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The U.S. on Saturday reported its first case of a more aggressive strain of mpox: an individual in California who had recently traveled from Eastern Africa. It is classified into two distinct groups: the more aggressive strain, clade I, and a somewhat milder strain, clade II. In the current outbreak, clade I has been spreading largely through contact with infected animals and transmission within households, according to disease experts. But a version of the strain, clade Ib, has also spread through sexual contact among female sex workers and men who have sex with men in Congo. That’s compared to a 0.2% global fatality rate for the 2022 outbreak.

Persons: “, Marc Siegel Organizations: California Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control, CDC, World Health Organization, Democratic, George Washington School of Medicine, Health Sciences, of Health, Human Service, Health Locations: California, Eastern Africa, San Mateo County, U.S, Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden, Thailand, Germany, India, United Kingdom, Congo

☆ I thought the viral blow-up travel pillows were ingenious. Then, I traveled with one on a 15-hour economy flight.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementI purchased a blow-up travel pillow for two long-haul flights between the US and East Africa. I did catch some Zs, but I knew by the end of the flight I'd never fly with the travel pillow again. The Kimiandy Inflatable Travel Pillow. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderI'd eyed the travel pillow for yearsI've spent the past few years watching TikTok videos, chatting with frequent flyers, and reading travel pillow roundups — and one product always stood out. AdvertisementThe $21 Kimiandy Inflatable Travel Pillow, shaped like a cube, allows sleepers to lean forward.

Persons: shamefully, Monica Humphries, I've, hasn't Organizations: US, Ethiopian, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines Locations: East Africa, Washington, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Doha, Qatar, Dallas

Mr. Trump is widely regarded around the world as a transactional leader. Chinese officials do see a potential upside if Mr. Trump pulls the United States back from its role as a global leader. But the Kremlin seems skeptical that Mr. Trump would actually push for such a deal, especially because of his track record: There was jubilation in Moscow when Mr. Trump won in 2016, but over the next four years, U.S. sanctions against Russia only increased, and Mr. Trump sent antitank weapons to Ukraine. On Wednesday, he quickly made clear that he would seek to have Mr. Trump on his side, as one of the first world leaders to congratulate Mr. Trump in a post on X. Mr. Trump has been effective in demanding more military spending from fellow NATO members, said Mr. Heisbourg.

Persons: David Pierson, Trump, Donald Trump’s, India Mujib Mashal, Narendra Modi, Trump’s, Africa Abdi Latif Dahir, —, Gaza Patrick Kingsley, Benjamin Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Mr, Netanyahu, “, ”, Basem Naim, ” Read, Mexico Natalie Kitroeff, Claudia Sheinbaum, Read, Ukraine Anton Troianovski, J.D, Vance, Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald J, Somini Sengupta, NATO Steven Erlanger, Georgina Wright, Vladimir V, Putin, François Heisbourg, Heisbourg Organizations: The Times, Global, Trump, West Bank, Second Trump, NATO, Mr, Russia, Signals, U.S, Biden, International Studies, Institut Montaigne, Republican Locations: China, Beijing, United States, Taiwan, India, Asia, Africa, U.S, Russia, Niger, Chad, Israel, Gaza, Jerusalem, Iran, Mexico, Mexico City, Stake, Ukraine, Moscow, Kyiv, Paris, Europe, “, French

☆ Lightning strike kills 14 at prayer service in Uganda refugee camp, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A lightning strike killed 14 people during a prayer service in a refugee camp in Uganda on Saturday, authorities in the east African country said. The strike, in northern Uganda’s Lamwo district, injured 34 others, police said in a Sunday statement. Lightning strikes are particularly common in Africa’s central belt, and have occasionally caused deadly incidents in Uganda. In 2020, the BBC reported that a strike in north-west Uganda killed ten children. And in 2011, another strike killed 18 children and their teacher, Reuters reported.

Persons: ” Kituuma Organizations: CNN, BBC, Reuters Locations: Uganda, Uganda’s Lamwo, South Sudan, Lamwo District, Sudan

Minneapolis CNN —One state audit found that bonus checks intended for frontline workers during the pandemic were handed out to undeserving recipients. Another criticized a Minnesota state agency for failing to ensure there were no conflicts of interest in taxpayer-funded mental health and addiction programs. His fans were easy to find last month at the Minnesota State Fair, which drew nearly 2 million people this year. Republican state Sen. Mark Koran, second from right, speaks with constituents at the Minnesota State Fair. “We are troubled by MDE’s decision,” the auditor’s report said, using the acronym for the Minnesota Department of Education.

Persons: Tim Walz, Judy Randall, –, Walz, Randall, “, ”, Lisa Demuth, Elizabeth Flores, Sen, Mark, Governor Walz, Rick Hansen, Erik Biever, ” “ Tim Walz, Stephen Maturen, Willie Jett, Jett –, ” Walz, “ There’s, Mark Koran, CNN “ They’ve, they’ve, Dan Myers, ’, Blois Olson, he’s, “ They’re, ” Olson, Olson, Aimee Bock, Bock, Bock –, MDE, ” Andrew Luger, Glen Stubbe, Andrew Luger, ” Luger, Walz’s, Heather Mueller –, Jett, Ann, Keith Ellison, Scott Jensen, ” Jensen, “ Who’s, ” Miriam Ackerman, ” Randall, Democrat Mark Dayton –, Lisa Demuth CNN Walz, haven’t, Bill Walsh, Randall “, … you’re Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, Democratic Gov, CNN, of Public, Democratic, GOP, Twin Cities, Star Tribune, Getty, Republican, ”, Randall’s Office, Legislative, Minnesota State Fair, Gov, Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Star Tribune, Congressional Republicans, Democrats, Minnesota, Fair, University of Minnesota, Republicans, White, Democrat, FBI, Feds, Minneapolis TV, –, Department of Human Services, DHS, of, American Locations: Minneapolis, Minnesota, unaccountability, East

