Category: Unami

Researchers from the Center for Marine Science and Limnology Research at the University of Costa Rica have unveiled the migration patterns of the endangered Pacific catshark (Ginglymostoma unami). This has also shed light on the challenges the species currently faces.

The Pacific catshark, native to the Eastern Tropical Pacific and typically found from southern Mexico to Peru, currently faces a critical threat of extinction, designated as “Endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The decline in its populations, largely attributed to intentional or accidental capture in coastal artisanal fisheries, necessitates urgent conservation efforts.

Since 2018, the research center has been employing passive acoustic telemetry to gain insights into the movements and habitat utilization of threatened marine species, including the Pacific catshark. This technique involves tagging the sharks with acoustic transmitters, allowing researchers to monitor their movements over extended periods.

An acoustic-tagged Pacific catshark, a 176 cm male, was detected by an acoustic receiver belonging to the Center for the Rescue of Endangered Marine Species (CREMA) in Rio Bongo, Nicoya Peninsula, approximately 200 km away from its tagging site in Bahía Santa Elena Marine Management Area (MMA) on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This observation represents the longest movement recorded for the species.

The shark, tagged in May 2019, displayed an astonishing average daily travel distance of at least 19 km. Returning to its original location in Santa Elena Bay in July 2019, it covered a total distance ranging from 390 to 460 km in less than two months. Subsequent data revealed intermittent detections within St. Helena Bay, with the latest recorded in December 2023.

These findings were published in the “Long-distance dispersal of the endangered Pacific nurse shark (Ginglymostoma unami, Orectolobiformes) in…

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KUWAIT CITY, Jan 31, (KUNA): The State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have renewed their call on neighboring Iraq to adhere to the agreement signed with Kuwait in 2012 on regulating the navigation in Khor Abdullah waterway. This came in a joint statement issued after His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah’s visit to the Kingdom on Tuesday and his talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and Crown Prince and Prince Minister Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud. The two sides noted that the Khor Abdullah agreement entered into force on December 5, 2013 after its ratification by both countries and was jointly deposited with the United Nations on December 18, 2013.

They also rejected Iraq’s unilaterally cancelling of the security exchange protocol hammered out between Kuwait and Iraq in 2008 and its endorsed map signed between Kuwait and Iraq on December 28, 2014, which included a clear and specific mechanism for their amendment and cancellation. The two sides reiterated support for the UN Security Council Resolution No. 2107 (2013), which requests the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to enhance and facilitate search for and determining the fate of missing Kuwaitis and third-country nationals or restoring the framework of the Tripartite Committee and its technical subcommittee, under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross and returning the seized Kuwaiti property, including the national archives.

They urged the UN Security Council to continue following up on these important issues and the UN Secretary General to present regular report on the achieved progress and UNAMI efforts in this regard by paragraph four of the aforementioned…

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Recent years have seen a host of truly unique experimental gins come to market – and this latest Wagyu fat-washed offering is no exception.

Vegans might want to look away now, as this carni-tastic spirit harnesses the power of red meat.

Uniting the worlds of beef farming and spirits, Warrendale Wagyu, a UK Wagyu producer with farms located across Lancashire, has launched its very own beef fat gin named Wa-Gyn.

Wagyu beef has long been a prized delicacy, primarily due to high fat content which not only adds a rich flavour to the meat, but causes a distinctive marbling-effect.

So imagine the delight when the news broke that the flavourful delicacy was now available in spirit form.

Coming in at 44% ABV, the gin is washed with molten Wagyu fat for 48 hours before being triple filtered.

Sounds rather luxurious, doesn’t it?

Latching onto the current umami trend (savoury tastes and aromas), the distinctive juniper taste is complimented by notes of ruby grapefruit, lemon grass and warming pink peppercorn.

Tom Richardson, Warrendale Wagyu’s managing director, said: “We strive to be at the forefront of innovation, which is why we have launched the first fat-washed gin available in the UK.

