Tropical Storm Danny formed in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas on Wednesday and set a course that could take it near the northeastern US states as a hurricane by the weekend.
The fourth tropical storm of the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season posed no foreseeable threat to the Gulf of Mexico oil wells and on its most likely track was expected to stay well out to sea for the next few days, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
Danny's first approach to land is likely to come early tomorrow, when it would be off the vulnerable coastal islands of North Carolina. By tomorrow afternoon it was expected to be nearing the coast around Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as a Category 1 hurricane. Canada's Atlantic provinces, drenched at the weekend by Hurricane Bill, look to be a target again.
Danny's expected track will take it farther to the west than Bill, putting New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador all in the danger zone.
Bill, which killed two US people,passed close to eastern Canada's oil,natural gas and refinery operations but did not cause major damage.
Tropical storms and hurricanes are tracked by energy traders concerned about disruption.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Taiwanese president approves visit by Dalai Lama
Taiwan President Ma Yingjeou yesterday approved a visit next week by the Dalai Lama to the typhoon-hit island in a move analysts say could damage Taipei's efforts to improve ties with China.
"We have decided to the Dalai Lama's visit to pray for the souls of the deceased and seek blessings for the survivors of the typhoon," Ma told reporters.
The Dalai Lama, whom Beijing has accused of trying to split Tibet from China and reacts angrily to any country or territory hosting him, said last year that he wanted to visit Taiwan but Ma said then that the timing was not right.
The visit is likely to be greeted with consternation in Beijing because China regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force, if necessary.
The Dalai Lama is expected to see the south of the island after it was battered by a devastating typhoon two weeks ago which left 463 people dead.
"Ma risks undoing the goodwill he has built up with China by meeting the Dalai Lama," said George Tsai, a China expert at the Taipeibased Chinese Culture University.
In Beijing, China's Taiwan Affairs Office declined to comment on the visit.
"We have decided to the Dalai Lama's visit to pray for the souls of the deceased and seek blessings for the survivors of the typhoon," Ma told reporters.
The Dalai Lama, whom Beijing has accused of trying to split Tibet from China and reacts angrily to any country or territory hosting him, said last year that he wanted to visit Taiwan but Ma said then that the timing was not right.
The visit is likely to be greeted with consternation in Beijing because China regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force, if necessary.
The Dalai Lama is expected to see the south of the island after it was battered by a devastating typhoon two weeks ago which left 463 people dead.
"Ma risks undoing the goodwill he has built up with China by meeting the Dalai Lama," said George Tsai, a China expert at the Taipeibased Chinese Culture University.
In Beijing, China's Taiwan Affairs Office declined to comment on the visit.
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