Counteroffensive Delayed, Hammerhead Sharks, and Kisses for a Whale

Ukraine Counteroffensive on Hold

Ukraine needs more time to begin its anticipated counteroffensive against Russia as it waits for armored vehicles and weapons promised by Western allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told broadcasters yesterday. 

Ukraine has started to receive advanced weapons and training from Western nations, including the US, but not everything has arrived, Zelenskyy said. He added the cost in lives would be too great if Ukraine were to proceed now with a counteroffensive. The latest holdup comes after spring weather in Ukraine caused muddy conditions, slowing down troops. 

In related news, the UK became the first country yesterday to send long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, which have a range of over 155 miles and could allow Ukraine to target areas behind the front lines, including Russian-occupied Crimea. Truck-mounted HIMARS launchers sent by the US can hit targets up to 50 miles away. See weapons Western allies have pledged here.

Separately, some Russian soldiers have reportedly left their positions in the eastern city of Bakhmut, with Ukraine making gains in recent days. See updates here.

Deep-Diving Sharks

A new study released yesterday revealed a species of hammerhead shark that has evolved to hold its breath for an average of 17 minutes at a time, likely in an effort to preserve body temperature as they make deep dives into colder waters in search of food. It is the first time such an ability has been observed in fish and suggests the animals developed a mechanism to counter a drop in blood-oxygen levels as breathing halts. 

Scalloped hammerheads have been known to hunt for prey at ocean depths where the temperature hovers around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, given sharks are ectothermic—or cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is regulated by the surrounding environment (see 101)—it remained a mystery how the animals functioned during extended dives. Researchers say the largest point of heat loss in fish is the gills and may correspond with a slowdown in heat muscle activity. 

Learn how hammerhead sharks evolved to possess their distinctive skull shape (w/video).

Van Der Sloot Extradited

Joran van der Sloot, the main suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, will be temporarily extradited to the US on an executive order from Peru to face charges of attempted extortion and wire fraud.

Holloway disappeared in May 2005 while traveling with high school classmates to Aruba. Van der Sloot, a Dutch national, is one of the last known people to be seen with Holloway. In 2010, a US jury indicted van der Sloot for attempting to extort $25K from Holloway’s mother by promising to disclose the location of her body, demanding an additional $225K after its discovery.

Under a 2001 treaty between Peru and the US, a person serving prison time can be extradited temporarily to the requesting country for prosecution. Peru initially said they would extradite van der Sloot in 2038 after he finished his 28-year sentence for the 2010 murder of Stephany Flores Ramirez. See a timeline of the case here.

Van der Sloot has never been officially charged with Holloway's death, and her body remains missing.

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