Rattan is all the rage in the home decor space. From partitions to wardrobe shutters and seating, it provides a subtle statement that is both organic and elegant. Sourced from over 600 species of palms native to tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Australasia
Tushar, Mannat share lead at AM Green IGPL Invitational CongoTushar, Mannat share lead at AM Green IGPL Invitational Congo Published on: Apr 21, 2026 2:19 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Lubumbashi , Young golfers Tushar Pannu and Mannat Brar turned in a matching six-under 67 to share the lead after
Apple will have been planning this succession for a long time. Rumours were circulating for a while that 65-year-old Tim Cook was thinking about stepping down, and while a few potential replacements popped up, the name which stuck was the firm's vice president of hardware, 51-year-old John Ternus
Apple has announced a major leadership change. On April 20, the company named John Ternus as its next CEO, with Tim Cook set to move into the role of executive chairman from September 1. This marks a big shift, as a long-time insider prepares to take charge during an important phase for the company
A simple shoulder cloth, the melthundu, has a rich history in Tamil Nadu. It began as a gesture of respect, was later used to challenge caste norms, and became a symbol of equality. Dravidian leaders adopted it as part of their identity. Today
Over 700 citizens, including former civil servants, academics, activists, and journalists, have written to the Election Commission of India alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the nation on April 18.Over 700 citizens
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he considered visits by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow but not Kyiv "disrespectful". The pair visited the Russian capital late last year as ceasefire talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine gained pace, and again in January
'World-class buildings, third-class roads': Mohandas Pai on Bengaluru and Mumbai infrastructureIn a post on X, Mohandas Pai called out glaring gaps between “world-class” private developments and crumbling public spaces in cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai. Updated on: Apr 21
US launches strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria
US launches strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria
The US has launched strikes against militants linked to the Islamic State group (IS) in north-western Nigeria, where militants have sought to establish a foothold.
Camps run by the group in Sokoto state, which lies on Nigeria's border with Niger, were hit, the US military said, adding that an "initial assessment" suggested "multiple" fatalities.
US President Donald Trump said the Christmas Day strikes were "powerful and deadly" and labelled the group "terrorist scum", saying it had been "targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians".
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar told the BBC it was a "joint operation" and had "nothing to do with a particular religion".
Tuggar said the strikes had been planned "for quite some time" and had used intelligence information provided by Nigeria. He also did not rule out further strikes.
Referencing the timing of the strikes, he said they did not have "anything to do with Christmas, it could be any other day - it is to do with attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians".
The Nigerian government has for several years been fighting a complex network of jihadist groups, which includes Boko Haram and IS-linked splinter groups, but largely in the north-east of the country, hundreds of miles away from Sokoto state.
Eyewitness Umar Jabo told BBC News that the attack took place late on Thursday night near the village of Jabo: "Everyone thought it was a plane. It crashed in fields."
His comment was backed up by images posted on social media that showed local people standing in a field filming the burning aftermath of the attack.
Umar Jabo denied any IS fighters had been killed: "Here in Jabo, we live peacefully, and there is no conflict between us and Christians."
The Trump administration has previously accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from jihadist attacks and has claimed a "genocide" is being perpetrated.
Trump has labelled Nigeria a "country of particular concern", a designation used by the US state department that provides for sanctions against countries "engaged in severe violations of religious freedom".
The US military was ordered to prepare to intervene in Nigeria in November.
At the time, an adviser to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu told BBC News that militants had targeted people "across faiths", and said any US military action should be carried out jointly.
Groups monitoring violence say there is no evidence to suggest that Christians are being killed more than Muslims in Nigeria, which is divided roughly evenly between followers of the two religions.
In a social media post late on Christmas Day confirming the strikes, Trump said that he would "not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper".
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that he was "grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation".
"Merry Christmas!" he added, writing on X.
The US Department of Defense later posted a short video that appeared to show a missile being launched from a ship.
On Friday morning, the Nigerian foreign ministry said in a statement that the country's authorities "remain engaged in structured security co-operation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorist and violent extremism".
"This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West," the statement said.
Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and IS-linked offshoots have wrought havoc in north-eastern Nigeria for more than a decade, killing thousands of people.
Most victims have been Muslims, according to Acled, a group that analyses political violence around the world.
