US military kills Iranian official behind Trump’s assassination plot – Pentagon

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March 4, 2026

The U.S. military has killed an Iranian official who headed a unit behind an alleged assassination plot against President Donald Trump, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.

The announcement of the unnamed ‌Iranian official’s killing came during an operational update to the four-day-old war with Iran at the Pentagon.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth touted the killing, which he said took place on Tuesday, even as he stressed the Iranian official was not the initial focus of the war.

“The leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down ⁠and killed. Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh,” Hegseth told reporters.

In 2024, the U.S. Justice Department charged an Iranian man in connection with an alleged plot ordered by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps to assassinate Trump, then U.S. president-elect.

Tehran has denied accusations that it had targeted Trump and other U.S. officials.

Trump cited the alleged Iranian plot when he spoke on Sunday about a joint U.S.-Israeli operation that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying to ABC News: “I got him before he got me.”

Hegseth, however, said Trump never mentioned the effort to track down the leader ‌of ⁠the Iranian unit behind the plot as a priority for the Pentagon.

“While that was not the focus of the effort by any stretch of the imagination – in fact, never raised by the President or anybody else – I ensured, and others ensured, that those who were responsible for that were eventually part of the ⁠target list,” Hegseth told reporters.

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. military was making steady progress against Iran after blistering rounds of strikes. He said Iran’s launches of theater-wide ballistic ⁠missiles were down 86% from the first day of fighting and their one-way attack drone shots were down 73% from the opening days.

He said U.S. strikes were expanding as the U.S. establishes localized air superiority ⁠across the southern Iranian coast.

“We will now begin to expand inland, striking progressively deeper into Iranian territory, and creating additional freedom of maneuver for U.S. forces,” Caine said.

ODM says 10-point agenda has no expiry date, downplays March 7 deadline

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Editor

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March 4, 2026

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has downplayed concerns over the lapse of the 10-point agenda committee’s timeframe, saying the process is continuous.

ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will convene a joint Parliamentary Group meeting next week to discuss the progress and review the implementation of the agenda that was outlined last year to address issues affecting the country.

“On Tuesday, there will be a joint PG of Kenya Kwanza and ODM, who are the signatories of the 10-point agenda, and a progress report will be provided by the team,” said Wanga.

“I want to correct the statement that the 10-point agenda is ending on the 7th (March); the agenda is moving this nation forward, the way it was discussed and canvassed. It does not have an end date. Looking at the issues of the NADCO report, corruption, strengthening devolution and debt, these cannot have an end date.”

Her sentiments were echoed by 10-point agenda implementation committee Chairperson Agnes Zani, who noted that there is no need for alarm regarding the duration set for implementing the issues singled out.

“The committee is now ready with a report which will be given on March 7th, among other reports. March 7th also coincides with the signing of the MoU,” said Zani.

The 10-point agenda was formulated and signed by President William Ruto and former ODM leader, the late Raila Odinga, in March last year.

In August of the same year, the Zani-led committee was formed and tasked with overseeing the implementation of the issues raised under a six-month contract, which is set to expire this Saturday.

The ODM leaders were speaking after National Executive Committee (NEC) deliberations attended by party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga, among other senior party officials.

Liverpool top-five failure ‘could cost £120m’

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John Mutiso

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March 4, 2026

“The stakes are very high,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said after Tuesday’s surprise 2-1 Premier League defeat to Wolves.

The loss at Molineux left Liverpool in fifth place, which is almost certain to be enough to qualify for the Champions League.

But the table is tight. The Reds have only a three-point cushion over Chelsea, who face fourth-placed Aston Villa for their game in hand on Wednesday.

“Either we get it and we deserve it or we don’t get it and we don’t deserve it,” Van Dijk said.

“If you play for Liverpool, it’s always been like this. It’s down to us, together with our fans, to get the results we need to get into the Champions League.”

Beyond the sporting implications, there are huge finances at stake.

Failure to qualify for the Champions League could be worth as much as £120m, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who also said the Reds were better placed to weather such a drop because they are well run.

‘Extremely well run Liverpool can withstand the revenue drop’ – Maguire

Prize money and commercial opportunities are significantly lower in the other European competitions.

Uefa’s financial report shows that Arne’s Slot’s side earned 98.1m euros (£85.3m) in distribution payments for reaching the last 16 of the Champions League in the 2024-25 season.

When Liverpool were in the Europa League in 2023-24, they got just 26.8m euros (£23.3m) for getting to the quarter-finals.

