Topic: Sahara Desert

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In Pictures: Way beyond vacation: the 'Eat, Pray, Love' effect
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Keep Calm
Coup and counter-coup: Mali's military junta retains control of capital

Mali's military junta have kept control of the capital, Bamako, after loyalists of the former president launch a counter-coup. But the junta has lost much of the country to Tuareg rebels.
Rowdy soldiers loot Mali presidential palace after ousting leader

The whereabouts of the country's 63-year-old president Amadou Toumani Toure, who was just one month away from stepping down after a decade in office, could not be confirmed.
Keep Calm
Outgunned against rebels, Mali soldiers overthrow government

After a string of defeats against better armed Tuareg rebels, Mali's army staged a mutiny and overthrew the government.
Did Qaddafi downfall prompt Mali's Tuareg revolt?

Mali's military has been training to take on Al Qaeda insurgents, but the latest revolt by Mali's nomadic Tuareg people seems inspired by an influx of former Qaddafi fighters and arms.
Teaching on the run

Life lessons from a 100-mile expedition in the Indian desert.
Africa Monitor
Sahel Blog: European police deploy to the Sahel

Guest blogger Alex Thurston says that in the wake of 9 recent kidnappings, Europe is increasing its police and security presence in Africa's Sahel region affected by Al Qaeda's local affiliate.
Global News Blog
Rare score for Taiwan as local star wins LPGA tournament – at home

Taiwan's golfer Yani Tseng won the first ever Ladies Professional Golf Association tournament on home turf, a big event for Taiwanese, who see few visits by international stars or international events.
Qaddafi Watch
Qaddafi reportedly tracked heading south, although not in convoy

His plan may have been to rendezvous with the convoy outside of Libya.
NATO drops leaflets urging Qaddafi loyalists to surrender

One NATO leaflet directed at non-Libyan Qaddafi fighters warned in Arabic: 'You have been involved in violent acts against innocent Libyan civilians.... Leave this country now.'
Qaddafi Watch
Did Qaddafi flee to Niger? Libyan convoy in Niger is reminder of Sahel's close ties.

Muammar Qaddafi may not be in Niger, but he has lots of friends to Libya's south.
Terrorism & Security
Qaddafi regime rejects Libyan rebels' ultimatum to surrender

NATO is still hoping for a negotiated settlement with Libyan rebels to avoid more fighting, particularly in Qaddafi's hometown of Sirte. The deadline expires Saturday.
Atrocities and lack of supplies strain Tripoli (VIDEO)

In Tripoli, human rights workers and locals are uncovering evidence of mass killings by Muammar Qaddafi's retreating army. Meanwhile, water distribution and other basic services are in disarray.
Phoenix dust storm makes for dangerous driving and delays flights (Video)

Phoenix dust storm: The dust wall was about 3,000 feet high, said Austin Jamison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Visibility was down to less than a quarter-mile in some areas.
In Pictures: Way beyond vacation: the 'Eat, Pray, Love' effect
Libya's western rebels run tighter operation than eastern brethren

In the remote mountains of western Libya, the rebels have moved beyond the 'rag-tag' militia label often used to characterize the opposition in the east.
Libyan rebel says Osama bin Laden's death won't stop jihadist flow

'Al Qaeda [is] getting more and more organized and bringing people [to Libya] from abroad,' says the rebel, who has been contacted by militants wanting to fight against Col. Muammar Qaddafi.
Africans debate impact of Osama bin Laden killing

Kenya greeted Osama bin Laden's death as "justice." Other countries worry that America's battle against terrorism masks an attempt to expand military influence in Africa.
Terrorism & Security
Morocco bombing bears hallmark of Al Qaeda group

Thursday's bombing in a popular Morocco tourist spot killed at least 16, and could give Moroccan leaders reason to halt reform efforts instigated by prodemocracy protests.
Freedom now rings from one mountaintop radio station in western Libya

Radio Free Nalut's change from propaganda tool for Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi to rebel rallying cry highlights a new push to spread the revolution Libya's Qaddafi-controlled west.
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Currents
Qaddafi claims Al Qaeda could overrun Libya. Could it?

While most experts say Qaddafi is grossly exaggerating the influence of Al Qaeda, new questions are being raised about its true scope as Washington debates arming the opposition.
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Massive craters
Osama Bin Laden demands France withdraw from Afghanistan

Osama Bin Laden: Extremist groups associated with al-Qaida are holding at least seven French hostages, including five in the Sahara Desert and two in Afghanistan.
Horizons
Google logo today: Decoding Google's holiday doodle

Google launched an interactive holiday doodle logo today with 17 portraits of scenes around the world. Can you decipher it?
Western Sahara clashes threaten UN talks between Morocco, separatists

Violence on the North Africa coast comes as Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front begin informal talks at the United Nations in New York over the disputed Western Sahara.