Nigerian human rights lawyer and conflict analyst Bulama Bukati speculated that Thursday's strikes had targeted a relatively new IS-aligned splinter group, which originated in the Sahel region and has recently moved its fighters to Nigeria.
The largest IS-linked group in Nigeria - Islamic State West Africa Province - operates in the north-east of the country, he told BBC World Service, while the smaller group - known locally as Lakurawa - has sought to establish a base in north-western Sokoto state.
He continued: "They started slipping into Nigeria in 2018 but over the past 18 months or two years they established camps in Sokoto state and Kebbi state.
They have been launching attacks and imposing their social laws over people in Sokoto state over the past 18 months or so.
Local lawmaker Bashar Isah Jabo was adamant that the village had no IS or Lakurawa members at all, and he said the area where the missile fell was less than 500m (1,600ft) from a local hospital.
According to BBC Monitoring, a pro-IS social media channel has been reporting on almost daily US reconnaissance flights in Sokoto, as well as in the north-eastern state of Borno, where the Nigeria's largest IS-linked group has its stronghold.
In central Nigeria, there are also frequent clashes between mostly Muslim herders and farming groups, who are often Christian, over access to water and pasture.
Deadly cycles of tit-for-tat attacks have also seen thousands killed - but atrocities have been committed on both sides.
The Nigeria strikes are the second major US intervention targeting IS in recent weeks.
Last week, the US said it had carried out a "massive strike" against IS in Syria.
US Central Command (Centcom) said fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery "struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria". Aircraft from Jordan were also involved.
Those strikes were launched in retaliation for the killing of three Americans - two soldiers and a civilian interpreter - in an ambush launched by the group.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: US launches deadly strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria US launches 'powerful strikes' against Islamic State in Nigeria Biggest uprising against Islamic regime in process 2 militants involved in Sep 19 ambush on Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur arrested In 2000, Kashmir family lost son to militants Security forces arrest three militants over fuel station blast in Manipur’s Bishnupur district Iran executes six militants accused of ties to Israel 92 militants killed 5 militants killed after attacking paramilitary force headquarters in Pakistan Italy mulls burqa and niqab ban in public areas to combat ‘Islamic Separatism’
Artist Nalini Malani to reflect on patriarchal violence of wars at Venice BiennaleArtist Nalini Malani to reflect on patriarchal violence of wars at Venice Biennale Published on: Apr 21, 2026 4:56 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, In her latest body of mixed media work
1 hours ago
Apple's leadership change is the start of a new phase for the iPhone maker, in which the focus will be on whether its deep hardware heritage can be successfully fused with AI to sustain growth in a fast-evolving tech landscape, Wall Street analysts said
1 hours ago
Indian opener Shafali Verma has risen to sixth in the ICC Women's T20I Batting Rankings. Her half-century against South Africa boosted her position. Smriti Mandhana has dropped to fourth. Harmanpreet Kaur is now eleventh. Jemimah Rodrigues has fallen to fourteenth
1 hours ago
In a rare call, China’s President Xi Jinping spoke on the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to urge the restoration of transit through the vital waterway. He also pushed for an end to hostilities in the Middle East.In a rare call
1 hours ago
A viral post on X revealing a kindergarten fee of more than Rs 2.5 lakh a year has sparked fresh outrage online, with many questioning why parents are being asked to pay such a huge amount for pre-primary education. The post, shared by a user named Sakshi, drew widespread attention after she wrote
1 hours ago
Eleven persons were injured in a clash in a gurdwara in Germany on Sunday following disagreements about the management and financial affairs of the institution, India Today reported. The dispute involves the election of a new board to manage the institution and the administration of community
1 hours ago
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday supplied a quick clarification soon after the BJP went into a complete uproar over his “terrorist" charge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kharge said all he meant is that Prime Minister Modi, who he said “always threatens"
1 hours ago
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has released the third round of lottery results for Balvatika and Class 1 admissions for the 2026-27 academic session. Parents who submitted online applications between March 20 and April 2 can now check their child’s selection status on the official KVS
1 hours ago
Madhav Viradiya has emerged as the Maharashtra topper in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026, securing 100 percentile in both sessions 1 and 2. The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the results late on Monday evening, with 26 students achieving a perfect 100 percentile
