Cruise ships are convenient floating hotels by which to see far-flung parts of the world – but as an epidemiologist, I know they are also everything an infectious pathogen could want: thousands of strangers packed into enclosed spaces for days or weeks, sharing dining rooms and high-touch surfaces such as elevator buttons and handrails, breathing…
Southern Russia is facing one of the largest environmental disasters in its modern history. In April, repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure in Tuapse triggered massive refinery fires and oil spills along the Black Sea coast, including near Sochi. Residents described “black rain” falling from the sky as smoke and petroleum residue spread across…
‘Chonkers’ the sea lion going viral in San Francisco
Hargeisa — The African Union has appointed former Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete as its High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, in a move aimed at strengthening diplomatic efforts in one of the continent’s most strategically sensitive regions. The appointment was announced on Tuesday by the Chairperson of the African…
The Chairperson of the AU Commission has appointed former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete as the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. In a statement issued today, Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said Kikwete will spearhead the AU’s efforts to address “the complex political, peace and security dynamics across the region.”…
For over three decades, satellites orbiting Earth have measured the height of the ocean surface with remarkable precision. These measurements are crucial because changes in ocean height are one of the clearest indicators of how our planet is responding to climate change. Rising ocean surfaces signal warming temperatures, melting ice and shifting ocean currents. These…
Listen to this article | 5 mins info Iranian explosive-laden boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them ablaze and killing one crew member, after projectiles struck three vessels in Gulf waters, according to reports. The ships targeted in late-night attacks on Wednesday in the Gulf near Iraq were the Marshall Islands-flagged…
The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, in March 2026 marks the end of a political era in the Middle Eastern country. Khamenei was killed in US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s capital, Tehran. This has triggered a war drawing in numerous countries across the Middle East. The Horn of Africa and Red…
Washington has said a visit by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to Africa aims to strengthen bilateral ties, but the timing raises questions about the US’s interests in the Red Sea corridor. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is on a diplomatic tour of Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti from January 24 to February 1. According to the Department of State, Landau’s…
The US has seized a sixth tanker in the Caribbean Sea in its ongoing efforts to control exports of Venezuelan oil, officials say. The vessel, Veronica, was boarded in a predawn operation “without incident” as it was defying President Donald Trump’s “quarantine of sanctioned vessels”, said the US military. “The only oil leaving Venezuela will…