“With the past year seeing great success for the business, it seemed right for us to expand our use of Wagyu into new areas.

“While it is uncommon for gin to be fat-washed, we spotted a gap in the market and have carefully combined juniper with flavoursome fruits and herbs to create a drink that tastes fantastic.

“For those celebrating Ginuary or who enjoy gin in general, this needs to be added to your list, as it will leave you impressed with the luxurious taste.”

• Discover the best…

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Election watchdog ‘Democracy Watch’, which had earlier warned Comelec of Miru System’s disastrous performance in the recent Iran and Congo elections, had rejected what they described as the firm’s ‘blanket denials’.

According to a statement issued by Democracy Watch “facts and evidence must be the sole qualifier in this process and not simply statements in response by the proponents.” Miru Systems Co. Ltd. from South Korea is the lone bidder in the ongoing procurement process.

Citing a report by the Carter Center, an international election observation mission that deployed long-term observers across Congo, the election watchdog said that the center confirmed the technical failures, stating that “… the quality of the voter register has been questioned by numerous interlocutors, who have cited concerns about the quality and transparency of the process.”

“The Center also stated that observers in around 22% of polling stations witnessed technical problems and prolonged periods of machine inoperability which led to the closure of some polling stations. This has led to the Congo election commission extending voting for another day,” the report said.

The elecdtion watchdog further presented statements coming from Congo’s own watchdog groups, the Election Observation Mission of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) which said that “preliminary election report gathered from 60,000 nationwide volunteers mentioned that 45.1% of the polling stations experienced problems with their electronic voting machines.”

“Breakdowns and technical errors were rampant, thereby delaying voting and creating confusion among voters,” the Congolese groups said.

The Democracy Watch also took exception to Miru’s statement that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) had declared the elections as “fair and successful.”

The poll watchdog said that it needs to be confirmed because of its “inconsistency with the published statement of UNAMI that “it will not observe or…

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Today, lawyers for journalist and editor of the Arabic section at Roj News Agency, Suleiman Ahmed, who was kidnapped by Kurdistan Democratic Party security on October 25 at the Fish Khabour crossing and whose fate remains unknown, met with the head of the United Nations Assistance Office for Iraq (UNAMI), Carolina Moreno, and discussed Suleiman’s case.

One of journalist Suleiman Ahmed Nariman Ahmed’s lawyers spoke to Roj News Agency about the meeting with the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and stated that the meeting lasted for more than an hour and a fruitful meeting was held about the case.

Nariman Ahmed added; He said: “During the meeting, we talked about the obstacles faced by journalists and civil society activists in the Kurdistan region by the political authorities, as well as violations of freedom of thought and violations of human rights and freedom of the press.”

Nariman Ahmed noted, “During the meeting, we talked about the case of journalist Suleiman Ahmed, who was kidnapped by the security forces of the Kurdistan Democratic Party on October 25, 2023. We stressed that since then, despite all the efforts made by his family, lawyers, activists, journalists, organizations and unions at the local and international levels, but his fate is still unknown. In addition, a statement was issued by Dohuk security after pressure from public opinion. We also talked about the fact that Suleiman Ahmed is in prison and accused of spying for a political party.”

Regarding the legal status of journalist Suleiman Ahmed, his lawyers shared this information with the official of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq: “Suleiman Ahmed was not a member of any political party. He is an independent journalist and works with Roj News Agency, which is an official and well-known agency licensed in…

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Recently, the Crime Branch of Jammu & Kashmir Police produced a charge sheet against a Ganderbal resident who had obtained a fake class 12th  marks certificate to get admission in Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery or the BUMS course. This degree paved a way for him to get a job in the Health Department of J&K Government under the centrally sponsored scheme National Health Mission-NHM. Infact, this fake Unani Doctor has already been dismissed from service by the Government. 

