The 53-year-old’s departure was announced just hours before Everton were due to host League One side Peterborough in the third round of the FA Cup.

Everton announced their under-18s head coach Leighton Baines and club captain Seamus Coleman had been put in charge of the team for that game.

Right-back Coleman and former left-back Baines have made more than 800 Everton appearances between them.

Four members of Dyche’s coaching staff – Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer – have also departed.

The Toffees were beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday and sit 16th in the Premier League and just one point clear of the relegation zone.

They failed to register a shot on target at Vitality Stadium and have won just three of 19 games in the league this season.

A source close to the Friedkin Group – which completed a £400m takeover of the club last month – told BBC Sport the new owners had been in talks with Dyche over a couple of days this week, with both sides feeling they had reached the end of the road. Difficult negotiations took place over an exit package for Dyche and his staff before a settlement was reached.

The source added that the timing of Dyche’s departure, just hours before a game, was not ideal.
BBC Sport has approached Dyche – who said goodbye to his players at Everton’s training ground earlier on Thursday – for comment.

Club sources say they want Dyche’s replacement to have Premier League experience and former Everton manager David Moyes is among the names to have been linked.

However, sources close to Jose Mourinho have ruled the Fenerbahce manager out of contention.

The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss previously worked under the Friedkin Group at Roma, but he was sacked by them in January 2024.

Moyes, 61, managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 and recently said he was not ready to retire from football management but did not want to be in a job “fighting relegation”.

Speaking on Tuesday, Dyche said that his communication with Everton’s owners had been “positive” with “no indication” they were looking to bring someone else in. He said they had been “been very up front and open” about expectations.

In his programme notes, external for Thursday’s tie with Peterborough, Dyche wrote he hoped his side could use the FA Cup game to “build some positive momentum”.

Dyche, whose contract was due to expire in the summer, succeeded Frank Lampard on 30 January 2023 with Everton in the relegation zone.

The team secured survival with a 1-0 win against Bournemouth on the final day of that season.

He then steered the Toffees to a 15th-place finish in the 2023-24 campaign despite the Merseysiders being deducted eight points for two separate breaches of Premier League financial rules.

The club have looked strong defensively this season, keeping seven clean sheets.

But they have struggled for goals, netting only 15, and are the second-lowest scorers in the league, with only bottom club Southampton having managed fewer.

This is Everton’s last season at their 132-year-old stadium before moving to a new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock.

How bad have Everton been this season?
Everton’s numbers in 2024-25 make for grim reading: Only in three seasons in Everton’s history have they scored fewer goals after playing this number of league games.
They currently have the division’s lowest expected goals (xG) rate at 18.33.
The Merseysiders have had 63 shots on target this season. Southampton are the only side to fare worse, with 58 to date.
Everton had zero shots on target in Saturday’s loss at Bournemouth and the goalless draw at Arsenal last month.
Everton’s goals-per-game rate of 0.79 is the lowest number for the team in 13 seasons. It has dropped from 1.05 last term and 0.89 in 2022-23.

Former Toffees midfielder Leon Osman said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club: “Doing commentaries on their games is not easy at the moment because not much happens.

“I do think there is a lack of quality in the squad, but anyone will tell you you should still be creating chances and scoring goals. It is tough to watch.

“In the past 10 games, Craig Dawson is Everton’s top scorer having scored two own goals in that game (the 4-0 win over Wolves).”

By BBC Sport

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The man was being held with another inmate at a prison in the eastern city of Semnan when he “committed suicide” on Thursday, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency said.

The judiciary-run Mizan News Agency said prison officials immediately took action to save the Swiss citizen’s life, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Mizan gave no further detail about the man’s identity.

“This morning, a Swiss citizen committed suicide in Semnan prison,” a statement on Mizan’s website, attributed to Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, Semnan’s chief justice, said.

The statement added that he had been “arrested by Iranian security forces for espionage” and the case was “under investigation”.

The Swiss Foreign Affairs Department confirmed the death, adding that its embassy was in contact with Iranian authorities.

In recent years, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.

