What We Loved This Week, May 1 – 7

Published May 6, 2016
Updated May 5, 2016

A Rare Look Inside America’s Infamous Prison For Terrorists

Guantanamo Fence

Rows of fences and barbed wire divide the different areas at Camp Delta, opened in April 2002 to replace the infamous Camp X-Ray, where the first prisoners were held in cages, shackled, and hooded. Camp Delta is empty now except for the administrative offices and the prisoner library that remain open. Photo: Ricardo Mir de Francia / The Washington Post

Since the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the Guantanamo Bay detention facility has gotten plenty of ink and started plenty of debates over its shadowy treatment of terror suspects. But for all that ink and all those debates, none of us knew that much about it.

But recently, just after President Obama announced plans to close the facility, the Pentagon invited 11 journalists to tour and photograph the facility, finally providing a rare look inside.

Ricardo Mir de Francia, a journalist for the Barcelona newspaper El Periodico de Catalunya, was among those invited. And while the military refused to release a number of his photos, we can see the striking shots he did come away with at The Washington Post.

Guantanamo Prisoner

A prisoner fixes his scarf as he walks on the first floor of a block in Camp Six. Photo: Ricardo Mir de Francia / The Washington Post

Guantanamo Mcdonalds

The Guantanamo Bay Naval base has a “downtown” including a McDonald’s restaurant, a chapel, a grocery store, a souvenir shop and an open air cinema. Photo: Ricardo Mir de Francia / The Washington Post

29 Of The Weirdest Animals On Earth

Axolotl

Axolotl. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Some glide through the dark abyss of the ocean depths while others hang from trees in dark jungle canopies. Some sport enormous eyes while others have horned flesh or bubble gum pink skin. Some skirt the line between gorgeous and terrifying, and all are absolutely fascinating. These are 29 of the most incredibly weird animals on Earth.

Giraffe Weevil

Giraffe Weevil. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Two Star Nosed Moles

Star-Nosed Mole. Photo: Flickr

All That's Interesting
A New York-based publisher established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science to share stories that illuminate our world.