It’s a bittersweet Easter for chocolate lovers and African cocoa farmers but big brands see profits

ACCRA, Ghana — Shoppers may get a bitter surprise in their Easter baskets this year. Chocolate eggs and bunnies are more expensive than ever as changing climate patterns eat into global cocoa supplies and the earnings of farmers in West Africa. About three-quarters of the world’s cocoa — the main ingredient in chocolate — are … Read more

Schools to reopen in South Sudan after two weeks of extreme heat

JUBA, South Sudan — South Sudan’s government on Tuesday said schools will reopen next week following a two-week closure due to extreme heat across the country. The health and education ministries said temperatures were expected to steadily drop with the rainy season set to begin in the coming days. South Sudan in recent years has … Read more

Malawi follows Zambia in declaring drought disaster as El Niño brings hunger to southern Africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The southern African nation of Malawi has declared a state of disaster over drought in 23 of its 28 districts and the president says it urgently needs more than $200 million in humanitarian assistance, less than a month after neighboring Zambia also appealed for help. Malawi is the latest country … Read more

The ‘Taylor Swift effect’ aims to provide water during Brazil’s life-threatening heat waves

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian climatologist Núbia Beray Armond for years had been sounding the alarm about Rio de Janeiro’s need for an extreme heat plan including water distribution. Interest was tepid until a disastrous Taylor Swift concert — and now her phone won’t stop ringing. A stifling heat wave blanketed southeast Brazil the day … Read more

South Sudan shutters all schools as it prepares for an extreme heat wave

JUBA, South Sudan — JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudan’s government is closing down all schools starting Monday as the country prepares for a wave of extreme heat expected to last two weeks. The health and education ministries advised parents to keep all children indoors as temperatures are expected to soar to 45 degrees … Read more

Former Treasury Secretary Mnuchin is putting together an investor group to buy TikTok

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is building an investor group to acquire ByteDance’s TikTok, as a bipartisan piece of legislation winding its way through Congress threatens its continued existence in the U.S. The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bipartisan bill that if signed into law would force ByteDance to either divest its flagship … Read more

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he’s not donating money to Trump or Biden

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla, at the Viva Tech fair in Paris, France, on Friday, June 16, 2023. Nathan Laine | Bloomberg | Getty Images Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday he will not donate to the campaigns of either President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump. “Just to be super clear, … Read more

Mexico City drought causes rainwater catchment basin to catch fire and burn for a day

MEXICO CITY — Mexico City’s drought and water shortage is so bad that one of the capital’s rainwater catchment basins caught fire Tuesday, scorching 75 acres (30 hectares) of dried-up vegetation. The Mexico City fire department said in a statement that the fire had been brought under control by late afternoon, although photos distributed by … Read more

Heavy winter rains in Pakistan kill at least 29 as buildings collapse and landslides block roads

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistani authorities said Sunday at least 29 people died and 50 others injured due to heavy rains that swept across the country in the past 48 hours, causing several houses to collapse and landslides to block roads, particularly in the northwest. This comes as Pakistan is also witnessing severe snowfall. About 23 … Read more

Sydney Sweeney Braves Rainy Weather While Heading to ‘SNL’ Studios Ahead of Hosting Gig | Sydney Sweeney | Just Jared: Celebrity News and Gossip

Sat, 02 March 2024 at 2:12 pm Sydney Sweeney is on her way to the Saturday Night Live studios! The 26-year-old Madame Web and Euphoria actress braved the rainy weather as she left her hotel and headed to the studio on Saturday afternoon (March 2) in New York City. PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics … Read more