Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon exchange fire as conflict widens after attack on Iran
Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire as the Iran conflict widens. The Israel Defense Forces has told residents of more than 50 villages in Lebanon to evacuate after Iran-backed Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel. Israel pledges to intensify attacks on Iran, as Trump says the US military campaign could last weeks. Israel tells residents of more than 50 villages in Lebanon to evacuateIsrael has told residents of more than 50 towns and villages in Lebanon to evacuate, as it warned of attacks. The US-Israeli war with Iran has entered its third day, with the conflict spreading to Lebanon overnight as Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2026 07:28 UTC
A Deadly Pattern? Kenya's Leaders Lost in Air Crashes
A Deadly Pattern? Kenya's Leaders Lost in Air Crashes 2nd March, 2026The nation is once again wrapped in grief following the tragic death of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno in a helicopter crash in Nandi County. His passing adds to a growing list of senior Kenyan leaders who have lost their lives in aviation accidents over the decades. In this digital feature, Jesse Rogers revisits the prominent political figures killed in similar crashes, examining the troubling pattern of air disasters involving public officials and the unanswered questions that continue to linger long after the wreckage is cleared.
Source:Standard Digital
March 02, 2026 07:21 UTC
Doing THIS in Saudi Arabia on Holi can get you arrested or even deported; here’s what you should know
Not all countries allow public holi 2 / 6 While Holi is widely celebrated in India, there are some countries where playing Holi in public can fall under legal restrictions. ---Advertisement---Saudi Arabia and restrictions 3 / 6 One such country is Saudi Arabia. Publicly playing with colours during Holi is therefore not allowed. Many people are unaware that throwing colours on the streets in Saudi Arabia can lead to legal action. 4 / 6 In Saudi Arabia, public celebration of non-Islamic religious events is not permitted.
Source:News 24
March 02, 2026 06:51 UTC
Ruto condemns strikes in Middle East, calls for urgent de-escalation
Audio By VocalizePresident Ruto warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East poses a serious threat to global peace and security. Kenya has strongly condemned the recent strikes targeting the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, warning that the expanding conflict in the Middle East poses a serious threat to global peace and security. Through his official social media pages, President William Ruto said the regionalisation of the crisis risks destabilising not only the Middle East but also the wider international community. He went on to describe the current situation as both defining and perilous, underscoring the urgent need for restraint and dialogue among the parties involved. Ruto also called for urgent, inclusive multi-stakeholder engagement to de-escalate and restore stability in the region.
Source:Standard Digital
March 02, 2026 06:10 UTC
Oil prices rise after ships attacked near Strait of Hormuz
He said the US would likely try to protect shipping routes which, if effective, would prevent an oil price spike, but if the strait remained shut for a long period prices could go "much, much higher".
Source:The Star
March 02, 2026 06:08 UTC
Ruto: Kenya has what it takes to achieve first-world status
President William Ruto on Sunday expressed confidence that the country is on the path to achieving first-world status, insisting Kenya has the potential needed to compete with developed nations. Speaking during centenary celebrations at Alliance High School in Kiambu county, Ruto reiterated his administration's commitment to moving the country to a first-world status. The President said he has held talks with a number of first-world countries and that he's convinced Kenya is moving in the right direction. “There is absolutely no reason why Kenya cannot be as good as the countries in the first-world status,” he said. “As we develop the infrastructure, we are doing it because the education of the children of Kenya is central to the transformation of this country,” Ruto stated.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2026 06:02 UTC
Penang cops nab two more suspects in slashing case
GEORGE TOWN: Police have arrested two more men to over a parang attack on a man at a shopping mall on Jalan Kelawai here. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the two men, in their 20s, were arrested on Sunday (March 1) and investigations are ongoing. "We have detained a total of six suspects so far," he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code. Police earlier arrested and remanded four suspects aged from 29 to 40. On Wednesday (Feb 25), a man sustained serious injuries he was slashed by a suspect at a shopping mall here.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2026 05:29 UTC
Oil prices surge, stocks skid in flight from risk
SYDNEY: Oil prices surged on Monday and shares slid as military conflict in the Middle East looked set to last weeks, sending investors flocking to the relative safety of the dollar, gold and bonds. A prolonged spike in oil prices would risk reigniting inflationary pressures globally, while also acting as a tax on business and consumers that could dampen demand. "The nearest historical analogue in our view is the Middle East oil embargo of the 1970s, which increased oil prices by 300% to around $12/bbl in 1974," said Alan Gelder, SVP of refining, chemicals and oil markets at Wood Mackenzie. While the Japanese yen is often a safe harbour, the country imports all of its oil making the flows more two-way. The news slugged banking stocks and combined with jitters over AI-related stocks to hit Wall Street more broadly.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2026 02:29 UTC
Time to protect consumers from 'safer' alternatives to cigarettes
[Courtesy]Kenya stands at a defining moment in its public health journey. Public health policy cannot wait 30 years while addiction becomes entrenched in a new generation. Sweden regulated tightly with strict age limits, product standards, enforcement systems, and public health oversight. Where legal definitions lag behind product innovation, opportunity expands not for public health, but for market share. And to the tobacco industry: Kenya is not a testing ground.
