The Common Pulse

B y   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / NOVEMBER2025 In recent years, gut health has emerged from the shadows of wellness trends into the mainstream, and fermented foods are leading this movement. No longer seen as niche or exotic, these age-old dietary staples are enjoying a renaissance in modern nutrition, backed by growing scientific evidence linking them to digestive health, immunity, and even mental well-being. The rise of fermented foods, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, miso, and more, is more than a culinary trend; it represents a fundamental shift in how we understand and care for our bodies at the microbial level. The human gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiota. This intricate ecosystem is involved in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function, and it plays a surprising role in mental health, mood regulation, and metabolic processes. A balanced microbiome can be thoug...

  By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. For centuries, royal titles have carried not only prestige and lineage but also the heavy weight of symbolism. They are more than just ceremonial ornaments, they reflect the monarchy’s relationship with the public, the state, and the moral compass of the time. So when Prince Andrew, the Queen’s once-beloved second son, agreed to stop using the title “Duke of York,” it was not just another palace announcement. It was the quiet burial of a royal identity long tarnished by scandal, controversy, and public disillusionment. The move marks a turning point for both the monarchy and the man once considered one of its most visible representatives, underscoring the deep unease that still lingers around his association with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose shadow continues to stretch across the upper echelons of power. The decision to drop the title is not just administrat...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Across the United States, a new battleground is forming between the federal government and local authorities over one of the most divisive and emotional issues in modern America,  immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released a comprehensive list of what it calls “sanctuary jurisdictions,” counties, cities, and even entire states accused of defying or obstructing federal immigration mandates. The publication of this list has ignited fierce debates about sovereignty, constitutional boundaries, human rights, and the balance between local governance and national security. The move represents not only a political flashpoint but also a test of how far the federal government can go to impose its immigration agenda on unwilling localities. Sanctuary jurisdictions, in their simplest definition, are local or state governments that limit coopera...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias| The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Qatar /Israel/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. The world of entertainment thrives on spectacle, and when Taylor Swift decides to launch something new, the spectacle becomes a cultural event. Recently, the global superstar has set the industry ablaze once again, this time with the release party for her latest project, Show Girl . A glamorous fusion of music, performance, and storytelling, the event was not just a party but a declaration of artistic dominance. Swift, already known for her ability to shape trends, left no stone unturned in ensuring that the unveiling of Show Girl would be etched into pop culture history. The Anticipation Leading Up to Show Girl For months, whispers of Taylor’s new project had swirled through social media platforms and entertainment news outlets. Fans speculated about the direction of the new work, especially since Swift has continually reinvented herself across her career. From the ...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias| The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Qatar /Israel/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025.   The Rise of the Blind Box Phenomenon Walk into any trendy toy store, comic shop, or even certain fashion boutiques these days, and you’ll notice the shelves lined with colorful little boxes that give away very little about what’s inside. These are blind box toys, sealed packages that conceal a collectible figurine, accessory, or miniature, only revealed once the box is opened. The concept may feel new to some, but blind box toys have been around for years in Japan and other parts of Asia. Now, they have become a global craze, appealing to children, teens, and adults alike. The allure is simple: every purchase is a gamble, and every box opened delivers either a wave of excitement or a rush of disappointment, depending on whether the figure inside is a highly coveted rare piece or just another common duplicate. This addictive uncertainty is precisely why blind ...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 Japan has once again stunned the world with its unique demographic achievement, announcing that the nation has officially recorded more than 10,000 living citizens who are at least one hundred years old. This figure is not only astonishing by any statistical measure but also speaks volumes about the culture, lifestyle, healthcare system, and collective philosophy of a country that has long been admired for its longevity. In many nations, reaching one hundred years old is such a rare event that it draws media headlines, family reunions, and local government recognition. In Japan, however, the centenarian club has grown so large that it has become a normal part of society, reshaping the way people think about aging, retirement, healthcare, and what it truly means to live a full life. A Nation of Longevity The news of Japan crossing the threshold of 10,000 centenarians has capture...

   By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 For decades, the idea of retirement in Kenya was simple, almost predictable. When salaried professionals or entrepreneurs hung up their boots, they often turned to livestock, especially the prized Fresian cow, as a retirement plan. The milk would pay bills, the calves would multiply into wealth, and the homestead would thrive. Owning a Fresian was more than just farming; it was a badge of success, a symbol that one had worked hard in Nairobi or Mombasa and was now ready to live out their golden years in dignity. But the Kenya of today is no longer the Kenya of twenty or thirty years ago. The generational shift, combined with economic realities, urbanization, and exposure to global trends, has pushed retirees and those planning for retirement to rethink their strategies. Beyond Fresians, Kenyans are rewriting their retirement playbook, embracing unconventional investments,...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 A Community Living in Fear In the wake of recent events, British Jews have been speaking with a collective voice that blends fear, frustration, and a grim sense of inevitability. The sentiment expressed is chilling: the terrorist attack that rocked the United Kingdom was not a shocking anomaly but rather the realization of a long-standing fear. For many within the Jewish community, the question was never if an attack would occur, but when . This sense of inevitability is not rooted in paranoia, but in years of rising hostility, visible hate crimes, and political debates that have allowed antisemitism to simmer under the surface of British society. The Warning Signs Were Always There Jewish organizations in the UK have been documenting hate incidents for years. Synagogues have had to increase security, Jewish schools often employ guards, and cultural centers are frequently un...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 The healthcare world is undergoing one of its most dramatic shifts in centuries, and it is not taking place in sterile hospitals or high-tech laboratories but inside people’s homes. The rise of home diagnostic test kits and medical chatbots has placed unprecedented power in the hands of ordinary individuals. Today, a growing number of patients are bypassing long waits, skipping doctor’s appointments, and diagnosing themselves from their kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms. This revolution is both empowering and controversial, filled with promise but also fraught with dangers that demand careful scrutiny. From Doctor’s Office to Living Room Laboratory Traditionally, the act of diagnosis was a guarded privilege of medical professionals. To know what was wrong with your body meant consulting a doctor, undergoing tests in a clinic, and waiting days or weeks for results. Today, man...