Google Cloud officially celebrated the opening of its first African cloud region in Johannesburg, a significant milestone in Google’s $1 billion investment pledge to help accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. Operational since January 2024, the Johannesburg cloud region directly supports African businesses and multinational corporations operating on the African continent by providing access to cutting-edge technologies: innovative AI and machine learning, powerful data analytics, and comprehensive security solutions. This enables organizations to improve operational efficiency, build groundbreaking tools, and ultimately unlock new opportunities for growth. Google Cloud’s region builds on wider infrastructure investments into the continent. In May 2024, Google Cloud…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
Close to 70,000 South Africans have expressed interest in moving to the US following Washington’s offer to resettle people from the country’s Afrikaner community, a business group has said. The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (Saccusa) said its website received tens of thousands of registrations from those seeking more information. In a February executive order, President Donald Trump said Afrikaners – descendants of mainly Dutch settlers who arrived in the 17th Century – could be admitted as refugees as they were “victims of unjust racial discrimination”. Relations between the US and South Africa have become increasingly strained…
The Government is targeting around one million youth for ID card registration in a drive intended to take advantage of the removal of Sh300 application fee announced. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen launched the drive in Nakuru on Wednesday and announced that the countrywide exercise that will feature mobile registration will also benefit from the removal of vetting committees for border communities. He also announced that the waiting time for processing will be cut to not more than 10 days as the government races to clear the backlog of unregistered but eligible applications traditionally disadvantaged by a stringent vetting process.…
The prosecution has for the second time been allowed to to defer the plea taking of two police officers accused of abuse of office and unlawful detention of a British national for 30 days to review multiple files relating to the case. In seeking the adjournment, the prosecution told the court that the matter was lodged with different entities. The plea taking was supposed to take place on January 23 but was postponed to February 18, upon the request by the defence counsel citing health concerns. However, on February 18, the prosecutor Norah Owino, made a request to defer the…
Fear of God, a brand that has consistently redefined streetwear luxury, offers a range of high-quality pieces that blend simplicity with sophistication. At the heart of this collection is Essentials by Fear of God, a sub-label designed to bring high-end streetwear to a more accessible level. This article will explore the must-have pieces in the Essentials Fear of God collection, particularly the Essentials Hoodies and Essentials Sweatpants, and explain why they’re the perfect combination of fashion and functionality. Introduction to Essentials by Fear of God Fear of God, founded by Jerry Lorenzo, is a brand renowned for its minimalist design,…
Nigeria is facing an escalating political crisis after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich Rivers state and suspended the governor, his deputy and all lawmakers in the state parliament for six months. In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening Tinubu said he had received “disturbing security reports detailing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them”. He added that he could not allow the “grave situation” to continue. But lawyers and opposition politicians are questioning the legality of the president’s decision. Tinubu made the announcement after…
Renowned African PR authority and global thought leader Gina Din has signed a major deal with Storyteller Media, a prestigious Los Angeles-based literary and talent agency. This groundbreaking partnership will see the republication of her acclaimed autobiography, Daughter of Africa, the launch of a companion book, an exclusive merchandise line, and a global speaking tour focused on Africa, leadership, and women’s empowerment. Amplifying the African Narrative on a Global Stage Gina Din’s compelling story of resilience, leadership, and influence has long transcended borders. Through this collaboration, she will be featured on major global stages, delivering keynote speeches on topics such…
Independent agencies will be licensed to conduct assessment and conformity tests on passenger vehicle body construction, and not the bus manufacturers themselves. The move to enforce new standards was prompted by rising road fatalities, many of which are linked to poor workmanship and unsafe bus body construction. The Transport Licencing Appeals Board (TLAB) directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to forthwith ensure that no motor vehicle manufacturer conducts conformity assessments. “We find and hold that it is irregular for a motor vehicle manufacturer to conduct conformity assessments on its own vehicles either directly or through a proxy arrangement…
The US government has released the final batch of documents on the assassination of President John F Kennedy – a case that still sparks conspiracy theories over 60 years later. The release follows an executive order in January by President Donald Trump that required unredacted files in the case to be made public. Experts are combing over the documents, but have said they do not expect many ground-breaking revelations. Trump expected 80,000 pages of records to be unsealed. US authorities have previously released hundreds of thousands of JFK documents, but held some back, citing national security concerns. Many Americans still…
The Mayor of Istanbul has been detained as part of a Turkish corruption investigation – just days before he was due to be selected as a presidential candidate. Ekrem Imamoglu, from the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), is seen as one of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan’s strongest political rivals. Prosecutors say he is accused of being a “criminal organisation leader suspect”. Authorities detained 100 suspects – including other politicians, journalists and businessmen – as part of the investigation, and the Istanbul governor’s office has imposed four days of restrictions in the city. Imamoglu wrote on social media that “the…
Human rights organizations Wednesday expressed serious concerns about Kenya’s shrinking digital civic space, citing an increase in surveillance, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and the misuse of laws aimed at online users, bloggers, and journalists. Partnerships and Advocacy Manager at the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) James Wamathai stressed the importance of equal protection of human rights both online and off. He spoke during the launch of a new report on digital rights. “These rights we are asking to be protected are nothing new. The same human rights we enjoy offline are the same ones that must be preserved online. The safety…
In a significant diplomatic development, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame convened in Doha to address the escalating conflict in eastern DRC. A joint statement released after Tuesday’s meeting reads: “As part of efforts to ease the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the State of Qatar hosted a trilateral meeting in Doha on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.” “The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar; President Paul Kagame of Rwanda; and President Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo of…
The chief justice of the US Supreme Court has released a rare statement in response to President Donald Trump’s call to impeach a judge who ruled against his administration over migrant deportations. “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement. He added that the “normal appellate review process exists for that purpose”. Trump earlier referred to US District Judge James Boasberg as a “troublemaker and agitator” after he ordered the administration to halt deportations of accused gang members…
High Court Judge Lady Justice Stella Mutuku gave summons to compel the attendance of court server Josphat Mutunga and to take the witness stand against Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) top clerics in a contempt of court case. This as the clerics also take to the dock to defend themselves against the contempt charges. The two PCEA clerics Secretary General Rev. Thegu Mutahi and Moderator of the General Assembly Rev. Thegu Mutahi may have their goose cooked and served when they take on the dock to defend themselves against contempt of court charges on April 2, 2025. The two…
A man has been found guilty over the theft of a £4.8m gold toilet from an art exhibition at Blenheim Palace. Thieves smashed their way in and ripped out the fully functional toilet, hours after a glamorous launch party at the Oxfordshire stately home in September 2019. Michael Jones was convicted of planning the burglary. The jury are still considering verdicts for Fred Doe and Bora Guccuk who are charged with conspiring to sell the gold. The heist’s kingpin James Sheen previously admitted being part of the gang that stole the toilet. Thieves stole the artwork in a raid that…