Ben Massey was arrested in August 2024 following a police raid on his home where 39 bags of cocaine were recovered alongside £250 in cash. Teesside Crown Court heard how the 20-year-old was spotted throwing objects into bushes as he attempted to avoid capture. Officers recovered a discarded mobile phone which contained evidence of drug dealing after searching the area. Nathan Davis, mitigating, said his client had pleaded guilty to the drug offence at the earliest opportunity and had been out of trouble since his release from custody. Judge Deborah Sherwin sentenced Massey to 20 months in custody suspended for two years.

The North Korean dictator said that it should be an honour for them to fight alongside the "fraternal Russian people". ‌Now, in his New Year's address to the nation, Kim Jong-un has called for his troops to continue the fight with Putin's army. While not directly naming the Ukraine war, he praised the Korean soldiers who are serving in "overseas operation units". Estimated figures put the number of Korean soldiers killed in battle at around 600, with thousands more injured. Two months later, Kim Jong-un pledged his "unconditional support" to Russia on the subject of Ukraine.

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Dorea Chege speaks amidst separation rumours. Photo: Dorea Chege. Source: InstagramThe content creator and her partner, DJ Dibul, have had their fair share of criticisms in the past year. Dorea Chege reveals that she has given her life to Christ. Photo: Dorea Chege.

We can now bring you some comments from US Attorney General Pam Bondi who says that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. The US has captured Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and launched "large-scale" strikes against the country, Donald Trump says. Starmer says he has not spoken to President Trump about the US's capturing of President Nicolas Maduro. The prime minister added "what I can say is that the UK was not involved in any way in this operation". I want to speak to President Trump.

Trump says the US is "going to run" Venezuela until "such a time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition" of power. Venezuelan people are free again, Trump saysAll political and military figures in Venezuela should understand that what happened to Maduro could happen to them, Trump says. US ready to stage second 'much larger' attack on Venezuela if needed, says TrumpTrump now turns now to oil. Venezuelans will be 'rich, independent and safe', Trump saysThe US "partnership" with Venezuela will make the people of Venezuela "rich, independent and safe", says Trump. He called it “one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history”.

The UK was not involved "in any way" in the US-led strikes on Venezuela, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said. "But I think at this stage [in a] fast moving situation, let's establish the facts and take it from there. I want to speak to President Trump. The Liberal Democrat leader said: "Keir Starmer should condemn Trump's illegal action in Venezuela. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the "unorthodox" military operation by the US could prove a deterrent to future Russian and Chinese aggression.

Donald Trump says US forces have captured the Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro following large-scale strikes in Venezuela. The strikes inside Venezuela come after a US pressure campaign against the Maduro government, which the Trump administration accuses of flooding the US with drugs and gang members. Trump blames Nicolás Maduro for the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants in the US. Without providing evidence, Trump has accused Maduro of "emptying his prisons and insane asylums" and "forcing" its inmates to migrate to the US. There has been a build up of pressure on the Maduro government since Trump began his second term in office last January.

New Year, old problem: Kenyans' struggle with high living cost persistsHouseholds across the country are grappling with the steep cost of staples like maize flour, vegetables, and meat as they start the New Year 2026.Business

The government has unveiled an ambitious slate of infrastructure projects across the country, signaling a transformative period aimed at boosting connectivity, enhancing economic growth, and improving the standard of living. These initiatives span road expansions, railway extensions, sports facilities, water infrastructure, and power transmission projects, reflecting a comprehensive approach to national development. These upgrades are expected to enhance regional trade, reduce road accidents, and improve mobility for millions of Kenyans. The combined infrastructure projects are projected to inject over Sh1.5 trillion into the economy in 2026 alone, creating jobs across construction, transport, logistics, energy, and service sectors. Road and rail upgrades are expected to reduce freight costs by up to 25 per cent, while power and water infrastructure projects will ensure industrial and agricultural productivity gains.

The death toll from a road traffic accident along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway has risen to eight. “A road traffic accident occurred along Mombasa Road near Konza City at approximately 10:05 pm, involving a bus and a 19-seater Nissan vehicle. Following the incident, eleven injured patients were received at Machakos Level 5 Hospital,” Kalla told reporters on Saturday. “The situation at Machakos Level 5 Hospital remains calm and under control. “Six people died at the scene, while others sustained injuries and were taken to Machakos Level 5 Hospital for treatment,” Abduba said in a phone interview.

Donald Trump ordered strikes on military sites in Venezuela, US officials have told the BBC's US news partner CBS, after several explosions rocked the capital, Caracas. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Venezuelan capital early on Saturday morning. The Venezuelan government said in a statement that it rejected and denounced US military aggression. US President Trump, who has deployed a navy task force in the Caribbean, has repeatedly raised the prospect of ground strikes in Venezuela. Venezuela's left-wing President Nicolas Maduro has accused the US of intimidation to bring about regime change in his country.

Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has warned that the use of hired goons as instruments of political mobilisation poses a serious threat to Kenya’s security and democratic stability ahead of the 2026 and 2027 political cycles. In a statement on Saturday, Kuria cautioned that political violence and organised intimidation could attract international scrutiny, including potential cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC), if left unchecked. “The biggest risk to Kenya’s security and democracy is the use of goons as tools of political Mobilisation in 2026 and 2027,” Kuria said. He linked the warning to conversations he says he has held with members of the diplomatic community, suggesting growing international concern over Kenya’s political trajectory as the country edges closer to the next general election. There have been instances of political intolerance as the opposition and the government continue to warm up ahead of the 2027 polls.

The US has captured Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and launched "large-scale" strikes against the country, Donald Trump says. Earlier, Venezuela announced a state of national emergency and said it rejects and denounces "military aggression". "My heart was pumping and legs were shaking," an eyewitness in Caracas tells the BBC as explosions rocked the city. The developments come at a moment of heightened tension between the US and Venezuela as Washington keeps up its military strikes on speedboats in the Caribbean, allegedly carrying drugs. The US says the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was illegitimately elected and is personally involved in drug-smuggling through the country.

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held its first meeting of 2026 on Friday, outlining key organisational and political priorities for the year, with a focus on upcoming grassroots elections and by-elections. A major item on the agenda was the party’s grassroots elections, scheduled for January 10, 2026, across 20 counties. Beyond internal elections, the NEC discussed by-elections scheduled for February 26, 2026. Party leaders underscored the importance of unity, discipline, and adherence to democratic principles as UDA prepares for an intensive electoral calendar. The statement noted that strong grassroots structures and credible internal processes are critical to consolidating the party’s national position.