The International Police Association (IPA) Kenya Section, in partnership with the IPA Germany Section, ushered in the final day of 2025 with acts of compassion and service, bringing smiles and festive cheer to vulnerable children in Nairobi. Guided by its global mantra, Service Through Friendship, the association spent the day with children at the Children’s Garden Home and School in Uthiru, marking its second visit to the institution. The return visit underscored the enduring bonds of love and friendship first forged during a similar outreach last year. The day unfolded in a warm and lively atmosphere as the children entertained…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
Jumping into the frigid waters of Coney Island in January for a pun on “I’m freezing… your rent”. Visiting food trucks to discuss how city permitting processes have led to “Halalflation”. Walking the length of Manhattan to show New Yorkers they “deserve a mayor that they can see, they can hear, they can even yell at”. Those social media videos helped propel Zohran Mamdani and his left-wing policies to a surprise win in New York City’s mayoral primary, and then to victory in the November election. The democratic socialist, 34, engaged New Yorkers – particularly young voters who spend much…
People buying cryptocurrency in the UK now need to share their account details or face penalties, in changes that came into effect on 1 January. The move by the UK’s tax body is designed to ensure they pay all relevant tax on buying and selling crypto, including capital gains tax. HMRC will begin automatically collecting information on all users of cryptocurrency exchanges – which are effectively the industry’s banks – in a bid to start collecting tens of millions in unpaid tax. The change comes as the financial watchdog continues its consultation on tougher regulation for the industry, including measures…
A member of Iran’s security forces was killed during a fourth day of protests in the country, which have been sparked by a currency collapse, officials have said. Citing regional chief justice Saeed Shahvari, Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency said Amir Hessam Khodayari Fard was killed in the city of Kouhdasht, in the western Lorestan province, on Wednesday. A number of members of the security forces were also injured, state media reported. Footage verified by BBC Persian appears to show security forces firing at protesters in the city on the same day. Confrontations were also reported in the southern province…
The firm behind US President Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform said it will issue a new cryptocurrency to its shareholders, marking the Trump family’s latest foray into digital assets. The digital token from Trump Media and Technology Group will add to the Trumps’ crypto ventures, which have generated hundreds of millions of dollars and have raised questions about conflicts of interest. Trump Media unveiled the new token on Wednesday and said investors will receive one for each share they hold. Trump, who is himself the largest Trump Media shareholder, has supported looser regulation of the crypto sector. Trump Media shares…
The US Congress has released the transcript of testimony by former Special Counsel Jack Smith, in which he defended his decision to lead two now-defunct criminal investigations into Donald Trump. The transcript, released on New Year’s Eve by the House Judiciary Committee, is 255 pages. It features questions from lawmakers, and Smith’s robust defense of the attempts to prosecute Trump for illegally retaining classified documents after leaving office, and his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases, and the prosecutions ended after his re-election. Since returning to office, Trump has demanded investigations of…
Finnish police have detained a vessel suspected of damaging an undersea telecoms cable running from Helsinki to Estonia across the Gulf of Finland. The cargo vessel, the Fitburg, was sailing from St Petersburg to the port of Haifa in Israel, under the flag of St Vincent and Grenadines. All 14 crew members were arrested after the cable owned by Finnish telecoms operator Elisa was damaged. The operator said in a statement that the damage had “not affected the functionality of Elisa’s services in any way”, and that its services had been re-routed. The Baltic Sea has seen a series of…
A Nairobi court acquitted politician Francis Mureithi of fraud charges involving Sh320 million after finding that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. In its ruling, the court held that the evidence presented by the prosecution was inconsistent and did not adequately establish criminal liability on the part of Mureithi. As a result, the court found that the accused had no case to answer and acquitted him under the law. The case arose from a complaint lodged about five years ago by retired United Nations diplomat Haile Menkerios. Menkerios had alleged that he…
A Ugandan election watchdog on Wednesday denounced the arrest of its leader as a crackdown on rights groups intensifies two weeks before the country goes to the polls. Uganda will hold elections on January 15, with President Yoweri Museveni, 81, looking to extend his 40-year rule of the country. Sarah Bireete, a renowned lawyer and executive director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, was detained on Tuesday. “My house is under siege by Police and Army,” she posted on X shortly before being taken into custody. Bireete, who also chairs the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network, has…
Mali and Burkina Faso say they will bar US citizens from entering their countries in response to a similar move by the Trump administration. The two West African states were recently placed under full entry restrictions under US President Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban. In separate statements, they said they would apply the same measures on US nationals. Burkina Faso’s foreign affairs minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré said his government was acting on the “principle of reciprocity”, while Mali’s foreign ministry called for “mutual respect and sovereign equality”. The latter said it regretted the US’s move, adding that “such an important…
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…
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…