US President Donald Trump./SCREENGRABUS President Donald Trump has urged Cuba to "make a deal" or face consequences, warning that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money would now stop. Trump has been turning his attention to Cuba since US forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a 3 January raid on its capital. Trump did not specify the terms of a deal or the consequences Cuba could face. While the Trump administration has not stated clear plans for Cuba, Trump has previously said that US military intervention is not needed, because the country is "ready to fall". The Trump administration's tactic of confiscating sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers has already begun to worsen a fuel and electricity crisis in Cuba.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DCP’s Rigathi Gachagua are increasingly finding themselves at odds over strategy, messaging and the path to the 2027 polls as the opposition struggles to present a united front. The latest public disagreement played out on Wednesday, when Kalonzo was forced to clarify claims that the opposition is against the Somali community. Speaking at the funeral of Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia’s father Muhia Njoroge, Kalonzo sought to calm the backlash against the opposition and particularly Gachagua from the leadership of Northeastern. The owner of BBS Mall has been a serious businessman in this country way before President William Ruto came to power,” he said. While Kalonzo publicly disowned the claims, Gachagua’s comments were interpreted by some in the opposition as the behind-the-scenes lobbying and negotiations that are still ongoing in the coalition.

Residents at the scene where a house was razed by fire in Poiywek village, Kericho County Nikko Tanui, on January 11, 2026. [Nikko Tanui, Standard]A woman and her daughter died in a fire incident in the Poiywek village, Kericho County. Kericho County Police Commander James Ngetich said the fire broke out at around 4:30 am and quickly spread through the timber house where the victims were sleeping. An elderly woman, her daughter and a house-help died after their house in Kugerwet village, Kericho County, was razed on Saturday. The victims are an 82-year-old woman, her 52-year-old daughter and their 20-year-old house help.

“There are people who think they can create a rift between me and people of Mt Kenya,” he stated, adding, “They cannot destroy what the region and I have built together. We will meet in 2027 with those who like insulting other leaders,” Ruto said. Once Ruto’s chief lieutenant in the Mt Kenya region, Gachagua has become a vocal critic, accusing the President of sidelining the region and its leaders. Gachagua has repeatedly asserted that Ruto has lost the support of the Mt Kenya region, alleging that voters feel betrayed over government appointments, development priorities, and key decision-making. Ruto underscored his efforts to consolidate support in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Demonstrators hold signs in support of ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse on January 5, 2026 in New York. [AFP]Donald Trump has just reminded us again. We live in a defective diplomatic world. Powerful states moralize what they do not practice, and practice what they do not moralize. International law is for the small and weak.

Kuppet Machakos branch executive secretary Musembi Katuku addresses a press conference on August 26, 2024. [File, Standard]The wind of change is blowing in Machakos county after teachers overwhelmingly voted out long-serving Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) branch executive secretary, Muusembi Katuku, terminating his 24-year reign at the helm of the union. The hotly contested elections, held at Machakos University at the weekend were the first Kuppet branch polls countrywide, setting the pace ahead of similar elections scheduled to roll out every weekend until March this year. A total of 3,108 votes were cast, with 22 spoilt ballots recorded in the Executive Secretary race. Chairman Martin Mutisya said the new leadership would faithfully implement the vision articulated by teachers during the campaign period.

At the funeral of Cyrus Jirongo, something rare happened in Kenyan politics: grief did not dissolve into platitudes; instead, it hardened into truth. Leaders and citizens used the solemnity of death to confront life, power, responsibility, unity, and moral failure. Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlimited access to all premium contentUninterrupted ad-free browsing experienceMobile-optimized reading experienceWeekly NewslettersMPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted

[AFP]Sudan's Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced on Sunday the government's return to Khartoum, after nearly three years of operating from its wartime capital of Port Sudan. It has pursued a gradual return to Khartoum since the army recaptured the city last March. "Today, we return, and the Government of Hope returns to the national capital," Idris told reporters in Khartoum, promising "better services" for residents. For close to two years, the Sudanese capital -- composed of the three cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri) -- was an active battlefield. South of Khartoum, the RSF has pushed through the Kordofan region, after dislodging the army from its last stronghold in Darfur last year.

A Kibera-based social media influencer has been selected among ten global winners to join YouTube star Mr Beast in a major charity mission in Ghana after taking part in the 2026 One Billion Followers Summit, which concludes Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Dubai, UAE. Participants were required to carry out an act of kindness, post it on social media, tag Mr Beast and the One Billion Followers Summit, and submit a link to their content for consideration. In a social media update on his Instagram account on January 10, 2026, ten creators were later selected and announced live during the summit, earning an opportunity to travel with Mr Beast to Ghana to help build a village. Beast, is an American content creator and philanthropist who launched the '1 Billion Acts of Kindness' campaign. His story has since inspired many online, reinforcing the campaign’s message that, 'simple acts of kindness, when shared, can create global impact.'

President William Ruto during a church service at St Paul’s Church, Kariki Chinga in Othaya, Nyeri County on January 11, 2026. The announcement comes against the backdrop of long-standing concerns over teacher shortages, especially in junior and senior secondary schools, following the rollout ofCBE. Last week, the government released Sh44 billion in capitation funds for learners in public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools across the country. “All chiefs were tasked with ensuring that every child, including those finishing Class Eight, transitioned to secondary school,” Ruto said. President Ruto said his administration is determined to protect and advance these gains by ensuring schools have enough teachers, classrooms and financial support.

Search and rescue are going on after a building partially collapse in Karen on January 10. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]At least two people have been killed, seven others injured after a building under construction partially collapsed on Saturday evening in Karen, Nairobi. According to the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), the incident was reported shortly before 4 PM, prompting the launch of search and rescue operations. Ochieng’ noted that the duration of the operation remains uncertain and will depend on expert assessments and the machinery deployed to remove debris safely. The building had partially collapsed at the second-floor level.

Amid the escalating dangers of insurgency and militant activities on the peripheries of the nation, the importance of cornerstone figures like Ajit Doval increases profoundly. During the programme, a young attendee asked Doval about carrying a cell phone, and his response ended up shocking everyone present. Beyond this, the main servers on which phone data is stored can also be hacked. Hence, not carrying a phone and using older methods of communication can prove beneficial for someone like the NSA, Ajit Doval. Ajit Doval phone tapped in 2019In 2019, rumours circulated that Ajit Doval’s phone had been tapped.

Commission on Administrative Justice Chairperson Charles Dulo and Vice Chairperson Dorothy Jemator Kimengech, during a media briefing on February 13, 2025. [File, Standard]The Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body that investigates complaints of abuse of power and unfair treatment in the public sector, has ordered the Ministry of Education to release full capitation data for all schools across the country.

MYSTIC MEG Gemini weekly horoscope: What your star sign has in store for January 11 – 17OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes. Horoscope traits What does your star sign mean for you? Pisces – The key traits for the sign include an interest in the artsSagittarius – The traits you need to know for the fire signScorpio – What does this star sign mean for your personality? RECOMMENDED STORIESFabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what’s in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions. You can also use our series of guides to find out everything from which star sign to hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it’s like to live your life totally by your horoscope.

President William Ruto welcomed IshowSpeed during his Kenyan visit. Photo: William Ruto, IshowSpeed. What did William Ruto tell IShowSpeed? Following his arrival on Sunday, January 11, President William Ruto took to social media to officially welcome the young streamer to the country. Source: Getty ImagesWill Ferdinand Omanyala race IShowSpeed?