The Common Pulse

  By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news/Ethiopia/Eritrea /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025  Kenya Sounds Alarm on Synthetic Drug Crisis at Global Forum Kenya has raised a red flag at the 32nd Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA) in Vienna, highlighting the escalating threat of synthetic drugs and shifting trafficking patterns. Anthony Omerikwa, CEO of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), emphasized the alarming rise in the abuse of new psychoactive substances, particularly among the youth. He noted that Kenya's global connectivity has made it an attractive transit route for illicit drugs, but there's now a concerning trend of increasing domestic consumption.   Global Shift: From Transit to Consumption Omerikwa pointed out that some African countries, including Kenya, are no longer just transit routes for drugs but are experiencing a surge in local drug use. This sh...

By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news/Ethiopia/Eritrea /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025 WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, calling it a vital turning point for battered civilians. “The best medicine is peace,” he said, urging all sides to honor the agreement so suffering ends.  Keywords: WHO, peace, ceasefire, humanitarian relief, Gaza health First Phase Truce & Hostage Release: What the Deal Entails Under the U.S.–brokered agreement, Hamas will release living hostages, while Israel commits to troop withdrawals to agreed lines and more humanitarian access into Gaza. It’s called the “first phase” because full demilitarization, governance, and reconstruction are still on the table.  Keywords: truce, hostage exchange, withdrawal, phase one, reconstruction  Global Cheers & Cautious Optimism World leaders applauded the deal. UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed i...

  By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news/Ethiopia/Eritrea /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. After Kenya’s President William Ruto publicly slammed earlier U.S. donations as “used, unreliable, and dangerous,” the U.S. has shipped 20 brand new armored vehicles to Haiti. This bold move signals Washington’s desire to restore credibility in its support and reassure troop-contributing nations. Keywords: new fleet, credibility, turnaround .   Ruto’s Rebuke: “Death Traps” in Dangerous Zones At the UN General Assembly, Ruto pulled no punches: many of the earlier armored vehicles were second-hand, prone to breakdowns, and thus exposed Kenyan forces to extreme risk in gang-controlled areas.  He said the faulty logistics “put our personnel in great danger when they broke down in very dangerous places.” Keywords: risk, safety, accountability .  Bolstering Haiti’s Security: GSF & Haitian Police Get Reinforcements The newly delivered vehicle...

  By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news/Ethiopia/Eritrea /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Ethiopia Sounds Alarm: “Eritrea Prepping for War” In a dramatic escalation, Ethiopia has formally accused neighboring Eritrea of colluding with a hard-line faction of the the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to prepare an offensive against Ethiopia.  In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos warns that “the hardliner faction of the TPLF and the Eritrean government are actively preparing to wage war.”  This public charge is one of the sharpest statements yet in months of rising tensions across the Horn of Africa. Collusion Charge: Eritrea + TPLF, Ethiopia Claims Addis Ababa alleges that Eritrea is not merely a passive border neighbor but has actively funded, mobilized, and directed armed groups in Ethiopia’s Amhara region   traditionally a flashpoint. The Ethiopian letter states there is “cle...

By   Peninah Mbula| The Common Pulse/latest news/Mexico/US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Disney parks aren’t just amusement hubs  they’re the heartbeat of American tourism. Yet this season, travelers planning their dream Disney trip are noticing something curious: prices are inching up, but discounts are popping up everywhere. From Florida to California, Disney is reshaping how families experience the “Happiest Place on Earth,” and the strategy is pulling in both luxury travelers and budget dreamers alike.   The Magic Meets Money: How Disney Is Rewriting Its Tourism Game For years, Walt Disney World and Disneyland have been the ultimate pilgrimage spots for families, influencers, and travel bloggers. Now, Disney is reinventing the guest experience through pricing psychology  balancing aggressive promotions with selective price increases . By raising ticket prices slightly on high-demand days while rolling out juicy local and off-season discounts, Disne...

  By   Peninah Mbula| The Common Pulse/latest news/Mexico/US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee was nothing short of a political spectacle. For over four hours, Bondi clashed with Democratic senators over allegations of DOJ politicization, the handling of the Epstein case, and the deployment of National Guard troops. Here's a breakdown of the most explosive moments from the hearing.   1. Accusations of DOJ Weaponization Democratic senators, including Dick Durbin and Adam Schiff, accused Bondi of transforming the Department of Justice into a political tool for the Trump administration. They pointed to investigations into Trump critics and the dismissal of career prosecutors as evidence of this politicization. Bondi defended the DOJ's actions, claiming they were focused on "real crime" and ending the "weaponization of justice" .  2. Epstein Files Controversy Bondi fac...

