Isiah Whitlock Jr, who was known for his memorable acting roles on The Wire and Veep, has died at the age of 71, according to his manager. “It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr,” manager Brian Liebman wrote on Instagram. Whitlock, who also featured in Goodfellas and The Chappelle Show, was a longtime collaborator with director Spike Lee, who also shared a heartfelt tribute to him. “Today I Learned Of The Passing Of My Dear Beloved Brother ISIAH WHITLOCK. GOD BLESS,” Lee wrote, alongside a photo of the…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
A job opportunity, a promotion or a freelance job usually has an exciting amount of salary attached with it. The income is silently reconstituted by taxes, social security payments, insurance, and deductions available in the country. This difference between gross salary and net pay causes confusion for both employees, freelancers, and even employers. Real take-home pay is no longer a choice: it is crucial to smart financial planning. That is where a salary calculator with AI capabilities could be a handy instrument, and intricate tax regulations can be transformed into concise and personalised recommendations in just a few seconds. Why…
Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience—freedom, speed, and the thrill of the open road make it unmatched. Yet, with great excitement comes significant responsibility. Every year, motorcycle accidents lead to serious injuries or fatalities, making safety paramount for riders of all levels. “Two Wheels, One Life” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a mindset every rider must embrace to protect themselves and others on the road. Gear Up for Safety The first line of defense is proper gear. Wearing a helmet is non-negotiable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmets reduce the risk of death by 37%…
Protests and strikes in Iran over inflation and currency devaluation spread from the capital, Tehran, to several other cities on a third day of unrest. The protests began on Sunday after shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar staged a strike when the Iranian rial hit a record low against the US dollar on the open market. Since then, videos verified by BBC Persian have shown demonstrations in the cities of Karaj, Hamedan, Qeshm, Malard, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz and Yazd. Police were also seen using tear gas in an attempt to disperse demonstrators. The Iranian government said it “recognises the protests” and…
Thieves used a large drill to break into a safe at a high street bank branch in western Germany and steal an estimated €30m (£26m; $35m) in cash and valuables, police have said. A police spokesman likened the break-in to the Hollywood heist film Ocean’s Eleven, telling AFP news agency it was “very professionally executed”. During the heist at Sparkasse savings bank in the city of Gelsenkirchen, thieves broke open more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes containing money, gold and jewellery. Gelsenkirchen Police said they became aware of the crime after a fire alarm was set off in the early…
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday dismissed claims that he is attempting to divide the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He said he respects the party and its members and has no interest in interfering with its internal affairs. Speaking during the burial of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo in Lumakanda, Kakamega County, Uhuru told the gathering that those levelling accusations against him were mistaken. Uhuru called on politicians to stop trading accusations and maintain clarity and courage in their leadership. “In my view, someone who is confused, who keeps trying to please one side and then another, must stop making…
A Turkish national and registered refugee in Kenya was released on a Sh1 million personal bond after he was arrested on terrorism-related allegations. A court ordered his release on Tuesday. Investigators said substantial digital evidence was extracted from Ahmet Mustafa Gungor’s devices and he must report weekly to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) for four weeks. His passport and refugee card were surrendered, with the case set for mention on February 3, 2026. This came as human rights organisations condemned the arrest, warning that Turkish authorities must not pressure Kenya into targeting political dissidents under the guise of security cooperation.…
The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that it was pulling out its remaining forces in Yemen, after Saudi Arabia bombed the war-torn country’s port city of Mukalla following accusations that two ships from the UAE had delivered weapons and combat vehicles to separatist forces. Saudi Arabia accused the UAE, its close ally, of “highly dangerous” actions in Yemen that threatened its national security. It said it had launched “limited” airstrikes on Mukalla on Tuesday morning and backed a call for UAE forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours. The UAE initially rejected the accusations and expressed surprise at the strikes,…
Kenya signed a Sh40 billion contract for the construction of the Galana Kulalu Dam, a flagship project expected to significantly strengthen the country’s food security by enabling large-scale irrigation in Tana River and Kilifi counties. The agreement, signed between the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) and China Communications Construction Company Kenya Ltd, covers the engineering, construction and financing of the dam alongside its irrigation water conveyance system. Once completed, the project will irrigate up to 300,000 acres of land in the Galana Kulalu region, marking a major shift from rain-fed agriculture to reliable, large-scale irrigation. President William Ruto said the dam…
Guinea’s junta leader Gen Mamady Doumbouya took a huge lead in a presidential election his main challengers were barred from contesting, initial results show. Gen Doumbouya is hoping to legitimise his rule after seizing power in a coup four years ago. A civil society group campaigning for the return of civilian rule condemned the election as a “charade”, while opposition candidates said the poll was marred by irregularities. On Monday, internet monitoring organisation NetBlocks reported that access to social media platforms TikTok, YouTube and Facebook had been restricted as Guineans waited for the full results. There has been no official…
Saudi Arabia backed a demand from Yemen’s presidential council for the United Arab Emirates to withdraw within 24 hours, after a Saudi-led coalition bombed what it said was a weapons shipment for UAE-backed separatists at the port of Mukalla. The Saudi foreign ministry accused the UAE of “pressuring” the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which seeks independence for southern Yemen, to launch recent offensives in the eastern provinces of Hadramawt and al-Mahra. The kingdom would take measures to confront what it considered such “highly dangerous” actions, it warned. The UAE’s foreign ministry denied that the shipment contained weapons and expressed “deep…
France’s government says that George Clooney, his wife Amal and their twins Ella and Alexander have been awarded French citizenship. The naturalizations of the Kentucky-born star of the “Ocean’s” series of heist movies and his family were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published. The government notice indicated that human rights lawyer Amal Clooney was naturalized under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. It also noted that George Clooney’s middle name is Timothy. The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021. In an interview with Esquire in October, Clooney described their “farm in France”…
The FBI intensified its investigation into a massive Minnesota fraud scheme that allegedly misappropriated federal aid meant for vulnerable children, with financial links extending to Kenya. FBI Director Kash Patel on Sunday said the agency “had surged personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes” in an update on progress into the matter. “Fraud that steals from taxpayers and robs vulnerable children will remain a top FBI priority in Minnesota and nationwide.” The case, he said, has already seen the dismantling of a $250 million fraud network, exposing sham vendors, shell companies, and extensive money laundering tied…
The United States has pledged $2 billion (£1.5bn) to fund United Nations (UN) humanitarian programmes, but has warned the UN it must “adapt or die”. The announcement was made in Geneva by Jeremy Lewin, President Trump’s Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, and the UN’s emergency relief chief, Tom Fletcher. It comes amid huge cuts in US funding for humanitarian operations, and further cuts expected from other donors, such as the UK and Germany. Mr Fletcher welcomed the new funds, saying they would save “millions of lives”. But $2 billion is just a fraction of what the US has traditionally spent…
Authorities are investigating an incident where an aircraft incident involving a domestic flight occurred on Monday afternoon at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with all passengers and crew safely accounted for, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has confirmed. In a statement on December 29, KAA said the aircraft, which was arriving in Nairobi from Elwak airstrip in Mandera County, veered off Taxiway Echo shortly after landing at the country’s busiest airport. The flight was carrying 50 passengers at the time of the incident. “Kenya Airports Authority wishes to inform the public of an aircraft incident that occurred this afternoon at…