The Common Pulse

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 When Joseph Kabila first assumed power in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he was viewed by many as the face of a new beginning after years of chaos under his father Laurent-Désiré Kabila. Young, calm, and seemingly reform-minded, he presented himself as the leader who would stabilize a fractured nation and move it toward democracy. Two decades later, the story of Joseph Kabila has taken a shocking and historic turn, as news spreads of his sentencing to death for war crimes. This moment has not only stunned Congolese citizens but has also reverberated far beyond Africa’s borders, opening a new chapter in the global fight for accountability. The Rise of Joseph Kabila Kabila was thrust into power in 2001 after the assassination of his father. At the time, the Democratic Republic of Congo was embroiled in what was often called “Africa’s World War,” a multi-sided conflict involvin...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 When Keir Starmer walked through the black door of Number 10 Downing Street last year, it marked not just a political transition in Britain but also a profound global experiment. After more than a decade of Conservative rule, the United Kingdom chose a leader who promised not fireworks, not sweeping ideology, but sober pragmatism. Starmer’s Labour had secured a commanding majority, the kind of parliamentary dominance that allows a government to set the agenda with relatively little obstruction. And yet, rather than promise revolutions or dramatic ruptures, Starmer framed his leadership as a corrective to a political age that had become drunk on populism. He promised steadiness in a world addicted to chaos, moderation in an era obsessed with extremes, and the restoration of trust in a political system that many voters had long abandoned as broken. This victory did not happen in ...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 The Sea Becomes a Stage of Struggle In the middle of a turbulent Middle East, the waters of the Mediterranean are once again on edge. A flotilla carrying humanitarian aid bound for Gaza is preparing to sail, bracing for possible confrontation with Israeli naval forces. The organizers, made up of international activists, humanitarian groups, and pro-Palestinian coalitions, insist they are motivated by a moral obligation to break what they describe as an inhumane blockade. Israel, on the other hand, insists the blockade is a necessary security measure to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons into the enclave. Between these competing narratives, the sea is becoming more than just a geographical space. It is becoming a stage for the world’s cameras, a floating battlefield of symbols, politics, and international law. The Legacy of Previous Flotillas This is not the first time humanit...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October  2025 Reinventing the Concept of a Window When most people think of cars, one of the most universal design features that come to mind is the window. Transparent glass that offers a glimpse into the outside world, a barrier between the passenger and the elements, and a vital part of the car’s safety and design language. Yet, the Phantom 3500 dares to abandon this most fundamental component. Instead of windows, it is lined with digital panes that recreate the experience of seeing the outdoors through a combination of high-resolution cameras and ultra-precise display technology. This bold leap marks a dramatic rethinking of what mobility, perception, and luxury can mean in the twenty-first century. The Technology Behind Digital Panes The Phantom 3500 uses a system of external high-resolution cameras placed strategically around the vehicle. These cameras capture real-time footage o...

By   Peninah Mbula  | The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Iran/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. A High-Profile Case Shakes Nairobi’s Legal Scene The denial of bail to former Nairobi Central OCS Samson Kiprotich Talaam has ignited conversations across the country. Talaam, alongside his co-accused, is facing murder charges linked to the gruesome killing of Albert Ojwang, which occurred on the night of June 7/8, 2025. The case has become one of the most closely watched courtroom dramas in Kenya this year, pulling together threads of power, law enforcement, and accountability.   The Murder of Albert Ojwang: A Night That Changed Everything Albert Ojwang’s death sent shockwaves across Nairobi and beyond. Reports indicate he was killed under circumstances that have raised troubling questions about law enforcement conduct and the use of power. The brutality of the murder has made the case not just a criminal trial, but also a litmus test for Kenya’s justice system and ...

   By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa / September 2025  A Shift in Kenya’s Healthcare Promise President William Ruto has ushered in a new chapter in Kenya’s healthcare landscape with the unveiling of Linda Jamii, a transformative program set to replace and expand upon the Linda Mama initiative. His statement, “Linda Mama was good, but Linda Jamii is better,” is not just political rhetoric, it reflects the government’s push to remedy the gaps left by previous policies while charting a clear course towards universal health coverage (UHC). This marks a turning point for millions of Kenyans who have long struggled with the burden of healthcare costs, particularly vulnerable households where medical expenses can mean the difference between dignity and despair. From Linda Mama to Linda Jamii: Understanding the Transition Linda Mama, launched under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, was a maternity-focused initiative...

