The Common Pulse

  By   Kirangacha Mwaniki | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa / September 2025. The corridors of diplomacy often echo louder than the declarations made at podiums. President William Ruto’s official flight to the United States ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) summit has set the stage for a moment that blends symbolism, politics, economics, and the pursuit of global recognition. For Kenya, this trip is more than a diplomatic routine, it is a defining episode in how the country positions itself within the global order at a time when geopolitical realignments are redrawing spheres of influence. The Global Stage of UNGA Every September, world leaders converge in New York for the UNGA, a gathering that remains the most inclusive platform of its kind. Unlike regional summits or exclusive clubs such as the G7, the UNGA brings together almost every nation on earth, rich and poor, small and mighty, established and emerging. For African lead...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa / September 2025. A Drastic Move That Redefines America’s Immigration Landscape When Donald Trump makes a move on immigration, the world pays attention. His latest policy decision to raise the H-1B visa fee from $1,000 to a staggering $100,000 has sent shockwaves across the globe. The H-1B program has long been the backbone of America’s high-skilled workforce, allowing companies to bring in talented engineers, doctors, researchers, and IT professionals from across the world, especially India and China. But with this radical fee hike, Trump has turned what was once a competitive, though costly, process into something many are calling an “elitist auction.” The ripple effects of this move are enormous, touching everything from Silicon Valley’s talent pool to America’s international reputation as a land of opportunity. For decades, the H-1B visa has been synonymous with high-skilled immigration ...

  By   Justin Kirangacha | The Common Pulse/latest news/Ukraine/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. The world of energy and infrastructure in Kenya has never been short of drama, power struggles, and rapid leadership changes. Today, another major development hit the headlines when news broke that Dr. John Mativo, the Managing Director of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), had been relieved of his duties. In his place, the government has appointed Kipkemoi Kibias in an acting capacity. The announcement has stirred both intrigue and debate across Kenya’s energy sector, political circles, and the broader public, given the critical role KETRACO plays in the stability and growth of the national grid. This leadership shake-up raises questions about governance, accountability, political influence, and the future of Kenya’s power transmission projects. With the country heavily reliant on KETRACO’s work to expand electricity access and modernize infra...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa / September 2025. For years, Apple has been at the forefront of redefining what a smartphone can be, consistently pushing boundaries with each release. The unveiling of the iPhone 17 Pro has once again reinforced this reputation, merging cutting-edge innovation with sleek design and a renewed focus on user experience. More than just an incremental upgrade, this latest device represents a bold leap forward in Apple’s long journey to reimagine mobile technology. A New Era of Design The iPhone 17 Pro continues Apple’s tradition of balancing elegance and durability. Crafted from aerospace-grade titanium, the device feels both light and incredibly strong in the hand. Apple has taken its design ethos to new heights by introducing an even slimmer bezel that almost disappears into the edge, creating an immersive all-screen effect that rivals anything on the market. The phone also introduces a sl...

By    Peninah Mbula | The Common Pulse/latest new/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. Meta AI smart glasses 2025 The year 2025 marks a bold new era for Meta with the unveiling of its AI smart glasses . Unlike earlier wearable tech that struggled to find mainstream acceptance, Meta’s glasses are being positioned as both functional and fashionable. They combine cutting-edge artificial intelligence with stylish, lightweight design, giving users the ability to seamlessly interact with the digital world without being tethered to a smartphone screen. From real-time translation to AI-driven recommendations, these glasses reflect Meta’s broader mission to blur the line between human life and digital innovation. Facebook owner unveils new smart glasses The Facebook owner’s unveiling of the new smart glasses quickly became one of the hottest global tech stories of 2025. Mark Zuckerberg introduced the glasses as a symbol of Meta’s vision to lead in artificial intelligence and...

 B y Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/Asia/United States/Africa / September 2025 For more than a century, traffic jams have been one of the most frustrating byproducts of modern civilization. From Los Angeles to Lagos, from Beijing to São Paulo, the daily gridlock has drained economies, shortened lives through stress and pollution, and eaten up countless hours that could otherwise have been productive or joyful. For decades, policymakers, engineers, and urban planners experimented with solutions. They expanded highways, built flyovers, introduced smart traffic lights, experimented with congestion taxes, and even promoted cycling and public transport. Yet despite these efforts, traffic only seemed to worsen as cities grew larger and populations swelled By 2025, global urbanization reached unprecedented levels, with more than half of the world’s population living in cities. Roads were choked with vehicles, delivery trucks, and commuters. Economists estimated that traffi...

  By  Mbula Peninah | The Common Pulse/latest new/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. AGOA Extension Fight The battle to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has reached a critical stage as the September 2025 expiry date draws closer. African manufacturers, trade blocs, and political leaders are lobbying aggressively in Washington, highlighting how the programme has become a lifeline for Africa’s industrialization. Since its inception in 2000, AGOA has opened doors for African goods into U.S. markets, giving them a competitive edge over rivals from Asia and Latin America. The extension fight is not just about economics it has become a test of the U.S. commitment to Africa at a time when global trade dynamics are rapidly shifting. African Manufacturers AGOA Push Manufacturers across the continent are making their strongest case yet for AGOA’s survival. From Kenya’s booming textile factories in Athi River to South Africa’s car assembly plants in Port Elizabeth...

  By Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/Asia/United States/Africa / September 2025 Apple has officially unveiled iOS 26, marking a significant evolution in the iPhone experience. The standout feature? A bold new design language dubbed Liquid Glass , which introduces a translucent, fluid aesthetic across the system. This update, available for iPhone 11 and newer models, brings over 70 new features, including enhanced intelligence, revamped apps, and a host of customization options. What Is Liquid Glass? Liquid Glass is Apple's most ambitious visual overhaul in years. Inspired by the design of visionOS, it replaces the flat, minimalist interface with rounded, semi-transparent elements that mimic the optical qualities of glass, such as refraction and depth. This design is evident in various system components, including: Home Screen : App icons now feature layered, glass-like visuals. Control Center : Buttons and sliders have a translucent, floating appearance. Safari ...