Across Europe, coffee is far more than a drink — it is a ritual, a meeting point, a pause between moments, and sometimes even the centrepiece of entire neighbourhoods. The continent’s cafés have shaped revolutions, nurtured creative movements, and offered sanctuary to wanderers in search of warmth and conversation. Whether it’s the aroma drifting from a pavement terrace or the soft clatter of cups inside a historic coffeehouse, Europe invites travellers to slow down and savour the art of being present. From Lisbon’s dimly lit pastry counters to Stockholm’s candlelit corners and Vienna’s velvet booths, the continent’s café culture is…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
Every homeowner is aware that plumbing issues can remain unnoticeable until it suddenly progresses significantly without warning. At first, things seem to be working well, but any clogged drain, concealed leak, or faulty water heater can very easily disturb your daily routine. As a result, regular activities like cooking, cleaning, or bathing become inconvenient, and small problems can escalate to expensive fixes when they are not repaired immediately. Additionally, the pipes and connections are mostly concealed by walls and floors; hence, by the time they are exposed, the damage may have escalated. However, a clear understanding of the most common…
Oil and gas prices fell sharply on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump said that the war in Iran was “very complete, pretty much”. Crude almost reached $120 a barrel on Monday over fears that the conflict would cause lengthy disruption to energy supplies from the Middle East, but dropped back to below $90 following Trump’s comments. Although oil prices are still significantly higher than they were before the war, global stock markets rebounded. The boss of Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, the world’s biggest oil exporter, has warned of “catastrophic consequences” if the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route crucial to…
Unidentified suspects fired multiple shots at the US consulate in Toronto in what officials have described as a “national security incident”, as police work to determine the motive behind the attack. Authorities said the shooting occurred early on Tuesday morning at around 04:30 local time (08:30 GMT). Officers found shell casings at the scene, as well as damage to the building, said Frank Barredo, deputy chief of the Toronto Police. The US State Department said it was aware of the incident and was closely monitoring the situation in coordination with local law enforcement. It comes as Norwegian police investigate an…
Five members of the Iranian women’s football team have been granted humanitarian visas in Australia after their elimination in the Asian Cup, the government in Canberra says. Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the women “were moved to a safe location” by Australian police. He said other squad members had been told they were welcome to stay in the country. The women had been due to fly home, but supporters had raised fears for their safety after the team declined to sing the national anthem ahead of their match against South Korea last week. This prompted criticism in Iran, with one…
It was about 01:30 in the morning when a loud explosion tore through the Raouche neighbourhood in the heart of the Lebanese capital Beirut. The Israeli strike on the four-star Ramada Plaza hotel marked the first time in this war that Israel’s bombing campaign had struck the city centre – a bustling coastal area full of restaurants and hotels. Inside, the Israeli military said, was a secret meeting of Iranian operatives. The strike came without warning, and locals and displaced people staying in the area ran to their windows and balconies to see what had happened. Those on the streets…
Ramadan gifting is one of those things that can feel surprisingly tricky. You want to be thoughtful, respectful, and warm—without accidentally choosing something that feels generic, overly flashy, or just… not right for the season. The good news is you don’t need a huge budget or a complicated plan. You need a basic understanding of what Ramadan represents, a little awareness around timing and presentation, and a gift that feels useful or genuinely comforting. If you’re browsing Ramadan gifts in Dubai, this guide will help you choose something people actually appreciate—and avoid the common “well-meant but off” picks. What Makes…
Detectives drawn from Thika West Sub- county arraigned three notorious criminals behind a string of crimes, including murder, violent robbery, and abductions in Kiambu and Murang’a counties. The infamous trio, Peter Gitau Muchiri, 25, James Mwangi Njogu, 45, and Francis Kimani Maina, 36, arrest and subsequent arraignment follow a meticulous intelligence-led operation conducted by detectives from the Operations Support Unit (OSU) and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), as well as detectives from Kiambu, Thika West, and Gatanga. On March 9, 2026, the trio appeared before the Thika Law Courts, where they were slapped with charges of robbery with…
The Linda Mwananchi faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) accused the broad-based arrangement of sabotaging the 10-point agenda that was signed between the late longtime party leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto. According to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the party’s Central Management Committee was meant to submit progress reports every two months and a final report to the public on March 7, 2026. Led by Dr. Agnes Zani, the committee was formed on August 6, 2025, to oversee the agenda’s status, hold periodic meetings, and submit a final report this past Saturday. He questioned how the broad-based…
In a major shift in East Africa’s media landscape, Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development announced plans to fully divest from Nation Media Group (NMG), ending a 66-year ownership stake in the region’s largest independent media house. AKFED confirmed it has entered into an agreement to sell 100% of its shareholding in NPRT Holdings Africa Limited to Taarifa Limited, which is owned by Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi. NPRT Holdings Africa Limited was established eight months ago as part of an internal shareholder restructuring within Nation Media Group. The entity currently holds 92,618,177 shares in NMG, representing the Aga Khan Fund’s…
A delegation from the UK Border Force visited the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters for a consultative meeting aimed at strengthening cooperation in anti-narcotics operations. The delegation was led by Victoria Pullen, Director of Home Office Intelligence and International Operations. She was accompanied by Richard Lloyd, Deputy Head of the Africa Border Security Command; Kristoffer Hawksfield, Regional Manager for South and East Africa Border Security Command and Naz Khan, Liaison Manager at the Nairobi Office. Upon arrival, the delegation was received by Francis Ndiema, Director of the Investigation Bureau. During the engagement, Ms. Pullen commended the strong and productive…
Volkswagen has said it will cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 as its profits dropped to their lowest level since 2016. Chief executive Oliver Blume told shareholders that the cuts would take place in Germany and fall across the entire group, including Audi and Porsche. Europe’s largest carmaker said post-tax profits had fallen by around 44% in 2025. It said it was hit by US import tariffs, intense competition from China and high restructuring costs from the shift to electric vehicles. The firm projects a recovery in the coming year, but its finance chief stressed that it would have…
Lebanon’s president has called for direct negotiations with Israel as part of a proposal to end the escalating conflict with Hezbollah, while sharply criticising the Iran-backed group for dragging the country into a wider regional war. A spokesperson for President Joseph Aoun told the BBC that Lebanon was ready to negotiate, but not while the country remained under Israeli fire. Speaking during a virtual meeting with senior European Union officials on Monday, Aoun outlined what he described as a path towards “permanent security and stability arrangements on our borders”. Israeli officials have shown little sign of backing negotiations, and the…
Uber launched a feature allowing female drivers and passengers across the US to request trips with other women on the ride-hailing app. The feature was piloted in the US last year and led to women feeling “more comfortable in the back seat” and “more confident behind the wheel”, Uber said. The rollout comes despite an ongoing class action lawsuit in California, filed by Uber drivers who argue the move discriminates against men. Uber said around one-fifth of its drivers in the US are women, although the ratio varies by city. Uber’s Women Preferences was launched on Monday in response to…
Madagascar’s military ruler Col Michael Randrianirina dissolved the government unexpectedly, dismissing the prime minister and the entire cabinet, according to a statement from his spokesperson. “The government has ceased its functions” it said, adding that Randrianirina will appoint a new prime minister “in line with the provisions stipulated by the constitution”. No reason was given for the move. Randrianirina seized power last October from Andry Rajoelina, following weeks of youth-led protests on the Indian Ocean island. Rajoelina had been elected president for a third term in a disputed poll in 2023. The demonstrations were over persistent power and water shortages,…