US and UK pulling some personnel from Qatar military base
Al-Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle EastThe US and UK are reducing the number of personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, as US President Donald Trump considers whether to take action against Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protests. The BBC understands some UK military personnel are also being removed. Regarding the removal of military personnel, the Qatari government said it would continue to "implement all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents as a top priority, including actions related to the protection of critical infrastructure and military facilities". Al-Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East and about 10,000 personnel are based there, as well as about 100 UK staff. A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson declined to comment on reports that UK personnel were being withdrawn "due to operational security".
Source:The Star
January 14, 2026 20:50 UTC
NTV Kenya: 1,100 Somalis in the US face deportation after Trump ends Temporary Protected Status
1,100 Somalis in the US face deportation after Trump ends Temporary Protected StatusUS President Donald Trump’s administration will end humanitarian protections that grant deportation relief and work permits to some 1,100 Somalis in the US, administration officials said on Tuesday, the latest restrictive move targeting Somali immigrants. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she would end Temporary Protected Status for Somalis, arguing that conditions in Somalia had improved even as fighting continues between Somali armed forces and al-Shabaab militants. With the termination, the status will be set to expire on March 17 although a legal challenge is likely. While the Trump administration has said it aims to ramp up denaturalisations, the process can be resource-intensive and lengthy. The Trump administration has sought to end most enrollment in the program, saying it runs counter to US interests.
Source:Daily Nation
January 14, 2026 20:48 UTC
East African delegation in Morocco on observer mission ahead of 2027 AFCON
This hands-on experience provided direct insight into key areas, including stadium management, security coordination, media operations, spectator services, and overall competition logistics. A delegation from East African nations set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is in Morocco on an observer mission as the tournament's 2025 edition reaches the semi-final stage. The delegation comprises representatives from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the three countries that will jointly host Africa’s biggest football event in 2027. The observer programme is part of a structured knowledge-exchange initiative involving Confederation of African Football (CAF), the current host nation, Morocco, and the future East African co-hosts. This hands-on experience provided direct insight into key areas, including stadium management, security coordination, media operations, spectator services, and overall competition logistics.
Source:Daily Nation
January 14, 2026 20:15 UTC
Stunned RFK Jr. ‘doesn’t know how Donald Trump is alive’ with ‘unhinged’ diet of McDonald’s and Coke
Kennedy said Trump has the "constitution of a deity"BUILT DIFFERENT Stunned RFK Jr. ‘doesn’t know how Donald Trump is alive’ with ‘unhinged’ diet of McDonald’s and CokeTHE man tasked with keeping America healthy has a blunt verdict on the president’s menu. Robert F Kennedy Jr. says he can’t figure out how Donald Trump is still standing after years of McDonald’s, candy and constant Diet Coke. Asked who had the most “unhinged” eating habits, Kennedy quickly named President Donald Trump. “Which is McDonald’s, and, you know, candy and Diet Coke.”“But he drinks Diet Coke at all times,” Kennedy added. Constant Diet Coke: He’s known for drinking Diet Coke throughout the day, sometimes reported as up to about a dozen cans daily.
Source:The Star
January 14, 2026 20:15 UTC
UDA tasks Ruto to open ODM coalition talks ahead of 2027 polls
The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting was chaired by UDA party leader and President William Ruto. The United Democratic Alliance's (UDA) National Executive Committee has tasked its party leader, President Ruto to initiate talks with ODM to negotiate a coalition agreement ahead of 2027 polls. In a communication seen by The Standard, the committee noted ODM’s decision to initiate structured negotiations with UDA within the Kenya Kwanza Coalition to formalise the partnership through a coalition agreement ahead of the elections. On national politics, the NEC discussed the ongoing partnership between UDA and ODM, noting key outcomes, including the adoption of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Report of 2024. The resolutions were made during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting chaired by UDA party leader and President William Ruto.
Source:Standard Digital
January 14, 2026 20:11 UTC
UDA NEC mandates Ruto to initiate coalition talks with ODM ahead of 2027 polls
The UDA National Executive Committee meeting chaired by President Ruto at State House, Nairobi, January 14, 2025. The UDA National Executive Committee meeting chaired by President Ruto at State House, Nairobi, January 14, 2025. /PCS President Ruto chairs the UDA National Executive Committee meeting at State House, Nairobi, January 14, 2025. /PCSBeyond coalition politics, the NEC meeting reviewed the outcome of the party’s grassroots elections conducted on January 10, 2026, across 20 counties. President Ruto chairs the UDA National Executive Committee meeting at State House, Nairobi, January 14, 2025.
Source:The Star
January 14, 2026 19:52 UTC
Kenya Farmers Association Reacts to New Maize Price Announced by NCPB
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) announced the new maize price for a 90-kilogramme bag of maize on Monday, January 12, 2026. Source: FacebookWhat is the new maize price? What was KFA's reaction to new maize price? The Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) has welcomed the new price announced by the government agency. "The new maize price announced by NCPB is a fair deal for farmers.
