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Monday, October 31, 2011
American Identified As Bomber In Attack On African Union In Somalia
American Identified as Bomber in Attack on African Union in Somalia
By JOSH KRON
Published: October 30, 2011
MOGADISHU, Somalia — The voice in the recording sounds unmistakably familiar — the tenor, the colloquialisms — a boy who grew up in America.
The voice on a suicide message is said to be that of Abdisalan Hussein Ali, a Somali-American who joined the Shabab rebels.
Multimedia
Related
Militants Strike at Troops at Base in Somali Capital (October 30, 2011)
Times Topic: Somalia
The recording was a suicide message, posted online on Sunday by an Islamist militia aligned with Al Qaeda. The voice was said to be that of Abdisalan Hussein Ali, 22, who was born in Somalia but spent his formative years in Minneapolis.
His life appeared to have come full circle here on Saturday, when he is said to have blown himself up in an attack on African Union troops in Mogadishu. He would be the third American known to become a suicide bomber for Somalia’sShabab rebels.
The Shabab said that Mr. Ali was one of two suicide bombers in the attack, which the militant group said killed scores of peacekeepers. The African Union has confirmed that it suffered casualties, but has not disclosed the number.
But as the Shabab have lost power and support in Somalia in recent months, the battle has turned into a war of words as much as weapons, and the claim of an American suicide bomber packs a powerful punch.
Omar Jamal, a Somali diplomat at the United Nations, said that Mr. Ali was one of the bombers. Mr. Ali’s friends and family listened to the recording, Mr. Jamal said, “and they all say that it is him.”
A spokesman for the American Embassy in Nairobi said the United States had “seen reports” that one of the bombers was an American citizen, and was investigating them.
Mr. Ali was known by the F.B.I. to be one of an estimated 30 Americans who have joined the Shabab, at least 20 of whom came from the Somali community in Minneapolis.
He had been an ambitious pre-med student at the University of Minnesota, hoping for an internship at the Mayo Clinic, before he disappeared in 2008. The audio recording, in which the speaker exhorts Westerners to join the fight, appears to reflect those qualities.
“Don’t just sit around, you know, and be, you know, a couch potato and just like, just chill all day,” the voice on the recording says. “Today jihad is what is most important. It’s not important that you become a doctor, or some sort of engineer.”
For Mr. Ali, life began in war and seems to have ended that way. He was only a few months old when his family fled the strife in Somalia in a makeshift boat, landing first at a Kenyan refugee camp, his mother told The New York Times in a 2009 interview. The family, with 12 children, arrived in Seattle in 2000 and then moved to Minneapolis.
Minneapolis has embraced generations of refugees from around the world, and Mr. Ali’s high school, Thomas Alva Edison High in northeast Minneapolis, calls itself an “International World School,” offering open houses to prospective students in Spanish;Hmong, which is spoken in Southeast Asia; and Somali.
During high school, he sold sneakers out of his locker to make money to help support his family. He lifted weights, and his friends called him “Bullethead.” He was elected president of the school’s Somali Student Association, and he later became a caseworker at a prestigious law firm. At the University of Minnesota, he majored in chemistry and held a part-time job as a security guard at the management school there.
“He was a highly motivated kid,” said a fellow student, an upperclassman who became his mentor. “He wanted to change lives.”
Why and when he turned to Islamic militancy is unclear.
A friend of Mr. Ali’s, who attended middle school and then college with him, said they were part of a tight-knit group of Somali-Americans who grew up together and would talk about Somalia and debate politics.
“There was a desire in all of us, that our parents always talk about, the great Somalia,” the friend said, who did not want to be identified for fear of being questioned by the F.B.I. Mr. Ali was not her first Somali friend to join the Shabab, she said, nor the first to die as a member of the group.
She described Mr. Ali as “very outgoing.”
“We used to call him a womanizer,” she said. “He was always in with the ladies. But then all that changed.”
In Arabic class, he started sitting in the back, not talking to anyone. “But then again, you’re not going to look at him and say his personality changed, he’s going to get radical and leave the country,” she said. “In college that’s when you find out who you are, so I didn’t think much of it then.”
One night in 2008, he was wrongly accused of robbing a Subway sandwich shop on campus. Friends said the experience left a mark on him long after the charges were dropped.
In November 2008, he disappeared, along with two other Somali-Americans. “For an unknown reason the family thinks that” Mr. Ali “may have got on a plane and went somewhere,” a Minneapolis Police Department missing persons report says.
