Four suspects were today arraigned in court for murder of a woman on the direction from a Kenyan living in diaspora.
The four were arraigned at the Thika Law Courts, charged with murder of the lady after they doused her in acid in February 14th this year.
She passed away on Tuesday 9th April after being hospitalized for close to two months with severe burns and lost eyesight.
The four suspects were allegedly acting under the directions of one Patrick Murathimi Mutugu who owns a company called Caring Home Services in Indiana USA. He also works at Grant Blackford Mental Health in Marion City Indiana.
They are Edwin Mutugu Wanjiru (nephew), Anne Wanjiru Mutugu (sister), Eliud Nganga Muiruri and Simon Mbua Wanjiku.
Records indicate that Patrick Murathimi Mutugu sent money on diverse dates to the four individuals to orchestrate the hate crime with malicious intent to get back to his ex-wife.
The victim was the mother to the ex-wife.
He has hired lawyer Danstan Omari to represent the four suspects.
On February 14th 2024, three suspects trailed the victim from her work-place and into a restaurant along Thika Road. They waited for her to finish her meal and then trailed her as she went back home.
Their car bumped into hers from the rear forcing her to stop on the Thika Superhighway. Upon opening her window to see who had bumped into her, Eliud Nganga (in a yellow jacket) carrying a bucket of acid, threw it in the car causing her extreme burns.
The remaining acid was later recovered at his home alone Kamiti Road in Kiambu County.
A ruling will be made Thursday to hold the four suspects in remand for 21-days to enable the prosecution complete their investigations.
New evidence has come to light suggesting that the negative HIV/Aids test results some people received were incorrect.
This surprising revelation stems from a court case filed before the High Court, which brought to light the Ministry of Health’s approval process for HIV testing kits.
According to the court proceedings, due to the ministry’s endorsement of certain kits as the most effective, there is a chance that three out of every 100 Kenyans who underwent testing were erroneously informed that they are HIV-negative. In reality, they may be living with the virus.
The complainants, Kathambi Ruciami and Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Company Limited, through lawyer Elias Mutuma, argued that the categorisation of kits done early this year was wrong and puts Kenyans at risk.
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that countries transition from a two-test algorithm to a three-test algorithm to improve the accuracy of HIV testing.
Kenya had been employing a two-test strategy for the past 15 years. But the primary concern with this approach was it often resulted in conflicting test results.
There is already an ongoing separate court battle between two women and the government regarding the two-test strategy after they received positive results from the kits despite being negative.
WHO had also recommended the use of dual HIV/syphilis rapid diagnosis tests for pregnant women attending ante-natal care. Kenya adopted this strategy for pregnant women in 2018. The health agency also recommended that for a positive HIV diagnosis, the three consecutive tests should maintain a 99 per cent predictive value. This means that out of every 100 individuals tested, 99 will receive accurate results.
Last year, a task force was formed to review and categorise the kits intended for use in the country. To justify why the country needed to change its approach, the task force conducted tests using both the two-test approach and the new three-test method for comparison.
In a review test involving 1,776 individuals (excluding pregnant women) using the old two-test algorithm, there were mixed results of 99.5 per cent, 95.23 per cent, and 98.7 per cent. Regarding dual HIV/syphilis testing, the task force recommended Kenya to continue using the Standard Q test for pregnant women due to its superior clinical sensitivity for syphilis, broader range for storage temperature, and lower cost.
It also recommended that the country should do away with the old system of testing. In February this year, the ministry tasked the National AIDS & STI Control Program (NASCOP) to oversee the rollout and implementation of the transitioning to the use of new categories.
This is where the battles began. The first case against the Ministry of Health was filed by Joseph Omwando who accused the Susan Nakhumicha-led ministry of failing to involve stakeholders and procuring kits that have lower sensitivity. Omwando claimed that the ministry sought to overhaul the testing algorithm under the pretext of following WHO recommendations but failed to strictly follow the required processes. He said that other countries have moved to fourth-generation tests, and that Kenya wants to adopt ‘old’ technology.
In the latest case, Ruciami and Guangzhou claim test results were less accurate as a result of lower rates of specificity and sensitivity. Justice Chacha Mwita heard that there is no chance for a person who has received a negative result to be retested.
They want the court to stop the procurement process and force the ministry to categorise the kits accordance to WHO’s standards.
A Mombasa Law Court has summoned Kinakomba Ward MCA Babusa Hamid Salim over tax fraud charges.
Babusa Hamid Salim through his company Darweish Constructors Limited, is accused of six counts of tax fraud and failure to pay income and value-added taxes amounting to KSh 8,697,748 despite deriving income from supplies worth KSh 21 million to the County Government of Tana River.
