Author: Oki Bin Oki

The U.S. job market is suddenly looking far weaker than it did just a few weeks ago. The U.S. added just 73,000 new jobs in July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, and deep revisions to the previous two months now indicate that the job market is considerably worse than previously thought. The unemployment rate in July was unchanged at 4.2%, but more people left the labor force, according to the report. Payrolls have now averaged just 35,000 over the last three months — the weakest pace of job growth since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Jobs…

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Lando Norris headed team-mate Oscar Piastri to a McLaren one-two in first practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Norris was 0.019 seconds quicker than the Australian, who leads the Briton by 16 points in the world championship heading into the last race before Formula 1’s summer break. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was third fastest, 0.217secs off the pace, and split from team-mate Lewis Hamilton by Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar. Haas driver Oliver Bearman was sixth fastest, ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll. The other Aston Martin driver, Fernando Alonso,…

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South African products exported to the US will be hit by a 30% tariff from 7 August, President Donald Trump has announced. South Africa faces the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting Trump’s strained relationship with the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Other African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have been hit with a 15% tariff, which will also come into effect in seven days. The decision is a huge blow to South Africa, as the US is its second-biggest trading partner. Looking across the whole continent, including North Africa, exports from Algeria and Libya will now also…

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The White House has announced plans to build a $200m (£151m) new ballroom, fulfilling an often-repeated desire of US President Donald Trump. The new ballroom will be built alongside a “modernised” East Wing of the White House, which currently houses the offices of First Lady Melania Trump and other key White House posts. The money will be donated directly by Trump and other so-far anonymous donors, with work beginning in September, according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump has repeatedly promised to build a “beautiful” ballroom at the White House, and in 2016 offered to pay $100m during Barack Obama’s…

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Stamps in people’s passports will be replaced by biometric checks for people travelling in and out of the EU from 12 October, officials have confirmed. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace the current paper checks and will mean passengers from the UK will need to have their fingerprints and faces scanned to cross an EU border. The scheme will be rolled out across member nations over six months, meaning it will not be fully implemented until 10 April 2026. It was due to come into effect last November but has been beset by technological delays. Under the new system, non-EU…

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The Public Service Commission (PSC) in partnership with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) formally launched a review of its internal systems, policies, and practices. This is aimed at enhancing transparency, operational effectiveness, and institutional integrity. The initiative, launched at PSC headquarters in Nairobi on Friday, August 1, 2025, is part of the Commission’s broader reform agenda to promote a values-driven, citizen-focused public service. PSC Chairperson Anthony Muchiri emphasized that the initiative is entirely proactive and voluntary, grounded in the Commission’s commitment to continuous improvement. “We invited EACC to carry out an independent review to help us refine our systems,…

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Conor McGregor has lost his civil jury appeal against a finding that he sexually assaulted a woman. In November, McGregor was ordered to pay £206,000 in damages plus costs to Nikita Hand, who accused him of raping her in a hotel in Dublin in 2018. McGregor appealed on the grounds that his lawyers believed his answers to police during interviews should not have been put before the jury. His barrister also argued that a question on the “issue paper” given to the jury to help them decide their verdict should have been worded differently. Three senior judges at the Court…

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A career Meteorologist Edward Maina Muriuki was Thursday named the acting Director of Meteorological Services. The Principal Secretary, State Department of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno made the appointment in a statement. Muriuki takes the helm following the retirement of Dr. David Gikungu on July 28, 2025. With the increasing need for weather and climate information and the global call to implement the Early Warning for All initiative in Kenya, Muriuki’s vast experience and expertise will enable the Department achieve its mandate for the provision of weather and climate information for the safety of life, protection of…

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There’s a certain kind of energy that surrounds a wedding, and it often begins the moment the planning starts. From the first notes scribbled in a notebook to the last few decisions in the final weeks, the whole process can feel like a bit of a whirlwind. Still, it’s a time that offers chances to slow down, make thoughtful choices and shape something that genuinely reflects who you are, both as individuals and as a couple. Take time before you say yes to anything One of the most helpful things you can do early on is pause. Not forever, just…

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Taking your pet along for a sailing trip can be a fantastic way to share new adventures, but it does require some extra thought to make sure they’re comfortable and safe. Boats are very different environments from what pets are used to, so planning ahead is key. Here are four practical tips to help make your pet’s time on the water as enjoyable as possible. Picking the Right Boat and Getting Expert Help Not every boat is suitable for pets, so choosing the right vessel is an important first step. Ideally, you want a boat with enough space for your…

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When your eyes start to show signs of strain or discomfort, or even if it’s just time for a check-up, knowing where to turn makes all the difference. The right care isn’t just about medical expertise, though that’s obviously important. It’s also about trust, communication, and feeling confident in the hands of the person or clinic you choose. With so many options available, from high street opticians to specialist clinics, figuring out where to start can be a bit overwhelming. But there are a few simple ways to narrow things down and make sure you’re putting your vision in the…

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SEO has always been a fast changing field. 2025 however, is the year where AI is more than a tool in the marketer’s tool belt; it’s the director and executor as well. Welcome to the age of AI SEO, in which machine learning and automation are fundamentally changing the way businesses drive engagement, and ultimately conversion, with search engines. This change is more than just technological; it’s changing the jobs we do, the skills we need and how we design digital strategies. Whether you are trying to future-proof your career or remain one step ahead of the competition, learning AI…

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The use of portable solar panels has turned out to be one of the most sought energy solutions by people on the move who require a reliable source of energy. You can go on vacation in your RV using portable panels or go camping in the wild, and now you can prepare even at home to survive an emergency by producing clean, renewable energy that is silent and has no fuel cost compared to a noisy traditional generator. They are highly portable and their size is smaller, and they do not require much space to set up, unlike fixed solar…

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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said Thursday the government is not an enemy of the young people, promising to always listen and act on their demands for a better nation. While assuring them of better policies in search of a better lives for the youth, the DP said the country cannot afford to ignore the younger generation which holds a higher stake in the nation’s future. “We are not an enemy of the young people, we believe the young people are the future of the nation. The hope of the nation, the hope of any country is the strength, the focus,…

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The High court quashed the acquittal of two international businessmen Deepak Kamani and his brother Rashmi Kamani and three former PSs in the Sh3.5 billion Anglo leasing scandal and ordered their retrial. Anti-Corruption High Court judge Benjamin Musyoki set aside the acquital of Joseph Magari, Dave Mwangi and David Onyonka who are all former permanent secretaries. The three had been charged alongside Deepak and Rashmi Kamani together with their late father Rasmi Chamanlal. However, a magistrate acquitted them but the prosecution appealed their acquittal. Justice Musyoki said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had established a prima facie case against…

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