The Shabab, which controlled most of southern Somalia by the end of last year but have since lost ground, have posted videos on YouTube aimed at encouraging young Somali-Americans to come here. Many have heeded the call.
In October 2008, Shirwa Ahmed, also from Minneapolis, blew himself up in one of a string of Shabab attacks in northern Somalia. In May of this year, Farah Mohamed Beledi, 27, of St. Paul, tried to attack a government checkpoint in Mogadishu but was killed by African Union troops before he could detonate his explosives.
Another American, from Washington State, was reported to have been part of a suicide squad that attacked an African Union base in Mogadishu in 2009, killing more than 15 peacekeepers, but his identity has not been confirmed. And this month, two Somali-American women from Minnesota were convicted of aiding the Shabab.
However, many Somali-Americans have returned, not to fight, but to help rebuild the country, including the current prime minister and his predecessor.
Speaking of Saturday’s suicide attack, the weak American-backed transitional government expressed sorrow over what it said was not just a loss of life, but of a vital human resource.
“It’s tragic, because we were hoping for this young man to come back and take part in the rebuilding of the country,” said Suldan A. Farahsed, a government spokesman. “We needed young people like that.”
Mr. Ali kept in touch with his old life back in the United States by telephone and Facebook. His Facebook page shows him wearing a skullcap and wielding a baseball bat.
The friend says that Mr. Ali and a mutual friend last exchanged Facebook messages three weeks ago, but that the mutual friend stopped contacting Mr. Ali because “he said things that made her uncomfortable.”
Two years ago, he told a friend in Minneapolis that he would never attack the United States.
“Why would I do that?” the friend recalled Mr. Ali saying. “My mom could be walking down the street.”
Sunday, October 30, 2011
36 Hours In Cape Town
36 HOURS
36 Hours in Cape Town
Pieter Bauermeister for The New York Times
From left: Dancing at St. Yves, an upscale club in Camps Bay; the soccer stadium, built for the 2010 World Cup; at the District Six Museum, in a former meeting place for anti-apartheid activity. More Photos »
By ELAINE SCIOLINO
Published: October 27, 2011
CAPE TOWN overwhelms the senses. Its cultivated side, the bright lights and big buildings of the city center, collides with its geography — the dazzle and danger of the wind-whipped mountains and the two oceans that embrace it. The 2010 World Cup soccer tournament transformed parts of its infrastructure. A 55,000-seat stadium was built. High-end hotels, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and B&Bs opened. But prices soared, and the tourist trade since then has disappointed. Some businesses have closed; several construction projects remain unfinished. Yet the urban revival continues in the City Bowl (the center), in the area around the University of Cape Town and in the old industrial neighborhood of Woodstock. Despite the grinding poverty in the townships on the city’s outskirts, this is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world, where adventurers can sky-dive, kite-surf, rock-climb, hang-glide, shark-cage-dive; others can explore with less daring but just as much enthusiasm.
Multimedia
Friday
2 p.m.
1) BACK IN TIME
1) BACK IN TIME
Start with the history of apartheid and a visit to District Six, once home to an ethnically and racially diverse community of freed slaves, artisans, merchants, workers and immigrants. In the 1960s, the apartheid government forcibly removed them and razed their homes in order to impose racial separation. Thirty years later, the District Six Museum (25A Buitenkant Street; 27-21-466-7200;districtsix.co.za; 20 rand, or $2.50 at 8 rand to the dollar) was opened in a restored church, the former meeting place for anti-apartheid activity. The museum pays tribute to the community’s memory by displaying the artifacts and photographs that remain. Noor Ebrahim, who wrote a memoir of his life in District Six and minds a small museum shop, is also a storyteller and will share memories of the weddings, funerals and street life of a place that was once quite different. The museum also offers guided walking tours of the neighborhood.
4 p.m.
2) MORE THAN A GARDEN
2) MORE THAN A GARDEN
Set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the 1,300-acre Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Rhodes Drive, Newlands; 27-21-799-8783; sanbi.org; 40 rand) was created in 1913 to protect southern Africa’s indigenous plants, and now holds more than 7,000 species. The garden includes a cultivated area perfect for picnics. The natural forest is home to more than 125 species of birds, as well as mammals, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates. Don’t miss the Fragrance Garden. There are temporary art exhibitions, a summer concert series (the Southern Hemisphere’s summer has begun) featuring South African artists, and guided tours.
6 p.m.
