Kenya remains one of Africa’s most developed countries, but has been dealt several setbacks in the past few years. Political and tribal conflicts, unstable neighbors (Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia), and a crushing drought last year have left much of Kenya on hold, trying to regain recent momentum. The tourist trade has begun to pick up, nearly returning to the record levels – $810 million dollars earned in 2009

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Scenes from Kenya
Nine days after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake killed hundreds of people in south-central Chile, relief efforts were beginning to reach those in need, rescue missions became recovery missions, and rebuilding is already under way. In the days since the February 27th quake, nearly 150 aftershocks have been recorded, including thirteen above magnitude 6.0. The government has been criticized by Chileans, who say the response was slow and inefficient

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Chile, nine days later
Photographer Jason Hawkes, a frequent contributor to the Big Picture blog, returns today, sharing with us some of his latest images of American cities seen from above at night – New York City and Las Vegas, both cities that undergo significant transformations after the sun goes down. From Hawkes: “The images of New York were shot on Nikons latest camera, the D3S, using three gyro stabilizing mounts and flown using twin star helicopters.

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NYC and Las Vegas from above, at night
Last Monday (March 1st), people in India and other countries with large Hindu populations celebrated Holi, the Festival of Colors. A welcoming of Spring, Holi is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil. Hindu devotees and others enthusiastically drop their inhibitions, and chase each other in temples and through the streets, playfully splashing colorful paint, powder and water on each other.

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Holi 2010
Three days after one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded struck the South American nation of Chile, the massive extent of the damage is becoming clearer, and the number of known victims has climbed to 723 deaths so far, many thousands still missing, and nearly 2 million displaced. World governments made immediate pledges of aid after Chilean President Michelle Bachelet requested mobile bridges, field hospitals, satellite phones, electrical generators, disaster assessment teams, water purification systems, field kitchens and restaurants, UN officials said.

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Chile, three days later
Seventeen days after it began, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver are now complete. A total of 258 medals were awarded, with the United States, Germany, and Canada collecting the most medals

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Vancouver 2010, part 2 of 2
In southern Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, Thousands of American, Afghan and British troops entered Marja in the biggest offensive of the war, with the goal of destroying the Taliban’s largest haven and restoring government presence in southern Afghanistan. Resistance was sporadic and fierce as troops seized positions around the area.

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Afghanistan, February, 2010
Indonesia, a sprawling country of contrasts is made up of 17,500 islands and populated by over 240 million people, and is home to the world’s largest population of Muslims. Recent news stories from Indonesia include deadly mudslides, controversy over a statue of US President Barack Obama (who attended school there as a child), and stricter enforcement of Muslim sharia law, instituted in Aceh province, where a recently passed law bans women from wearing tight trousers.

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Recent scenes from Indonesia
It’s the season of Fashion Week, from Bryant Park in New York last week to London this week, and Milan, Los Angeles and Tokyo next month. As designers and their models gather to present their newest collections to the world, photographers are on hand to take thousands of pictures, most during the actual show – with a few photos from the backstage of each show sent across the wires as well.

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Backstage during Fashion Week
Today is Day 8 of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver Canada, almost the halfway mark, and it’s time to have a look at the activities in British Columbia. Over 100 medals have been awarded so far, with the United States, Germany, Norway and Canada leading the medal race. This year’s event has been nicknamed by some as the Glitch Games, with more than its share of problems, from a malfunctioning cauldron on opening night to weather problems and course troubles.

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Vancouver 2010, part 1 of 2