1 hours ago
The Indian Premier League isn’t just cricket, it’s theatre. It’s swagger, strategy, last-over drama, and personalities that feel larger than life. And much like a well-crafted cocktail, every team brings its own blend of intensity, flair, and character to the field
1 hours ago
Dyson unveils travel-friendly ‘Supersonic’ hair dryer for users on the moveDyson has introduced a new, compact hairdryer designed for travel that claims to offer consistent styling performance in a smaller, lighter design. Published on: Apr 21
1 hours ago
The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday granted four more weeks to the Assam government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to respond to petitions seeking action against him for alleged hate speech against Muslims, Live Law reported. During the hearing
1 hours ago
19 Tamil Nadu fishermen return home following release from Sri LankaThe returnees were greeted with emotional reunions after being caught in the crosshairs of maritime boundary disputes. Updated on: Apr 21, 2026 5:02 PM IST ANI Share via Copy link A group of 19 fishermen from Thangachimadam
1 hours ago
Are your vitamin D levels low? Experts explain its function beyond bone strength; share why deficiency is commonDespite being a country with ample sunlight, vitamin D deficiency is very common in India. Experts explain why you shouldn't ignore it. Published on: Apr 21
1 hours ago
'Iran has violated ceasefire': Donald Trump reiterates amid peace talks deadlockDonald Trump has been offering mixed messages about the path ahead for the Iran war as the ceasefire deadline approches. Published on: Apr 21, 2026 5:24 PM IST By Shivam Pratap Singh Share via Copy link US President
1 hours ago
Apple on Monday (April 20, 2026) named insider John Ternus as its next CEO, tasking the long-time hardware chief to steer the company after Tim Cook as the iPhone maker gears up for an industry change spurred by artificial intelligence. Mr. Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001
1 hours ago
iPhone-maker Apple has announced a top-deck transition with CEO Tim Cook set to step down and hand over the reins to longtime hardware chief -- a 'reboot' that marks the end of Cook's decade-and-a-half long tenure defined by quiet leadership style and sustained growth
1 hours ago
US Republican leader Nikki Haley on Tuesday alleged that a vessel recently intercepted by the United States amid a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was en route from China to Iran, carrying chemicals linked to missile development. Taking to X, Haley wrote
1 hours ago
Daadi Ki Shaadi trailer: Kapil Sharma’s wedding plans go haywire as Neetu Kapoor’s 'savage daadi’ decides to marryKapil Sharma returns with family comedy Daadi Ki Shaadi, featuring Neetu Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and Sadia Khateeb. Apr 21, 2026
1 hours ago
This 43-year-old actor is the ‘World’s Most Beautiful Star 2026’; has a big release aheadA Hollywood star has been named People magazine’s ‘World’s Most Beautiful Star 2026’, with a big upcoming release adding to the excitement around her career. Apr 21, 2026
1 hours ago
Madonna has offered a reward for the return of the outfit she wore on stage at Coachella last weekend, after several of her vintage costume pieces went missing following the festival. "These aren't just clothes, they are part of my history," the Queen of Pop wrote on Instagram
1 hours ago
Indian travel plans for the summer are being quietly but decisively redrawn. As tensions in the due to the Iran war disrupt flight routes and raise costs as well as safety concerns, many travellers are stepping back from long-haul trips to Europe and the US. Instead
1 hours ago
The Skoda Slavia Sportline offers a sportier design with blacked-out styling, sitting between mid and top variants. Priced from Rs 13.49 lakh, it comes with two petrol engine options, strong safety features, and practical space. It balances style, performance
1 hours ago
Amid the World Athletics’ (WA) decision to designate India as country with “extremely high" risk of doping, the government says it remains firmly committed to the promotion of clean sport and the protection of athlete integrity through a robust and evolving anti-doping framework
1 hours ago
India, Singapore charting out roadmap for digital corridor, green shipping: officialIndia, Singapore charting out roadmap for digital corridor, green shipping: official Published on: Apr 21, 2026 5:08 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Singapore
1 hours ago
As Tim Cook steps down, we look at Apple’s more mixed launches under his leadershipAs Tim Cook steps down, this piece explores Apple’s slower pace in AI, absence in foldables, and the limited reach of Vision Pro despite its innovation. Updated on: Apr 21
1 hours ago
Japan on Tuesday (April 21, 2026) endorsed scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change of its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry and deepen cooperation with defense partners. The approval by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet of the new
1 hours ago