3) TOP OF THE TABLE
3) TOP OF THE TABLE
Table Mountain (27-21-424-8181; tablemountain.net; 175 rand online, 195 at the ticket office, round trip) is to Cape Town what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris — a grand monument that both defines and dominates the cityscape. Ride the rotating cable car up the 3,560-foot granite and sandstone mountain for glorious sunset views of Cape Town. (The strenuous hike up takes about two hours.) The top of the mountain is navigated by a network of walking paths. Be prepared to change plans suddenly if clouds descend.
8 p.m.
4) SWINGING AND SWAYING
4) SWINGING AND SWAYING
Every variety of cuisine and entertainment is available in Cape Town. But why not try a local favorite? On Tuesday through Sunday evenings, Marco’s Africa Place (15 Rose Lane, Bo-Kaap; 27-21-423-5412; marcosafricanplace.co.za) is where the locals gather. They are encouraged to stand on the tables to swing and sway when the live bands and costumed dancers perform, and even to perform themselves. The food, a mix of simple African and Cape Malay, is almost beside the point. Try the grilled game platter, chicken livers, ox tongue, samp (a coarse meal) and beans. Mama’s brandy tart is a must. About 300 rand for dinner, with beer.
11:30 p.m.
5) NIGHT ON THE ATLANTIC
5) NIGHT ON THE ATLANTIC
Grab a drink with the young crowd at Café Caprice (37 Victoria Road; 27-21-438-8315;cafecaprice.co.za), an outdoor bar on the promenade in Camps Bay. Or head a few doors down to an upscale, upstairs club, St. Yves (The Promenade, Victoria Road; 27-21-438-0826; styves.co.za), for late-night dancing and beautiful-people-watching. The outdoor seating area overlooks the sandy beach and ocean beyond. Resist the impulse to follow the late-night-dip daredevils into the freezing Atlantic where there’s sometimes the chance of a close encounter with a shark.
Saturday
9 a.m.
6) OSTRICH BURGERS
6) OSTRICH BURGERS
Start the day with a kaleidoscope of flavors at the Old Biscuit Mill in a renovated Victorian mill complex in the Woodstock area. A meeting place as well as a dining spot, it sells freshly made food from all over the world (French pastries, Greek falafel, Asian noodles, Spanish paella, Dutch pancakes, a wine-tasting bar, the zingiest of bloody marys, the freshest mozzarella). Not to miss, no matter what the hour, is an ostrich burger hot off the grill (50 rand). There are clothing and crafts stalls and stores nearby (373-375 Albert Road; 27-21-447-8194; theoldbiscuitmill.co.za); lots of free samples. A hearty brunch is 100 to 150 rand.
11:30 a.m.
7) OLD AND NEW TREASURES
7) OLD AND NEW TREASURES
Cobblestoned Greenmarket Square, one of South Africa’s oldest public squares, offers dozens of densely packed stalls selling reasonably priced local crafts, including beaded jewelry, African masks and carved-bone household goods. Merchants are eager to talk about their wares and negotiate prices (Shortmarket and Burg Streets; 27-21-426-1052). From there, head to Long Street, where young designers have opened boutiques and wrought-iron balconies lend a New Orleans feel to the street. Swaziland-born Thulare Monareng, who studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, recently opened Fashion Collage Deli (219-223 Long Street; 27-21422- 2774), where her displays are set out in deli fridges, Coca-Cola crates and shopping carts. Clarke’s Bookshop (211 Long Street; 27-21-423-5739; clarkesbooks.co.za) has maps, prints and books on southern Africa and excellent recommendations on South African litera-ture. The African Music Store (134 Long Street; 27-21-426-0857; africanmusicstore.co.za) offers a superb selection of music from all over the continent as well as working radios made almost entirely from recycled wire, plastic and beer bottle caps.
3 p.m.
8) WINE SIPPING
8) WINE SIPPING
No visit to Cape Town is complete without a stop in at least one of the region’s sun-kissed vineyards. Less than 30 minutes away, in the upscale suburb of Constantia on Cape Town’s historic wine route, the hospitality is warm at Groot Constantia (27-21-794-5128;grootconstantia.co.za). Dating back to 1685, it is one of the country’s oldest wine estates, elegant and inviting with its manor house, rows of oaks and vast selection of wines.
8:30 p.m.
9) SUSHI ADDICTS
9) SUSHI ADDICTS
There is only one reason to go to the V&A Waterfront, which is overpriced and has the feel of a giant globalized shopping mall: Sevruga (Shop 4, Quay 5, V&A Waterfront; 27-21-421-5134; www.sevruga.co.za). Sevruga offers local fish, fusion salads and an excellent wine cellar of the best South African wines. To really savor the fresh catch of the day, order the sushi — a great deal, always half-price (a platter of 26 pieces costs 120 rand). Book a table by the window with a view of the waterfront through the portholes.