Among the offences is failure to pay corporation tax amounting to KSh 491,379 in 2020, KSh 3,631,113 in 2021, and KSh 1,565,976 in 2022 contrary to section 95 read with section 104 (1) of the Tax Procedures Act.
Other offences include fraud concerning tax by omission from VAT returns of KSh 237,500 in 2020, KSh 1,936,593 in 2021 and KSh 835,187 in 2022 contrary to Sections 97 (a) and 104 (3) of the Tax Procedures Act.
The accused is set to appear on 18th April 2024 before Principal Magistrate Hon. David Odhiambo.
This is the second case of tax fraud to be flagged by the Kenya Revenue Authority after the directors of Bendegwa Limited were charged with failure to pay KSh 3,769,984 after trading with the County Government of Tana River.
Bendegwa Limited supplied goods worth KSh 8,339,400 to the County Government of Tana River on different dates between 1st January 2017 and 31st August 2023.
The company’s two directors Imani Sango Mponoa and Vilimine Nababe Moses have also been summoned to appear on 15th April 2024 before Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate Rita Orora.
Kenyans will now enjoy cheaper electricity bills after Kenya Power announced a 13.7 percent power cost cut starting this month.
The utility firm links the drop to the strengthening of the Kenyan shilling against the American dollar as well as a decline in fuel prices.
According to the company, the fuel cost charge and foreign exchange fluctuation adjustment, which comprise the key variable components of the electricity bill, were reduced by 37.3 percent between March 2024 and April 2024.
For example, the fuel cost charge was reduced from Sh4.64 in March 2024 to Sh3.26 in April 2024, and from a high of Sh4.93 in January 2024.
On the other hand, the forex adjustment charge was reduced from Sh3.68 in March 2024 to Sh1.96 in April 2024 and from a high of Sh6.85 in January 2024.
“We are happy to note that the reduction has given reprieve to our customers and we are optimistic that the prevailing macro-economic environment and the improved hydrology, which enables us to dispatch less thermal power, will sustain the benefit to our customers,” Kenya Power Managing Director & CEO Joseph Siror said.
A customer under the Domestic Customer 1 (DC1) tariff band (those consuming less than 30 units per month of electricity) will pay Sh629 in April 2024 compared to Sh729 for similar units in March 2024, representing a 13.7 percent reduction.
Similarly, a customer under the Domestic Customer 2 (DC2) tariff (averaging 31–100 units per month) will pay Sh1,574 in April 2024 compared to Sh1,773 in March 2024, representing a 11.2 percent reduction.
Those under the Domestic Customer 3 (DC3) tariff band (averaging more than 100 units per month) will pay Sh3,728 in April 2024 compared to Sh4,127 in March, representing a 9.7 percent reduction.
Beijing authorities are investigating Sunday’s Beijing’s half-marathon after footage shared online showed three African runners appearing to slow down near the finish line to allow China’s He Jie to overtake them and win.
He won in a time of 1:03:44, a second ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, who all tied for the second place.
Videos, which Reuters was attempting to verify, showed the three African runners waving He, who was slightly behind them, in front and gesturing towards the finish line. All four had run together for the entire race of just over 13 miles.
He, a member of China’s marathon team and national marathon record holder.
The event’s organiser – the Beijing Sports Competition Management and International Exchange Center – referred a Reuters enquiry to the half-marathon’s organising committee.
The Beijing Sports Bureau, the municipal body in charge of sports, said an investigation was under way and the findings would be published later.
The state-controlled Global Times newspaper said He’s performance “drew scepticism as the three African runners seem to deliberately slow down for He to catch up”.
But many comments on social media were scathing, calling the race “embarrassing” or a “performance”.
Distance running is increasingly popular in China but races have a chequered history of cheating and poor organisation. In Shenzhen’s 2018 half-marathon, 258 participants were caught cheating. Most had taken shortcuts while some wore fake bibs and others were imposters.
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For the last decade, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team has been the dominant force in Formula 1, rewriting the record books and redefining excellence in motorsport.
However, as the 2020s progressed, cracks began to appear in the armor of the Silver Arrows, signaling a regression from their once-unassailable position at the top of the grid. In this article, we delve into the factors contributing to Mercedes’ regression in Formula 1 and analyze the challenges faced by the team in their quest for continued success.
Dawn of Dominance: Mercedes’ Era of Excellence
Mercedes’ journey to dominance in Formula 1 began with their return to the sport as a full-fledged works team in 2010. With the advent of the hybrid era in 2014, the team’s fortunes skyrocketed as they capitalized on the new regulations to establish themselves as the preeminent force in Formula 1. Led by the formidable duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes embarked on a relentless pursuit of victory, clinching multiple world championships and rewriting the record books with unparalleled success.