Switzerland plays an important intermediary role between Washington and Tehran as it represents American interests in Iran and shares messages between the two countries.

Meanwhile, an Italian journalist has returned to Rome after spending weeks in an Iranian jail.

Cecilia Sala, 29, was arrested on 19 December, three days after an Iranian engineer was detained by Italian authorities in Milan on suspicion of supplying drone technology that led to the deaths of US soldiers.

Reports said she had been held in solitary confinement in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

She was greeted by her partner as she left the plane at Rome’s Ciampino airport before being welcomed home by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is understood to have taken personal charge of her case.

A well known podcaster, Cecilia Sala’s detention in prison in Tehran outraged Italians and has dominated headlines since her employer, Chora Media, broke the news of her arrest on 27 December.

It posted a picture of Sala arriving on Wednesday afternoon.

Iran said initially it had detained Sala for “violation of the Islamic Republic’s laws”, however US state department officials said it could be linked to the arrest of Iranian national Mohammad Abedini at Malpensa airport in Milan on 16 December.

He was arrested on a US warrant and one official told Italian media that Sala was being used as “political leverage”.

It is unclear what led to Iran freeing her, however the news was broken in a statement from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who cited “intense work through diplomatic and intelligence channels”.

Meloni met US president-elect Donald Trump at the weekend, when the journalist’s detention is thought to have been discussed.

Outgoing president Joe Biden is due to visit Rome later this week.

Meloni thanked “all those who contributed to to making Cecilia’s return possible”.

Sala’s partner, fellow journalist Daniele Raineri, told Ansa news agency: “I spoke to her and she told me ‘I’ll see you soon’, she was emotional and overjoyed.”

Mohammad Abedini is due to go before a court in Milan on 15 January, and Tehran has in recent days played down any connection between the two cases.

The head of Italy’s foreign intelligence service, Giovanni Caravelli, is said to have travelled to Tehran personally to bring Sala back to Italy.

Her father Renato Sala told Ansa he was proud of her and praised the government for an “exceptional job”.

He said he had had the impression that the situation had turned into a “game of chess, but with more than two players”.

Renato Sala also thanked Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, pointing out they had lived near each other for 12 years and had become friends.

By BBC News

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In historic scenes just 11 days before the inauguration of Donald Trump for what promises to be a turbulent second term, the incoming president and outgoing President Joe Biden set aside their bitter rivalry to mourn Carter together.

Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also sat with them for the somber ceremony to honor Carter, who died on December 29 at the age of 100 in his home state of Georgia.

Democrat Carter was widely perceived as naive and weak during his single term from 1977 to 1981, but a more nuanced view has emerged as the years passed, focusing on his decency and foreign policy achievements.

Carter’s flag-draped coffin was transported from the US Capitol, where it had been lying in state, and brought into the immense cathedral by an honor guard of service members in ceremonial uniforms.
His grandson Joshua Carter gave the first homily to the last president of the “Greatest Generation.”

President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy for his fellow Democrat at the neo-Gothic cathedral, a traditional venue for send-offs of US presidents, from Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan to George H.W. Bush.

Biden, who leaves the White House on January 20 after his own single term in office, has said that Carter asked him to do so when the pair — long-standing friends — met for the last time four years ago.

“Carter was a decent man. I think Carter looked at the world not from here but from here, where everybody else lives,” Biden said as he gestured from above his head towards his heart.

The funeral comes just days before another moment of profound change for the United States, with the return of Trump to the Oval Office.

Obama shook hands and chatted with the billionaire Republican.

There was also a brief moment of reconciliation for Trump and his former vice president Mike Pence, as they met and shook hands for what is believed to be the first time since the 2021 US Capitol riots when Pence refused to back Trump’s false claims to have won the 2020 election

The five presidents joined around 3,000 mourners at the service, and Thursday has been designated a national day of mourning, with federal offices closed.

Carter, who served a single term before a crushing election loss to Reagan in 1980, suffered in the dog-eat-dog world of Washington politics and a hostage crisis involving Americans held in Tehran after Iran’s Islamic revolution finally sealed his fate.

