Author: KahawaTungu Reporter

Google Thursday announced the launch of AI Mode in Search for users in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, introducing a new era of AI-powered search that is more intuitive, comprehensive, and helpful. AI Mode helps users tackle complex, multi-part questions with more intuitive responses, multimodal inputs, and deeper ways to explore topics. AI Mode transforms how people interact with Search by allowing them to ask nuanced and exploratory questions that would previously require multiple searches. Powered by a custom version of Google’s latest Gemini 2.5 model, AI Mode brings advanced reasoning and context understanding to Search. “We are incredibly excited…

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the National Guard personnel patrolling the streets of Washington DC to be armed, as the Trump administration’s crackdown on crime in the capital continues. Trump ordered troops to Washington earlier in August and took control of its police force to combat what he described as “out of control” crime in the city. Just last week, the Pentagon and US Army said that troops involved in the deployment – which now number approximately 2,000 – would not carry weapons. While the Trump administration has lauded the mission, polls show it is deeply unpopular with…

Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, told US officials that a highly discussed “client list” does not exist, according to a released transcript of her interview. In a July interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Maxwell said she was “not aware of any blackmail” and did not witness any inappropriate conduct by President Donald Trump or former President Bill Clinton. She also discussed her and Epstein’s relationship with Prince Andrew and called allegations of him having sexual relations with an underage girl in her home “mind-blowingly not conceivable”. Maxwell is seeking a pardon from Trump…

Five people died after a tour bus crashed on the New York State Thruway in western New York, according to New York State Police. Police said the group was returning from Niagara Falls on the US-Canada border to New York City when witnesses saw the vehicle lose control and turn over. Most of the victims are tourists from India, China and the Philippines, according to police. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said local officials “are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved”. Ambulances and medical helicopters were sent to the crash site, near the town of Pembroke, 30…

Lyle Menendez has been denied parole one day after his brother Erik was similarly blocked from being freed from prison after more than three decades. The Menendez brothers, who were convicted in the 1989 killings of their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion, were both rejected for release after separate, lengthy hearings before California’s parole board. It marks a major setback for the pair who had seen recent court wins that brought them closer than ever to freedom. The elder Menendez brother, 57, who has long been portrayed as the dominant sibling, can try for parole again at a hearing…

The US is reviewing the records of more than 55 million US visa holders to assess if they have broken conditions for entry or stay in the country. People with US visas will be under “continuous vetting”, a state department spokesperson told the Associated Press news agency. Visas will be revoked if there are indications of “overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organisation”, an official said. President Donald Trump has made anti-immigration the cornerstone of his second administration, from mass deportations and full-on travel bans on…

At least three to eight people die monthly by suicide in central counties, the government has said. In recognising the severity of the matter, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen expressed concerns, saying the situation needs an urgent solution. Addressing journalists in Kerugoya, during the 33rd Jukwaa la Usalama grassroots security engagement, the CS said that the trend is worrying and requires a multi-sectoral approach. “There is a very unique phenomenon in this region in general and in this county about suicides. There is a great number of people committing suicide, and the reasons are varying…

A police officer was shot and killed by his colleague following an argument at their place in Luanda, Vihiga County. He also stole and escaped with a rifle belonging to the deceased colleague after the shooting incident at Esirabe Primary School, police said. The assailant cop shot constable Nicholas Samoei at close range in the Friday August 22 morning incident killing him. Police said constable Samoei was shot at close range once and in the head. But 26 spent cartridges were found outside where the body lay and police are investigating to know the motive behind the shooting. Samoei’s body…

President William Ruto has called on African countries to trade more among themselves, saying this would be the most effective weapon against extreme poverty. He regretted that African countries continue to trade more with the outside world, saying there was need to reverse the trend. He said intra-African trade stands at a low of 15 per cent of the continent’s total trade compared to 60 per cent in Europe and Asia. “For our continent to unlock its vast potential, create opportunities and wealth for citizens, and drive inclusive prosperity, Africa must trade more with itself,” he said. Ruto, however, noted…

A Bangkok court Friday acquitted controversial billionaire and former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was accused of insulting the monarchy. The charge related to an interview he gave to a South Korean newspaper ten years ago. He would have faced up to 15 years in jail if convicted. Thailand’s lese majeste law forbids insulting its monarchy. But critics say it is often used to target activists and political opponents. The verdict came as Thaksin’s daughter, suspended PM Paetongtarn , faces a Constitutional Court decision on whether or not she should be removed from office. These cases pose a threat…

Sri Lanka’s former president Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of funds, police have said. He faces three charges related to trips he took abroad while serving as president. Wickremesinghe arrived at magistrates court in the capital Colombo on Friday, having already given a statement to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) earlier in the day. He served as president from 2022 to 2024, stepping into the role after the country’s worst ever economic crisis triggered a popular uprising caused his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee. He was widely credited with helping put the island nation…

At least five sitting governors are under probe for corruption related crimes. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission said 11 other former governors are under probe for the same offenses. EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud said these investigations relate to allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and possession of unexplained wealth, among other offenses under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act. He said over the past eight months the Commission has completed 89 high-profile cases. “These investigation files have been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), with recommendations to prosecute 82 of…

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) wants three sitting governors be charged with corruption related offenses. In separate reports to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), has recommended prosecution of Bomet Governor for conflict of interest, money laundering among other offences in a Sh152 million tender scandals. In Kiambu, EACC wants governor Kimani Wamatangi and seven others be charged in a Sh1.27 billion tender scandal. The commission also wants Marsabit County Governor Mohamed Mohamud Ali, spouses and close business associates be charged for their involvement in multi-million shilling corruption syndicate. EACC proposes charges of Conspiracy to Commit…

Police are investigating murder after a male body was found floating in a river in a farm in Ruiru, Kiambu County. The man is believed to have been murdered elsewhere and the body dumped at the scene. The body had decomposed and was emitting an odor that attracted the attention of locals. The body was retrieved by officials from Ruiru fire department and moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and investigations. The motive of the murder is yet to be known, police said of the August 21 discovery. Elsewhere in the Mowlem area, Nairobi, a decomposed body of a man…

The National Police Service (NPS) has announced temporary road closures and traffic diversions in Nairobi this Friday, August 22, 2025, to facilitate the smooth running of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). According to the NPS, the affected routes will mainly be along the Thika Superhighway and adjoining roads leading to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani — the main venue for the continental tournament. Traffic diversion routes announced are as follows: * Motorists from Nairobi CBD heading to Ruiru, Juja, or Thika via Thika Road are advised to use Kiambu Road at Exit 4. A roadblock will be mounted at Muthaiga.…