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Some in Africa are celebrating the coups. Many are fed up and desperate for change, analysts say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — After mutinous soldiers in Gabon announced they had deposed the country’s president, many residents danced in the streets and declared themselves free from the presidential family’s 55-year rule. It’s becoming a familiar scene in West and Central Africa, which has recorded eight coups since 2020.“It is an expression of the popular dissatisfaction,” said Hermann Ngoulou in the Gabonese capital of Libreville. “The country has been experiencing a deep crisis on all levels due to bad governance, the rising cost of food (and) the high cost of living.”There have been about 100 documented coups across Africa since the 1950s. This resurgence of military takeovers is often prompted by diminishing democratic dividends, according to analysts.In Gabon, the coup occurred shortly after the president was declared the winner of the election from which international observers, for the first time, had been barred.That’s not unusual in a region where elections are often alleged t...

Building fire in Johannesburg leaves at least 73 dead, many of them homeless: authorities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

A nighttime fire ripped through a rundown five-story building in Johannesburg that was occupied by homeless people and squatters, leaving at least 73 people dead early Thursday, emergency services in South Africa’s biggest city said.Some of the people living in a maze of shacks and other makeshift structures inside the derelict building threw themselves out of windows to escape the fire and might have died then, a local government official said.A witness said he saw people throwing babies out of the burning building in an attempt to save them and that at least one man died when he jumped from a window on the third floor and hit the concrete sidewalk “head first.”As many as 200 people may have been living in the building, witnesses said, including in the basement, which should have been used as a parking garage. Others estimated an even higher number of occupants.Seven of the victims were children, the youngest a one-year-old, according to an emergency services spokesperson.Cit...

5 people shot, 2 in critical condition, in Peoria

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Five people have been shot in Peoria and two of them were in critical condition, police said.The wounded, as well as a sixth person who suffered a laceration, were taken to a hospital following the shooting, which happened about 9 p.m. Wednesday, the Peoria Police Department said in a news release, saying 29 rounds were fired.The wounded were men and juvenile males, police said. With the exception of those in critical condition, police described the injuries as non-life-threatening.In addition to local police, members of the Peoria County Sheriff's Department, the Illinois State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded.No information about a possible suspect or suspects was immediately released. The shooting was under investigation.The city has had four shootings in four days, leaving two people dead and a 17-year-old charged in one of them, the station reported.

Thursday Forecast: Temps in mid 70s with sunny conditions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Temperatures in the mid 70s Thursday with sunny conditions and cooler lakeside. Winds: SE 5-10 G15. High: 76/70. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Clear tonight. Winds: SSE 5-10. Low: 56.Friday Forecast: Sunny, cooler lakeside. Winds: S 5-10. High: 85/80.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Food fight! Streets awash in tomato pulp during Spain's Tomatina party

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

BUÑOL, Spain (AP) — Some 15,000 people, including many tourists, pasted each other with tomatoes Wednesday as Spain’s annual “Tomatina” street battle took place in the eastern town of Buñol.Workers on trucks tipped 120 tons of overripe tomatoes into the main street of the town for participants to throw. Nebraska volleyball match draws 92,003 to set attendance record The street fight leaves both the street, its houses and participants drenched in red pulp.Tickets for the festival start at 12 euros ($13).The town hoses down the area and the revelers shower off within minutes of the hourlong noon battle finishing.Revellers throw tomatoes at each other during the annual "Tomatina", tomato fight fiesta, in the village of Bunol near Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Thousands gather in this eastern Spanish town for the annual street tomato battle that leaves the streets and participants drenched in red pulp from 120,000 kilos of tomatoes. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)Revellers thro...

Round Rock focuses on water, traffic, and public safety in proposed budget

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Round Rock city council approved the first reading of its proposed budget and is set to retain one of the lowest property tax rates in all of Central Texas. The budget puts an emphasis on traffic, water, and public safety as the city continues to grow. Sara Bustilloz, the city's communication director, said traffic is the main priority for Round Rock residents. The city is investing more than $100 million on road improvements to help with traffic. More than 50% of the city's general fund is going toward public safety. The city will hire six new firefighters this year and will finish the construction of Fire Station No. 1. The station, and two future stations, were approved by Round Rock voters during a bond election in May. "As we continue to grow to the north, we know we are going to need more fire stations to the north," Bustilloz explained. The city does not have a specific location for its next two fire stations, but are looking at areas in northeast ...

Shots fired in ceiling during robbery attempt at Lakeline Mall, APD says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police are investigating after they say gunshots were fired during an attempted robbery inside Lakeline Mall Wednesday evening. According to APD, the shots were fired into the ceiling during the robbery at the jewelry store inside the mall.Police said they were notified around 7:15 p.m. Police told KXAN the robbery suspects left before officers arrived. No one was hurt, APD said.

Letters: We have given much of our parenting responsibility to the government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

Giving it to the governmentI am a senior citizen.Years ago if a couple got pregnant it was said “they had to get married.” Which meant the young man was responsible. Nowadays the government takes over with subsidies or abortion approval.Years ago there was no pre-school. Parents were responsible to take care of and teach the ABCs and 123s etc. Now government has stepped in.Years ago there was very little day care; parents had to “figure it out.” Now government wants the taxpayers to offer free day care.Years ago parents would make their children breakfast and probably pack a them a lunch to bring to school. Now government/schools provide breakfast snacks and a free full lunch.Years ago preteens and teenagers had curfews; now there seems to be a lack of discipline on the part of parents. Is it government’s responsibility?We have given much of our parenting responsibility over the last 50+ years to the government. Making parenting easier but not better.Jo...

Law enforcement looking into 20-year Greenfield cold case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

GREENFIELD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary when then 18-year-old Jennifer Marie "Moonbeam" Hammond was reported missing. In 2009, hunters near Lake Desolation Road in Greenfield found human remains which were confirmed to be that of Hammond after DNA analysis. The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office is now asking the public for any information amid the anniversary of her disappearance. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! According to New York State Police, Hammond was last seen selling magazines in the Creek and Pine Trailer Park in Ballston Spa. She didn't show up at the designated pick-up location with her employer.Hammond was originally from Littleton, Colorado, and had a bus ticket from Albany to Colorado. New York State Police say the ticket was never picked up and her belongings were left behind in an Albany hotel. Newburgh man pleads guilty to stalking ex-girlfriend On October 25, 2009, state police say Hammon...

Several Illinois hospitals experiencing power outages through week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:59 GMT

O'FALLON, Ill. - For the fourth day in a row, a significant health care provider in Illinois is experiencing a major system outage. It's a problem for several facilities.The problem is impacting facilities operated by the 'Hospital Sisters Health System,' or HSHS. The group operates multiple facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin, including St. Elizabeth's Hospital.An online post from HSHS says that a system outage has temporarily taken virtually all operating systems offline. The HSHS posting does not specify which exact systems are impacted, but the Belleville News Democrat reported that the outage involves websites, internet service, telephones, and computer applications.When checking the main HSHS website, all that came up was a message about the outage. Someone did answer when we called St. Elizabeth's. However, the person acknowledged that the problems are ongoing, and they are doing what they can to help people. Outrage after missing Missouri dog shot by police, placed in di...