The Highs and Lows of 2020: A Season of Uncertainty
The 2020 Formula 1 season was a rollercoaster ride for Mercedes, marked by moments of triumph and adversity. While the team continued winning with another Constructors’ Championship, their dominance was punctuated by occasional setbacks and challenges from rival teams, most notably Red Bull Racing. Technical glitches, strategic mishaps, and fierce competition on the track highlighted the Silver Arrows’ vulnerabilities, foreshadowing the challenges ahead.
Regulatory Changes: Adapting to a Shifting Landscape
One of the key factors contributing to Mercedes’ regression in Formula 1 has been the impact of regulatory changes aimed at leveling the playing field and promoting closer competition.
As Formula 1 seeks to enhance the spectacle of racing and increase parity among teams, new regulations governing aerodynamics, engine development, and budget caps have been introduced, posing challenges for established powerhouses like Mercedes. Adapting to these changes while maintaining their competitive edge has proven a formidable task for the Silver Arrows.
Rising Competition: The Emergence of New Challengers
In addition to regulatory changes, Mercedes has also faced increased competition from rival teams eager to dethrone the reigning champions. Teams like Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari have made significant strides in closing the performance gap with
Mercedes, posing a credible threat to their dominance on the track. With talented drivers, innovative engineering, and strategic prowess, these challengers have raised the stakes in Formula 1, intensifying the battle for supremacy and putting pressure on Mercedes to deliver consistently strong performances.
Internal Dynamics: Managing Team Dynamics and Transitions
Amidst external challenges, Mercedes has also had to contend with internal dynamics and transitions within the team. Nico Rosberg’s retirement in 2016 and the subsequent arrival of Valtteri Bottas as Hamilton’s teammate brought about changes in team dynamics and leadership, requiring adjustments both on and off the track. Additionally, the departure of key personnel and changes in technical leadership have further contributed to the team’s evolution, presenting both opportunities and challenges for Mercedes as they navigate the complexities of Formula 1.
Strategic Evolution: Embracing Innovation and Adaptation
Despite their challenges, Mercedes remains committed to maintaining their competitive edge through strategic evolution and innovation. From investing in research and development to refining their engineering prowess, the team continues to push the boundaries of performance and technology in Formula 1. By embracing change and adapting to new realities, Mercedes aims to overcome the hurdles of regression and position themselves for sustained success in the ever-evolving landscape of motorsport.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Recovery and Renewed Success
As Mercedes navigates the challenges of regression in Formula 1, they remain steadfast in their commitment to reclaiming their status as the dominant force on the grid. With a talented roster of drivers, a world-class engineering team, and a storied legacy of success, the Silver Arrows are well-positioned to overcome adversity and return to their winning ways. By harnessing their collective expertise, resilience, and determination, Mercedes aims to write a new chapter of triumph and renewal in the annals of Formula 1 history.
In the dynamic and fiercely competitive world of Formula 1, regression is an inevitable part of the journey for even the most dominant teams. Yet, through adversity, true champions are forged, and Mercedes remains determined to rise to the challenge and reclaim their rightful place at the summit of motorsport. As they embark on the road to recovery and renewed success, the Silver Arrows stand poised to overcome the obstacles and write the next chapter of their storied legacy in Formula 1.
Booms and air raid sirens sounded across Israel early Sunday after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in an unprecedented revenge mission that pushed the Middle East closer to a regionwide war. A military spokesman said the launches numbered more than 300 but 99% of them were intercepted.
Calling the outcome “a very significant strategic success,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Iran fired 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles. Of those, several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base.
Rescuers said a 7-year-old girl in a Bedouin Arab town was seriously wounded in southern Israel, apparently in a missile strike, though they said police were still investigating the circumstances of her injuries.
In Washington, President Joe Biden said U.S. forces helped Israel down “nearly all” the drones and missiles and pledged to convene allies to develop a unified response.
The Iranian attack, less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building, marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Condemnation from the United Nations chief and others was swift, with France saying Iran “is risking a potential military escalation,” Britain calling the attack “reckless” and Germany saying Iran and its proxies “must stop it immediately.”
Hagari said the vast majority of the intercepts came outside Israel’s borders, including 10 cruise missiles that were intercepted by warplanes.
Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system launches to intercept missiles fired from Iran, in central Israel, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg)
“A wide-scale attack by Iran is a major escalation,” he said. Asked whether Israel would respond, Hagari said only that the army “does and will do whatever is required to protect the security of the state of Israel.” He said the incident was not over, and dozens of Israeli warplanes remained in the skies.
Israel’s military said its Arrow system, which shoots down ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, handled most interceptions and noted that “strategic partners” were involved.
“At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week,” Biden said in a statement. “Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our service members, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.”
