Housing Ministry exceeds targets with RM737mil spent as of JulyPUTRAJAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is on track with its first half-year review, achieving 85% of its planned initiatives for the year. Minister Nga Kor Ming said the ministry has successfully implemented 10 of 12 planned initiatives and spent RM737.9mil as of July 30. However, other initiatives, such as upgrading dilapidated public markets, developing Chinese New Village projects, maintaining non-Muslim places of worship and the MyKiosk@KPKT programme, are still in progress. The next four Bills will seek to amend the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966, Fire Services Act 1988, Local Government Act 1976, and Town and Country Planning Act 1990. He said the Housing Development Act amendments would specifically address abandoned projects.

US recognizes Maduro’s opponent as winner in Venezuela electionThe United States on Thursday recognised Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s opponent and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of Venezuela’s disputed presidential election, rejecting Maduro’s claim of victory. The dispute over the presidential election results has sparked protests in Venezuela. Venezuela’s electoral council proclaimed Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner of the July 28 election with 51% of the vote. “Law enforcement and security forces should not become an instrument of political violence used against citizens exercising their democratic rights,” he said. The presidents of Brazil, Mexico and Colombia called for Venezuela to release detailed voting tallies on Thursday amid the dispute over presidential election results.

On February 8, 2024, three journalists — Musembi Nzengu of the Star Newspaper, Ida Ngile of Mumo TV, and Mercy Mueni of Mbaitu FM Radio — were assaulted and arrested while reporting on the induction of a new principal at Mutonguni Boys High School in Kitui County. The appointment of this principal was contested by a faction of the students’ parents. During the incident, Nzengu was reportedly brutalized by a police officer, resulting in injuries. Subsequently, all three journalists were taken to the police station and detained before being released without charges. Find out more on: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-02-08-star-journalist-assaulted-while-covering-arrival-of-new-school-principal/

MICHAELA WALSH was in no rush to make judgements after another early Olympic exit. Walsh lost her opening bout in Tokyo and, along with brother Aidan, was one of eight out of 10 Irish boxers to do the same here. 2 Michaela Walsh was knocked out of the Olympics in her first fight Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile2 Walsh lost to Svetlana Kamenova Staneva of Team Bulgaria Credit: David Fitzgerald/SportsfileShe lost a unanimous decision against Svetlana Staneva after struggling to trouble the Bulgarian. But Walsh said: “Coming back in 5-0 down was a bit frustrating and I was sort of chasing it after that. She’s a great person as well and I was unfortunate probably to meet her in the first round.”

A police reservist came to the rescue of villagers in Ilmotiok village, Laikipia and killed a marauding lion that had invaded homes. Officials said the loss of habitat and climate change threatened the number of wild animals and that their future looked "bleak". The government and conservation groups have a compensation program for people and herders whose livestock are killed by wild animals. “We have also made changes, previously if someone got mauled to death by an elephant, compensation was Sh200,000. We have now said if a citizen is killed by an elephant compensation is Sh5 million,” Ruto added.

Gachagua faces Mt Kenya with 10 fears staring backThis is now a bigger problem than it was when Gachagua was shadowboxing Musalia Mudavadi.

The World Meteorological Organization of the UN has revealed that year was the warmest year on record. It will also consider the draft outlines of the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and the Methodology Report on Short-Lived Climate Forcers. The report ‘Climate Change Impacts in Kenya; What Climate Change Means for a Country and its People’, shows that heat waves, droughts and heavy rainfall are becoming more severe and frequent with devastating impacts. Others are chairperson of the Environment and Climate Change at the Council of Governors Wilber Ottichilo and Peter Odhengo from the National Treasury. "We must ensure no one is left behind in our efforts to combat climate change," Ng'eno said.