By   Peninah Mbula  | The Common Pulse/latest news/UAE/US/Iran/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. The UAE has introduced significant updates to its visit visa regulations for 2025, aiming to streamline the visa process and attract global talent. One of the most notable changes is the implementation of minimum salary requirements for residents wishing to sponsor family members or friends. These updates are part of the UAE's broader initiative to modernize its entry permit system and support economic diversification. Minimum Salary Requirements for Sponsorship To sponsor visitors in the UAE, residents must meet specific income thresholds based on the relationship with the visitor: Immediate Family Members (e.g., spouse, children, parents): A minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 is required.  Second- or Third-Degree Relatives (e.g., siblings, cousins): A minimum monthly salary of AED 8,000 is required. Friends and Other Non-Relatives: A minimum monthly ...

  By   Peninah Mbula  | The Common Pulse/latest news/UAE/US/Iran/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced significant updates to its visa and entry permit system, aiming to attract global talent, boost tourism, and streamline the immigration process. These changes, announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), include four new visit visa categories and revised entry permit requirements. Here's a comprehensive guide to what's new and how it impacts travelers and residents.   1. AI Specialist Visa: Attracting Global Tech Talent The UAE is positioning itself as a hub for innovation by introducing a visit visa specifically for artificial intelligence (AI) specialists. This visa is available for both single and multiple entries and is valid for a specified period. Applicants must provide a letter from a sponsoring or hosting entity, such as a technology-focused company or...

By   Peninah Mbula  | The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Iran/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. A Sunday Morning Turned to Tragedy On September 28, 2025, a peaceful Sunday morning service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, was shattered when Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old Iraq War veteran, drove his truck into the church and opened fire on worshippers. The attack resulted in four fatalities and eight injuries, including two critically. Sanford then set the building ablaze before being confronted and killed by police officers. A Father's Heartbreaking Statement In the aftermath, Sanford’s father expressed his family's devastation, stating, “We are completely in shock over this. We have no answers. We are asking for privacy as we grieve our loss and those of the others.” He described his son as a loving father and husband, emphasizing the family's shock and confusion over the tragic events.  Investigating the Motive ...

  By   Justin Kirangacha  | The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Iran/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. The Deal That Shook Silicon Valley In a landmark settlement announced on September 29, 2025, YouTube agreed to pay $24.5 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit stemmed from YouTube's decision to suspend Trump's account following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This settlement marks the third major payout from a tech giant to Trump over post-presidency account suspensions, following similar agreements with Meta ($25 million) and Twitter (now X) ($10 million). Where the Money Goes The settlement allocates $22 million to a trust supporting the construction of a new White House State Ballroom, a project championed by Trump. An additional $2.5 million will be distributed among other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union and author Naomi Wolf. Notably, YouTube did not admit to any wrongdoing a...

  By   Peninah Mbula  | The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Iran/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. A Political Earthquake in Kathmandu Nepal has been no stranger to political turmoil, but the recent decision to impose a travel ban on former Prime Minister Sharma Oli marks a seismic shift in how the country confronts its leaders. The ban did not emerge from the top echelons of power alone   it was fueled by the fiery energy of Nepal’s Generation Z, a demographic often dismissed as “too young” to steer political winds but now proving itself to be a storm in its own right. Oli, once hailed for his nationalist rhetoric and his role in Nepal’s constitutional restructuring, suddenly finds himself cornered in his own homeland, unable to step beyond its borders. The Rise of Gen Z Activism in Nepal What makes this moment so electric is the role of Nepal’s youth. Gen Z in Nepal has grown up in the aftermath of a monarchy’s fall, a devastating earthquake, and the ...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa / September 2025 A Sudden Gesture That Captured Global Attention The international stage was taken by surprise when the Taliban announced the release of an American national who had been held in their custody. The news came at a time when Washington and Kabul’s de facto rulers were once again engaged in delicate conversations regarding the future of their fractured relationship. While the act itself was symbolic, its implications stretch far beyond the release of a single individual. For some, this marked a potential shift toward cautious engagement, for others, it appeared to be a tactical maneuver by the Taliban to soften their image and gain leverage in talks that have proven contentious since the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. Context of the U.S.–Taliban Relationship The United States’ relationship with the Taliban has always been defined by contradiction. For nearly two decades, the Taliban w...