Hyperactive Hurricane Season Expected
This hurricane season could be a threatening one according to predictions by a top U.S climate agency. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts between 14 and 23 named storms. These NOAA predictions place the 2010 Hurricane season in the highest category of ‘hyperactive.’ While the NOAA does not predict the whether or not these storms will hit land, Jane Lubchenko, PhD., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere told the CBC, “The greater likelihood of storms brings an increased risk of a landfall.” The NOAA predict an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season this year and anticipates 3-7 major hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June 1 until the end of November. The NOAA estimates its predictions on the number of storms to be 70% accurate.
An active hurricane season could obliterate any effort to clean up the BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, now the largest oil spill in American history. Depending on future weather patterns, a storm or hurricane in the Gulf could further spread the oil along the storm path. In light of the oil leak, the NOAA has released some historical statistics on hurricanes in the Gulf, following their commitment to avoid predicting landfall or damage due to hurricanes. The NOAA states that “Historically, all above normal seasons have produced at least one named storm in the Gulf of Mexico, and 95% of those seasons have at least two named storms in the Gulf.”
Despite whatever may occur between hurricanes and the oil spill, preventing human casualties is paramount. U.S President Barack Obama encouraged U.S citizens to make a family disaster plan, secure their homes and take other precautions listed on the NOAA website.
Canada, one may recall, is not immune to hurricane strikes. Hurricane Juan hit Nova Scotia in 2003, causing extensive damage and eight deaths.
Omar al-Bashir Still President of Sudan
Despite being wanted for war crimes, Omar al-Bashir has again been sworn in as the Sudanese president. Even though the April elections are regarded as ‘controversial’ the election has been recognized internationally. For the first time in 24 years, Mr. Bashir faced other parties in the election. His victory has been credited to the mistrust within the opposing parties and election fraud.
International rights organization Human Rights Watch suggested that governments interested in justice for Darfur should avoid attending the inauguration. In defiance of this organization, five African presidents did contribute to Mr. Bashir’s audience, those of: Ethiopia, Chad, Malawi, Mauritania and Djibouti. Of those in attendance, BBC correspondent James Copnall had this to say: “it gave a touch of prestige to the proceedings, though Western nations were in general represented by locally based diplomats, and sometimes not even the ambassador. In some circles it is not the done thing to be seen in public with a man wanted for alleged war crimes.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has charged Mr. Bashir with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. In his 30 minute inauguration speech, Mr. Bashir did not refer to the court. Because of Mr. Bashir’s internationally recognized government, the effectiveness of the ICC has been called into question. Amnesty Africa specialist Noel Kututwa denied the apparent powerlessness of the ICC: “It delays justice, but it doesn’t make the organization ineffective.”
The next few months will be interesting for Sudan. In January southern Sudan will vote on possible independence. Mr. Bashir has been a longtime supporter of Sudanese unity, having initially come to power during the 21 year long civil war between north and south. Southern Sudan is statistically the “hungriest place on earth” despite having the oil fields which provide much of Sudan’s wealth. It is believed if the January vote is free the South will break away from Mr. Bashir, taking its oil with it.
North Korea Still the Worst Neighbour in the World
North Korea has decided not to participate in an agreement preventing naval clashes with South Korea. This action from North Korea comes in the wake of the conclusion the South Korean ship Cheonan was sunk by a North Korean torpedo. The Cheonan was torpedoed on March 26th, and all 46 people on board were killed.
South Korea proposed an agreement with the North in order to clarify nautical behaviour between the two nations, with the interest of avoiding future clashes and loss of life. North Korea has denied they were responsible for the torpedo which sank the Cheonan in the face of the international probe, which states the opposite. Throwing out the possibility for an agreement between the two countries has been retaliation for the North being blamed for the torpedo. The North Korean military has warned they will attack in the case of a South Korean naval violation of the disputed border in the Yellow Sea.
On May 24th, South Korea issued a statement that all trade between with the North had been frozen. North Korea followed this with a statement the next day that it was severing all ties with South Korea. The emerging scene is one of increased tension – North Korea has also banned all ships and planes from its territory.
In response, South Korea has begun anti-submarine drills. These drills are the first visible sign of South Korea raising its defense in response to the sinking of the Cheonan. South Korea has also sought action through the United Nations Security Council. North and South Korea have technically been at war since 1953, when conflict ended without a peace treaty. The sinking of the Cheonan has been the first naval conflict between the two Koreas since a North Korean submarine ran aground near Gangneung during a spy mission in 1996.
