. “This method lets them capture up to seven times more prey in a single feeding dive without using extra energy.” Scientists realized this after closely observing the whales feeding on krill off southeast Alaska during the summer and fall, using non-invasive suction-cup tags equipped with high-resolution cameras, drones and movement sensors. The researchers noticed that up to 80 whales engaged in bubble netting over a three-day period. However, this behavior was not consistent – only about five to 10 percent of the large animals used this technique regularly. Researchers believe its usage may depend on prey density, which means that humpbacks wouldn’t employ the foraging method if there is not enough prey. The study adds some new layers to the species’ cognitive complexity and adaptability, which is crucial for their survival, especially as they face environmental and climatic changes. “It is this behavioral flexibility and ingenuity that I hope will serve these whales well as our oceans continue to change,” said Andy Szabo, who also authored the study. Future research aims to explore the energetic landscape and fitness of humpback whales further, considering different feeding behaviors and their implications for the whales’ survival and adaptation to changing ocean conditions. “I think these whales are really, really good at knowing their environment and knowing the physics of their environment,” Jan Straley, a biologist at the University of Alaska Southeast, who was not involved in the study, told [National Geographic](~/AASU4wA~/RgRouWK_P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9hLnBvc3QubGhkLmxpbmsvcTgyM2g1a3RiYy8_bGhfYWlkPTE4ODMzJmxoX2NpZD1vMDJ4OHpvMnF4VwNzcGNCCmbPwN3WZikWS7BSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg5QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAWg~~). “They know the physical properties of the water column and how sound travels. 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