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Kenya police are told not to report deaths during protests. A watchdog says they killed 6 this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Police in Kenya say they have been ordered not to report deaths amid demonstrations against the rising cost of living, but an independent watchdog says at least six people were shot dead by police on Wednesday and 27 were shot dead in such protests earlier this year.A police official told The Associated Press they were told this week not to report any deaths in the demonstrations that the political opposition has called through Friday. It wasn’t immediately clear who issued the order. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Police in the previous demonstration last week confirmed officers killed at least six.While police in Kenya have long been accused by rights groups of using excessive force, there is growing concern about tactics used under the government of President William Ruto, elected last year. One police officer also was seen posing as a journalist in Wednesday’s protest, which the Me...

Turkey raises its key interest rate to 17.5% as orthodox economics return after May’s election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s central bank raised its key interest rate to 17.5% Thursday in a further sign of commitment to orthodox economic policy following elections in May.The 2.5 percentage point hike came a month after the bank raised rates from 8.5% to 15% following more than a year of rate-cutting prompted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.The bank started cutting rates in late 2021 in line with Erdogan’s belief that lowering interest rates fights inflation, contradicting traditional economic theory.The Associated Press

Thursday Forecast: Temps in upper 80s with spotty storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Humid Thursday and becoming quite warm as well with highs in the upper 80s. Spotty showers and thunderstorms are possible. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Tonight will be partly cloudy, mild and dry would lose in the lower 60s. Friday Forecast: Partly cloudy Friday with highs and lower 80s inland mid 70s at the lakefront.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Netflix subscriptions surge after password crackdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix enjoyed its biggest springtime spurt in subscribers since the early days of the pandemic three years ago, providing the latest sign that a recent crackdown on password sharing and the rollout of a cheaper subscription option are paying off.The video streaming service added 5.9 million subscribers during the April-June period, according to numbers released Wednesday along with its latest quarterly financial results. The gains easily surpassed the roughly 2.2 million additional subscribers that analysts surveyed by FactSet Research had anticipated. Netflix ended June with 238.4 million worldwide subscribers.Investors seemed unsatisfied, perhaps rattled by management commentary in a shareholder letter warning that “quite a competitive battle” continues to unfold against the backdrop of ongoing strikes by both the writers and actors union in the U.S. that threaten to clog the pipelines feeding entertainment to streaming services. Netflix's stock price fell 8...

Special counsel Jack Smith gets his own bobblehead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

(The Hill) - He’s the stern-looking special counsel leading the Department of Justice’s investigations into former President Trump, and now Jack Smith’s stony-faced image is being slapped on a line of bobbleheads.The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum announced Wednesday that it was launching a presale for its new Smith bobbleheads.An artistic rendering of the $30 figures shows an unsmiling Smith, dressed in a black suit and tie with his arms at his side. The individually numbered bobbleheads are expected to ship in November, the museum said.National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder Phil Sklar said the Smith-inspired products were created following a “growing number of requests.”“The Special Counsel’s investigations are unprecedented and a bobblehead is one fun and unique way for people to commemorate these unique historic events,” Sklar said in a statement.The debut of the Smith bobbleheads came a day after Trump said he had been notified t...

Historic Rainey Street home gets new life in Dripping Springs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dripping Springs has a new shop for its bookworms, and the bookshop itself has a storied history.Sunday Bookshop opened in June in a historic home that used to sit on Austin's historic Rainey Street. Lost your car keys? How an Austin library membership key tag can help Sunday Bookshop owner Dixie Frechette said the house was built in 1907 on Rainey Street. A previous owner moved the home to Dripping Springs in 2016 to where it stands today. They renovated it for retail space and sold the building to Frechette and her family.Frechette previously had a boutique in the historic house with her mom and sister. It closed in January, making way for the home's next chapter: a bookstore. Sunday Bookshop in Dripping Springs opened in a former Rainey Street home. (Courtesy Sunday Bookshop)Sunday Bookshop in Dripping Springs opened in a former Rainey Street home. (Courtesy Sunday Bookshop)Sunday Bookshop in Dripping Springs opened in a former Rainey Street home. (Courtesy Sund...

Free exercise classes set for Troy's Riverfront Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- "Fitness in the Park" is returning to Troy's Riverfront Park. There will be either free yoga or Zumba classes from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. each Sunday starting July 23. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “With more partners this year we are able to bring more than just yoga,” said Olivia Clemente, Executive Director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District. “We are alternating weekends to bring Zumba provided by the YMCA of Troy and yoga with instructor Meghan Hogan. It’s exciting to have fun fitness options every Sunday in Downtown Troy. It really brings the community together."ScheduleZumbaJuly 23August 6August 20YogaJuly 30August 13August 27 Schenectady officials offer NARCAN training while spreading awareness Sessions are open and free to everyone. The program is hosted by the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District, CDPHP, the YMCA of Troy, Meghan Hogan Yoga and Honest Weight Food Co-Op.

5 things to know this Thursday, July 20

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Thursday! According to Meteorologist Matt Mackie, calm weather today. It'll be partly sunny, warm and not too humid. Showers will be moving in tomorrow. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Today's five things you need to know include a Rotterdam man being charged with murder in the deaths of his mother and stepfather, a winning ticket was sold for the $1.08 billion Powerball jackpot, and it's opening day for the Chick-fil-A's in Clifton Park and North Greenbush.1. Opening day for Chick-fil-A's in Clifton Park and North GreenbushHeavy traffic is expected around Clifton Park Center Mall and Route 4 in North Greenbush for the openings. If heading to either Chick-fil-A, make sure to follow traffic guidance and avoid the areas if you're not going to the openings. both locations opened at 6:30 a.m.2. Rotterdam man charged with murder in deaths of mother, stepfather A Rotterdam man is facing charges...

Aldermen set to vote on bill to require concealed-carry permit for open carry today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Board of Aldermen meets for the last time Thursday morning until mid-September, and two attention-grabbing bills are up for final passage.The board will meet at 10:00 a.m. One of the bills addresses the open carrying of guns in the city. The other details what police must do during some interactions with citizens.Board of aldermen members passed the final wording on both bills at their meeting last week. Alderwoman Cara Spencer is sponsoring board Bill 29. It would ban people from openly carrying or displaying guns in the city without having a concealed-carry permit. Aldermen set to vote on bill to require concealed-carry permit for open carry today The legislation comes after recent situations where young people were seen openly carrying firearms downtown during events like parties. Spencer argues the bill would help get guns off the streets and would also disarm minors because most people have to be 19 years old to get a concealed carry permit in Missou...

Man rescued from rock ledge near Rockford Beach Park in Jefferson County, Missouri

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - There was an emergency rescue overnight near Rockford Beach Park in Jefferson County. A man was trapped on a ledge at the base of a rock wall across the big river from the park. He couldn't climb the wall or cross the river, and someone heard him call for help. Rescuers from the High Ridge Fire Department responded around 12:30 a.m. Aldermen set to vote on bill to require concealed-carry permit for open carry today Emergency crews used a boat to rescue him, using pre-positioned anchor points to keep the boat from floating downriver. They are still unsure about how the man got on the ledge.Rockford Beach was closed the past two weekends after a drowning, large crowds, and unlawful behavior.