A sharp drop in imports triggered by President Donald Trump tariff policy helped boost US economic growth between April and June, according to the latest figures. The world’s largest economy expanded at an annual pace of 3% after shrinking in the first three months of the year, the Commerce Department said. The bigger-than-expected rebound reflected swings in trade as businesses rushed to get goods into the US ahead of Trump’s taxes and is not necessarily an indication of the health of the wider economy. Nevertheless, the US president used the data to take aim at Jerome Powell, chair of America’s…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
Becoming a surrogate is a life-changing decision that allows women to help intended parents build their families while receiving meaningful financial compensation. But exactly how much do surrogates get paid—and what should prospective surrogates know before taking the leap? In 2025, surrogacy compensation is structured to reflect the responsibility, time commitment, and physical demands of carrying a child for someone else. Whether you’re exploring surrogacy as a first-timer or returning for a second journey, understanding how surrogate pay works can help you make informed, confident decisions. What Is Surrogate Pay? Surrogate pay refers to the financial compensation provided to a…
Thinking of taking your live streaming from Twitch to TikTok? You’re not alone. More and more creators are eyeing TikTok for its explosive growth, massive engagement, and easier path to virality. But there’s one catch: you need at least 1,000 followers to unlock TikTok LIVE. For new or migrating streamers, hitting that number quickly can feel like a grind. The good news? There are smart, safe ways to accelerate your follower count so you can start streaming sooner. This guide walks you through exactly how to do that, without compromising your credibility or content. Why Hitting 1,000 Followers on TikTok…
United States Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a right-wing ally of US President Donald Trump, has suggested that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, highlighting a growing schism in the Republican Party. In a social media post this week, Greene condemned the dire situation in Gaza, where an Israeli-imposed hunger crisis has killed more than 120 people. She also criticised her colleague Randy Fine, who has openly celebrated the starvation and bombardment of Palestinians. “It’s the most truthful and easiest thing to say that Oct 7th in Israel was horrific and all hostages must be returned, but so is…
US singer Ciara has become one of the first public figures to be granted citizenship of Benin, under a new law offering nationality to the descendants of slaves. In an Instagram post the Grammy award-winner said she was “honoured”, adding “thank you Benin for opening your arms and your heart to me”. The citizenship scheme is part of an initiative by the small West African country to build ties with the African diaspora and boost cultural tourism. Ciara, known for R&B and pop hits such as Goodies and 1,2 Step, officially became a citizen at a ceremony in the city…
A leading North American mining entrepreneur, who wants to open his own US copper mine, has welcomed plans for a 50% tax on copper imports. Robert Friedland, the billionaire founder of Vancouver-based Ivanhoe Mines and Ivanhoe Electric, told the BBC the tariffs would help re-establish the US copper mining industry. US President Donald Trump has already introduced steel and aluminium tariffs and a 50% copper tariff is due to come in on 1 August. Critics have argued that tariffs are inflationary and will push up prices for American consumers, but Mr Friedland said the president’s approach was aimed at strengthening…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted stronger global economic growth than it forecast in April in part due to some US tariffs on goods being softened. A surge in US imports as firms tried to beat impending higher import taxes and actions by some governments to boost growth bumped up its latest forecast. However, higher tariffs and more uncertainty could lead to weaker growth and slower economic activity, the IMF warned. Meanwhile, UK growth is predicted to be 1.2% this year, and 1.4% in 2026, unchanged from revised forecasts set out in May. The UK is set to be…
Installing Microsoft Office across multiple systems has traditionally been a time-consuming task. Manual set-ups are not only time consuming but they also have room to come up with inconsistencies, error and obsolete settings. The office deployment tool solves this challenge by allowing IT administrators to customize and automate the entire process using simple configuration files. The strength of the office deployment tool lies in its flexibility. Administrators can define which Office applications are included (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint), which languages are installed, where files are saved, and how updates are managed. Installations can be silent, meaning they run in…
A Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi,on Tuesday endorsed the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, 2025, which seeks to transform the health sector by eliminating entrenched impunity and malpractices. The Bill seeks to eliminate systemic fraud, regulatory loopholes, and conflicts of interest that have long undermined healthcare delivery and public trust. It responds to glaring gaps that have allowed unqualified and fraudulent health facilities to be licensed and to operate. This lack of clear standards, coupled with weak oversight and collusion among facilities, regulators, and practitioners, has left patients vulnerable and eroded accountability. Cabinet noted that the many failures…
The Cabinet approved recommendations from the Presidential Taskforce on Religious Organisations, a landmark move to safeguard the integrity of religious practice while curbing exploitation. The proposed reforms, developed in response to the Shakahola tragedy, place religious leaders at the centre of accountability efforts, emphasising self-regulation over State control. President Ruto chaired the meeting at State House in Nairobi. Key proposals include enacting a legal framework to govern religious organisations, establishing a Religious Affairs Commission, and strengthening umbrella faith organisations for coordination. The model blends institutional autonomy with supportive oversight and calls for leadership standards, reforms to religious broadcasting, and civic…
India has said its security forces killed three militants who shot dead 26 civilians near a tourist town in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, triggering a brief military conflict with Pakistan. Home Minister Amit Shah told parliament the men had been killed by Indian forces near the disputed region’s main city Srinagar on Monday. He claimed the attackers were Pakistani nationals, a charge Islamabad denies. The men’s identity was confirmed through forensic and ballistic tests, Shah told MPs. Pakistan has not commented on the claims, which have not been independently confirmed and come amid mounting criticism of India’s government for alleged…
A gunman who killed four people when he stormed a skyscraper in the heart of New York on Monday evening left a note that appeared to blame the National Football League (NFL) for a brain injury, the city’s Mayor Eric Adams has said. The attacker, 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, shot himself dead after opening fire in a building where the American football league has its headquarters, but went to a different part of the building after taking the wrong lift. The gunman was carrying a note in which he blamed CTE, a brain disease triggered by head trauma,…
University of Coloradofootball coach Deion Sanders announced Monday that he had undergone surgery to remove his bladder after doctors discovered a tumor there. Sanders said, since the surgery, there are no traces of cancer, and he will continue to coach this season. In a packed Touchdown Club in the Dal Ward Athletic Center, Sanders appeared with Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Cancer Center, and answered some of the questions that have swirled around him throughout the offseason. “It was dynamic. It was tough. It wasn’t a cakewalk. It wasn’t easy,” said Sanders, who added…
Two suspects were Monday evening shot and killed by police in a botched robbery in Mathare slums, Nairobi. The two had taken advantage of a clash that was ongoing along Outer Ring Road for the better of the afternoon to attack and rob from pedestrians along Juja Road. Police said they recovered a knife from the slain men. Another accomplice managed to escape, police said. According to the police, the men had been attacking and robbing pedestrians and had subdued one man as he walked from a mosque and started to rob him of his valuables and cash in the…
Two young witnesses took the stand Monday in the ongoing manslaughter case against controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie and 94 co-accused. The first witness, a 16-year-old identified in court only as SBB for protection, described before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku how his life was turned upside down after his mother withdrew him from school after receiving teachings against education after watching Times TV. He told the court how her mother sold household items to finance their travel to Malindi and then to Shakahola forest, also referred to by the followers as “Jangwani” (the wilderness). On their way to Shakahola, they were…