America's Next Top Model star lived on 'Diet Coke and cigarettes' amid fat shaming jibes
America's Next Top Model star lived on 'Diet Coke and cigarettes' amid fat shaming jibesWhitney Thompson, Season 10 winner of America's Next Top Model, has spoken out about the show and admitted it was 'common' for contestants to live off just cigarettes and Diet CokeView 3 Images America's Next Top Model contestants had to stick to strict weight requirements (Image: The CW / Courtesy Everett)It's no secret that the contestants on America's Next Top Model were held to extreme weight standards. Article continues belowIn earlier seasons of the show, there was even a weight test for contestants. Model Keenyah Hill also went from being bullied at school for being too thin to having a storyline focused on her alleged "overeating." In the show, Season 10 winner Whitney Thompson revealed the extremes some models went to in order to keep their weight down. During her time on the show, she made horrific comments about models' weight, including calling one of Keenyah Hill's photoshoots "piggy chic."
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 12:36 UTC
Wandayi warns against ODM wars as Savula says Ruto will pick deputy wisely
We stand with the position of the party leader," Wandayi stated. His remarks come amid growing internal tension within ODM following the party's shifting political realignments. Drawing a contrast with the current administration's experience, Savula suggested that President William Ruto is keen to avoid a repeat of the friction witnessed with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Kakamega Governor Fernandez Barasa urged ODM party members to exercise patience, backing the party leader's strategy despite differing opinions within the ranks. They should stick where they are," Lusaka said, referring to the ODM leaders now collaborating with the administration.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 12:06 UTC
NTV Kenya: Aviation workers’ strike disrupts flights at JKIA
Aviation workers’ strike disrupts flights at JKIAAviation workers on Monday downed their tools, effectively disrupting air travel across the country. According to Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) Secretary-General Moss Ndiema, the strike began at 6am. Kenya Airways has issued a statement advising travellers to expect possible flight adjustments and delays due to air traffic control disruptions at JKIA. The union had last week issued a seven-day strike notice to Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) warning that failure to address their grievances would see them proceed with the industrial action as planned. Among the union’s key demands is the employment of workers on permanent and pensionable terms, which it says remains unresolved.
Source:Daily Nation
February 16, 2026 11:53 UTC
Bondi Beach shooting accused faces court for the first time
He faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist attack. Naveed and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, allegedly stormed the beachside event armed with semi-automatic rifles. Charges: 15 x Murder, 1 x Terrorist Act, 43 x Attempted Murder/GBH. 15 x Murder, 1 x Terrorist Act, 43 x Attempted Murder/GBH. The inclusion of a specific "terrorist act" charge elevates the case to the federal level, bringing with it mandatory life sentencing provisions if convicted.
Source:Daily Nation
February 16, 2026 11:50 UTC
State warns Kenyans over Russia job offers
Missile/FILEThe government has warned citizens against falling prey to fraudulent job offers linked to travel to the Russian Federation through informal recruitment channels. The embassy cautioned that where individuals travel through irregular, unsafe, unverified, and informal channels, consular access and intervention may be limited or delayed. The Embassy urged Kenyans to verify all job offers through the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and the Kenyan diplomatic mission before departure. All Kenyans travelling or residing in Russia, Belarus, or Kazakhstan were advised to register with the embassy. It added that the embassy is working with authorities in both countries to address emerging fraudulent recruitment networks and urged job seekers to verify opportunities before travelling abroad.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 11:30 UTC
We shall not relent, defiant Sifuna tells supporters after Kitengela teargas
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addresses a rally in Kitengela town on February 15, 2026/EZEKIEL AMING'ANairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Wananchi movement appears to be gaining traction after pulling large crowds for the second time in a week. On Sunday, the Sifuna-led team stormed Kitengela in what appeared to be a show of popularity. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addresses a rally in Kitengela town on February 15, 2026/EZEKIEL AMING'AEnthusiastic crowds swelled in Kitengela as leaders addressed them, with chants of “One Term”—a clarion call by opposition leaders. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna receives Valentine flowers from a supporter/EZEKIEL AMING'AThe Oginga-led faction prefers a deal with President Ruto, while the Sifuna team is pushing to either field a presidential candidate or join the United Opposition. Even in Busia, they attempted the same scheme, but the Funyula MP brought young men who provided security,” Sifuna said on Sunday morning before the Kitengela rally.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 11:10 UTC
Armed Forces chief vows to fix trust deficit and overhaul procurement
KUALA LUMPUR: To address the "trust deficit" facing the military, the Armed Forces must strengthen integrity and subject all procurement issues to diligent review, says Jen Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman. In his inaugural address to the troops, the Armed Forces chief emphasised that any act of misconduct or abuse of power directly tarnishes the institution's reputation. "Therefore, the Malaysian Armed Forces Anti-Corruption Plan 2025–2029 must be fully implemented. Jen Malek Razak added that implementation reports must be presented periodically to the highest leadership to ensure accountability. "The Malaysian Armed Forces Standard Management Audit must be carried out according to the prescribed schedule, with special audits conducted whenever risk indicators arise.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 10:47 UTC