An Iranian demonstrator flashes a victory sign as he holds a model of a bullet during an anti-Israeli gathering in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a separate statement that U.S. forces “intercepted dozens of missiles and UAVs en route to Israel, launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.”
Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke early Sunday, Israeli time, their governments said. Biden said in his statement that he reaffirmed “America’s ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security — a departure from his growing criticism of Israel’s conduct in its war on Hamas in Gaza.
IDF warns residents to stay near protective spaces until further notice
Iran had vowed revenge since the April 1 airstrike in Syria, which Tehran accused Israel of being responsible for. Israel hasn’t commented on it.
Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout Israel’s six-month war against Hamas militants in Gaza. The war erupted after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. An Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,000 people, according to local health officials.
Almost immediately after the war erupted, Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, began attacking Israel’s northern border. The two sides have been involved in daily exchanges of fire, while Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen have launched rockets and missiles toward Israel.
In a statement carried late Saturday by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard acknowledged launching “dozens of drones and missiles towards the occupied territories and positions of the Zionist regime.”
In a later statement, the Revolutionary Guard issued a direct warning to the U.S.: “The terrorist U.S. government is warned any support or participation in harming Iran’s interests will be followed by decisive and regretting response by Iran’s armed forces.”
IRNA also quoted an anonymous official saying ballistic missiles were part of the attack. A ballistic missile moves on an arch trajectory, heading up into space before gravity brings the weapon down at a speed several times faster than the speed of sound.
Israel has a multilayered air-defense network that includes systems capable of intercepting a variety of threats including long-range missiles, cruise missiles, drones and short-range rockets. However, in a massive attack involving multiple drones and missiles, the likelihood of a strike making it through is higher.
Iran has a vast arsenal of drones and missiles. Online videos shared by Iranian state television purported to show delta-wing-style drones resembling the Iranian Shahed-136s long used by Russia in its war on Ukraine. The slow-flying drones carry bombs. Ukraine has successfully used both surface-to-air missiles and ground fire to target them.
Some Israelis watched the interceptions light up the night sky.
Air raid sirens were reported in numerous places including northern Israel, southern Israel, the northern West Bank and the Dead Sea near the Jordanian border.
Israel’s army ordered residents in the Golan Heights — near the Syrian and Lebanese borders — as well as the southern towns of Nevatim and Dimona and the Red Sea resort of Eilat into protective spaces. Dimona is home to Israel’s main nuclear facility, and Nevatim has a major air base. Loud booms were heard in Jerusalem and northern and southern Israel.
The army’s Home Front Command canceled school Sunday and limited public gatherings to no more than 1,000 people. Israel and some other countries in the region closed their airspace.
Earlier, Netanyahu warned: “Whoever harms us, we will harm them.”
In Washington, Biden convened a principals meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the attack.
Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of the U.S. military’s Central Command, was in Israel over the weekend consulting with Israeli defense officials. The Central Command oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a warning to both Israel and the U.S. “Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” it wrote online. “It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!”
For days, Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had threatened to “slap” Israel for the Syria strike.
In Iran’s capital, Tehran, witnesses saw long lines at gas stations early Sunday as people appeared worried about what may come next. Dozens of hard-liners demonstrated in support of the attack at Palestine Square.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported heavy Israeli airstrikes and shelling on multiple locations in south Lebanon following Iran’s launch of drones. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said it launched “dozens” of Katyusha rockets at an Israeli military site in the Golan Heights early Sunday. It was not immediately clear if there was any damage.
Iranian missiles or drones were intercepted in the sky above the Jordanian capital, Amman. In Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, and elsewhere in the country, residents reported seeing missiles in the sky and hearing explosions, likely from interceptions. In Syria, explosions were heard in the capital, Damascus, and elsewhere. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Syrian air defenses tried to shoot down Israeli attempts to intercept Iranian missiles.
The Israeli military says Iran has launched a number of drones toward Israel.
The army’s spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said it would take several hours for the aircraft to arrive. He said Israel was prepared. He spoke Saturday evening.
Israel has been on heightened alert since an airstrike last week killed two Iranian generals in Syria. Iran accused Israel of being behind the attack and vowed revenge. Israel has not commented on that attack.
Lieutenant General Daniel Ishamel Opande is widely regarded as a ‘general’ though he never actually made it from Lieutenant General to full General rank.
By 2000, he was Kenya’s Vice Chief of the military when he was ‘controversially’ appointed to lead the United Nations peace keeping efforts as Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).
His new duty at Sierra Leonne effectively meant that he was now out of the race to succeed Gen Tonje, paving the way for Gen Joseph Kibwana to become Kenya’s military head.
Leaving the disappointment of not becoming a general and Chief of Kenya’s military, Lt Gen Opande would impress the world in his new posting that came immediately after Kenyan soldiers who were part of UN peacekeeping troops were kidnapped and some killed by rebels.