But history has led to a reassessment, focusing on his brokering of a peace deal between Israel and Egypt. He also received high praise for his post-presidential humanitarian efforts, and a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

– ‘Thirst for justice’ –
The first president to reach triple digits, he had been in hospice care since February 2023 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he died and will be buried next to his late wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter.

Mourners began paying their respects on Saturday, as the carefully choreographed six-day farewell got underway with US flags flying at half-staff around the country.

A black hearse bearing Carter’s remains paused at his boyhood family peanut farm in Plains, where a bell was rung 39 times and staff stood in silent tribute.

Crowds gathered along the roadside to say their goodbyes, snap photographs or salute as the motorcade rolled slowly past.

Carter’s casket arrived at Washington’s snow-covered US Capitol on Tuesday atop a gun carriage.

It was accompanied by hundreds of service members, with military pallbearers carrying Carter to the Rotunda to lie in state ahead of Thursday’s ceremony — the first presidential funeral since Bush Senior died in 2018.

Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, described Carter as “one of the most decent and humble public servants we have ever seen.”

“President Carter was a living embodiment of leadership through service, compassion, and a thirst for justice for all,” he said.

By Agencies

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Joseph Aoun’s candidacy was backed by several political parties, as well as the US, France and Saudi Arabia.

A rival backed by the Hezbollah militia withdrew on Wednesday and endorsed the commander.

The presidency is a mainly ceremonial role which is reserved for a Christian under a sectarian power-sharing system.

The election took place six weeks after Lebanon’s government agreed a ceasefire to end a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah, which significantly weakened the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group.

The Lebanese army was not involved in the conflict and has a key role under the ceasefire deal, which requires it to deploy soldiers in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw and to ensure Hezbollah ends its armed presence there by 26 January.

Aoun, 60, is a career soldier who has been the army’s commander since 2017.

During that time, he has led the institution through deep crises which have affected Lebanon.

They include the 13-month Hezbollah-Israel conflict, a six-year-long economic depression that is one of the worst recorded in modern times, and the 2020 Beirut port explosion that killed more than 200 people.

Lebanon has not had a properly functioning government since the last parliamentary elections in May 2022.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati was unable to secure backing for a new cabinet before then-president Michel Aoun’s term ended that October, leaving his administration with reduced powers.

Lawmakers then failed to elect a new president on 12 occasions. The last time was in June 2023, when no candidate secured enough votes to win the first round before Hezbollah and its ally Amal prevented a second round by walking out.

A presidential candidate in Lebanon can usually be elected in the first round if they receive a two-thirds majority – or 86 votes – in the 128-seat parliament, or by a simple majority in a second round. However, Speaker Nabih Berri said Aoun needed a two-thirds majority in any round because he was a sitting army commander.

In Thursday morning’s first round, 71 lawmakers voted in favour of Aoun, 15 short of what he required. Another 37 lawmakers – many of them reportedly from Hezbollah and Amal – cast blank ballots, while 20 ballots were declared invalid.

Berri, who is the leader of Amal, then suspended the session until the afternoon, sparking anger among lawmakers who wanted the second round to take place immediately.

Eventually, Aoun was elected president after receiving 99 votes in the second round, easily achieving the required two-thirds majority. Nine lawmakers cast blank ballots, in addition to 18 invalid ballots.

As soon as the result was announced by the speaker, TV channels showed scenes of celebration around the country.

Aoun was later shown arriving at the parliament building in a suit and then inspecting guards before entering the chamber to be sworn in.

By BBC News

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Born on January 6, 1964, he began his career in broadcasting as a sports director and anchor before joining ESPN in 2003.

Cowherd is known for his outspoken opinions on sports, particularly the NFL and NBA.

He has been critical of several players but has consistently supported athletes like LeBron James and Sam Darnold.

Siblings

Colin has a sister named Marlene. He often expresses appreciation for her on social media, particularly on National Siblings Day.

Career

Cowherd started as the play-by-play voice for the Las Vegas Stars, a minor league baseball team.

He then moved to television, becoming the sports director at KVBC-TV in Las Vegas. During this period, he won multiple Nevada Sportscaster of the Year awards, which helped establish him as a rising talent in sports media.

