Miltiadis Tentoglou Wins Gold for Greece at World Championships

Miltiadis Tentoglou
Tentoglou retained his long jump crown on Saturday.File photo. Screenshot/ERT

Miltiadis Tentoglou retained his long jump crown on Saturday with 8.22 meters at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

The 26-year-old Greek athlete won the gold medal after a nail-biting battle with Italy’s Mattia Furlani. He achieved his best jump in his first effort. His second effort was below eight meters, and the third was a foul. In the final three jumps, he did not manage to improve on his first effort.

Tentoglou, the reigning Olympic and world outdoor and indoor champion, and the 19-year-old Furlani both leaped 8.22 meters on their opening jumps. The tiebreak went to Tentoglou as his second-best effort was better than Furlani’s.

Carey McLeod of Jamaica won bronze with 8.21 meters.

Despite winning gold, the Greek athlete was not happy with his performance. He said he did not have the right “appetite” for the competition and added that competing in the morning takes a toll on him. He assured Greek fans that he will come back stronger in the summer season.

Tentoglou’s remarkable achievement solidifies his status as the first male long jumper to achieve such a feat in indoor competitions. As the reigning Olympic, European, and world indoor champion, Tentoglou’s consistent success highlights his exceptional talent and dedication to his sport.

Tentoglou also won gold at last year’s World Athletics Indoor Championships in Istanbul just a few days after the Tempe rail disaster in Greece.

His joy at the time was tempered as he appeared before the state broadcaster ERT with mixed feelings after winning a gold medal.

“What happened was tragic. I am ashamed to speak. What Nyfantopoulos said was the best: that we may be competing here but no one can ease the pain of these people. I do not know where I should dedicate this victory,” he said last year.

The remarkable career of Miltiadis Tentoglou

Last August, Tentoglou won the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest with an outstanding result of 8.52 meters, once again making history in his chosen sport.

He also won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 2022, Tentoglou became the world indoor champion jumping the current Greek indoor record of 8.55 metes, which placed him sixth on the respective world all-time list. He won silver at the outdoor world championships. He is a five-time European champion, winning two consecutive outdoor titles in 2018 and 2022 and a record three successive men’s indoor titles between 2019 and 2023.

He was the 2016 World Under-20 Championships silver medalist and 2017 European U20 and 2019 European U23 champion. Tentoglou was the 2022 Diamond League long jump champion. He is the Greek indoor record holder and won ten national long jump titles.

How Do We Know Where Troy Really Was?

The Trojan Horse at Hisarlik
The Trojan Horse at Hisarlik, the archaeological site usually identified with Troy. Credit: Jorge Láscar, CC BY 2.0

The discovery of Troy at Hisarlik in the 19th century by Heinrich Schliemann is still regarded as one of the most striking examples of Greek mythology and archaeology coming together.

However, how do we know that Schliemann really did discover Troy, and not just some random ancient city in Turkey? How do we really know where Troy was located?

How Homer’s Iliad Reveals Where Troy Was

Some evidence comes from the most famous written account of Troy – Homer’s Iliad. In this poem from the seventh century BC, Homer refers to many of Troy’s allies. He explains that during the Trojan War, Troy was supported by various other nations, such as the Phrygians, the Lydians, Mysians, Paphlagonians, and many others. Almost all the nations he mentions can be identified with nations from Anatolia. Specifically, they are almost entirely from western Anatolia.

The only notable ally of Troy in the Iliad not from Anatolia are the Thracians. The Thracians lived in Europe, just next to the north east corner of Anatolia. Their territory extended right to the Bosporus. So from this spread of nations in western Anatolia and the territory of the Thracians, it is clear that Troy was most likely located somewhere near the border between Anatolia and Europe.

The Scamander River

We know that Troy must have been near the sea, because the Iliad describes how the Greek camp near the shore was separated from Troy simply by a large plain. Therefore, Troy must have been somewhere near the coast of Western Anatolia. Homer also associates Troy with the Scamander River. Since the Scamander River flows into the Aegean Sea off Western Anatolia, this is a very helpful piece of information.

In fact, Homer specifically tells us that the Greeks set up their camp by the mouth of the river. This confirms that Troy must have been near where the Scamander River reaches the Aegean Sea.

