German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that Russia’s president understands only the language of force and that Tuesday’s “historic” Nato summit in The Hague will aim to ensure peace in Europe for generations to come. Merz told Germany’s parliament hours before the summit was due to start that Vladimir Putin remained determined that Ukraine should be part of Russia, and he said Berlin would pay its “fair share” to defend Europe. US President Donald Trump is on his way to the Hague for his first Nato summit since 2019 where all 32 leaders are set to commit to spending 3.5%…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
Donald Trump has warned Israel against launching further attacks on Iran, hours after he said a ceasefire between the two sides had taken effect. The US president used an expletive as he criticised both sides, after each accused the other of breaking the US and Qatar-brokered truce. It came after Israel said Iran had violated the deal and vowed to respond with “powerful strikes”. Iran denied firing any missiles towards Israel and the country’s top security body has vowed to respond to any further Israeli aggression. Here’s what we know so far. When did the ceasefire take effect? Just after…
Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris has raised concerns over the US State Department’s decision to expand its student visa requirements. Last week the State Department announced it would resume scheduling appointments for international student visas after halting the process in late May. New applicants will now have to make their social media accounts public for enhanced vetting. Harris said he planned to take up the issue with the new US ambassador to Ireland who is due to formally take up his post next month. Mr Harris said he had asked his officials to engage directly with the US…
A court in Japan has sentenced a US marine to seven years in prison after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in Okinawa last year. Lance Cpl Jamel Clayton, 22, attacked the woman in her 20s, choking her from behind and attempting sexual intercourse, the court ruled. The case is one of a string involving US servicemen based in the Okinawa archipelago, where more than half of the 54,000 US soldiers serving in Japan are based. Previous crimes committed by American personnel have sparked anger and protests by locals in Okinawa, the largest of which took place 30…
Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohammed Roba was Tuesday arrested over allegations of attempted murder. Roba was arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from a hotel in Machakos, where he was reportedly staying with several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). Witnesses said DCI officers stormed the premises at around 1:00 a.m., disarmed Roba, and left the scene, only to return later in the morning to effect the arrest. He was subsequently detained at the Machakos DCI office, where he recorded a statement. Roba was later released on police bail of Sh100,000 and is expected to present…
As living costs continue to rise and financial markets waver, many retirees discover they are “asset-rich, cash-poor”: substantial home equity on paper, yet limited liquid savings for emergencies or everyday expenses. While 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions remain critical components of retirement planning, they often fall short when unexpected bills emerge. Equity-based strategies—most notably reverse mortgages—offer a way for homeowners aged sixty-two and older to convert dormant home value into flexible, tax-free funds without having to sell or relocate. The Modern Retirement Cash-Flow Challenge Retirees frequently face competing priorities: covering property taxes and homeowners insurance, funding necessary home repairs, paying healthcare…
Prosecutors in New York are set to rest their case in the weeks-long federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. The 55-year-old music mogul is accused of using his power as the leader of a business empire to facilitate the sex trafficking of women and conceal his crimes. Mr Combs has admitted to domestic violence – but has pleaded not guilty to the prosecution’s charges, some of which rely on laws once aimed at mob bosses to try and bring him down. The defence has yet to make its case – which Mr Combs’ attorneys have said…
In a dramatic late-night post on Truth Social, former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Israel and Iran have reached an agreement for a 12-hour ceasefire, set to begin six hours from now. “It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in-progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!” Trump stated that Iran will begin the ceasefire, followed by Israel, with both sides expected to…
The High Court raised concerns over the legality of the mandatory monthly deductions on salaried Kenyans to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), terming it potentially unconstitutional. Justice Chacha Mwita on Monday observed that the 2.75 percent contribution to the Fund is problematic, terming it as double taxation. He argued that every citizen is already obligated to pay income tax under the Income Tax Act — a tax levied directly on one’s gross income, whether earned from employment or investment. Mwita emphasized that it is unlawful to impose an additional deduction on the same gross income, even after income tax…
The Trump administration said a Salvadoran man who was mistakenly deported and then brought back to the US on criminal charges will “never go free” on American soil, even though a judge ordered his release. Kilmar Ábrego García was deported in March as part of an immigration crackdown. Government officials said he was removed in error, but they were unable to bring him back. Earlier this month, he was sent to the state of Tennessee, where the justice department charged him with human smuggling. The judge overseeing the case said on Sunday that Mr Ábrego García should be released from…
Iran launched missiles at a US military base in Qatar, in what it said was retaliation for American strikes against its nuclear sites over the weekend. Witnesses have reported hearing loud bangs in the sky above the capital, Doha, while videos show bright flashes in the sky as air defence systems attempt to intercept missiles. It is the latest escalation in a conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US which has seen tensions in the Middle East soar to unprecedented levels in recent days. Details of this latest attack are still emerging. Here is what we know so far. What…
Detectives domiciled at the DCI’s Land Fraud Investigations Unit arraigned the widow of former minister Arthur Magugu for allegedly acquiring land registration through false pretences. Margaret Wairimu Magugu’s prosecution follows a complaint lodged by Wibeso Investment Limited, that sometime in the year 2021, the suspect fraudulently secured the registration of their parcel of land and transferred ownership to a company known as Marg Ridge Estate Limited. Appearing before the Milimani Law Courts, Wairimu faced charges of obtaining registration by false pretences, forgery, and uttering a false document. The case is set for mention on July 30, 2025. Investigations were launched,…
The government recognises the enormous contribution of the Kenyan Diaspora in the country’s economic development through remittances, President William Ruto has said. Addressing representatives of Kenyans from 27 countries across the world at State House, Nairobi, on Monday, Ruto said the remittances Kenyans abroad send home are the largest resources that come to the country. Saying diaspora remittances are more that the earnings from tea, tourism and coffee, Ruto pointed out that these resources play a critical role in supporting families, are invested in our economy and also help raise the country’s foreign reserves. In 2024, Ruto disclosed, remittances reached…
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja Monday joined over 40 city leaders from across the globe to commemorate a decade since the signing of the historic Paris Climate Agreement (COP21). The event, hosted by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, brought together global mayors, international organizations, and climate policy leaders to evaluate progress and chart a path from climate negotiations to tangible delivery. Sakaja was a panelist in a session led by London Mayor and C40 co-chair Sadiq Khan, focusing on the rise of climate misinformation and the link between climate action, democracy, and justice. “Cities, not just nation-states, are now the key actors…
Iran launched a missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites. The announcement was made on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.” The attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran. Speaking to U.S. troops at the base in May, the president said “my priority is to end conflicts, not start them.” “But I will never hesitate to wield American power, if…