Best-selling author Joanna Trollope has died aged 82, her family has announced. The writer was known as the “queen of the Aga saga” because her novels often focused on romance and intrigue in middle England, although she rejected the tag as “patronising”. In a statement, her daughters Louise and Antonia said their “beloved and inspirational mother” had died “peacefully at her Oxfordshire home” on Thursday. Trollope’s novels include The Rector’s Wife, Marrying The Mistress, Second Honeymoon and Daughters in Law. Trollope’s literary agent James Gill said in a statement: It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
M23 fighters asserted control over Uvira in eastern DR Congo on Friday, making locals sweep the streets after the city’s capture by the Rwanda-backed militia two days ago, residents told AFP. Part of an offensive launched at the beginning of December in South Kivu province along the Burundian border, the armed group’s takeover follows its capture of the major cities of Goma and Bukavu in January and February. The M23’s capture of Uvira — a city of several hundred thousand — allows it to cont rol the land border with Burundi and cut Kinshasa off from military support from its…
A popular Ghanaian social media influencer known as Abu Trica, whose real name is Frederick Kumi, has been arrested over allegations he orchestrated a romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of over $8m (£5.9m). Prosecutors said he used AI tools to create fake online identities, targeting victims through social media and dating sites, earning their trust then extorting their money. Kumi faces charges in the US of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and a money laundering conspiracy and faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. The 31-year-old was arrested in Ghana following a joint operation between the…
US President Donald Trump said he has pardoned former Colorado elections clerk Tina Peters, who is serving a nine-year sentence for allowing unauthorised access to voting machines during the 2020 presidential election. Peters was convicted last year on seven state charges, including three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation. Presidential powers to pardon are widely understood to apply only to federal crimes – not those at a state level. In a statement, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said Trump’s pardon has no legal precedent and “will not hold up”.…
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at blocking states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence (AI) regulations. “We want to have one central source of approval,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. It will give the Trump administration tools to push back on the most “onerous” state rules, said White House AI adviser David Sacks. The government will not oppose AI regulations around children’s safety, he added. The move marks a win for technology giants who have called for US-wide AI legislation as it could have a major impact on America’s goal of…
Taylor Swift broke down in tears after meeting survivors and families of the victims of the Southport stabbing attack, backstage footage from her Eras tour reveals. The star met privately with some of those affected by the attack in July 2024, which took place at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop, and claimed the lives of three young girls. Afterwards, she sobbed in her dressing room, as her mother, Andrea, tried to comfort her. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I know you helped them,” she said. Swift, who was already in her stage costume, then had to pick…
Global fashion brand Prada has announced a line of limited-edition footwear inspired by Indian-made Kolhapuri sandals, months after it faced backlash for allegedly appropriating the sandal’s design. The Italian luxury brand will make 2,000 pairs of sandals in India’s Maharashtra and Karnataka states, under a deal with two state-backed entities, Reuters news agency reports. “We’ll mix the original manufacturer’s standard capabilities with our manufacturing techniques”, Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s head of Corporate Social Responsibility, said. The collection is set to go on sale in February 2026, online and in 40 Prada stores across the world. A pair of sandals are reportedly…
Have you ever fallen in love with the delicate charm of anemones only to watch their petals fade too soon? These graceful blooms may look fragile, but with the right care, they can remain stunning for days. Their bold centers and soft layers make them a favorite in modern décor and floral gifts. However, keeping them fresh requires attention and patience. When properly cared for, Anemone bouquets can last up to a week or more, maintaining their elegance and vibrant hues. You buy them for a celebration or personal joy, knowing how to handle these blooms ensures they stay picture-perfect…
Launching a crypto exchange in Estonia in 2026 offers a clear regulatory pathway, EU-wide reach under MiCA, and one of the most advanced digital infrastructures in Europe. Estonia remains among the most attractive jurisdictions for building compliant virtual asset platforms thanks to its transparent FIU supervision, efficient licensing procedures, and predictable requirements. Regulatory landscape in 2026 All crypto exchanges in Estonia must operate as VASPs under the fully implemented MiCA framework. The Estonian FIU oversees compliance, focusing on governance quality, AML/CFT controls, capital sufficiency, IT security, and consumer protection. Before beginning the process, businesses should understand the regulators’ expectations, especially…
Austria passed a law banning headscarves in schools for girls under the age of 14. The conservative-led coalition of three centrist parties, the ÖVP, the SPÖ and the Neos, says the law is a “clear commitment to gender equality”, but critics say it will fuel anti-Muslim feeling in the country and could be unconstitutional. The measure will apply to girls in both public and private schools. In 2020, a similar headscarf ban for girls under 10 was struck down by the Constitutional Court, because it specifically targeted Muslims. The terms of the new law mean girls under 14 will be…
Disney agreed to invest $1bn (£740m) in OpenAI as part of a deal which will let people use many of its iconic characters in the chatbot ChatGPT and video-generation tool Sora. It is the first major studio to license parts of its catalogue to the tech giant, in a move which could have major implications for the studio’s future plans. It means fans will be able to generate and share pictures and videos of more than 200 characters from Disney’s franchises, including Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars. The move comes as OpenAI faces mounting questions about how its rapidly advancing…
Ethiopian police have arrested a sixth popular TikTok creator days after five other influencers were detained over allegations of wearing “indecent attire” at a public event in the culturally conservative country. Adonay Berhane, 25, is a lifestyle and motivational creator with close to four million followers, who was named “TikToker of the Year” at the TikTok Creative Award 2025 – the same ceremony now at the centre of the controversy. Police said on Wednesday evening that he was under investigation. The detentions have ignited widespread debate across Ethiopian social media. Supporters argue the arrests violate freedom of expression and stifle…
A federal judge in Maryland ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ICE custody “immediately,” according to a Thursday court filing, a significant development in the case concerning the El Salvadoran mistakenly deported this year before being returned to the United States. “Since Abrego Garcia’s return from wrongful detention in El Salvador, he has been re-detained, again without lawful authority,” district Judge Paula Xinis wrote. “For this reason, the Court will GRANT Abrego Garcia’s Petition for immediate release from ICE custody.” “Abrego Garcia’s case demands judicial intervention,” Xinis said. “Because Abrego Garcia has been held in ICE detention to…
President William Ruto conferred the rank of Senior Counsel on 54 advocates of the High Court of Kenya at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday. He told the newly conferred senior counsel that their elevation brings an even greater responsibility to safeguard democracy, strengthen institutions of justice, support necessary reforms, and widen access to justice. “The Senior Counsel Conferment Rules, particularly Rule 7, set an even higher bar for you: They require sustained excellence in active practice, distinguished advocacy before the superior courts, dedicated mentorship of younger advocates, faithful service to the Law Society of Kenya, meaningful scholarly contribution, and an…
The tax man announced new appointments aimed at enhancing their operations for revenue collection. A statement from the Kenya Revenue Authority said the appointments had been approved by the board as the institution organisational transtormation, technows modemizaton and evidence driven policy agenda. Brian Omooria Nyakeri was appointed as the Commissioner for Business Strategy, Technology and Enterprise Modernization Department, effective January 12, 2026. The statement said Nyakeri brings over 20 years of extensive experience from the private sector, with a distinguished career in digital transformation, enterprise architecture, clond technologies, and large-scale systems modernization. His most recent posting was at Agile Cloud…