Teenagers toyed with guns at a museum exhibit. Young men posed in front of posters of the country’s military leader. Over dinner in restaurants, families watched television monitors showing footage of drone strikes.The event was billed as a national cultural festival in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. But it often resembled a mobilization campaign in the all-out war against the Islamist terrorists who have gradually occupied the country in recent years.“The motherland or death,” Alaila Ilboudo, a spoken word artist, shouted onstage to the cheers of crowds at the festival, held in May in Bobo-Dioulasso, the country’s second…
Author: catfish
You don’t need a licence to enjoy all the fun and excitement of go-karting at Tailem Bend’s Motorsport Park. Kids from age eight can experience the thrill, thanks to their new family, tandem karts. Review by Carla Caruso If you’ve ever wanted to experience what it’s like to be a race car driver, then The Bend Kartdrome is THE place to head! Maybe you know The Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend – about an hour’s drive from the city – as a location for spectator sports, like car and motorbike racing. But did you know that you can…
Pigeon Forge, nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is a bustling town known for its vibrant entertainment scene. With over 10 million visitors annually, Pigeon Forge offers a variety of activities that can make your evenings as exciting as your days. If you’re looking for ways to fill your nights with fun and memorable experiences, this guide will provide you with the best evening activities in Pigeon Forge. Whether you’re seeking thrilling shows, serene natural beauty, or lively music, Pigeon Forge has something for everyone. Let’s explore some of the best ways to spend your evenings in this…
Toumani Diabaté, a virtuoso of the kora, a 21-stringed West African instrument, which he often put into dialogue with other musical traditions from around the globe, died on Friday in Bamako, Mali. He was 58.His death, in a hospital, was caused by kidney failure, said his manager, Saul Presa.Born in Mali to a line of griots, or traditional West African musician-historians, that he traced back more than 70 generations, Mr. Diabaté was devoted to celebrating the heritage of Mandé-speaking peoples throughout West Africa, and to sharing that history with the world.“If you think of West Africa as a body, then…
For the last three years, scientists in South Africa have been trying to unravel a grim marine mystery: What was happening to the Cape fur seals?The boisterous marine mammals, which are common along the nation’s shores, began washing up dead in enormous numbers. Pregnant females delivered dead premature pups. And some seals began displaying unusually aggressive behavior, attacking humans, dogs and each other.Some scientists suspected that a neurotoxin produced by algae might be to blame. In recent weeks, however, another specter has come into focus: rabies.So far, 17 seals have tested positive for the virus, said Tess Gridley, a founding…
Stanford researchers gave a popular A.I. chatbot a language test.They asked the bot in Vietnamese to write a traditional poem in the form known as “song thất lục bát” that follows a pattern of lines made up of seven, seven, six, then eight words. When the bot spit out an answer, it wrote a poem, but didn’t follow the format.The team tried a different prompt, asking what the proper Vietnamese word was for a mother’s younger brother, and it responded with the words for a father’s younger and older siblings.These flaws are not unique to Claude 3.5, the chatbot by…
Book Review of What Is Math Good For, Anyway?Sponsored* | All opinions are our ownThe Children’s Book Review Written by Nicole Frankel Illustrated by Firman Putra Ages 4+ | 31 Pages Publisher: Nicole Frankel Books (2024) | ISBN-13: 9798987604335 What to Expect: Education, math, practical knowledge, and problem-solving. Math can be one of the most challenging subjects to get young readers excited about, perhaps because it can feel very abstract. In this cheerful picture book, readers discover that math is a part of everyday life and can help them solve problems and get what they want. Bennie, like many of…
Woolworths and BIG W are teaming up with The Walt Disney Company Australia for the launch of ‘Disney Worlds of Wonder Collector Cards’, a new free collectible featuring favourites from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars. From 14 August 2024 customers will be able to collect a free Disney Worlds of Wonder card pack, containing three cards, with every $30 shop in store and online at Woolworths and Big W. There will be 108 cards in total to collect spanning across four worlds, including fan favourite characters such as Simba, Joy, Spider-Man and Darth Vader. Also in the mix is…
Heating Systems OverviewWinter demands reliable heating systems, and you have several options. Each system has its own set of benefits, suitable for different home layouts and personal preferences. Let’s check out these:1. Oil Furnace Furnaces are among the most common heating systems in colder regions. Their long-lasting popularity shows they provide quick, substantial warmth, perfect for cold winter days. Not only do they heat up homes quickly, but their reliability is also well-regarded among homeowners.It’s crucial to maintain an adequate supply of heating oil to maximize the performance of your oil furnace during the colder months. In fact, the professionals at…
The African National Congress, South Africa’s governing party announced on Monday that it had expelled the country’s former president, Jacob Zuma, officially severing ties with the once-celebrated anti-apartheid fighter after he helped form a rival political party.Though Mr. Zuma has been a vaunted figure in the A.N.C. for decades, his tenure as president and party leader were marked by a series of corruption scandals that tarnished the party’s image. He was pressured to step down as South Africa’s president in 2018. This year, he used his broad political support to campaign for uMkhonto weSizwe, a rival party known by the…