I’ll not be intimidated, says teargassed Sifuna
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was yesterday teargassed in Kitengela but the embattled ODM secretary general declared he would not be intimidated. Sifuna declared that no amount of intimidation or political threats will force him to retreat from criticising the government. Sifuna, who is also the Nairobi senator, insisted that he and like-minded leaders will continue speaking out against alleged injustices. Vihiga Senator Godffrey Osotsi, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Siaya Governor James Orengo joined Sifuna at the service. “We were three deputy party leaders, those ones have gone to Ruto.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 10:40 UTC
Soap Star Cameron Mathison Ends 22-Year Marriage
Cameron Mathison, a familiar face in Kenyan living rooms thanks to the enduring popularity of daytime soaps like General Hospital, has confirmed that his marriage to Vanessa Arevalo is over. For the legions of Kenyan soap opera fans who have followed Mathison from his days as Ryan Lavery in Pine Valley to Drew Cain in Port Charles, the news comes as a shock. Unlike the dramatic, vase-throwing exits typical of the characters Mathison plays, this real-life plot twist appears somber and measured. A Kenyan Fan FavoriteIn Kenya, where soap operas are not just entertainment but a cultural touchstone that bridges generations, Mathison is household royalty. The fantasy of the perfect soap star life has been punctured, replaced by a more relatable, if melancholic, reality.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 10:02 UTC
Ramadan 2026: Check fasting hours, suhoor and iftar times in US, UK, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and other countries around the world
Ramadan 2026: When is it starting and ending? Ramadan 2026 will begin mid-February and end 29 or 30 days later, depending on the moon sighting in different countries. Ramadan 2026: What are the fasting hours? Ramadan 2026: Iftaar and Suhoor timings (Worldwide)Iftaar is the meal eaten at sunset to break the fast. Ramadan 2026: Suhoor, Iftar timings, fasting hoursThe table below highlights the suhoor and iftar timings along with the total fasting hours on both the opening and closing days of Ramadan 2026.
Source:News 24
February 16, 2026 09:35 UTC
Kenya asked to decide on US health deal as court puts it on hold
(AFP)The US government has stated that Kenya holds the sovereign power to go through with the Sh322 billion health deal agreed between the two countries last year. The downside is the delay affects planning for HIV and other health services in the meantime,” said Kristine Yakhama, representative, TB Women Kenya. Though the pause has not stopped health services, if not solved, services will stall. Some health support activities linked to the broader relationship, particularly ongoing U.S.-supported health services and funding channels, are still in effect under existing arrangements. She observed that health funding that bypasses fiscal modelling and parliamentary scrutiny risks becoming unsustainable, and that sustainability is the fastest way to undermine Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Source:Standard Digital
February 16, 2026 08:12 UTC
NTV Kenya: Winter Olympics: African and Caribbean skiers unite to call for more inclusion, support
Winter Olympics: African and Caribbean skiers unite to call for more inclusion, supportSix Olympic skiers joined by their parents, coaches and federation presidents came together on Sunday to advocate for more inclusion at the Winter Games. In 1984, Lamine Gueye was the first Black African skier to participate in the Winter Olympics. Today, 14 athletes representing African nations are competing – more than double the amount in 2022 in Beijing, many of them athletes of colour. This is only the nation’s second time at the Winter Olympics, with Richardson Viano in the slalom ski races and Stevenson Savart competing in cross-country skiing. His dad, meanwhile, is set on continuing to work for more inclusion with the other representatives of Caribbean and African nations.
Source:Daily Nation
February 16, 2026 07:16 UTC
Party hopping begins: Defections rise as political players position themselves for 2027
Party hopping begins: Defections rise as political players position themselves for 2027 16th February, 2026Kenya’s 2027 General Election may be months away, but the political groundwork is already in motion. Across the country, 2026 is shaping up as the year of calculated realignments, quiet defections, early campaign machinery and strategic positioning that could ultimately determine the outcome long before voters cast their ballots. Behind closed-door meetings, shifting alliances and subtle public messaging, key players are laying the foundation for what is expected to be a high-stakes contest. The battle lines are forming early — and the real race may be decided well before election day.
Source:Standard Digital
February 16, 2026 06:45 UTC
Claims of more Bersatu divisions to be dissolved
PETALING JAYA: More Bersatu divisions are expected to be dissolved in the coming days, in retaliation to the party’s decision to expel its deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. More divisions will be dissolved, signalling a protest against the party leadership,” claimed a source. “This decision was further reinforced by the dismissal of deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and division chief Mohd Hassundi Hamzah,” he said. “The majority of the division’s leadership attended the ‘Reset’ programme organised by Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee in solidarity with, and in support of Hamzah. “The event demonstrated the backing from the party’s leadership and grassroots nationwide.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 02:18 UTC