After a successful mission in Sierra Leonne (2000-2003) that also included overseeing a successful election in 2001, the United Nations Secretary General yet again appointed Lt Gen Opande as the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia where he served until 2005.
Lt Gen Opande earned praises across the globe with his peace keeping mission successes, given that UN’s efforts had previously borne no fruits in Rwanda and Liberia.
Sierra Leonne and the world best remembers him for his ‘No More War’ slogan that is still widely used.
After Kenya’s disputed 2007 poll, he is credited with being among those who worked hard to help realize the Raila-Kibaki agreement that ended the violence.
Lt. Gen Opande’s distinguished service earned him a special place in history when he was listed in the American Military Hall of Fame by the National Defense University, Washington DC, one of the highest honors for a soldier.
Nollywood actor Junior Pope Odonwodo, popularly known as Jnr Pope has died in a boat accident while traveling to film a movie in Nigeria’s Delta state, his fellow actors have said.
The film star was earlier reported to have survived the accident when doctors attempted to resuscitate him in a hospital.
Videos shared on social media showed rescuers carrying the actor, who appeared unconscious, out of River Niger where the incident happened late Wednesday.
Hours before the accident, the 39-year-old actor had shared a video of him and four others on his Instagram page travelling to the movie location on a boat.
He was heard expressing concerns about the lack of safety measures and praying for a safe journey.
Junior Pope has acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies and is best known for playing roles of a criminal, villain, a bodyguard and a hitman.
Fellow actors have taken to social media to mourn him.
Nollywood is still reeling from the loss of two other industry stars, John Okafor, better known as Mr Ibu and Amaechi Muonagor.
(AP) — Real estate tycoon Truong My Lan was sentenced Thursday to death by a court in Ho Chi Minh city in southern Vietnam in the country’s largest financial fraud case ever, state media Thanh Nien said.
The 67-year-old chair of the real estate company Van Thinh Phat was formally charged with fraud amounting to $12.5 billion— nearly 3% of the country’s 2022 GDP.
Lan illegally controlled Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank between 2012 and 2022 to allow 2,500 loans that resulted in losses of $27 billion to the bank, reported state media VnExpress. The court asked her to compensate the bank $26.9 million.
Despite mitigating circumstances — this was a first-time offense and Lan participated in charity activities — the court attributed its harsh sentence to the seriousness of the case, saying Lan was at the helm of an orchestrated and sophisticated criminal enterprise that had serious consequences with no possibility of the money being recovered, VnExpress said. Her actions “not only violate the property management rights of individuals and organizations but also push SCB (Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank) into a state of special control; eroding people’s trust in the leadership of the Party and State,” VnExpress quoted the judgement as saying.
Details
The 2011 merger of a beleaguered SCB bank involved two other lenders. The banks have since become one of Vietnam’s largest commercial banks by assets.
Former central bank official Do Thi Nhan was also sentenced Thursday to life in prison for accepting $5.2 million in bribes.
Lan’s arrest in October 2022 was among the most high-profile in an ongoing anti-corruption drive in Vietnam that has intensified since 2022. The so-called Blazing Furnace campaign has touched the highest echelons of Vietnamese politics. Former President Vo Van Thuong resigned in March after being implicated in the campaign.
But it’s the scale of Lan’s trial has shocked the nation. VTP was among Vietnam’s richest real estate firms, with projects including luxury residential buildings, offices, hotels and shopping centers. Analysts said the scale of the scam raised questions about whether other banks or businesses had similarly erred, dampening Vietnam’s economic outlook and making foreign investors jittery at a time when Vietnam has been trying to position itself as the ideal home for businesses trying to pivot their supply chains away from China.
The real estate sector in Vietnam has been hit particularly hard: An estimated 1,300 property firms withdrew from the market in 2023, developers have been offering discounts and gold as gifts to attract buyers, and despite rent for shophouses falling by a third in Ho Chi Minh City, many in the city center are still empty, according to state media.
In November, Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam’s top politician, said that the anti-corruption fight would “continue for the long term.”
Apple sent out threat notifications to users in 92 countries on Wednesday, informing them that they may have been the target of “mercenary spyware attacks,” a warning that comes as several countries are preparing to hold critical elections.
What you need to know
Apple updated the security notice on its website Wednesday, which states that threat notifications are “designed to inform and assist users who may have been individually targeted by mercenary spyware attacks.”
According to several Indian news outlets, including the Economic Times and the Indian Express, some iPhone users in the country received notifications from Apple alerting them of an attack “that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID.”
The notification informed the user they were likely being targeted specifically “because of who you are or what you do,” and urged them to take it “seriously.”
