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“Russian spy” beluga whale found dead in water off Norway
A harness-wearing beluga whale known for sparking speculation that he was a spy trained by the Russian navy has died, marine organizations tracking him said Saturday.
Hvaldimir, spotted with the harness in 2019, was found dead in heavily trafficked waters just outside of Stavanger, Norway, according to OneWhale.The organization does not believe the beluga’s death was natural and has asked Norwegian authorities to perform a necropsy.
“We are heartbroken,” OneWhale wrote in a Facebook post. “We are angry, too, as we have had to fight so hard, for so long to help him out of danger. And he was finally so close to having a better life. But We are angry at those who worked to block his move and spread misinformation.”
Hvaldimir may have been killed by a ship strike, a OneWhale member said. Before his death, the beluga was healthy, fit and a good weight. He also did not show any signs of having any diseases.
Belugas are vulnerable to pollution, habitat degradation, harassment, interactions with commercial and recreational fisheries, oil and gas exploration, disease, predation from killer whales and other types of human disturbance, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The population was also once threatened by commercial and sport hunting.
Hvaldimir was given his name based on “Hval,” the Norwegian word for whale and “Vladimir, ” a nod to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the whale’s alleged association with Russia.
The Russian military has a history of trying to weaponize sea mammals, CBS News previously reported. Last year, British military spies said Russia appeared to be training combat dolphins to counter Ukrainian forces.
Hvaldimir was comfortable with people and would retrieve rings thrown into the water, according to previous reports. A OneWhale member described him as a “sweet, loving, kind and gentle angel of a whale.”
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Hyundai, Kia recall more than 208,000 electric vehicles over power loss issue
Hyundai and Kia are recalling more than 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a problem that can cause the loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall covers more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis including some IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 EVs along with Genesis GV60, Genesis GV70 and Genesis G80 models.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the vehicles’ transistors in a charging control unit may get damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery, “which can result in a loss of drive power.”
In the Kia recall, nearly 63,000 EV6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024 are impacted.
Car dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed, as well as update software. Owners whose vehicles were recalled earlier this year to fix the same problem will have to visit their dealer again.
Owners will be notified by letter in December and January.
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