Source:Standard Digital
March 02, 2026 01:48 UTC
Beetle invasion puts Africa's Baobabs at risk
Their study showed that the trees were not dying solely from disease, drought, or old age, but from infestations by the mango-stem borer, a highly aggressive beetle. Of the 91 baobab trees surveyed in Oman, six had been killed by the beetle, while larvae infested a further 12 trees. “This is the first time an insect has been found to kill adult baobab trees. She added that their research enables early detection and the exploration of effective control measures before the beetle reaches Africa. Although native to Southeast Asia, the mango-stem borer could devastate African baobabs, which are considered a keystone species critical to ecosystems and local livelihoods.
Source:Standard Digital
March 02, 2026 01:48 UTC
PS Hinga credits his 35kg weight loss to President Ruto’s advice
Hinga recounted that shortly after his appointment, the President encouraged him to address his weight. At the time, Hinga weighed 121 kilograms and said social media users would often tease him during public interactions. He spoke on Sunday when he joined President Ruto in celebrating 100 years of Alliance High School, imparting knowledge, discipline, hard work, and excellence. At the neighbouring Alliance Girls School, Ruto said the government has also invested Sh155 million for a 640-student dormitory and Sh40 million for 24 classrooms. "Congratulations, Alliance High School, on your centenary celebrations; may Strong To Serve continue to be your rallying call," he said.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2026 00:16 UTC
Wetang’ula orders transfer of Nandi helicopter crash victims’ bodies to Nairobi
NAIROBI, Kenya, March 1 — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has directed the Clerk of the House to facilitate the transportation of the bodies of all victims of the fatal helicopter crash in Nandi to Nairobi. The crash on Saturday afternoon in Nandi County killed six people, including Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ngeno, whose death was formally communicated to the legislature. “I have directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to facilitate the transportation of the bodies of all victims of the fatal helicopter crash in Nandi to Nairobi,” Wetang’ula said in a statement Sunday. “This evening, we have received the remains of six bodies retrieved from the crash site in Nandi,” Kirwa said. Investigations are being led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department, authorities said, as families await the completion of identification procedures.
Source:Daily Nation
March 01, 2026 22:52 UTC
The love-hate union between Ruto, MP Ng'eno
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Source:Standard Digital
March 01, 2026 22:30 UTC
Kalonzo calls for swift probe into helicopter crash killed MP Ng’eno
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has called on authorities to move with speed and establish the circumstances that led to the helicopter crash that killed Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno. Kalonzo further urged the government to extend every possible support to the family of Ng’eno and five others who died in the crash. He said the news of the helicopter accident has left Kenya saddened, and words feel insufficient in such a moment. “In this moment of national grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Emurua Dikiri MP Hon Johana Ngeno and the five families who have lost someone they love. Johana Ng’eno Kipyegon, CBS, MP,” the Speaker said, conveying condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.
Source:Daily Nation
March 01, 2026 22:12 UTC
What Kenya can learn from France when politics leads to death
[File, Standard]In 2027, both France and Kenya will organise general elections; a fulfillment of their constitutional and democratic commitment. On its part, Kenya’s political organisation is, to a great extent, a function of ethnic mobilisation. What follows is a display of how worlds apart France and Kenya are in attaching meaning to human life. Developments following Quentin’s death show how valued human life is in France. On the contrary, Ayomo’s death shows the persistence of dispensability of human life in service of politics in Kenya.
Source:Standard Digital
March 01, 2026 21:00 UTC