The government plans to put 26,000 JSS intern teachers on permanent and pensionable status in the next financial year starting from June 2024. Parliamentary Education Committee chairman Julius Meli disclosed that the intern JSS teachers currently hired on contract will be absorbed by TSC as funds have been allocated by Parliament. “Parliament has allocated TSC with a kitty to hire 26,000 JSS interns on a permanent basis, the remaining would be absorbed in the subsequent years, hence we need them to be patient,” Meli said. "The government through the Public Service Commission will also hire 2,000 TVET trainers in the coming financial year," Meli said. The MP said the Kenya Kwanza administration was spending Sh 1.1 trillion in revenues to service debts incurred by the previous administration.

Nairobi- President William Ruto's allies have reacted to the recent political developments following the Limuru III meeting. Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders accused Uhuru Kenyatta of being behind Limuru III. The leaders accused Uhuru of pushing a divisive and tribal agenda after the Limuru III meeting endorsed him as the leader of the HAKI Coalition. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah termed the Limuru III meeting a platform for political losers seeking relevance. The formation of the coalition marked the culmination of the highly publicised Limuru III conference, which was held on Friday, May 18, in Limuru, Kiambu county.

The exciting news comes after the star recently won the Leading Actor award at the Bafta TV Awards for his role in the BBC series The Sixth Commandment. Timothy Spall to star in new BBC comedy drama Death ValleyDeath Valley, set in Wales, will follow the unlikely crime-solving partnership between John Chapel, played by Spall, 67, and Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan, played by Defending The Guilty star Gwyneth Keyworth. John, a retired actor and star of hit fictional detective TV show Caesar, is united with Janie through the murder of his neighbour. The very best comedians, the very best writers are playing their part in establishing Wales as a very funny place. I know audiences will fall in love with these two brilliant characters as they strike up an unlikely but incredibly endearing friendship.”The series has been commissioned by BBC Comedy and BBC Wales, and it will air on BBC Two, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer.

Diane completed her striking look with dazzling diamond earrings and rings, while slicking her hair back from her face and styling it into a curl. Charlotte Gainsbourg opted to wear an edgy grunge style outfit, arriving in a strappy black leather minidress that showed off her long legs underneath. While Michelle Yeoh, 61, also put on daring display in a strapless leather gown, that showcased her svelte figure and tiny waist. The stunning number was adorned with feathers and jewels at the bottom, while Greta added even more sparkle with dangling diamond earrings. Isabelle Huppert went hell for leather with her look, sporting a black leather gown with long-sleeves and a high neck.

Guardians Of The Galaxy star Pratt arrived at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the film’s world premiere, standing on the top deck of a double decker bus dedicated to The Garfield Movie – set for release in the UK on May 24. Pratt stars as the cantankerous cat – who began life in a comic series in 1978 by creator Jim Davis – alongside Samuel L Jackson who plays Garfield’s long-lost father Vic, and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham who voices villain Jinx. “It’s really incredible, it’s kind of surreal actually,” Pratt told PA of being handpicked to play Garfield. Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt arrive at the premiere of The Garfield Movie (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Pratt posed with his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, alongside British star Waddingham, who confirmed it was the first time she had met the US actor. The 49-year-old, who plays a theatrical and flamboyant cat out for revenge and has an original song in the film titled I’m Back, spoke of having Ted Lasso co-star Brett Goldstein appear as her character’s canine henchman named Roland in the film.

Government to rebuild 17 flood-damaged footbridges in Nairobi with Sh500mThe government has allocated Sh500 million for construction of 17 footbridges in Nairobi after the floods that devastated the city swept away or destroyed most of them. Justus Onyikwa, a deputy director at the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), said the agency has prioritized Nairobi for rehabilitation. “The estimated cost of completing the work on the 17 footbridges is around Sh500 million. Footbridges being reconstructed are, Gitathuru-Wanjiru Footbridge, Mandera-Koria Footbridge, Lungalunga-Viwandani Footbridge, and Mosque Road Footbridge, Ngumba Bridge, Huruma (Ghetto area) Footbridge, and Madoya Bridge, which are vital connections within their respective communities. Others ate the Gitathuru-Utalii Hotel Footbridge, Kisii Footbridge, and Kiambiu-Uhuru Bridge, Ruthimitu-Uthiru Bridge, Nyando Bridge, Sarang’ombe Footbridge, Sarang’ombe Motorable Bridge and of course, the Mumwe Road Box Culvert.