Winning the tournament would help bridge the funding gap a little more.

Tottenham received 41.4m euros (£36m) after lifting the Europa League last season, but Chelsea were paid just 21.8m euros (£20m) from the Conference League.

Maguire said that the loss of money from Uefa would only be part of the story.

“It also has an impact upon matchday receipts,” Maguire said. “It has an effect on the broadcasting money.

“It will mean lower commercial revenues, because there will be bonuses embedded in contracts with senior sponsors.”

At the high end, Maguire thinks being out of the Champions League could in total “cost Liverpool around £120m”.

Liverpool splashed out more than £400m last summer, signing players such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

It was the biggest spend by a club in a transfer window.

But Maguire says that Liverpool “are extremely well run”. One season outside of the Champions League might not have a huge effect, he said.

Last week, Liverpool announced record revenues of £703m for the club’s most recent financial year through to May 2025. The club returned a profit of £8m.

Even with last year’s signings, Liverpool are only eighth on net transfer spend over the last five years.

“While they did have a significant transfer outlay, you’ve to take a long term view on their spending,” Maguire said.

“It’s still substantially behind the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea in particular.”

Uefa’s latest benchmarking report says that Chelsea made a pre-tax loss of £355m for 2024-25.

Manchester United‘s finances are improving but the club’s debt is now approaching £1.3bn.

Will Liverpool have any problems when it comes to complying with financial rules?

“The simple answer is no,” Maguire added. “They’re very forensic in terms of their financial analysis.”

Being out of the Champions League could of course affect the players they might attract to Anfield.

For Van Dijk and for Liverpool, being in the top competition will remain vital regardless of money.

Galatasaray fans banned from Liverpool second leg

By

John Mutiso

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March 4, 2026

Galatasaray fans have been banned from the club’s Champions League visit to Liverpool later this month following crowd disturbances during their game with Juventus in the previous round.

European governing body Uefa said supporters of the Turkish club had thrown objects and lit fireworks during the last-16 play-off tie second leg in Turin on 25 February.

Despite losing 3-2 on the night, they progressed 7-5 on aggregate and will host the Merseysiders in Istanbul next Tuesday (17:45 GMT) with the return leg to be staged at Anfield on 18 March (20:00).

However, Uefa has banned the Super Lig leaders from selling tickets to supporters for the away trip and also fined them 40,000 euros (£34,800).

In a statement, Galatasaray said they would appeal against the punishment.

Fletcher banned for six games for homophobic slur

By

John Mutiso

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March 4, 2026

Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has apologised for using a homophobic slur that has led to him receiving a six-match ban.

The England Under-19s international, son of United legend Darren Fletcher, was shown a red card in the 62nd minute of a 5-2 Vertu Trophy defeat by Barnsley in October.

At the time it was not clear what had prompted the decision.

However, the Football Association (FA) has now confirmed that Fletcher, 18, was sent off for calling an opponent “gay boy”.

“I am truly sorry for the offensive word I used in the heat of the moment,” said Fletcher.

“I completely understand such language is unacceptable and immediately apologised after the game.”

Fletcher said a “momentary lapse of character absolutely does not reflect my beliefs or values”.

The 18-year-old insisted he “had no intention to use the term as a homophobic insult”, which the disciplinary commission hearing accepted but felt the player should receive a six-match ban, which has been accepted by the midfielder and his club.

He was also fined £1,500 and must attend a mandatory face-to-face education programme or face further suspension until it is completed.

In its written reasons, the FA said Fletcher made his comment to an opponent who had made remarks about him and his family throughout the match.

Fletcher’s twin brother, Tyler, was also playing, while Darren was in the crowd.

Fletcher, who made his Premier League debut against Aston Villa in December and has made three appearances for United’s first team, told the FA he had been thrown to the floor and his Achilles had been stamped on by the same opponent earlier in the game.

United said they have been working with Fletcher to “strengthen his understanding of discriminatory language and why it is harmful”.

They said he will continue to take part in club diversity programmes in addition to the training he has been told to do by the FA.

United’s official LGBTQ+ fans group Rainbow Devils said it welcomed Fletcher’s apology and that “homophobic language has no place in football or society regardless of intention or connotation”.

“Words matter and words hurt,” it said.

Maguire given reduced 15-month suspended sentence

By

John Mutiso

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March 4, 2026

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended sentence by a Greek court following an incident on the island of Mykonos in August 2020.

