Clark Boyd
Timbuktu Locals Said to Have Rescued Ancient Texts
Initial reports from Timbuktu suggested that tens of thousands of priceless documents had been destroyed when Islamist rebels burned down the city’s Ahmed Baba Institute as they fled. However, it now appears that locals saved at least some of the documents.
Chinlone: Kicking it in Myanmar
Later this year, Myanmar plays host to the South East Asian Games. Myanmar officials want to include a sport called chinlone in the line-up. We find out more from Canadian filmmaker and chinlone expert Greg Hamilton.
What It’s Like to Pilot Drones
Piloting a drone can be a strange mix of reality and virtual reality. A former British drone pilot weighed in on what it’s like to fly drones, and the potential moral implications.
Square to Be Named in Honor of The Clash’s Joe Strummer
The city of Granada, Spain looks set to name a square located near the iconic Alhambra in honor of the late Joe Strummer, once the frontman of British punk rockers The Clash.
Boeing Dreamliner Makes Emergency Landing in Japan
A Boeing 787 was forced to make an emergency landing in Japan after battery problems developed during a flight. It’s the latest in a string of incidents for Boeing’s Dreamliner.
Saying Goodbye to Military Working Dog Rex
Rex served as a US military working dog in Iraq. He was the subject of a book written by his Marine handler, Mike Dowling. Just before Christmas, Rex died at the age of 11.
US Ambassador to Finland Goes Great Guns
Bruce Oreck is the US Ambassador to Finland. He also happens to be a former professional body-builder. And now, Oreck is flexing his diplomatic muscle on the cover of Finland’s ProBody magazine.
Museum of London Unearths Rare Christmas Audio Recordings
A series of audio recordings made on wax cylinders from 1902 to 1917 has curators at the Museum of London all abuzz. They detail the holiday happenings of the Wall family from North London.
Citizen Science to Help Identify African Animals
A new “citizen science” project allows armchair researchers the chance to help identify and classify animals in one of Africa’s oldest national parks.
Banana Island Instead of Boardwalk: African City Gets Own Version of Monopoly
For Wednesday’s Geo Quiz, we’re looking for the African city that’s just gotten its own version of the popular Monopoly board game. One clue — in this version, Boardwalk has been replaced by a place called Banana Island.
European ‘Brew’ – haha Over Raising Beer Taxes
Tuesday’s Geo Quiz is all about the beer. We’re looking for the name of the European country that wants to raise taxes on beer by 160 percent.
Remembering Astronomer Sir Patrick Moore
Astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, the monocled surveyor of the sky who awakened an interest in galactic goings on for many Britons, died Sunday. He was 89.
Remembering Mathias Rust’s Flight to Red Square
Twenty-five years ago, at the height of the Cold War, a Soviet court sentenced 19-year-old West German Mathias Rust to four years in prison. He flew a single engine plane into Moscow and taxied into Red Square.
The Ghosts of History
Dutch historical consultant Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse found some old WWII era negatives at an Amsterdam flea market a few years ago. She decided to mash up the old photos with their present day locations. The result is a project called Ghosts of History.
London’s ‘Great Smog of 1952′
Sixty years ago a thick fog enveloped London. But it wasn’t just your normal “pea-souper.” The World’s Clark Boyd has the story.
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