Jon Rahm missed the PGA Championship cut after suffering a miserable two daysJon Rahm has candidly discussed the "downfall" in his performance that resulted in him missing the cut at this week's PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. Competing in his second major since his high-profile switch to LIV Golf last December, Rahm had previously finished tied for 45th at the Masters last month while defending his title. Despite a spirited fightback that saw him make six birdies to end the day at one-under, Rahm couldn't maintain this momentum into Friday. He signed off with a one-over 72, making his missed cut all the more frustrating as he needed a birdie from his last four holes. I think it was 25 feet, 25 feet and 60 feet."

Open: This is "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," May 19, 2024 This week on "Face the Nation," Margaret Brennan speaks to former Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the war between Israel and Hamas, campus protests in the U.S. and the ongoing congressional debate on providing aid to Ukraine. Plus, Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova joins.

Kenyans will have final say on Finance Bill 2024, says Nyoro“I want to assure Kenyans that because we are a government of responsibility, we are ready to listen to their views on matters Finance Bill and what Kenyans will want is what we will do because this country does not belong to us the leaders but it belongs to all Kenyans,” he added. Nyoro said contrary to claims by the opposition that the Bill would impoverish Kenyans, the Kenya Kwanza administration was sensitive to Kenyans’ concerns about the Bill and it was the reason why the government engaged in public participation. “The money that will be raised through the various tax avenues will be spent on uplifting Kenyans’ standards of living,” he said. Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruyiot accused Azimio leaders of ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001495224/more-pain-as-ruto-promises-to-increase-tax">opposing the Finance Bill 2024< saying that they are defending the rich people who have been exempted from paying taxes at the expense of the majority of Kenyans who cannot afford to buy basic commodities. "They call it the Finance Bill 2024 but for us, we are calling it mkate 2024 Finance Bill, we are not against Kenyans paying taxes because it is what runs the affairs of the country and development but the government needs to assess the impact of the taxes they are raising on its people," said Oparanya.

Niger and the United States have reached an agreement on the withdrawal of American troops from the West African country, a process that has already begun and will be finished by Sept. 15, they said in a joint statement. Niger's ruling junta last month told the U.S. to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. The agreement between Niger's defence ministry and the U.S. Department of Defence, reached after a five-day commission, guarantees the protection of U.S. troops until their withdrawal and establishes procedures to ease the entry and exit of American personnel during the withdrawal process. "The withdrawal of American forces from Niger in no way affects the pursuit of relations between the United States and Niger in the area of development. Also, Niger and the United States are committed to an ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations."

Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" | full interview Watch the full version of Margaret Brennan's interview with Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates that aired on May 19, 2024, on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."

State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed has responded to reports that former President Uhuru Kenyatta's office has been denied funds allocated to it in the last two budgets. Hussein went on to say that there are official channels Uhuru's office can access funds. He added that through these channels, funds have been provided for any official engagements at all times. It is very well known that it is there and it's vacant and President Uhuru Kenyatta can use that office as and when he deems fit. The reports say Uhuru is also forced to fuel the official vehicles with personal money.

At stake is Georgia’s future path. Or might political turmoil, rigged elections, and the barely hidden hand of Russia, bring Georgia back into Moscow’s authoritarian orbit, like Belarus? “It kills Georgia’s European future,” warned Salome Samadashvili, an opposition MP and former ambassador to the EU. Standing against the protest movement is Georgia’s government, its many supporters, and the state’s increasingly forceful police and security forces. But like so many countries on Russia’s fringes, Georgia is finding it increasingly difficult to chart a stable path towards a democratic future.

Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf has shocked onlookers after being spotted on the streets of Barry in Wales - the hometown of BBC sitcom couple Gavin and Stacey. The film, called Salvable, is about an ex-boxer in his 40s being given the chance to revive his career with underground fights. This new spotlight on Barry comes not long after it was revealed that a new episode of Gavin And Stacey is being planned for next Christmas Day. The announcement of a new Gavin And Stacey episode - with Matthew Horne and Joanna Page as the lead couple - was made by Corden and Jones on social media. We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey.

DP Gachagua’s allies defend his leadership amid Mt Kenya political battlePoliticians allied to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have come out with guns blazing against those perceived to be out to undermine his leadership as the battle for political supremacy in the Mt Kenya region rages. Mr Kahiga said the DP deserved respect by virtue of his office and those undermining him should think twice. “The three million voters of the Mount Kenya region are quietly watching the unfolding political scenario, which is becoming increasingly clear that it is designed to undermine Mr Gachagua. But we want to assure them that when the time comes, we will make our position on the matter known,” said Mr Kahiga. Mr Kuria disagreed with Mr Gachagua over the channelling of grievances on development in Mount Kenya to the government, which the DP has demanded should go through him.