How Herodotus Reveals Where Troy Was

The association with the Scamander River is really one of the keys in determining the location of Troy. But Homer does not tell us everything we need to know. For example, how do we really know where the Scamander was?

This river was mentioned by various ancient writers, one of them being Herodotus. In his description of Xerxes’ invasion of Greece, he describes how Xerxes’ army came across the Scamander River while marching towards the Hellespont. He explains how the army arrived at Mount Ida, and then he mentions them coming to the Scamander River immediately after this. So the Scamander River must be a prominent river near Mount Ida.

The river known as the Karamenderes in modern times is one of only three rivers that meet this criterion. And after mentioning this river, Herodotus explains that Xerxes ‘ascended to the citadel of Priam’ – that is, Troy.

He then explains that Xerxes’ army carried on their march the next day. Here, Herodotus says that the army kept the cities of Rhoetium, Ophryneum and Dardanus on their left, and the city of Gergithae on their right.

Looking at a map, it is clear that the Karamenderes River is the one which Xerxes’ army must have been at just prior to marching past these cities.

How Archaeology Confirms Where Troy Really Was

From this information, we can see that Troy must have been located near the coast, where the Karamenderes River meets the sea. From these and other Greek records, we know that there was still a functioning city called Ilion (Troy’s other name) here, in which there was still a functioning sanctuary of Athena. This city continued to be inhabited in Roman times, when it came to be known as Ilium.

Archaeology confirms that the Greek town of Ilion, with its sanctuary to Athena, was at Hisarlik. Coins have been found there with inscriptions to ‘Athena Ilias’, confirming the identification. So, we can be very sure of the location of the Ilion and Ilium of Classical Antiquity. It was definitely the archaeological site at Hisarlik.

But what about the more ancient Ilium, or Troy? Can we be sure that the Troy of the Trojan War really was here as well? After all, some writers in the Roman period believed that the Troy of legend had been located somewhere else.

However, Herodotus, who lived much earlier than these writers, expresses no such belief. He says clearly that the city visited by Xerxes, at which there was a sanctuary to Athena, was ‘the citadel of Priam’.

In addition, the archaeological excavations at Hisarlik confirm this viewpoint. They show that this city had existed long before Classical Antiquity.

It existed in the time of the Trojan War, as well as much earlier. Therefore, there is no reason to doubt that the Troy of the Trojan War really was where Schliemann claimed: Hisarlik.

Last Descendant of Byzantine Emperor Palaiologos Buried on Barbados

Palaiologos Barbados
The gravestone of Ferdinand Paleologos on Barbados. Credit: Anneli Salo, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikipedia

The last descendant of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Palaiologos is buried in the most unlikely of places – on the island of Barbados in the Caribbean.

Ferdinand Paleologos asserted his descent from the Palaiologos dynasty, particularly through his ancestor Thomas Paleologos, who was a brother of the last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine.

He lived in the 17th century and was born in England. His roots were from the Peloponnese, which was a part of the Ottoman Empire following the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

His ancestors had scattered throughout Europe, seeking refuge in various European courts and attempting to raise support for the reconquest of Byzantium.

Growing up in England, Palaiologos demonstrated exceptional diplomatic and political skills. His name frequently appears in diplomatic correspondences between European courts, suggesting his involvement in mediating disputes and fostering alliances.

Though limited historical records make it difficult to discern the exact extent of his diplomatic operations, his presence during crucial negotiations is undeniable.

Religion played a paramount role in Ferdinand Paleologos’ life, embodied by his deep involvement in the religious affairs of his time. As a member of a family with Byzantine Orthodox Christian roots, he partook in the intricate interplay between Catholicism and Orthodoxy in Europe.

Ferdinand’s religious affiliation has often sparked debates among historians, as his actions suggested a delicate balancing act between his Byzantine Orthodox upbringing and political alliances that leaned towards Catholic powers.

Palaiologos moves to Barbados

From England, he emigrated to Barbados around 1644 and he quickly integrated himself with its elite. He cultivated cotton or sugar and possibly pineapples and was influential in the affairs of the local St. John’s Parish Church, for which he became a vestryman and then a churchwarden.

Ferdinand constructed a great mansion called Clifton Hall, named after the home he had lived in with his family in Cornwall.

