The Common Pulse

B y   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / NOVEMBER2025   The Maasai Mara at a Crossroads, tourism ambition meets an ecosystem under pressure The Maasai Mara is one of the world’s most iconic wildlife sanctuaries, yet it is increasingly defined by a growing tension between conservation and commercial expansion, a conflict now sharpened by the rise of luxury developments along fragile ecological zones. The reserve has faced decades of mounting construction, spreading lodges, private camps and exclusive riverfront properties across land that historically served as open migratory pathways for millions of animals. Now, with wildebeest veering off their ancient routes, herds hesitating at new barriers and community leaders sounding the alarm, the Mara stands at a decisive moment. The recent legal battle involving the Ritz-Carlton luxury safari camp, priced at $3,500 a night and positioned along the Sand River, has become the latest flashpo...

By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / NOVEMBER2025. The arrival of the United States’ largest warship off the coast of Venezuela has sent shockwaves across Latin America and beyond, escalating tensions in an already volatile region. The move, widely interpreted as a strategic show of force, underscores Washington’s growing impatience with the Venezuelan government and its allies. As diplomatic efforts falter and energy geopolitics shift dramatically, the deployment signals a decisive turn in U.S. policy toward the oil-rich nation that has long stood at the crossroads of political defiance and humanitarian despair. A Show of Power in the Caribbean Anchored off the northern Caribbean waters, the USS Gerald R. Ford,  the most advanced and powerful aircraft carrier ever built by the United States, now looms as both a symbol and a warning. With its nuclear propulsion, cutting-edge radar systems, and a strike group of destroyers and s...

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 / NOVEMBER2025. The COP30 Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, was meant to be a symbol of global unity, environmental progress, and a renewed commitment to saving the planet. Instead, it became a vivid display of anger, disillusionment, and hypocrisy as dozens of protesters, many from Indigenous communities, forced their way past security barriers, clashing violently with guards and disrupting speeches from global leaders. What unfolded was not a protest born overnight but a manifestation of decades of frustration, exploitation, and betrayal by the same powerful institutions that claim to be saving the planet. For many Indigenous activists, COP30 represented everything that has gone wrong with the global climate agenda. Behind closed doors, wealthy nations and corporate sponsors discussed “sustainable solutions” while communities living on the frontlines of climate destruction continued to l...

B y   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / NOVEMBER2025 The upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg has quickly become one of the most politically charged global gatherings of the decade, not because of the usual debates over trade, climate, or digital economies, but because of a boycott led by U.S. President Donald Trump. His decision to snub the summit, citing allegations of “white genocide” in South Africa, has ignited a firestorm of diplomatic tension, racial discourse, and questions about the integrity of multilateralism in a divided world. What was supposed to be a celebration of South Africa’s growing diplomatic stature as a host nation has now turned into a test of both its resilience and its international image. Trump’s boycott announcement came in the middle of a heated U.S. political season, where his administration has doubled down on nationalist rhetoric, protectionist trade policies, and sharp skepticism toward global institution...

 B y   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / NOVEMBER2025 A Giant of Science, a Complex Legacy The world of science is marking the passing of James Dewey Watson, the American molecular biologist who, together with Francis Crick, helped unlock one of the most profound secrets of life: the structure of the molecule known as DNA. He died at the age of 97 on November 6, 2025, after a brief illness in hospice care in East Northport, New York. Watson’s career spans triumph and controversy, brilliance and missteps. He co‑discovered the elegant double‐helix configuration of DNA in 1953, shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shaped the direction of molecular biology for decades, and later faced sharp criticism for statements on race and genetics that many found unacceptable. His story is a reminder that scientific breakthroughs live within human context with all its complexity. From Chicago bird‑watcher to scientific prodigy ...

  By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / NOVEMBER2025. The rapid integration of artificial intelligence into newsrooms has transformed journalism in ways few could have anticipated a decade ago. Major media organizations, including Standard Media Group, which made headlines yesternight for its extensive use of AI-generated reporting, exemplify both the promise and peril of this technological shift. While AI offers tools for efficiency, data analysis, and even automated content creation, its overuse raises fundamental questions about the integrity, accuracy, and human dimension of journalism. The proliferation of AI in media is not merely a technical issue; it speaks to the ethical, cultural, and economic pressures shaping the industry today. Efficiency Versus Editorial Integrity One of the most compelling reasons news outlets turn to AI is efficiency. Algorithms can scan through enormous datasets, monitor breaking news on social ...

B y   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / NOVEMBER2025 October ended with a familiar storm of arguments, celebration, and controversy as the Premier League announced its monthly awards. Ruben Amorim, the young tactician at the helm of Manchester United, was named Manager of the Month, while Bryan Mbeumo took home the Player of the Month award. The recognition capped off an impressive October for United, who won all three of their league fixtures, including a statement 2–1 victory at Anfield, a comfortable win over Sunderland, and a composed triumph over Brighton. Yet, while United fans celebrated a long-awaited double recognition, their first since November 2023,  not everyone agreed with the verdict. Arsenal supporters, and many neutral observers, felt Mikel Arteta’s perfect defensive run should have earned him the managerial honor, reopening the old debate about what success really means in the modern Premier League: attacking flai...

B y   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / NOVEMBER2025 The United States has entered yet another painful chapter of political brinkmanship as the federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, continues to ripple through every layer of public life. What started as a familiar standoff in Congress over budget priorities has quickly evolved into one of the most consequential shutdowns in modern history. The current impasse is no longer just about fiscal restraint or partisan messaging, it has become a slow-motion crisis that exposes the fragility of America’s administrative machinery, the growing disconnect between government and citizen, and the deep fissures defining U.S. politics in this decade. The shutdown has brought Washington to a grinding halt, forcing tens of thousands of federal workers into furloughs, freezing critical services, and constraining basic operations in sectors that citizens depend on daily. Agencies from ...