England international Maguire was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days in prison in 2020, after initially being found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult.

The following day Maguire’s legal team lodged an appeal against the verdict. In accordance with Greek law, the appeal nullified his conviction and meant there would be a full retrial.

The retrial was postponed on four occasions between 2023 and 2025, before it restarted in Syros on Wednesday.

It concluded that Maguire was guilty of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery.

In accordance with the reduced severity of the defender’s crimes, Maguire’s sentence was reduced to 15 months.

Sources have told BBC Sport that Maguire denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Maguire has rejected a number of opportunities to settle the case out of court, as he is determined to clear his name legally.

The 32-year-old is in the Manchester United squad for Wednesday’s Premier League game at Newcastle United (20:15 GMT), despite having to come off during the win against Crystal Palace on Sunday with illness.

‘Key differences between Greece and UK systems’

ByNikos Papanikolaou

BBC reporter

The retrial of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire highlighted key differences between the Greek and British criminal justice systems and explained why a case stemming from a 2020 incident is only now being heard again.

Maguire was originally convicted in 2020 by a court on the island of Syros following an altercation on the holiday island of Mykonos. He received a 21-month suspended prison sentence for aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery.

However, under Greek law, when a defendant appeals against a conviction from a lower criminal court, the verdict is automatically annulled and the case is retried from the beginning. Unlike in the UK, where appeals generally examine whether legal errors occurred in the original trial, Greek appeal courts reassess the facts of the case and hear evidence again.

The retrial had been delayed several times because of procedural issues, including lawyer strikes and scheduling problems – a reflection of the heavy backlog affecting many Greek courts.

Maguire was not required to attend the hearing in person. In Greece, defendants in cases of this level can be represented by their lawyers.

Another factor is Greece’s statute of limitations. For offences of this type, legal proceedings must conclude within eight years – meaning the case would expire in August 2028 if not resolved before then.

Live bombs found in Lake Victoria as fishermen mistake explosives for fish

By

John Mutiso

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March 4, 2026

Fishermen in Homa Bay County have uncovered live explosives in two separate incidents near Lake Victoria, raising concerns about the presence of military remnants in the area.

The first discovery occurred on Sunday, 1 March, when a group of fishermen in Litare, Mbita, hauled a box containing dangerous devices. They alerted local police, who confirmed the explosives were highly volatile.

The next day, another group of fishermen near Koguna beach found 14 additional explosive devices, prompting authorities to transfer both caches to the Mbita Sub-County Police Headquarters. The items, identified as propellant-type explosives along with bullets, are awaiting disposal by the Hazardous Materials Unit in Kisumu.

This follows a similar discovery in August 2021, when six mortar bombs were found in the same region, and another incident in 2019, when colonial-era explosives were recovered from the lake. These repeated findings raise concerns over the legacy of historical military activity in the area.

The presence of explosives in Lake Victoria underscores the risks posed by past conflicts and colonial military operations. Despite being decades old, these devices continue to threaten local communities, particularly fishermen and herders who rely on the lake for their livelihoods.

For residents, the discovery of explosives is more than a mere scare; it is a persistent danger to their safety and livelihoods. With fishing as a primary source of income, the fear of hidden explosives can disrupt local economies.

Oburu Oginga Urges Leaders Not to Politicise MP Ngeno’s Death

By

John Mutiso

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March 4, 2026

The requiem service for Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno and five others who died in a helicopter crash was held at the Africa Gospel Church in Karen, Nairobi.

The ceremony brought together political leaders, family members, and mourners in remembrance of the victims.

Siaya Senator and ODM leader Oburu Odinga urged caution, advising against politicising the tragedy.

He warned that unfounded speculation about foul play could undermine the dignity of the grieving families and interfere with ongoing investigations.

“Politicians are also human beings and can get involved in a normal accident and die like everybody else,” he remarked, emphasising the need to treat the incident as a human loss rather than a political issue.

The crash, which occurred in Chepkieb Forest, Mosop, claimed six lives: Ng’eno, pilot George Were, forester Amos Kipngetich Rotich, bodyguard Nick Koskei, photographer Carlos Keter, teacher Wycliffe Rono, and a Narok County government employee.

While Ng’eno’s role as a three-term legislator drew significant attention, Oburu reminded those present that the other victims’ families were also grieving and deserved equal recognition.