By the time of his death in 1670, Ferdinand had become known on the island as the “Greek prince from Cornwall”, a nickname he would be remembered by for centuries.

The current marker for his gravesite at St. John’s Parish Church, which erroneously gives the date of his death as 1678 instead of 1670, was erected in 1906 and is a local tourist spot.

Palaiologos Barbados
Credit: Asia, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikipedia

In 1831, the island of Barbados was struck by a hurricane which destroyed the church. Ferdinando’s lead coffin was discovered facing a different position than all the others and his skeletal remains were lodged in quicklime.

The body is buried with the feet pointing to the east is, despite local legend and the writings of historians on Barbados, not a strange Greek custom but the common practice for burials in England.

If Ferdinand and his father were genuine members of the Palaiologos family, Ferdinand was one of the last living members of the dynasty. Ferdinand was only survived by his son, Theodore, who in turn was only survived by his daughter, Godscall, who disappeared from history.

Related: The Legend of the Last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine Palaiologos

Stork and Fisherman Unite for 13 Consecutive Years in Amazing Friendship

The story of the Stork and the Fisherman
The incredible story of friendship between a fisherman and a stork. Credit: Bernard Dupont, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikipedia

A longstanding friendship between a stork and a fisherman in Turkey blossomed once again as the majestic bird returned for its thirteenth consecutive year of migration, gracefully resting upon the fisherman’s boat.

For 13 years, the stork named Yaren, settles in her nest in Eskikaraağaç Stork Village in north-west Turkey every spring when she comes back from migration.

Yaren spends spring and summer with Adem Yılmaz, setting sail on the Uluabat Lake on the fisherman’s boat, the Turkish daily Hurriyet reports.

It was noteworthy that Yaren arrived earlier this year compared to previous years. The stork, which migrated early and landed on Yılmaz’s boat as of Feb. 29 this year, had arrived on Mar. 17 in 2023, Hurriyet says.

The Eskikaraağaç Stork Village, the only village representing Turkey in the European Stork Villages Association, is on a migration route where tens of thousands of storks pass every year during the migration period. The village is also home to resident storks.

The duo’s story gained international fame after it was photographed on the lake. The story was performed as a shadow play in Greece and became the subject of textbooks in Austria and Germany.

In 2019, the documentary “Yaren,” filmed by Burak Doğansoysal and prepared with the contributions of the Karacabey Municipality, returned from the Prague Film Awards with the title of best documentary.

Last year, Karacabey Municipality commissioned a statue of the fisherman Adem and Yaren Stork, immortalizing the story in the village square.

Tens of thousands of tourists who hear the story and want to see the storks closely visit the Stork Village every year.

Stork-fisherman, fish-diver

The story is reminiscent of the extraordinary tale of the friendship of a man with a fish that has unfolded over almost three decades.

In Japan, diver Hiroyuki Arakawa shares an incredible bond with a fish named Yoriko, an Asian sheepshead wrasse.

In a recent interview, Arakawa shared, “I’d say we understand each other. Not that we talk to each other. I kissed her once. I’m the only person she’ll let do it. If you look closely, from the front, they look like they have a human face. When you look really close, you’ll think it looks like someone you know.”

During one of his dives, Arakawa discovered that Yoriko had suffered a significant injury to her mouth. Remarkably, despite her injury, she made a determined effort to greet him, showcasing the depth of their unique connection.

Realizing that Yoriko might struggle to catch her own food due to her mouth injury, Arakawa dedicated the following ten days to providing her with nourishment.

Related: Greece’s European Stork Village Celebrates Return Of Migratory Birds

Lavish Fresco Depicting Mythological Greek Siblings Found in Pompeii

Pompeii Greek siblings fresco
The painting depicts Phrixus and Helle fleeing on the ram of the Golden Fleece. Credit: Archaeological Park of Pompeii

A lavish fresco depicting mythological Greek siblings has been unearthed during an excavation in the ruins of the ancient city Pompeii.

Still colorful after more than 2,000 years, the painting was among several frescoes found during restoration work around the mansion of the House of Leda.

“Among the IV Style decorations that cover the back walls, the mythological painting depicting Phrixus and Helle fleeing on the ram of the Golden Fleece stands out,” the Pompeii Archaeological Park wrote in a statement on its website.