In 2003, Cowherd joined ESPN Radio, where he hosted “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.”

The show quickly gained popularity due to his provocative opinions and engaging style.

He also co-hosted “SportsNation” on ESPN2, a show that focused on sports news and debate.

Also Read: Emmanuel Acho Siblings: A Look at the Former NFL Player’s Family Tree

Additionally, Cowherd hosted “Colin’s New Football Show,” which covered NFL news and analysis.

His time at ESPN was marked by his ability to generate discussion and controversy, which often led to increased viewership and listenership.

After leaving ESPN in 2015, Cowherd joined Fox Sports. He continued hosting “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” which airs on FS1 and Fox Sports Radio.

The show remains popular for its lively discussions and debates on sports topics.

Cowherd also contributes to “Fox NFL Kickoff,” providing analysis and commentary on NFL games.

He has been involved in various other projects, including podcasts and digital content, further expanding his reach in the sports media landscape.

Beyond his work in traditional broadcasting, Cowherd is also a New York Times bestselling author. His books often focus on sports and personal development.

In 2021, Cowherd launched The Volume, a sports-talk podcast network that features various personalities and shows.

Accolades

One notable achievement is winning a local Sports Emmy for his work on “Buc Sunday” while serving as a sports anchor at WTVT-TV in Tampa.

This award highlights his early success in television broadcasting.

Cowherd also earned multiple Nevada Sportscaster of the Year awards during his time as sports director at KVBC-TV in Las Vegas.

These awards underscore his talent and dedication to sports journalism, establishing him as a respected figure in the industry.

In addition to his broadcasting achievements, Cowherd is a New York Times bestselling author. H

His book “You HERD Me!” became a bestseller, spending five weeks on the list in hardcover.

This success demonstrates his ability to connect with a wide audience beyond television and radio.

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He played college football at the University of Missouri before being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Gabbert has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.

He won Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers and Super Bowl LVIII with the Chiefs as a backup quarterback.

Siblings

Blaine has two siblings who are also involved in football.

Tyler played college football, initially committing to Nebraska, then joining Missouri, and later transferring to the University of Central Florida (UCF).

He is now a territory sales manager for Salvin Dental Specialties Inc.

The youngest brother, Brett, is a quarterback for the Miami (OH) RedHawks. He is trying to establish his own football legacy in the NCAA.

College career

Gabbert attended the University of Missouri, where he played for the Missouri Tigers from 2008 to 2010.

During his freshman year, he served as a backup quarterback but quickly rose to prominence.

In his sophomore year, Gabbert became the starting quarterback and led the team to a 10-4 record, including a victory in the Texas Bowl.

His performance improved significantly in his junior year, throwing for 3,186 yards and 16 touchdowns. This strong showing helped him become a top prospect for the NFL Draft.

NFL career

Gabbert was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

He became the starting quarterback midway through his rookie season but struggled with consistency and injuries.

Also Read: Taysom Hill Siblings: Getting to Know Dexter and Jordan

Over three seasons with the Jaguars, Gabbert started 27 games, throwing for 4,357 yards and 22 touchdowns, but also had 24 interceptions.

Fespite his efforts, he was unable to establish himself as a long-term starter for the Jaguars. his efforts, he was unable to establish himself as a long-term starter for the Jaguars.

In March 2014, Gabbert was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. He served primarily as a backup quarterback behind Colin Kaepernick.

During his time with the 49ers, Gabbert started five games in 2015 after Kaepernick suffered an injury.

He showed some improvement, leading the team to a few victories, but ultimately returned to a backup role.

This pattern of serving as a backup while occasionally starting due to injuries became a recurring theme in his career.

Gabbert signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2017. He started five games for the Cardinals due to injuries to the starting quarterback, Carson Palmer.

Despite some promising performances, he was not retained by the team after the season.

In 2018, he joined the Tennessee Titans as a backup quarterback and played in eight games, starting three due to injuries to Marcus Mariota.

In 2019, Gabbert signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a backup to Jameis Winston.

