In the wake of his recent humanitarian visit to Cuba, RICHARD BURGON points to the now urgent need to defend the island’s political sovereignty and its right to self-determination
A pattern of extremes – from drought to floods
While the dry period has receded in Britain after a rainy spring, much of Europe remains parched, reports HANNAH CLOKE
BE CAREFUL what you wish for. Britain’s seesaw rainfall patterns that began last winter have continued, with an on-off pattern of dry and then wet months for many areas.
In the south of England, last year’s drought was still affecting parts of Britain in early December, with stores of water in reservoirs and groundwater lower than usual.
Seemingly endless rain followed over Christmas and January, before one of the driest Februaries on record led to renewed warnings of drought.
Similar stories
The ongoing floods in Pakistan could have been largely prevented, writes ABDUL RAHMAN