The reports do not name any individuals in India who received the notifications, but it comes just a week before the start of the country’s six-week general elections—the world’s largest democratic exercise.
Apple doesn’t include specific steps for users who have received the notifications, other than urging them to enlist help from cybersecurity experts.
BIG NUMBER
150. That’s the number of countries in which iPhone users have received threat notifications since 2021, the company said.
KEY BACKGROUND
In October, Apple sent out similar notifications to several prominent political leaders in India who represented opposition parties. Rahul Gandhi, the top leader of Congress—India’s main opposition party—told reporters he and several members of his and other opposition parties had received notifications that their iPhones were being targeted by “state-sponsored attackers.” At the time, Gandhi called out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and accused them of carrying out the attack. Prominent activists and journalists who are critical of the Modi government also received the notification at the time. Apple confirmed it had sent out the notifications but said it had not attributed it to a “specific state-sponsored attacker.” In late December, Amnesty International said it had conducted a forensic investigation to confirm Apple’s findings and said NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware was used to carry out the attacks. Indian authorities publicly denied carrying out the attacks but, according to the Washington Post, they reportedly pressured Apple to “come up with alternative explanations for the warnings to users,” to ease the political fallout.
Hamas has informed mediators that it rejects the latest U.S. proposal for a renewed hostages-for-ceasefire deal, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources as saying that the terrorist organization intends to put forward a roadmap for a permanent end to the war.
The U.S. offer would have seen Israel release 900 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 40 hostages, along with a partial IDF withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the unrestricted return of Palestinians to the northern part of the coastal enclave.
The plan proposed that Hamas would release more hostages at a later stage following the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza.
At the same time, Hamas is currently “unable to locate 40 hostages detained in the Gaza Strip” needed for the first stage of a hostage deal, an Israeli official with knowledge of the talks told CNN on Wednesday.
A senior Israeli official familiar with the talks in Cairo told the Journal that Israel was open to using the U.S. proposal as a basis for talks and that a majority in the Cabinet would vote to back a deal.
However, Israeli officials view the framework’s plan for the free movement of Palestinians in northern Gaza and the ratio of terrorists to hostages released as significant concessions to Hamas, the newspaper said.
Indirect talks have been taking place in Cairo, Doha and Paris brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. for a temporary truce that would see the release of the captives still in the Strip.
The Israeli delegation led by Mossad chief David Barnea departed the Egyptian capital on Monday amid conflicting reports of progress in negotiations to free the remaining hostages.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday expressed frustration with Hamas, saying Israel was prepared to move forward.
Asked about President Joe Biden’s failure to secure a deal, Sullivan told reporters at a White House press briefing that “there could be a ceasefire in place today that would extend for several weeks to be built upon longer if Hamas would be prepared to release some of those people.”
He added, “I believe Israel is ready and Hamas should step up to the table and be prepared to do so as well.”
Officials in Jerusalem believe that the IDF withdrawal from Khan Yunis and the flood of humanitarian aid into Gaza have hurt the chances that Hamas will agree to a hostage release deal, Ynet reported Wednesday.
“We gave up our strong cards for nothing,” the outlet quoted the Israeli sources as saying. “Hamas is digging in with its demands for an end to the war and a troop withdrawal, and is determined to play tricks with the mediators,” the sources continued.
Speaking at a women’s event in Jordan late last month, Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal declared that the organization’s leadership is “waging a negotiating battle no less fierce” than the military conflict with the IDF, according to a readout of his remarks posted to Telegram by Hamas.
“Inshallah [‘God willing’], we will defeat them in the field and in the negotiating battle,” said Mashaal, adding that the group is also fighting “intense battles” in the media and on the political battlefield.
The terrorist leader reiterated that “in the negotiations, we insist on stopping the aggression, withdrawing from Gaza, returning the displaced to their places, especially in northern Gaza, providing all necessary relief, shelter and reconstruction, and ending the siege.
“We will not release their prisoners [the hostages] until we achieve these goals,” Mashaal vowed.
World Athletics has announced that it will offer a massive USD50,000 (Approx Sh6.5mn) for every gold medalist at the Olympic Games in Paris this year, a massive announcement that will definitely spark intense competition.
Previously, medalists at the Olympic Games have not been handed cash rewards but World Athletics now becomes the first governing body to offer financial incentive at the quadrennial games.
According to a Statement, a total prize pot of USD2.4mn has been ring fenced from the International Olympic Committee’s(IOC) revenue share allocation, which is received by World Athletics every four years.
There are 48 athletics disciplines at the Olympic Games.
The news will be a further welcome financial boost for Kenyan athletes, as a gold medalist will now be assured of at least Sh11mn from their sweat, with the Kenyan government having announced that every global gold medalist will be awarded Sh5mn.
