Peter Rhodes on deadly eagles, armed police – and the end of warfare as we know it?
Some farmers in the Hebrides blame huge sea eagles, reintroduced under a rewilding programme, for snatching and eating Shetland pony foals.
Sea eagles are the aerial equivalent of the great white shark, famously described in Jaws as “ a swimming appetite.” Eagles have no conscience and no mercy, merely the overwhelming need to feed. And if they can carry off a baby pony, they can carry off a baby.
China is showing off its latest weapon, a laser weapon designed to snuff drones and other weapons out of the sky. This could mean the end of attack drones and any other weapons using shells, bullets or missiles – the end of warfare as we know it.
And when an entire generation of weapons is rendered obsolete, what will one nation use to vanquish another nation? I'd put my money on germs.
Our house insurance policy has obligingly renewed itself. Studying the small print, I discover we are covered for “fire, lightning, explosion or earthquake but not from burns or scorching, unless accompanied by flames.” Good to get that sorted.
