Today’s not only the first of the month or the start of the summer season meteorologically: It’s the first day of hurricane season 2009. On this day, forecasters often begin speculating about when the season’s first storm will form in the Atlantic. There’s no need to wonder about that this year, because there’s already been a tropical depression — before the official season even began
Tag Archives: africa
Prince Harry: New York trip has been ‘fantastic’
As Britain’s Prince Harry neared the end of his second and final day in New York City on Saturday, he described his experiences as "fantastic." The 24-year-old visited the Harlem Children’s Zone, a nonprofit organization that offers free programs and classes in a low-income area, then went to Governors Island in New York Harbor to play in the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic. Profits from the match will benefit Sentebale, a charity for orphans in Lesotho, Africa, a cause Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, had promoted. The prince was accompanied by Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who also lost his mother when he was young
Rick Steves, Travel Guide
Rick Steves, perhaps America’s most accomplished European tourist, was looking for a cheap but charming steak place in the ancient Tuscan town of Montepulciano last month. Following a local lead, he ducked into an osteria he’d never noticed before: a vaulted medieval cellar jammed with locals sitting at a common table. A man worked an open fire at the back of the room.
Violence spreads across South Africa
The atmosphere was tense in Cape Town on Friday after xenophobic violence that has left more than 40 dead in Johannesburg spread to South Africa’s largest city. Clashes overnight resulted in one death and 15 arrests and the evacuations of 420 foreign nationals, a police official in Cape Town said. “Crowds of people went on a rampage, looting and carrying out acts of violence,” said Cape Town Police Superintendent Billy Jones.
Somali president calls for help in battling Islamist militias
Somalia needs international help to fight Islamist extremists battling for power in the lawless Horn of Africa nation, the country’s moderate Islamist president said Monday.
Torture’s psychological impact ‘often worse’ than physical
Amir was a salesman before being arrested and taken to the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in 2003. During his time there, he says, he was forced to lay down in urine and feces, stay naked in his cell for days, and "howl like dogs do" while being pulled by a dog leash
In Somalia, Another Government Teetering?
Just last month, Western donors gathered in Brussels to pledge money to the new Somali government of Sheik Sharif Ahmed, in the hope that he could restore order and put an end to the offshore piracy that has plagued shipping off his country’s coastline. But renewed fighting in and around Mogadishu has raised fears that Somalia’s 15th government in 18 years is about to fail.
If You Knew Susi: Barcelona’s "Sad Elephant" Controversy
Admittedly, Susi looks sad. Her skin droops, and her dark eyes seem a little teary
Elephants suffering in Mali drought
The bodies of young elephants covered in the brown dirt of dried-up wells tell a heartrending story.
Nigerian military frees hostages in oil-rich region
Nigeria’s military has rescued 18 hostages held by militants in its oil-rich Niger Delta region, a military spokesman said Monday. The first group — nine Filipinos and five Nigerians — were released on Saturday, while four Ukrainians were released on Sunday, according to Col. Rabe Abubakar, spokesman for the Nigerian military’s joint task force