Fresco in Pompeii depicts the Greek myth of Phrixus and Helle

The art shows a scene from the Greek myth of Phrixus and his twin sister Helle who fled their stepmother Ino on the magical ram with a Golden Fleece.

The fresco depicts Phrixus on the ram while his sister is seen falling into the water. It is painted as if it were a framed picture, hung on a yellow wall.

The Golden Fleece was the fleece of a specific ram named Chrysomallos. This ram was the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea.

A cloud nymph named Nephele sent the ram to save her twin children, Phrixus and Helle, from being sacrificed.

The ram did this successfully, but as it was bringing the twins to safety in Colchis, (the western part of modern-day Georgia) Helle fell off its back and drowned in the sea.

After Phrixus and the ram arrived in Colchis, Phrixus slaughtered the ram and gave it as a gift to Aeëtes, a king of Colchis. The king hung it up on a tree in a sacred grove, where it was guarded by a dragon.

A beautiful fresco in an excellent state of conservation

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of Pompeii Archaeological Park, described the find as a poignant reflection of history unfolding once more.

“History has repeated itself,” said Zuchtriegel, as he gave an update on excavation and restoration work. “It is a beautiful fresco in an excellent state of conservation. The myth of Phrixus and Helle is widespread at Pompeii but it is topical too. They are two refugees at sea, a brother and sister, forced to flee because their stepmother wants rid of them and she does so with deception and corruption. She [Helle] fell into the water and drowned.”

Other frescoes depicting still-life images and several portraits of women have also been uncovered. They will be cleaned to remove volcanic ash and then will be restored.

The excavation of the House of Leda underway aims to restore the planimetric system of the house and acquire data to define the main rooms of the houses to the north and south.

Excavations at the House of Leda, which began in the 18th century and were relaunched in 2018, aim to reconstruct a complete plan of the site.

It will allow restorers to set up a new system of protective roofing and valorizing to open the domus to the public.

Many of Pompeii’s buildings — and even some bodies of the estimated 3,000 victims — were perfectly preserved after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 ADE.

Pompeii is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second most visited tourist site in Italy, after the Colosseum in Rome.

Related: The Stunning Ancient Fresco Portraying a Greek Myth in Pompeii

Woman Convicted of Murder Conspiracy in Case of Jennifer Dulos

jennifer Dulos case
Jennifer Dulos disappeared in May of 2019 and was never found. Credit: New Caanan Police

A woman was convicted Friday of conspiring to murder missing mother-of-five Jennifer Dulos, who vanished from a wealthy Connecticut enclave in 2019 and was never found.

Prosecutors said Michelle Troconis, 49, helped her then-boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, in his plot to kill his estranged wife and cover it up.

In addition to the conspiracy to commit murder charge, which carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison, the jury convicted Troconis of hindering the prosecution and evidence tampering.

Authorities believe Fotis Dulos killed Jennifer Dulos as they battled each other in divorce and child custody proceedings.

The tragic story of Jennifer Dulos

Fifty-year-old Dulos disappeared in May of 2019 in New Canaan after she dropped her children off at school. Investigators found her car near a park not far from her home, but she has not been seen or heard from since.

Although her body has never been found, officials believe Jennifer Dulos is dead, as police found evidence of a violent attack at her home.

Fotis Dulos and Troconis were arrested in June of 2019 and charged with tampering with or fabricating evidence after investigators discovered that the pair had transported—and later disposed of—plastic bags containing items with Jennifer Dulos’ blood on them.

They pleaded not guilty at the time.

fotis dulos case
Dulos and Troconis. Credit: New Canaan Police

The Greek native was arrested on murder and kidnapping charges in January of 2020 and again pleaded not guilty.

While awaiting trial on the charge of murdering his wife, Greek-born Dulos attempted suicide and died two days later in January of 2020. His death has tragically furthered the mystery surrounding his estranged wife’s death and complicated the possibility of her remains ever being found.

The case drew widespread attention and was the subject of a made-for-TV movie, Lifetime’s Gone Mom.

Jennifer Dulos was a member of a wealthy New York City family whose father, the late Hilliard Farber, founded his own brokerage firm. She also was a niece by marriage of fashion designer Liz Claiborne.

Troconis, a dual American and Venezuelan citizen, has described herself as a co-founder of horse riding therapy programs in different parts of the world. She once had her own TV production company in Argentina and hosted a snow-sports show for ESPN South America.

