Author Archives: The Esbec Team
Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya. Nairobi – The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has strongly refuted allegations by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah that one of its vehicles was involved in the alleged abduction of cartoonist Gideon Kibet, also known as Kibet Bull. DCI boss Amin Mohamed (l) and Busia senator Okiya Omtatah (r) at past events. The vehicle allegedly used in Kibet Bull’s abduction (c). Photo: DCI/Okiya Omtatah.Source: Twitter The claims surfaced after Senator Omtatah revealed details of a meeting with Kibet at Taj Towers, during which his team reportedly spotted a white Subaru equipped with communication gear parked near the venue. According to Omtatah, the vehicle, which he
Bethlehem’s economic crisis deepens as tourism collapses during the Gaza conflict. By GIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE DECEMBER 26, 2024 21:00 Church of the Nativity.jpeg – Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity was almost empty on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024. (photo credit: Giorgia Valente/The Media Line) Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ, marked a subdued Christmas, overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the devastating local economy. For the second consecutive year, the city’s Christian community faced a bleak holiday season, with rising fears about the survival of one of the world’s oldest Christian populations. For more stories from The Media Line go to themedialine.org Friar Ibrahim Faltas, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, told The Media Line, “This has become an open-air prison. On top of
With the surge in actions that stretch the boundaries of our cherished freedoms, from derogatory name-calling to the dissemination of AI-generated images depicting the president in a casket, the line between constructive criticism and outright disrespect has become increasingly blurred. A session ongoing in the National Assembly. Photo: National Assembly.Source: Twitter Such actions not only undermine the dignity of the presidency but also erode the respect integral to our national ethos. The abduction, reportedly in connection with posting AI-generated images of President William Ruto, has intensified public concern over the balance between freedom of expression and respect for leadership. While the Bill of Rights enshrined in our Constitution grants us freedoms that are the envy of many, it is imperative to recognize that these rights come with inherent responsibilities. The
As footage and images of what might have been the maiden flight of China’s sixth-generation fighter jet went viral on Thursday, the country’s official military media appeared to tacitly confirm the rumours. A mysterious aircraft bearing a triangular tailless design was seen flying over Chengdu in southwestern Sichuan province in broad daylight, flanked by a fifth-generation J-20 fighter jet, according to videos shared on Chinese social media . While the jet – speculated by observers to feature cutting-edge stealth and endurance capabilities – has yet to be officially identified or named, a provincial newspaper made reference to the aircraft. “It really looks like a leaf,” the Chengdu-based Defence Times wrote on its Weibo account alongside an image of a ginkgo leaf. The post quickly circulated across social media and was
Rescuers evacuate a wounded child at the site of an Israeli attack in a residential area in the Tuffah neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, on Wednesday [Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP] The Israeli genocide has killed at least 38 more Palestinians in Gaza in the past 24 hours, including five journalists. Gaza’s Ministry of Health on Thursday said the overall death toll in the Palestinian enclave since October last year stood at 45,399, while more than 107,000 have been wounded. On Thursday morning, Israel hit a broadcast van parked close to al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, killing the five journalists from the al-Quds Today TV channel, Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif reported. The journalists have been identified as Fadi Hassouna, Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ali, Mohammed al-Ladah, Faisal Abu al-Qumsan and Ayman al-Jadi.