10:30 p.m.
10) COCKTAILS AND MUSIC
10) COCKTAILS AND MUSIC
Head to Asoka (68 Kloof Street; 27-21- 422- 0909; asokabar.co.za), a stylish, intimate bar, for its music and yummy cocktails, from a classic mai tai with pineapple (45 rand) to the risqué Porn Star Martini with passion fruit (48 rand), in a restored Victorian house. With a comfortable, feng shui design, Asoka attracts a racially diverse crowd of 20- and 30-somethings. Depending on the night, the music and dancing might be even better at Fiction DJ Bar & Lounge (226 Long Street; 27-21-424-5709; fictionbar.com) or Zula Sound Bar (98 Long Street; 27-21-424-2442; zulabar.co.za) on nearby Long Street.
Sunday
8 a.m.
11) HEADING SOUTH
11) HEADING SOUTH
Who can visit Cape Town without seeing the Cape of Good Hope? Rent a car and drive south. Beware of baboons on the mountain passes! Stop in Simon’s Town for breakfast and then an encounter with waddling, braying African penguins (an endangered species) at Boulders Beach. Continue on to the Cape of Good Hope, the symbolic meeting point of two oceans even though the geographical point is farther south at Cape Agulhas. Wind your way down the steep wooden staircases to Diaz Beach, a partly hidden cove on the sea. Return to the city via the 114 curves of Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world.
IF YOU GO
Camps Bay Retreat (7 Chilworth Road, Camps Bay; 27-21-437-8300;campsbayretreat.com), on a four-acre sanctuary, offers ocean views, a tennis court, swimming pools, a spa and excellent service. Double rooms, with breakfast, start at 2,750 (about $350) rand in high season.
The Protea Hotel North Wharf is walking distance to the V&A Waterfront and has a rooftop pool and 67 rooms and suites (1 Lower Bree Street; 27-21-443-4600;proteahotels.com). A two-bedroom suite starts at about 1,920 rand.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
South Africa's Rocket Man Elon Musk Prepares To Launch A Dragon Capsule To The ISS
SPACEX DRAGON 2 ARRIVES AT LAUNCH SITE
- Analysis by Irene Klotz Tue Oct 25, 2011 07:22 PM ET (0) Comments | Leave a Comment
After a drive across the country, a Dragon spaceship, designed and built by SpaceX, Elon Musk's aerospace company, arrived in Florida for launch on a mission to prove the private sector has the right stuff to take over a traditional government role of flying in orbit.
Dragon, which will be launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from a revamped launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, will be carrying food, water and other non-essential supplies the International Space Station (ISS). The cargo needs to be "non-essential" because if Dragon doesn't make it through a series of in-orbit tests, it won’t be cleared for docking at the station, tentatively targeted for four days after launch.
Nevertheless, SpaceX is confident it will become the first private company to fly to the outpost.
"We'll be prepared to go all the way to the station," company vice president for communications Bobby Block told a small group of reporters gathered Monday at SpaceX's Florida launch complex.
The company intends to be ready to fly as early as Dec. 19, though the NASA manager in charge of the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program office Alan Lindenmoyer tells Discovery News he doubts the flight will take place before the end of the year.
SpaceX has spent about $800 million developing the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule, about half of which came from NASA. The U.S. space agency ended its 30-year-old space shuttle program this summer and is dependent on partner countries to fly cargo -- and crews -- to the orbital outpost. NASA already has hired SpaceX, as well as a second company, Orbital Sciences Corp., to fly cargo to the space station beginning next year.
Orbital plans to debut its Taurus 2 rocket and Cygnus capsule next year. SpaceX has twice flown its Falcon 9 rocket, the last of which put the company's first Dragon capsule into orbit for a trial run around the planet.
SpaceX also has a $75 million NASA contract to develop a launch escape system -- the critical piece of equipment needed to upgrade Dragon from a freighter to a passenger spaceship. NASA hopes to turn over station crew ferry flights to one or more private U.S. companies by about 2016.
Image: top: Artist's rendering of Dragon approaching station. Credit: NASA. Right: SpaceX technicians begin preparing the company’s second Dragon capsule for launch, with the aim of flying it all the way to the International Space Station. Credit: Irene Klotz/Discovery News.
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