We are not going to beg Helen. Indulge in the finer thingsNews24's August audiobook that’s free to listen to for subscribers is The CEO X Factor by KC Rottok Chesaina. Free to listen for subscribersAudiobook of the MonthVoting BoothWhat is the best route for Democrats to take after Biden's exit from the US Presidential race? Something went wrong, please try again later. Kamala Harris is the best bet to take over The Democrats need a new face to stand a chance Biden should have stayed put Results

Young Kenyans looking for a bank account that resonates their tastes and economic interests will easily find a home at Cooperative Bank of Kenya. Last week, Co-op Bank re-launched its youth account, YEA, which is ideal for young people aged between 18 and 35 years. The unique thing about the account is the new YEA app, which allows instant account opening. The YEA App account supports a number of features including viewing accounts, transactions and statements. Through the YEA App, customers can transfer funds, pay bills such as payTV, taxi, KPLC tokens and even pay college fees.

Dajom brings a wealth of experience in the media industry to her new role, having held senior positions at Royal Media Services and Mediamax Network. ADVERTISEMENTSimaloi Dajom Pulse Live KenyaDajom has a proven track record in audience growth, content development, and business development within the media industry. Her skills include media training, development communication, and media sustainability and viability. ADVERTISEMENTShe excels in strategic content development, traditional and alternative media monetisation, and analysing media trends and audience data. Additionally, he has experience in curriculum development, strategic communication, project management, and strategic leadership.

Multi-award winning 22-year-old artist Ayra Starr born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, while addressing her immense, almost overnight success revealed being her biggest critic is what really propelled her career growth and helped set her on the map. "Looking back at my first performance, I can laugh vs where I am right now.it is always like I can become way better. I always watch my old videos and I'm writing things I can do better and how I can sharpen my choreography. Definitely sharpen my choreography, a bigger stage production," the Grammy nominee candidly narrated. I know what I want and I know certain things, like lights.

Grealish and Manchester City were in New York for their pre-season in New York City and ran into the American musician. Manchester City star Jack Grealish took a photo with Rihanna before a young football fan made his request. Grealish wows fans in New YorkTUKO.co.ke earlier reported that Grealish impressed fans with his DJing skills at a Puma-organized party in New York City. Grealish and Man City begin the new season with the FA Community Shield clash against Manchester United. Erlind Haaland apologyTUKO.co.ke also reported that Grealish's Man City teammate Erling Haaland issued an apology for an Instagram typo.

BONNIE Bedelia has barely aged a day since playing Holly Gennaro-McClane in Die Hard. The 80s star rose to stardom when she took on the role in the iconic 1974 action film and its 1990 sequel. 4 Bonnie Bedelia has barely aged since shooting to fame Credit: Getty4 The star created a big name for herself in the action movie Die Hard Credit: Warner Bros/Wikipedia4 She played alongside Bruce Willis in the movie Credit: RexShe starred alongside Bruce Willis in the franchise, where a police officer attempts to save hostages taken by terrorists during a Christmas party. According to Star TV, Bruce recommended Bonnie for the part after seeing her perform in a film about drag racing. "Willis had caught the movie - about the first female drag-racer - and he was floored by Bedelia's performance.

PETALING JAYA: A tanker lorry is blocking the left and emergency lanes of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway. In a post on X on Friday (Aug 2), Highway concessionaire Anih Berhad said an accident occurred at KM46.6 eastbound. "Traffic is congested from KM1.9 to KM44.7. Left and emergency lanes blocked." read the post.

In the last two months, a wave of change has swept the Kenyan political landscape, with the Kenyan youth continuing to agitate for change following anti-government protests led by Gen Zs. In what many observers believe to be something unprecedented in Kenya's history, the protests culminated in some positive changes including the move by President William Ruto to dissolve the cabinet and changes effected in the top government circles. In line with the changes, Kenyans.co.ke hosted the first podcast episode to discuss the State of the Nation last week. This week, we follow that up with another wholesome conversation. Follow the conversation live on: YouTubeKenyans Embed URLhttps://www.youtube.com/live/roSmt251mRI