Representing the Ng’eno family, Barnabas Ng’eno expressed gratitude for the support received and reaffirmed the family’s commitment to continuing the late MP’s legacy.

He spoke of the MP’s dedication to community unity, land rights advocacy, and local talent, vowing that his vision would be carried forward.

“He has left a solid legacy, and we will carry it on,” Barnabas said.

In a mark of respect, Parliament suspended its Wednesday morning sitting to allow MPs to attend the service.

Burial plans, in line with Kipsigis customs, include overnight vigils at rural homes before a joint ceremony at Emurua Dikirr Primary School on Friday, followed by individual rites.

Initial findings from the National Police Service suggest the helicopter was flying at low altitude before hitting trees.

Investigators have recovered the aircraft’s black box, which is expected to provide further insight into the final moments of the flight.

DPP charges Mackenzie, seven others over Kwa Binzaro massacre

By

Editor

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March 4, 2026

The Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) today charged controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and seven others over the Shakahola Kwa Binzaro massacre.

The accused, including Mackenzie alias Mtumishi, Shallyne Anindo Temba alias Ann, Kahindi Kazungu Garama alias Mlewa, Tom Ochieng Mkonwe alias Thomas alias Tomaso, Julius Tuva Luwali, Johnson Gona Richard, Charles Mutua Musee alias Mzee Mutua, and James Kazungu Kahindi alias Ponda alias Baba Bura, appeared before High Court Judge Wendy Kagendo in Mombasa.

Mackenzie and five co-accused face 23 counts of murder as crimes against humanity, charged under Section 6 (1)(b) of the International Crimes Act, No.16 of 2008, and Articles 7(1)(a) and 25(3)(a) and (b) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

The charges allege that the six unlawfully killed 23 members of the Good News International Church, aged between six months and 18 years, in a coordinated attack executed as part of the organization’s operational policy.

The DPP emphasized that the killings were deliberate and premeditated, carried out with full knowledge that their actions would result in death.

Justice Kagendo noted that the victims’ genders remain unascertained, prompting the assignment of identifiers in court records. The alleged offences occurred at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama Location, Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi County.

In addition to international law charges, the six were charged with 23 counts of murder under the Penal Code, while Charles Mutua Musee and James Kazungu Kahindi faced accessory-after-the-fact charges for aiding co-accused to evade justice.

Mutua allegedly sheltered one suspect in Mwingi Sub-County, and James allegedly assisted three others in Mombasa County between 19–21 July 2025.

All eight accused pleaded not guilty. Justice Kagendo remanded Mackenzie at Shimo la Tewa Prison and ordered his co-accused to remain at Malindi GK Prison for two weeks pending transfer arrangements.

Prosecution, led by Deputy DPPs Jami Yamina and Joseph Kimanthi, alongside Assistant DPP Ngina Mutua and Principal Prosecution Counsels Victor Owiti and Betty Rubia, confirmed that 128 witnesses and dozens of exhibits will be presented to ensure a thorough and robust case. The court directed full disclosure of evidence within two weeks, with the next mention scheduled for 18 March 2026.

By Anthony Solly

Handover at Christ the King Parish, Kamuwongo,Kitui County

By

Editor

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March 4, 2026

Today, the Bishop’s Office, led by the Bishop’s Executive Secretary, Fr. Edward Mulwa, together with the Northern Deanery Dean, Fr. Simon Peter Kitute, facilitated a smooth handover process at Christ the King Parish, Kamuwongo.

Fr. Leonard Ndambuki, CSSp who has been serving as the Parish Priest since 2023, officially handed over leadership to Fr. Andrew Ndunda CSSp, who now assumes office as the Parish Priest. He will be assisted by Fr. Charles Odeny, CSSp.

Christ the King Parish was officially opened in 1998 with Fr. Antony Vadakara, CMI, as the first Parish Priest. He was succeeded by Fr. Jose, followed by Fr. Japheth Nyagah, who served until 2018.

In February 2019, the parish was placed under the pastoral care and leadership of the Holy Ghost Fathers, and Fr. Melchizedek Kioko, CSSp. was appointed Parish Priest, serving faithfully until 2023.

The Holy Ghost Fathers were represented during the occasion by Fr. George Wambua CSSp. Present were the Kamuwongo Parish Pastoral Council and the outgoing Curate Fr. Nicholas Omondi, CSSp.

By Anthony Solly

‘Extremely well run Liverpool can withstand the revenue drop’ – Maguire

‘Key differences between Greece and UK systems’

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