“The introduction of prize money for Olympic gold medallists is a pivotal moment for World Athletics and the sport of athletics as a whole, underscoring our commitment to empowering the athletes and recognising the critical role they play in the success of any Olympic Games,” World Athletics boss Seb Coe said in the statement.
World Athletics says it will start by rewarding gold medalists in Paris, but the plan is to reward all medalists starting from the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The payment of prize money will depend upon the World Athletics ratification process, including athletes undergoing and clearing the usual anti-doping procedures.
A hacker group claimed to have breached the Israeli Defense Ministry’s computers and obtained sensitive information.
Security sources confirmed to Israel Hayom daily on Tuesday that there had been indeed a breach into the ministry’s computers.
The hacker group that made the claims on Telegram asserted that it had successfully accessed data from the Defense Ministry’s computer systems, the daily added.
Among the documents allegedly belonging to the Defense Ministry were “communications and orders,” which the hackers offered for sale for 50 bitcoins (about $3.45 million).
Moreover, the Israeli daily reported that the hackers had obtained extensive data but would only consider selling it if Israel agreed to release 500 Palestinian prisoners.
Security sources confirmed to Israel Hayom daily that the breach of the ministry’s systems had occurred, but they did not specify whether the stolen data was sensitive.
Boeing is facing new pressure after a whistleblower reported safety concerns over the manufacturing of some of its planes to US regulators.
Engineer Sam Salehpour accused Boeing of taking shortcuts in the construction of its 787 and 777 jets.
He claimed he was “threatened with termination” after raising concerns with bosses.
But Boeing said the claims were “inaccurate” and added it was confident its planes were safe.
“The issues raised have been subject to rigorous engineering examination under [Federal Aviation Administration] oversight,” the company said.
“This analysis has validated that these issues do not present any safety concerns and the aircraft will maintain its service life over several decades.”
Shares in the plane manufacturer sank almost 2% on Tuesday after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was investigating the claims, and the company reported it had delivered just 83 planes to customers in the first three months of the year – the smallest number since 2021.
The whistleblower complaint, which was first reported by the New York Times, is the latest incident to focus attention on the safety of planes made by US-based Boeing, one of the world’s two major producers of commercial planes.
The company was already facing criminal investigation and other legal troubles, after an unused exit door broke off of one of its smaller 737 Max 9 planes shortly after take-off in January.
Passengers escaped serious injury but the incident has plunged the company into crisis, forcing a temporary grounding of dozens of 737 Max 9 planes, drawing regulatory probes and prompting Boeing to dramatically slow production of its planes.
The company coming under intense scrutiny again led its chief executive David Calhoun to announce last month that he would step down by the end of the year.
On Tuesday, attorneys for engineer Mr Salehpour said Boeing had made decisions for 787 aircraft assembly which placed stress on joints that linked up parts of the body of the jets, an issue affecting more than 1,000 planes.
In a whistleblower complaint filed with the FAA in January, he alleged the method could reduce the lifespan of the plane.
“These problems are the direct result of Boeing’s decision in recent years to prioritize profits over safety, and a regulator in the FAA that has become too deferential to industry,” his lawyers, Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, said in a statement.
The attorneys added Mr Salehpour had been transferred to work on the 777 plane after he raised concerns.
They said he had soon observed other issues in the assembly of that plane.
“He was threatened with termination, excluded from important meetings, projects, and communication, denied reasonable requests for medical leave, assigned work outside of his expertise, and effectively declared persona non grata to his colleagues,” they said.
The 787 Dreamliner is a bigger plane than the 737, often used on international flights. It has been flying since 2011, but almost from the start has been the target of quality complaints.
Boeing eventually slowed production and stopped deliveries for almost two years, responding to issues that had been raised. The FAA in 2022 cleared Boeing to resume deliveries.
The FAA, which has increased its oversight of Boeing since the door plug blowout in January, said in a statement that it encouraged people in the aviation industry to share information.
“We thoroughly investigate all reports,” the agency said when asked about the report.
Mombasa leaders have intensified calls for parents to seriously take responsibility for their children’s behaviours in the wake of a resurgence of juvenile crimes in Kisauni Sub-County.
County Commissioner (CC) Mohamed Nur said a security agencies had mobilized a mop up in Kisauni Sub-County to weed out the youthful criminals who have been terrorizing residents with impunity
“Yesterday alone, we arrested 23 people some are young people between 16 and 17 years engaging in crime. We will extend the operation to Likoni and Jomvu sub-counties to weed out criminals,” said Nur.
He decried that it was appalling to see people losing their phones or going to the mosque being attacked. “We won’t allow that trend to go in Mombasa,” he said.
Parents were urged to know their children’s whereabouts during school holidays and not to allow them to loiter around.