However, only incomplete justice has been done in this case. The case is far from settled as the aggrieved Unani doctor who was supposed to get this job hasn’t gotten it even after 10 years have passed already. Dr Zaffar Shaheen, a qualified BUMS graduate, who was eligible to get a job under RBSK programme in district Ganderbal was bypassed by the district level selection committee and a candidate who hadn’t even passed his class 12th and had furnished fake documents was given this job. 

The aggrieved Unani doctor Zaffar Shaheen didn’t surrender to the decision. He fought for justice until the fake BUMS doctor was finally exposed. 

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Background 

In 2013, the Government had invited applications for the appointment of Medical Officers (Ayush) for Rashtriya Bal Swastha Kariakram — RBSK under National Health Mission -NHM for block Kangan in district Ganderbal. 

After the selection process by the district level selection committee headed by Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, one Shahid Ul Islam, a resident of Preng Ganderbal was appointed to the aforementioned position.  The then Chief Medical Officer-CMO  Ganderbal under the order No. 08 DRSHG of 2014 dated 20-01-2014  issued orders…

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Sometimes the more unusual a whisky, the more popular it becomes – and we suspect this distinctive release from Bearface Canadian Whisky is no exception.

A concept that’s already got the internet talking, this fetching looking 42.5%ABV offering harnesses the power of nature.

Infused with distinctive notes of Matsutake mushrooms, the release, named Matsutake 01, marks the debut release from the brand’s Wilderness Series.

Yes, it’s a flavour combination that might sound a little unusual, but given the current trend for all things umami – meaning savoury flavour, which is one of the five basic tastes – it’s little wonder some genius attempted a crossover into the whisky market.

Packed with delicate unami notes, Bearface’s Matsutake mushroom expression is like no other – for multiple reasons.

Unlike the UK (and much of the world for that matter), Canada’s unique regulations state that anything labelled ‘Canadian whisky’, ‘Canadian rye whisky’, or even just plain ‘rye whisky’ has to be aged in a specific way.

The liquid must sit in ‘small wood’ barrels (that’s casks less than 700 litres to you and me) for a minimum period of 3 years.

The country’s laws also allow for whisky to contain added caramel colouring and flavouring – differing from UK protocols.

Anyway, back to the good stuff.

Speaking of the release, Bearface’s Master Blender, Andrés Faustinelli, said the expression has been “a long time in the making”, adding that the highly anticipated drop was set for success.

“With each new limited release, we strive to shatter category norms and challenge traditions,” said Faustinelli.

“I know Bearface Matsutake does just that. As seen with the latest spirits trends – umami flavours are in.

“The Matsutake mushroom grows once a year in…

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Iraqi counter-terrorism forces stand guard in front of the U.S. embassy in the capital Baghdad on Jan. 2, 2020. (Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images)

A number of rockets struck the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad early on Dec. 8 inside the international Green Zone of Iraq’s capital, according to officials, who noted the rocket attack caused material damage but no casualties.

What group was behind the rocket attack wasn’t immediately apparent, but Iranian-linked militias based in Iraq are believed to be responsible for the attack, an embassy spokesperson told NTD News.

In a video from the scene shared on social media, at least three explosions can be heard over sirens and an AI-generated voice on loudspeakers urging people to “take cover,” “get away from the window,” and “await further instructions.”

The U.S. embassy said in a statement to NTD News that “two salvos of rockets” were fired at the mission compound at approximately 4:15 a.m. local time.

“We again call on the Government of Iraq, as we have done on many occasions, to do all in its power to protect diplomatic and Coalition partner personnel and facilities,” the U.S. embassy statement read. “We reiterate that we reserve the right to self-defense and to protect our personnel anywhere in the world.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned the attack in a statement, saying “targeting diplomatic missions is something that cannot be justified.”

Mr. Shia al-Sudani, who came to power with the support of a coalition of Iran-backed parties, called the attack an “insult to Iraq, its stability and security,” and promised to “pursue the perpetrators of the attack … and bring them to justice.”

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also condemned the missile attack in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: “UNAMI…

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