Source:Daily Nation
January 14, 2026 19:25 UTC
Inside the spoiled lives of Venezuela's Narco Nepo babies: An 800 kilo coke bust, topless scandal, $300K wedding... and one appalling whiskey-fueled rant
They were just completely out of their depth - amateurish, spoiled brats of the elites,' he told the Daily Mail. But he didn't have the muscle or the brains,' said one Caracas-based political analyst, speaking to the Daily Mail by phone. 'He's not a smart guy - I don't have to tell you that because everybody knows it,' one academic told the Daily Mail. In 2019, as opposition leader Juan Guaido tried to oust Maduro, Cabello was rumored in Venezuelan media to have packed his kids off to Beijing for safe-keeping. 'Everybody in the government has a plan to escape,' the Caracas-based analyst told the Daily Mail.
Source:The Star
January 14, 2026 19:22 UTC
KCSE 2025: Ex-Nyambaria High Students Demonstrate at School Days after Rejecting Results
Former students of Nyambaria High School demonstrate outside the school. Many expressed their disappointment, saying the results do not reflect the school’s academic culture or the students’ capabilities. What we saw in the KCSE results doesn’t match how we performed in class.”Another student claimed the academic environment shifted in the months leading up to the exams. For now, uncertainty hangs over Nyambaria High, as the community seeks clarity on what led to what they believe is a disappointing performance. In the recently-released results, the school had zero As, 21 A-minus, 99 B-plus, 285 plain B, and 306 B-minus, earning a mean score of 8.06.
Source:Daily Nation
January 14, 2026 18:53 UTC
Junet Mohamed's Troubles Deepen as Azimio la Umoja Parties Call for His Removal as Minority Leader
Nairobi - A conglomerate of parties under the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition is calling for the immediate resignation of Minority Leader in the National Assembly, Junet Mohamed. Azimio la Umoja parties called for the resignation of Junet Mohamed. Why Azimio parties want Junet Mohamed to resignIn a statement read on Wednesday, January 14, over 10 parties accused Junet of reckless and defamatory utterances that slander the name and legacy of former president Uhuru Kenyatta. Junet Mohamed was accused of misusing Azimio funds. Photo: Junet Mohamed.
Source:Daily Nation
January 14, 2026 18:46 UTC
The Star's High School Basketball Rankings
Updated Jan. 14, 2026, 1:26 p.m. PTGIRLS1. Oak Park: 13-5, 3-0 Coastal Canyon (CIF-SS No. 6)Comment: Make no mistake, the Eagles are a juggernaut. With incoming transfer talent in the form of star forward Karisma Flores (who has changed her last name from Lewis), 6-foot-4 center Diana Sorrondo and explosive scoring guard Maya Urteaga, Oak Park is poised to become Ventura County’s first Open Division playoff team for girls basketball since Ventura in 2017. The Eagles triumphed over Ventura in an early-season tournament game, 52-42, and that was without Sorrondo or Urteaga.
Source:The Star
January 14, 2026 18:33 UTC
Man cracks up Ruto with pledge to deliver first goats bought with NYOTA funds to State House
The event, held at Archers Post, saw youth from four counties receive the funds. Sailo Lekanapa, one of the 4,159 youth supported under the programme, described the selection process as fair and transparent. When asked how he planned to use his share of Sh22,000, Lekanapa said he had several ideas, but one stood out. NYOTA funds are government-issued grants financed through the World Bank, targeting youth aged 18 to 29, and up to 35 for persons with disabilities. President Ruto has also visited Nakuru, Nanyuki, and Nyeri counties as part of the rollout.
Source:The Star
January 14, 2026 18:19 UTC
Appropriate and unambiguous': White House defends Trump over middle-finger gesture at heckler
The White House has defended US President Donald Trump after he aimed an offensive gesture at a heckler during his appearance at a Ford factory in Detroit on Tuesday. The White House said: "A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response." The heckler has been suspended by Ford, the United Auto Workers union told the BBC's US partner, CBS News. According to the subtitles provided by TMZ, the heckler called Trump a "paedophile protector". Trump was once friends with Epstein before they fell out, which Trump says was years before Epstein was first arrested.
Source:The Star
January 14, 2026 17:53 UTC
Kenyan Newspapers Review, January 14: Boost for ODM Party as UDA Endorses Coalition Plan
On Wednesday, January 14, newspapers reported on the political status quo, with the ruling UDA party warming up to coalition talks with the ODM party. Daily NationThe newspaper reported on the readiness of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party to coalesce with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ahead of the 2027 General Election. The President Ruto-led party called a special National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday morning to approve coalition talks with ODM. According to Daily Nation, the session is expected to formally empower Ruto to negotiate with ODM on forming a coalition. To this end, we have mandated the party leader to commence this process.
Source:Daily Nation
January 14, 2026 17:20 UTC
Elias Coke locked-in on competing for playing time as early enrollee
With his arrival on campus now just a handful of days away, Elias Coke is looking forward to coming in and competing this spring with Rutgers football. Given his athleticism but also his production at the high school level, Coke is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Rutgers football class of 2026. The 6-foot-2, three-star wide receiver from Harrisburg (PA) is the No. 18 player in the state comes into the spring with a chance to compete for early playing time. "It feels great, I'm extremely blessed to be getting this opportunity to play college football," Coke told Scarlet Nation.
Source:The Star
January 14, 2026 17:18 UTC