France has urged its citizens to leave Mali “as soon as possible”, after a weekend of co-ordinated attacks by separatist fighters and Islamist militants. In an update on Wednesday, the advice also warned French citizens not to travel to the West African nation, describing the situation as “extremely volatile”. Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported across the country, including the capital, Bamako on Saturday. In Kati, the defence leader Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide bombing by militants, while in the north, separatist forces have taken control of the city of Kidal. Mali’s military leader Gen Assimi Goïta…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
A well-polished piece of wood will always attract attention at a glance. Whether it’s a handcrafted table, a polished cabinet, or a simple decorative item, the smoothness of the surface often determines its overall appeal. Still, the object’s surface quality can often be a decisive factor in its overall attractiveness. However, beneath that perfect finish is a methodical, necessary sanding with abrasive paper. Its significance is underrated by many, who think it is merely preparation. Even so, abrasive paper has a much more significant contribution to the ultimate appearance and feel of wood. It is the basis of quality craftsmanship…
When upgrading your home cleaning arsenal, it is easy to get distracted by impressive suction statistics, massive water tank capacities, and intelligent digital displays. However, the true effectiveness of any floor cleaning machine comes down to a single, highly abused component: the motorized roller brush. This rapidly spinning cylinder of fabric and bristles is the only part of the machine that actually makes physical contact with your floors. If this roller is compromised, the entire expensive extraction system fails. While you might rely on the best robot vacuum and mop to handle the passive daily sweeping in the background, a…
An Indian billionaire’s son has offered to help Colombia get rid of a problem it has grappled with for years – a herd of hippos linked to notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar. Escobar, who was shot dead by police in 1993, illegally imported exotic animals, including a male and a female hippopotamus – dubbed the “cocaine hippos”. Their population grew and Colombia tried various methods of control – including castration – to no avail. It has decided to cull some 80 of the animals. Anant Ambani – son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani – says he is “willing to…
African migrants in the South African capital, Pretoria, were urged to exercise “heightened vigilance” during an anti-illegal immigration march, amid fears of xenophobic attacks. Ghana’s high commission advised its nationals to close businesses and keep a “low profile”, while the head of the Nigerian Union of South Africa told its members to remain indoors. Another march is due on Wednesday in Johannesburg. Anti-migrant sentiment has gained political currency in recent years with some believing foreigners are taking jobs and unfairly benefiting from public services. But the president said citizens should not allow their concerns to “breed prejudices and hatred towards…
Finding an apartment that truly feels like home is about comfort and warmth. In a vibrant tech hub like Electronic City in Bangalore, convenience, comfort, and lifestyle blend together, making it easier for residents to settle in smoothly. If you are a young professional, a growing family, or someone looking for a balanced life, the right apartment can make all the difference. From easy access to daily necessities to spaces that encourage relaxation and community, living here offers a unique experience. With so much on offer, it’s no wonder more people are choosing this area. Let’s look at what makes…
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has defended a joke in which he called Melania Trump an “expectant widow” just days before a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The first lady described a Kimmel sketch which aired last Thursday as “hateful and violent”, and the White House urged his network, ABC, to fire the comedian. Three days later, a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ dinner in Washington DC, which Donald Trump attended with Melania. Authorities have said the gunman’s attack may have targeted members of the Trump administration. Kimmel said the original joke was a “light…
Special forces soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke has been a busy man in recent years – both in and out of uniform. He rose to the rank of master sergeant at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he signed non-disclosure agreements to deal with classified operations, including – prosecutors allege – his role in the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January. He set up a property company and bought at least six homes, overseeing long-term tenants and responding promptly to guests at his Airbnb cottage – a mountain retreat he called Daddy Bear Cave, complete with stylish finishes…
The bitter feud between Elon Musk and OpenAI boss Sam Altman has raged for years, but has mostly played out online in the form of accusations, counter-accusations and jibes. Musk was at it again on Monday, calling Altman “Scam Altman” in a post on X. But starting on Tuesday, the beef between the two tech billionaires will shift to a much higher-profile forum: a federal courtroom in California, where their row will be the focus of a month-long trial. Being considered is Musk’s claim that Altman – with whom he founded OpenAI – has swindled him out of millions of…
Mexican security forces have arrested a senior leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Audias Flores Silva, also known as “El Jardinero” or “The Gardener”, was found hiding in a drainage ditch after 500 members of the security forces closed in on him in the western state of Nayarit on Monday. Officials said that Flores, 45, was the right-hand man of Mexico’s most-wanted man, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, who died two months ago as a result of injuries sustained during a clash with soldiers deployed to arrest him. Flores was among a number of senior figures in the…
Megan Thee Stallion has quit her role in Moulin Rouge! The Musical almost three weeks early. The rapper was due to play Zidler in the Broadway stage show until 17 May, but announced on Instagram her last show at New York’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre would now be 1 May. Grammy award winner Megan, 31, was rushed to hospital at the end of March during a performance, and last week revealed she had split from basketball player Klay Thompson. Announcing her departure, Megan said: “It’s been such an honor to be part of thee Moulin Rouge family.” The star did not…
Tony Wilson, the bassist, songwriter and co-founder of the soul band Hot Chocolate, has died at the age of 89. Along with frontman Errol Brown, Wilson co-wrote hits such as You Sexy Thing and Emma, which took the band to the top of the charts in the 1970s, before leaving to start a solo career. The group were also the first predominantly black British group to achieve major chart success in America. Wilson died on Friday at his home in Trinidad, his family confirmed on social media. “Dad left us today,” his daughter wrote on Facebook. “He left a lot…
King Charles is expected to say “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together” during his address to the US Congress later on Tuesday. The centrepiece of the second day of the King’s state visit comes at a tense time in UK-US relations, during which President Donald Trump has repeatedly lambasted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over his response to the Iran war. Security in Washington DC is extremely tight, with the four-day state visit beginning just two days after a gunman stormed an event attended by the president in the capital. The King is…
Police are investigating an attempted theft incident that was reported at the residence of High Court Judge Nixon Sifuna in Kisii County. According to police, unknown individuals broke into the compound of the judge’s home in the Milimani area at 3:00 a.m. on April 27, 2026. The suspects targeted the judge’s official motor vehicle, an Isuzu, which was parked within the compound. They smashed the rear right quarter glass in an apparent attempt to gain access to the vehicle, police said. However, the vehicle’s alarm system was triggered during the break-in, alerting Justice Sifuna, who woke up and prompted the…
The White House will hold a meeting to review President Donald Trump’s security in the wake of Saturday’s shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a senior official confirmed to the BBC. Trump has stood by the Secret Service, which has come under scrutiny after an armed suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was able to get near a ballroom with more than 2,000 people, including Trump and cabinet members. Officers subdued Allen, who shot a federal agent wearing a bullet-proof vest during a brief gunfire exchange. The US president is expected to attend several high-profile events this year, including…