The County Commissioner (CC) Mohamed Nur was speaking after Eid-ul-Fitr Prayers at the Ronald Ngala grounds, he stated that in conjunction with the County Government, they will close down mugukaa chewing dens which are breeding grounds for criminals and children to stay there overnight.
“We want children at dusk to be at home, in the dens they acquire indecorous behaviour. We have finished Ramadhan we will close all the dens,” stated CC Nur.
In the renewed fight against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the CC revealed that they have so far closed 167 bars, got heroin 160 sachets, and 30,000 litres of bootleg liquor was destroyed.
“We have also closed 21 chemists selling drugs to children. A chemist was found selling over the counter a sleeping pill to a seven-year-old child,” said the County Commissioner.
Muslim faithful during the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy month of Ramadhan at Ronald Ngala grounds, Mombasa. Photo/KBC
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir echoed the County Commissioner’s sentiments saying there is no justification for anyone to engage in crimes and a child between 17 years and 20 years is supposed to be in school and shouldn’t use the lack of jobs as an excuse.
“Parents and community must take responsibility. Parents should also be interrogated about their children’s behaviour. Data shows that whenever schools are on crime rates are usually low but when they are closed crime surges. It is not right,” said Governor Nassir.
He warned children engaging in crimes that when they are apprehended their crime cases are being recorded and no employer will employ them.
Chief Kadhi Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein congratulated the Muslim faithful for cooperating with the security to ensure there was peace in Ramadhan epoch.
The Chief Kadhi urged Muslims to assist the less fortunate families. He lauded the government for its efforts to heighten security during the fasting month that enabled Muslims to perform night prayers and businesses to thrive.
Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya Has come out to confess to trying weed cookie, a popular drug among Kenyans youths for the first time in his life.
The controversial lawmaker claim a friend talked him into consuming the substance and it had him knocked out, “mtu alinidanga jana akanipa cookie nikala waaah yale nimeona Niliimba nyimbo zote. Nilikunywa maji mengi ambayo sijai kunywa 5 litres of water and maziwa baridi ndio body system ika respond.” Said the MP.
Weed cookies/edibles. Image/Google.
He goes further to say he won’t use the drug again but will instead keep to smoking pot, “I will never take it again afadhali yangu ya kawaida ya Matawi na raw hivyo …sitawahi jaribu tena members.” He posted on his Facebook.
Are edibles safer?
There has been a misconception that using weed cookies is safer method of using marijuana as opposed to smoking and that it’s less addictive and with minimal side effects.
An American Heart Association study analyzed data from more than 430,000 adults collected over four years. Researchers found that marijuana use is linked to a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke, with the risk increasing with frequency of use. Daily users had a 25% higher chance of heart attack and a 42% higher chance of stroke than non-users. And the increased danger exists whether users smoke, vape or eat their cannabis products.
A 2014 study from the New England Journal of Medicine showed that nearly 10% of people who try out marijuana get hooked. That figure increases to 17% among those who first try weed in adolescence and to 25% among those who get high every day.
Marijuana is not a harmless substance, especially for adolescents whose brains have yet to fully develop. Yet teenage marijuana use is also at its highest level this century.
Studies have shown that frequent marijuana use can fundamentally alter the brain’s prefrontal cortex (our brain’s “personality center”), the cerebellum (which controls movement and balance) and the amygdala (which processes emotions and memories).
In Kenya, possession and consumption of cannabis is illegal punishable by up-to ten years in jail.
Drugs and alcohol abuse amongst youths in Kenya has in recent times escalated prompting an nationwide crackdown that is still ongoing.
The US does not believe Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, defense chief Lloyd Austin said Tuesday.
“We don’t have any evidence of genocide being created” in Gaza, Austin said at a Senate hearing on the Pentagon’s budget request.
Austin reiterated that the US is committed to assisting Israel in defending its territory and people by providing security assistance.
The defense chief also said a mass famine will accelerate violence and have the effect of ensuring that there is a long-term conflict.
Washington encourages Tel Aviv to provide humanitarian assistance, open up more land routes and separate the Palestinian people from Hamas, said Austin.
He also rejected accusations that he gave a green light to Israeli killings in Gaza, after which a group of protestors interrupted the hearing in solidarity with Palestine.
Austin defended the US administration’s stance that Palestinians should get humanitarian aid when he was asked why Israel should have the responsibility to provide aid to Gaza by Sen. Tom Cotton, who said Israel was the victim of an unprovoked vicious attack on Oct. 7.
“If they (Israelis) want to create a lasting effect and in terms of stability, then I think that something needs to be done to account or to help the Palestinian people,” said Austin.
Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Palestinian territory since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, which killed nearly 1,200 people.
More than 33,200 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 76,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.
Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in January issued an interim ruling that ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.