Another defendant in the case, Kent Mawhinney, a friend of Fotis Dulos and his one-time lawyer in a civil case, is awaiting trial on a murder conspiracy charge. He has pleaded not guilty.

Divers Can Now Explore Four Ancient Shipwrecks in Greece

Ancient Shipwrecks Greece
The shipwrecks at the sites at the region of Magnesia in the Pagasetic Gulf are filled with artifacts from antiquity and the Roman and Byzantine eras. Credit: Ministry of Culture

Four stunning ancient shipwrecks off central Greece can now be explored by amateur divers, the Ministry of Culture announced this week.

The shipwrecks at the sites at the region of Magnesia in the Pagasetic Gulf are filled with artifacts from antiquity and the Roman and Byzantine eras, officials have announced.

Licensed local crews will accompany the divers and monitor them as they check out the treasures. Past shipwrecks have yielded bronze armor, marble statues, ceramics, gold jewelry and silver coins.

“We plan to highlight our marine cultural heritage,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.

“We have responded to this great challenge by opening to the public a total of four underwater archaeological sites in the prefecture of Magnesia, which will allow Greece to join the world map of diving tourism.”

The Aegean is full of wrecks from antiquity, with too many on the seabed to count. These are monitored by the coastguard and you can be arrested for any unauthorized diving near the wrecks. The authorities are worried that valuable artifacts like amphorae might be stolen.

Up until now, only trained archaeologists and other experts were allowed to visit the three subterranean museums and even they needed special permission.

But the Greek Culture Ministry’s announcement comes after the authorities set up a supervised test project near the island of Alonissos, which has been running smoothly since 2019, the ministry says.

So treasures await for divers and the ministry alike, with the latter set to profit from the lucrative tourism.

The 4 ancient shipwrecks in Greece open to divers

Shipwreck of Alonissos

Ancient Greek shipwrecks
More than 3,500 amphorae were discovered at the Alonissos-Peristera shipwreck. Credit: Ministry of Culture

The islet of Peristera is located east of Alonissos, within the marine park of the Northern Sporades.

Near its western rocky coast and at a depth of 22 to 30 meters, the ancient shipwreck dubbed the “the Parthenon of shipwrecks”, was discovered by a fisherman in 1985.

More than 3,500 amphorae have been discovered.  Two types of amphorae have been identified that come from Skopelos and probably carried wine.

The finds also include luxurious vessels that were secondary cargo, vessels for daily use of the crew (lamps, wicks, etc.), and items related to the equipment of the ship (lead anchor parts and nails).

Based on the findings, the shipwreck is dated to the last quarter of the 5th century BC.

Telegrafos Wreck

Ancient Shipwrecks Greece
Eight types of commercial amphorae were found at the Telegrafos shipwreck. Credit: Ministry of Culture

The Shipwreck was located in “Telegrafos” bay in 2000. The area of the findings is located at a depth of 17 to 23 meters on a rocky bottom with sand pockets.

Eight types of commercial amphorae were found, all from the 4th century A.D. Traces of tar were found inside many amphorae indicating the transport of wine. The type represented with the most vessels (20) is from the Peloponnese. This set is the largest known concentration in Greece.

Other types come from the Northeast Aegean, while a unique amphora was identified as Palestinian.

Kikynthos Island

Kikynthos shipwreck
The Kikynthos shipwreck was a relatively small merchant ship of the middle Byzantine period. Credit: Ministry of Culture

The uninhabited islet of Kikynthos is developed as a natural breakwater at the entrance of Amaliapoli Bay, in the western Pagasitikos.

Due to the ancient remains that have been identified from the early Christian era to the 19th century, the islet has been declared an archaeological site.

On the northwest coast of the island, at a depth of 3.5 to 12m, a pile of large, but broken, transport vessels was discovered in 2005. These are parts of pithos that typologically appear as early as the 9th century and amphorae that date more precisely between the 11th and 12th centuries.

The archaeological data so far indicate a wreck of a relatively small merchant ship of the middle Byzantine period, probably of the 11th century.

Cape Glaros

Ancient shipwrecks Greece
Byzantine-era amphora seen at the Cape Glaros shipwreck. Credit: Ministry of Culture

On the southwestern shores of the Pagasitic Gulf, Cape Glaros was a dangerous passage for ships trying to enter the sheltered bay of ancient Nios.

