German Woman Killed in Shark Attack Off Canary Islands

A Spanish Salvamento Maritimo (Sea Search and Rescue agency) vessel escorts a 'cayuco' boat with 28 migrants, arriving at La Restinga port on the Canary island of El Hierro, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Antonio SEMPERE / AFP)
A Spanish Salvamento Maritimo (Sea Search and Rescue agency) vessel escorts a 'cayuco' boat with 28 migrants, arriving at La Restinga port on the Canary island of El Hierro, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Antonio SEMPERE / AFP)
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German Woman Killed in Shark Attack Off Canary Islands

A Spanish Salvamento Maritimo (Sea Search and Rescue agency) vessel escorts a 'cayuco' boat with 28 migrants, arriving at La Restinga port on the Canary island of El Hierro, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Antonio SEMPERE / AFP)
A Spanish Salvamento Maritimo (Sea Search and Rescue agency) vessel escorts a 'cayuco' boat with 28 migrants, arriving at La Restinga port on the Canary island of El Hierro, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Antonio SEMPERE / AFP)

A German woman died after she was attacked by a shark while swimming beside her catamaran in high seas between Spain's Canary Islands and West Africa, a police spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The woman, aged 30, was travelling on a catamaran that had sailed southbound from Gran Canaria island on Sept. 14. She was attacked by a shark that bit off one of her legs, the police said.
Coastguards flew from Gran Canaria to the area, 514 kilometers (320 miles) south of the island, and evacuated her, but she died from the wound in the helicopter.
Even though a few shark species are large and aggressive enough to hunt animals the size of humans, actual shark attacks and fatalities are rare around the world. The Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File (ISAF) identified 14 shark-related fatalities around the world in 2023.
ISAF has recorded only six confirmed shark-related incidents in Spain's history.



Saudi Northern Borders Witness Return of Diplotaxis

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Saudi Northern Borders Witness Return of Diplotaxis

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

The Saudi Northern Borders region, renowned for its diverse desert landscape, is witnessing the resurgence of the Diplotaxis, a vibrant yellow-flowered species that had become increasingly rare.
This resurgence is attributed to continuous conservation efforts, including the establishment of wildlife reserves and the implementation of stricter environmental protection laws, according to SPA.
Diplotaxis is an annual plant in the Northern Boreders region, typically reaching half a meter in height. Its hairy leaves, an adaptation to the harsh desert climate, help retain moisture. The plant thrives in gravelly soils and blooms in spring with fragrant yellow flowers.
Aman Environmental Association Board of Directors Chairman Nasser Al-Majlad told SPA that the early rainfall this year fostered the growth of numerous plant species, including Diplotaxis, which had been absent from the area for several years.
The Northern Borders region boasts a rich variety of plant life, including aromatic, seasonal, and annual species.

This diverse flora plays a crucial role in combating desertification, stabilizing soil, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing the region's environmental health. Moreover, it contributes to the region's tourism appeal.