  By   Peninah Mbula| The Common Pulse/latest news/Mexico/US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. President Donald Trump has faced criticism for directing federal funds toward initiatives that align with his personal and political interests, often bypassing traditional legislative processes. From reallocating military budgets to implementing controversial policies, these actions have sparked debates about fiscal responsibility and governance.   Redirecting Military Funds for Border Wall Construction In 2019, President Trump declared a national emergency to secure funding for a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. This move allowed the administration to divert approximately $3.6 billion from military construction projects to wall construction, despite Congress's refusal to allocate the requested funds. Critics argue that this reallocation undermines congressional authority and prioritizes political objectives over national security needs.    Using Exec...

By   Peninah Mbula| The Common Pulse/latest news/Mexico/US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025.   In a historic move, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Frida Escobedo, a trailblazing Mexican architect, to design its new wing dedicated to modern and contemporary art. This marks the first time in the museum's 154-year history that a woman has been entrusted with such a significant architectural project. Scheduled to open in 2030, the Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing will not only expand the museum's exhibition space by nearly 50% but also introduce a design that reflects Escobedo's unique vision and commitment to inclusivity.   A Design Rooted in Context and Culture Escobedo's design draws inspiration from the Met's diverse architectural styles and its setting within Central Park. The new wing will feature a limestone lattice façade, offering expansive views of the park and integrating natural elements into the museum experience. This approach ali...

  By   Peninah Mbula| The Common Pulse/latest news/US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025.   Travelers across the country are facing unprecedented disruptions as the ongoing government shutdown spreads delays to major airports , leaving millions frustrated and stranded. From canceled flights to longer security lines, the shutdown is revealing vulnerabilities in the nation’s travel infrastructure. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s happening, why it matters, and how travelers can navigate the chaos. Airport Chaos: Flights Delayed or Canceled Nationwide Major airports, including hubs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta, are experiencing massive delays , with some flights canceled entirely. Airlines are struggling to adjust schedules amid limited federal staffing, particularly in security and air traffic control. Passengers report long lines at TSA checkpoints, missed connections, and increased travel stress. Airlines have issued advisories urging trave...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias| The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Qatar /Israel/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025 The India Mobile Congress 2025 is not just another technology event, it is a resounding declaration of India’s unstoppable march into the digital future. As the country positions itself as a global hub of innovation, connectivity, and technological inclusivity, the IMC serves as both a mirror and a megaphone of that progress. From its inception, this annual gathering has been a meeting point for innovators, policy makers, business leaders, and visionaries who share one goal, transforming India into a digitally empowered society. The 2025 edition of the India Mobile Congress stands as a landmark, reflecting how far the nation has come in harnessing technology to empower people and industries across every level. The Spirit of Digital India At the heart of the India Mobile Congress is the vision of Digital India, a campaign launched to connect the unconnected, empower ...

By   Mutunga Tobbias| The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Qatar /Israel/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025.   In a country where over 70 percent of the population is under 35, Kenya’s future lies firmly in the hands of its youth. Yet, for too long, unemployment, lack of capital, and limited access to financial literacy have dimmed the hopes of many young people trying to find their footing in an increasingly competitive and uncertain economy. The NYOTA Project, a new initiative backed by the World Bank, is stepping into this gap with bold ambition and practical tools to empower the next generation of Kenyan innovators, workers, and entrepreneurs. A Beacon of Opportunity for the Unemployed and Underserved For years, the challenge of youth unemployment has been one of Kenya’s most stubborn problems. Despite high levels of education and creativity, many young Kenyans find themselves unable to secure jobs or start businesses due to structural inequalities, lack of access to fun...

By   Mutunga Tobbias| The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Qatar /Israel/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025.   As negotiators descend upon Cairo this week, a sense of guarded anticipation hangs heavy in the air. The Egyptian capital, long a hub for Middle Eastern diplomacy, has once again become the stage for a high-stakes attempt to bring an end to one of the region’s most devastating and politically tangled wars. At the center of this renewed push stands former President Donald J. Trump, now wielding global influence as an architect of what his team has dubbed a “20-point peace plan,” a sweeping initiative he claims could reshape the political landscape of the Middle East. A New Trump Doctrine for the Post-War Era The plan, revealed in fragments through diplomatic leaks and selective media disclosures, is classic Trump, ambitious, theatrical, and polarizing. It is said to combine economic incentives, territorial compromises, and security guarantees in a way that appeals to...

By   Mutunga Tobbias| The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Qatar /Israel/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025.   Humans are social animals, wired by evolution to connect, communicate, and cooperate. From the earliest hunter-gatherer bands to today’s sprawling digital societies, our brains have always sought belonging, validation, and shared purpose. Yet, for all our modern technology promising infinite connections, science keeps bringing us back to one simple truth, the human brain has limits. We are not designed to maintain deep, stable relationships with hundreds or thousands of people. In fact, research suggests that our capacity for meaningful social bonds maxes out at around 150 individuals. This cognitive boundary, often called “Dunbar’s Number,” reveals profound truths about how our species evolved and why genuine human connection still matters more than social media follower counts. The Origins of the Social Brain Our ancestors’ survival depended on collaboration. Long...