Traces of at least four ancient shipwrecks – one Hellenistic, one Roman and two Byzantine – can be found at the bottom of Glaros, as well as vessels and anchors from other periods that represent possible discards.

Two concentrations with a total of over ten iron Byzantine anchors can be linked to 12th-13th century amphorae found in the same area, indicating the wreck of a large Byzantine merchant ship.

This is the largest set of Byzantine anchors that has been found in the Greek seas.

Greece Aims to Be Hotspot for LGBTQ+ Travelers

Greece Hotspot for LGBTQ+ Travelers
Acropolis view from Monastiraki Square. Credit: C Messier /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0

Greece aims to become a hotspot for LGBTQ+ travelers Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said after she signed a memorandum of cooperation with Queer Destinations company on Thursday.

At an event presenting the Tourism Ministry’s strategy to attract more LGBTQ+ visitors to the country, Kefalogianni said that Greece is the first country in Europe to open its arms to the community, and this agreement reflects the values Greece wants to promote as a tourism destination.

“As a country that cares about equality, diversity and inclusion, Greece recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all travelers feel welcome. This objective runs through all our other main objectives and policies in the Ministry of Tourism,” Kefalogianni said during a press conference.

How will Greece attract LGBTQ+ travelers?

The community represents over 10 percent of the global demand and nearly 16 percent of total expenditures in the tourism sector, which in absolute numbers exceeds $195 billion.

Greek initiatives include connecting the ministry’s national strategy with those of local destinations; amending the framework regulating hotel-customer relations; rating tourist accommodation on the degree of staff awareness and services to the LGBTQ+ community, and building relationships with specialized travel agencies and organizations abroad.

Kefalogianni said the ministry will soon carry out communication actions to promote LGBTQ+ tourism in Greece and also launch a special campaign to reach out to the LGBTQ+ community.

“There will be promotion through social media that Greece is a friendly country,” she said, adding that the Visit Greece website will soon be updated with places of interest, an interactive map and useful information for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Queer Destinations has a presence in 14 countries and trains tourism professionals to cater to needs of LGBTQ+ travelers. It networks with over 300 partners, including hotels. It assists businesses in adapting their products and ensuring the safety of all customers, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Greece approves same-sex marriage

The campaign to attract LGBTQ+ travelers to Greece follows the approval by the parliament in February of a law legalizing same-sex marriage.

It was a landmark reform promoted by the conservative government over the opposition of the country’s powerful Orthodox Church.

“The vote has passed: as of tonight, Greece is proud to become the 16th EU country to legislate marriage equality,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis posted on X. “This is a milestone for human rights, reflecting today’s Greece — a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values,” he added.

Mitsotakis, who personally spearheaded the bill, had urged lawmakers to “boldly abolish a serious inequality” in Greek democracy that had rendered same-sex families “invisible”.

Same-sex couples can now also adopt in Greece, but not have a baby through a surrogate.

Related: Europe, US Congratulate Greece on Same-Sex Marriage Law

First Ever Photo of Two Male Humpback Whales Having Sex

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First Ever Photo of Two Male Humpback Whales Having Sex
First-ever photo of two male humpback whales having sex. Credit: Marine Mammal Science / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Researchers have recently observed something never previously witnessed by humans. They observed two male humpback whales engaging in penetrative sex. This rare event took place near Maui, Hawaii in January 2022.

A group of citizen scientists aboard a private boat spotted the adult whales during their expedition. One of the whales appeared to be a different color than usual, catching the observers’ attention. They quickly deployed underwater cameras to document the encounter.

What they recorded was unprecedented. It was the first documented instance of one male humpback whale genitally penetrating itself into the other, as reported by Live Science.

In a study published on Tuesday, February 27th in the journal Marine Mammal Science, researchers stated, “This is the first report of penetration by a humpback whale and the first report of sexual activity between two male humpback whales.”

Forceful sexual intercourse on injured whale

The study says that the whales circled the boat for about thirty minutes. During this time, one of the humpbacks, identified as Whale B, seemed to be chasing the other, Whale A.

Whale A appeared to be in poor health, showing signs of emaciation and a significant jaw injury. Additionally, it was covered in whale lice, which are parasites indicating poor health.