Although he did not start any games, he was part of the team that won Super Bowl LV. This marked his first Super Bowl victory as a backup quarterback.

In 2022, Gabbert joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a backup quarterback.

He was part of the team that won Super Bowl LVIII, marking his second Super Bowl victory as a backup.

Accolades

Gabbert is a two-time Super Bowl champion, winning Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 and Super Bowl LVIII with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.

These victories highlight his ability to contribute to successful teams even in a backup role.

In college, Gabbert was named Second-team All-Big 12 in 2009 during his time at the University of Missouri. This recognition underscored his potential as a quarterback and helped position him for a successful NFL draft.

Despite being labeled as a draft bust early in his career, Gabbert has managed to sustain a long NFL career.

He has played for multiple teams, including the Jaguars, 49ers, Cardinals, Titans, Buccaneers, and Chiefs.

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Born on September 6, 1988, in Dallas, Texas, he played for the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers over nine seasons.

Acho was a vice president of the NFL Players Association and a two-time nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

He graduated from the University of Texas with a double major in business honors and marketing and later earned an MBA from Arizona State University.

Acho is also an author, having published books like “Let the World See You” and “Change Starts With You”

Siblings

Sam has three siblings, one of whom is his younger brother Emmanuel Acho. Both Sam and Emmanuel played in the NFL, with Sam playing for several teams including the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears, and Emmanuel playing for teams like the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.

Their family is involved in African missionary work, and their parents are part of the Living Hope Christian Ministries.

Career

Acho had a nine-year NFL career as a linebacker, playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He accumulated 178 solo tackles, 63 assists, 18 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions over 110 games.

Also Read: Justin Herbert Siblings: Getting to Know Mitchell and Patrick

Acho was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round (103rd overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft and played for them from 2011 to 2014, contributing as a linebacker and special teams player.

In 2015, he signed with the Chicago Bears, where he played for four seasons.

During his time with the Bears, Acho became a key contributor on defense and special teams.

After leaving the Bears, he briefly joined the Buffalo Bills in 2019 but was released before the start of the regular season.

Acho then had a short stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 but did not play a regular-season game for them.

After retiring from football, Acho transitioned into a career as a football analyst for ESPN.

He provides commentary and analysis on various ESPN programs. In addition to his work in sports media, Acho is also an author, having published books like “Let the World See You” and “Change Starts With You”.

He is involved in public speaking, focusing on leadership and personal development.

Accolades

In college, Acho was a first-team All-American and Academic All-American, winning the William V. Campbell Trophy as the top scholar-athlete in college football and the Wuerffel Trophy for outstanding community service.

He was also named the 2010 Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year and a member of the AFCA Good Works Team.

In the NFL, Acho was twice nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award while playing for the Chicago Bears.

Additionally, he was recognized as one of the “20 Smartest Athletes” by Sporting News.

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Fortunately, there are ways for online casinos to establish themselves, attract new players, and retain existing ones. Below is a look at how Lucky Ones and others have built their reputations and succeeded in this highly competitive industry.

Building a reputation

Just like any other business, online casinos take time to establish a solid reputation. Trust is everything. Online operators need to be an outfit that players can trust. They also need to provide quality and operate smoothly and efficiently. Lucky Ones has built its brand and become a go-to operator for many online casino gaming fans in several ways.

Establishing itself as a luxury brand

Lucky Ones has engaged in clever marketing and presented itself as a luxury brand. All casinos want to offer good service and for their players to have the best gaming experience on the casino’s website, but Lucky Ones have really doubled down on it with their high-end, luxury lifestyle focus.

VIP program

Lucky Ones and other online casinos appreciate players choosing their igaming services and like to reward players for doing so. The casino expresses this gratitude in the form of a VIP program, one they’re extremely proud of because of all the benefits players can enjoy from it. Not to mention the fact that their program has helped the operator to secure a place among the highest rated casinos in Canada, this is due to the players being able to receive faster withdrawals, access to exclusive events, and also to a dedicated account manager. As they move up from Bronze to Diamond rank, players can reap even further benefits from the program, including chat priority and low wagers.