A gas explosion at a vulcaniser’s shop at Kpakungun, a suburb of Minna, has killed one person and injured two others. The victims of the incident, which happened on Christmas Day, were identified as Zakari Aliyu, Mohammed Usman Baba, and Umar Mohammed. Faisal Avuya, an eye witness, said the explosion occurred after Usman Baba, the shop owner, refilled a customer’s gas cylinder. READ ALSO: Atiku Condemns Killing Of ‘Innocent Citizens’ In Sokoto Airstrike “The cylinder became hot, and Zakari, who was an apprentice, fetched water to cool it down as they usually do. However, as he poured water on it, the cylinder exploded,” Avuya said. The apprentice died on the spot while the shop owner and his son, Umar, sustained serious injuries. Authorities are yet to comment on the incident
Nine states from Virginia to Maine are under snow alerts on Christmas Eve morning as a band of snow moves through the Northeast, bringing treacherous driving conditions. A white Christmas? The National Weather Service considers it a white Christmas if there’s 1 inch or more of snow on the ground at 7 a.m. on Christmas morning. New York City could see its first white Christmas in 15 years. One inch of snow fell in Central Park on Christmas Eve morning, but it’s not clear if it’ll melt before Christmas Day. Other cities that have a good chance for a white Christmas are: Minneapolis; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Boston; Buffalo, New York; and Burlington, Vermont. This weather map shows where one inch or more of snow is forecast. ABC News Christmas Eve
Whatever path forward is chosen, the Houthis will need to suffer more serious blows because, currently, they feel emboldened. By SETH J. FRANTZMAN DECEMBER 24, 2024 14:46 A Houthi pictured at a rally to show support for the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen December 20, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH) Overnight, the Iranian-backed Houthis launched a ballistic missile at Israel. This is the fourth attack in two weeks. There were also Houthi missile attacks on December 21, December 19, and December 16. The Houthis are increasing their attacks and showing they are not deterred by Israel’s strikes or Israel’s rhetoric. Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Arrow air defense battery that intercepted the missile overnight. “We will not accept the fact that the Houthis continue to fire at the State
The South African Weather Service has issued multiple warnings for severe thunderstorms and damaging winds in parts of North West, Free State and Western Cape. (Cecile Nijland/Netwerk24) The South African Weather Service has issued multiple warnings for severe thunderstorms and damaging winds in parts of the North West, Free State and Western Cape. Extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are expected over the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape. Impact-based warnings Yellow Level 2 warning: Severe thunderstorms leading to localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges as well as large amounts of small hail over an open area are expected over the western parts of the North West, north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape and over the north-western parts of the Free State. Yellow Level 1 warning: Damaging winds leading to difficulty in navigation
The Indian government’s move to impose a three-tiered tax on popcorn, based on its sugar or spice content, has caused tempers to pop during the holiday shopping season, with social media users roasting the decision and experts warning of deeper cracks in the country’s complex tax system. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, chaired by the finance minister and including state representatives, announced on Saturday that with immediate effect, non-branded popcorn mixed with salt and spices would attract a 5 per cent GST, pre-packaged and branded popcorn 12 per cent, and caramel popcorn, categorised as a sugar confectionery, 18 per cent. The announcement was met with scorn online, with local media highlighting a now-deleted viral post made by a start-up founder on social media platform Reddit complaining about the
William Kabogo said he is ready to serve as the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and The Digital Economy The former Kiambu governor pledged to directly engage with Kenyans, travelling across the country to monitor the implementation of key projects Kabogo called on all Kenyans to support the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government’s development agenda Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya. Nairobi—William Kabogo, the former Kiambu Governor and nominee for Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and The Digital Economy, has committed to delivering fair and equitable services to all Kenyans. Former Kiambu governor William Kabogo was recently nominated to the Cabinet. Photo: William Kabogo.Source: UGC What did William Kabogo pledge to Kenyans? Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, Kabogo emphasised
Hoodlums have attacked the Palace of Etsu Lokoja, Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, the Nyamkpa fourth, and burnt his car as well as some valuable properties in his residence. The palace which is located at New Layout, Lokoja the Kogi state capital, was on Saturday allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am while the monarch narrowly escaped by scaling the fence. The attack follows the plans by Nupe Natives of the Lokoja Development Union to host the second Edition of Nupe Natives end of the year event, tagged: “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta” slated to be held on December 21, 2024. The event was aborted due to the unfortunate attack when many Nupe natives from neighbouring states started arriving on the eve of the occasion. Narrating his ordeal, the monarch said, it
A “technical issue” disrupted American Airlines flights nationwide on Tuesday. December 24, 2024, 7:15 AM A “technical issue” disrupted American Airlines flights nationwide early on Tuesday, the airline said, at the start of a busy Christmas Eve for travelers around the country. The Federal Aviation Administration said American requested a ground stop for all its flights. “We’re currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights,” the airline wrote in a post to X. The post added, “Your safety is our utmost priority, once this is rectified, we’ll have you safely on your way to your destination.” Replying to questions from other social media users, the airline said it was not able to estimate how long the fix would take. An American Airlines passenger plane is parked at a
Spokesperson for the national Department of Health, Foster Mohale said these counterfeit condoms do not have verified efficacy. “As the department we are concerned about these reports of fake condoms because they not certified by the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) through quality control tests to provide the required protection against sexually transmitted infections including the HIV and unplanned pregnancies,” Mohale said on Saturday. Condoms are one of the most viable and safe methods of contraception, which carry the promise of safe sex. “Counterfeit condoms pose severe public health risks, including the failure to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, thus putting the lives of innocent consumers and users at risk,” said Mohale. “As the department, we will work closely with the private sector that sells condoms to