This explains the unusual brownish color observed by citizen scientists at the beginning of the encounter. In contrast, Whale B looked healthy.

Throughout the entire encounter, Whale B had its penis extruded from its usual hiding place inside the genital slit. The researchers noted that Whale B repeatedly approached Whale A from the rear and penetrated the second whale. It seemed like Whale B held Whale A in place with its pectoral fins.

‘Whale A’ felt threatened and turned in “S” shape

In response to Whale B’s advances, Whale A contorted its body into an “S” shape. Previous research indicates that humpback whales in Hawaii adopt this posture when they feel threatened or stressed.

In their study, the researchers suggested that Whale A’s adoption of the “S” shape posture could indicate unwelcome behavior. However, they also proposed that Whale A might have lacked the energy to engage in avoidance strategies.

Despite attempting to slowly swim away from Whale B, Whale A did not make any sudden or powerful movements and did not dive out of sight during the encounter.

The study revealed that after Whale B had penetrated Whale A several times, Whale B dove underwater and did not return to the surface. Following this, Whale A remained visible for a short while before also disappearing beneath the waves. While the exact cause of Whale A’s jaw injury remains uncertain, researchers believe it could potentially be the consequence of a collision with a ship.

Satellite Images Show Indonesia’s New Jungle Capital, Nusantara

Satellite image showing Indonesia’s new jungle capital Nusantara
Satellite image showing Indonesia’s new jungle capital, Nusantara. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

NASA recently released striking images showcasing the emergence of Indonesia’s new jungle city on Borneo. These satellite shots, taken in April 2022 and February 2024, reveal significant developments in eastern Kalimantan.

However, the images clearly display the construction of new roads and buildings, marking the progress of Nusantara, Indonesia’s future capital.

On February 23rd, NASA’s Earth Observatory revealed these images captured by the Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2) on the Landsat 9 satellite and the OLI on Landsat 8. They were featured as part of NASA’s Image of the Day series.

These visuals underscore the strides made by outgoing President Joko Widodo in his bold endeavor to relocate Indonesia’s capital. Additionally, they shed light on the environmental consequences of the construction of the new city in Borneo.

Jakarta sinking below sea level

Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit: flickr / The Diary of a Hotel Addict CC BY 2.0 DEED

One major reason behind the capital’s relocation is Jakarta’s potential sinking. Jakarta, Indonesia’s present capital, situated on the island of Java, is gradually sinking below sea level.

A study published in the journal Natural Hazards in 2011 revealed that Jakarta’s subsidence rate ranged between 0.4 and 6 inches (1 and 15 centimeters) annually, with certain areas sinking up to 11 inches (28 cm) per year.

This consistent decline, coupled with the impact of rising sea levels induced by climate change, poses a significant threat to the city’s future.

Heri Andreas, a researcher at the Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia who co-authored the study on Jakarta’s land subsidence, said that parts of the city could be underwater by 2050.

Additionally, Andreas emphasized the gravity of this issue by highlighting that the potential for Jakarta to be submerge isn’t a laughing matter. If we look at our models, by 2050, about 95 percent of North Jakarta will be submerged.

Jakarta’s sinking caused by groundwater extraction

Evidence suggests the sinking in Jakarta stems from excessive extraction of groundwater. Jakarta heavily depends on groundwater sourced from underground aquifers. As the groundwater level decreases, it triggers the sinking of the land above, as outlined in the study.

Additionally, Jakarta faces many challenges, including dense population, overcrowding, traffic congestion, hazardous air pollution, and drinking water shortages, as reported by NASA.

Moreover, President Widodo envisions Indonesia’s new capital on Borneo to be fundamentally distinct from Jakarta, aiming to address the critical issues.

Nusantara’s website affirms its commitment to becoming a sustainable city fueled by renewable energy. It also outlines plans for residential and commercial buildings to be erected using stringent, environmentally-friendly construction techniques.

Borneo, the third-largest non-continental island globally, is considerably less densely populated compared to Java. The island is divided among Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, with Kalimantan constituting the majority of Indonesia’s territory.

Kalimantan offers ample space to establish a new, contemporary metropolis from the ground up. However, it’s crucial to note the island’s abundant natural habitats, according to Live Science.