Massive selection of games

Another big pillar of Lucky Ones and other casinos’ trust- and establishment-building features has been the vast variety of games. This is especially the case of Lucky Ones and is important to players, who can choose from more than 5,500 games to play. Fans of casino games and other games crave variety and like to see operators updating their sites with the latest games. The presence of the latest games in a casino’s offering demonstrates to players that the operator is keeping their finger on the pulse and striving to provide value for them.

Fast, reliable withdrawal system

Whether winning a lot or just a little, players want to be sure they’ll get their winnings. A casino’s response when a player wins is another element that builds trust in players. Some casinos can take up to two weeks to process winnings withdrawals, which can be off-putting for a lot of players. This isn’t the case with Lucky Ones and many other casinos. Depending on the payment method chosen, players can withdraw their winnings either instantly or within two days. It’s also quick for players to deposit money in their account.

Bonuses and promotions

As part of giving value for money, Lucky Ones and other casinos offer bonuses and run lots of promotions for players. Lucky Ones is renowned for its deposit bonus, which is generous even by online casino standards. Players can earn a bonus of up to $20,000 and 500 free spins, depending on how big the first deposit in their account is.

The bonuses don’t stop there. During the week, there’s the Unlimited Wednesday Wealth, which sees the casino match deposits of up to $500 by 50%. If players wager $500 all in one weekend while playing live casino games, they’ll receive the Weekend Wager bonus, which rewards them with an extra $200.

Strong customer service

Reliable customer service is crucial in the online casino industry. Players need to know they can contact the casino and that the casino will resolve any issues they’re having with the services quickly. Lucky Ones offers two chat options as part of its customer service. Players can either chat with a chatbot for instant communication or they can request to chat with someone directly live. Often, it’s necessary to create an account to engage with customer support in these ways.

In a hugely competitive industry, online casinos must work hard to establish themselves and build a solid reputation. Marketing themselves well, providing quality and value, and being contactable and reliable help them to stand out, attract new players, and, importantly, earn the trust and loyalty of players to the operator.

The post How Lucky Ones and Other Casinos Establish Themselves appeared first on KahawaTungu.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi said section 226 of the penal code shames victims of suicide ideation in the eyes of the community for actions that are beyond their mental control.

He added this is a violation of Article 28 of the Constitution which states that every person has inherent dignity and the right to have that dignity respected and protected.

“A declaration is hereby made that section 226 of the penal code is unconstitutional for violating article 27, 28 and 43 of the constitution,” he ruled.

Section 226 of the Penal Code criminalized attempted suicide and provided punishment of two years imprisonment, a fine or both once found guilty.

A case was filed in court by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Charity Muturi and the Kenya Psychiatric Association.

They asked the court to intervene and determine whether suicide is a mental issue or a crime.

They argued that the drive for a person to die by suicide or attempt suicide is undiagnosed and untreated mental health conditions as well as mental disability and not a criminal thought.

According to their papers they argued that survivors ought to be placed under mental care and not jail.

“The petitioners contend that persons who have suicidal thoughts or who attempt suicide require medical support or assistance and not criminalisation or punishment,” said court papers read in part.

The petitioners also argued criminalising attempted suicide is tantamount to punishing persons with mental conditions.

“It is the petitioners’ contention that Section 226 of the Penal Code is highly discriminatory against persons with mental health conditions and is tantamount to degrading treatment owing to the reason that prosecutions and convictions are akin to punishing the symptom of mental health condition,” they argue.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his 2019 Madaraka Day address, said the country was facing a mental health crisis.

He directed the Health ministry to implement programmes and policies to address the problem.

Following the directive, the ministry on December 11, 2019, constituted a task force which a year later presented a report titled Mental Health and Wellbeing; Towards Happiness and National Prosperity 2020.

The task force’s recommendation was that Section 226 should be repealed in order to enable persons with depression to seek early treatment and improve the accuracy of data on suicide.

The court was told that decriminalising attempted suicide will increase attempts to seek help and reduce stigma.

“Continued criminalisation of attempted suicide exacerbates social stigma thus discouraging persons with mental health conditions from seeking requisite healthcare services.”

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More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed as six separate blazes burn in and around the city, which is dotted with film stars’ mansions.

Some of the worst devastation was in the scenic enclave of Pacific Palisades, where a wind-whipped inferno exploded from several hundred acres to more than 15,000 in size since Tuesday.

A swathe of the neighbourhood, which is a haven of hillside streets nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains and winding down to beaches along the Pacific Ocean, was reduced to ash.

Actor James Woods, who starred in films including Nixon and Casino, broke down in tears on CNN as he described losing his Pacific Palisades property.

“One day you’re swimming in the pool and the next day it’s all gone,” he told the network.

He wiped away tears as he described how his wife’s eight-year-old niece offered them her piggybank to help rebuild their house.

Actor Crystal said in a statement that he and his wife Janice were “heartbroken” by the loss of their Pacific Palisades home where they had lived since 1979.

The When Harry Met Sally star said in a statement: “We raised our children and grandchildren here.

“Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away.

“We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”

Hotel heiress Paris Hilton said she had lost her home in Malibu.

She wrote in an Instagram post: “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.

“This home is where we built so many precious memories… My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires.”

A home reportedly belonging to Brody, who stars in hit Netflix show Nobody Wants This, and Gossip Girl star wife Leighton Meester, was also destroyed.

The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, who are married, also lost their home in the blaze.

“I’m watching our house burn down on the security cameras,” Pratt posted.

Montag said: “So our house is on fire and we were able to get out in time, but I keep going over and over in my mind of the things I should’ve got, but we’re out safe and that is the most important thing, and Spencer is behind me.”

In a later post, she said while tearing up that she was “so sad our house has gone” and they had lost “everything we worked so hard for”.

‘Feeling numb’

Singer and This Is Us actress Mandy Moore posted a video of the scene of destruction as she evacuated. “Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late (and endless gratitude to friends for taking us in and bringing us clothes and blankets).

“Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My children’s school is gone.

“Our favourite restaurants, levelled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”

TV host Ricki Lake told followers she had lost her “dream home”, adding: “I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event.”

Actors Sir Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Anna Faris and Cary Elwes also reportedly lost their homes.

Miles Teller, best known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, and his wife, Keleigh Sperry, reportedly lost their home in the Pacific Palisades.

Posting on Instagram, Sperry shared a picture of the fires and a broken heart emoji.

She urged people to leave bowls of water for animals left behind as they evacuate their homes.

Other stars forced to flee include Star Wars’ actor Mark Hamill and Schitt’s Creek actor Eugene Levy.

In a post on Instagram, Hamill called the blaze the “most horrific” since 1993, when 18,000 acres burned, destroying 323 homes in Malibu.

He said he had evacuated his Malibu house “so last-minute there [were] small fires on both sides of the road”.

Levy described to local media “black and intense” smoke over Temescal Canyon.

“I couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark,” he told the Los Angeles Times.

Actor Cameron Mathison also shared a clip of his house reduced to smouldering ruins. “We are safe. But this is what’s left of our beautiful home,” the General Hospital star wrote.

“Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.”

Legendary songwriter Diane Warren, who composed classic hits including If I Could Turn Back Time and I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, also lost her home.

She posted a picture of the beachfront near her house, saying that the property she’s had for close to three decades was gone.

Actor Steve Guttenberg, known for Police Academy, stayed to help firefighters by moving cars to clear a path for incoming fire trucks.

He urged fellow Pacific Palisades residents to leave the keys in their abandoned cars so they could be moved.

Meanwhile, the Palisades Charter High School – used in the 1976 horror classic Carrie – has been devastated.

The Oscar nominations have been postponed by two days because of the fires, and other star-studded events were also cancelled.

Film premieres for Unstoppable, Better Man and Wolfman have been called off, as has the Screen Actors Guild Awards live ceremony, while the Oscar nominations event was postponed.

Meanwhile, a new blaze broke out on Wednesday night, the Sunset fire, in the Hollywood Hills, near where the world-famous Hollywood sign nestles in the hillside.

By BBC News

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