☆ Rebecca Cheptegei: Ugandan athlete who died after her partner set her on fire gets a military funeral
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Bukwo, Uganda AP —Thousands of mourners in Uganda paid respects to Rebecca Cheptegei, the Olympic athlete who died last week in Kenya after her partner set her on fire, at a military funeral in a remote town near the Kenyan border. Military officers played a prominent role in the funeral because Cheptegei held the rank of sergeant in Uganda’s army, said military spokesman Brig. According to a report filed by the local chief, they quarreled over a piece of land the athlete bought in Kenya. Cheptegei is the fourth female athlete to have been killed by her partner in Kenya in a worrying pattern of gender-based violence in recent years. Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing in 44th place, less than a month before the attack.

Persons: Rebecca Cheptegei, Cheptegei, Felix Kulayigye, Abubaker Lubowa, Dickson Ndiema, Ndiema, Janet Museveni, Don Rukare Organizations: Uganda AP, Olympic, Military, Uganda People's Defence Forces, Reuters, AP, Cheptegei, National Council of Sports, Kenyan, Health Survey, Paris Olympics Locations: Bukwo, Uganda, Kenya, Kenyan, Nzoia County, East, Eldoret, Kapchorwa, Kenya’s

☆ Ex-partner accused of fatally burning Olympian dies from injuries sustained in attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Cheptegei, 33, who competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, suffered burns to more than 75% of her body in the Sept. 1 attack and died four days later. “He died from his injuries, the burns he sustained,” Lang’at told Reuters. Local media reported that he had suffered 30% burns when he assaulted Cheptegei as she was returning home from church with her children. Cheptegei, who finished 44th in Paris, is the third elite sportswoman to be killed in Kenya since October 2021. Globally, a woman is killed by someone in her own family every 11 minutes, according to a 2023 U.N. Women study.

Persons: Rebecca Cheptegei, dousing, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, Daniel Lang’at, Cheptegei, “, ” Lang’at, ”, Viola Cheptoo, ” Cheptoo, Cheptoo, Agnes Tirop, Ibrahim Rotich Organizations: Kenyan, Paris, Moi Teaching, Reuters, Local, Rights, Tirop’s Locations: Cheptegei, Eldoret, Kenya, Paris, East, Iten

☆ Rebecca Cheptegei: Alleged killer of Ugandan Olympian dies from burns, hospital says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Cheptegei, 33, who competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, suffered burns to more than 75% of her body in the Sept. 1 attack and died four days later. ET) on Monday, said Daniel Lang’at, a spokesperson at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret in western Kenya, where Cheptegei was also treated and died. “He died from his injuries, the burns he sustained,” Lang’at told Reuters. Local media reported that he had suffered 30% burns when he assaulted Cheptegei as she was returning home from church with her children. Cheptegei, who finished 44th in Paris, is the third elite sportswoman to be killed in Kenya since October 2021.

Persons: Rebecca Cheptegei, dousing, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, Daniel Lang’at, Cheptegei, “, ” Lang’at, ”, Viola Cheptoo, ” Cheptoo, Cheptoo, Agnes Tirop, Ibrahim Rotich Organizations: Reuters, Kenyan, Paris, Moi Teaching, Local, Rights, Tirop’s Locations: Cheptegei, Eldoret, Kenya, Paris, East, Iten

☆ Tanzania Arrests 520 People in Mass Opposition Crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Tanzanian police said on Tuesday they had arrested more than 500 people, including top opposition leaders, as they planned to attend a youth rally, a stunning development in the East African nation where a pathbreaking female president had once promised to restore political freedoms. Some 520 people were arrested across the country ahead of a Monday rally in the southwestern city of Mbeya, Awadh J. Haji, the police commissioner for operations and training, said in a statement. The police, he said, also seized 25 vehicles that had been transporting people going to the rally and officials from different regions in the country. The rally was organized by the opposition Chadema party, which said it wanted to mark International Youth Day. “Their goal is not to celebrate International Youth Day, but to initiate and commit violence to cause disruption of peace in the country,” Mr. Haji said.

Persons: Awadh J, Haji, “, Mr Locations: East, Mbeya, Awadh, Kenya

How Close Are the Planet’s Climate Tipping Points? How close today’s ice is to suffering the same fate is something scientists are still trying to figure out. Sudden Shift in the West African Monsoon0 +3 +6 +9 +12 +16 +18˚F WE ARE HERE Degrees of warming 0 +3 +6 +9 +12 +16 +18˚F WE ARE HERE Degrees of warming 0 +3 +6 +9 +12 +16 +18˚F WE ARE HERE Degrees of warmingAround 15,000 years ago, the Sahara started turning green. When it might happen: Hard to predict. “With every gram of additional CO2 in the atmosphere, we are increasing the likelihood of tipping events,” he said.

Persons: ”, Tapio Schneider, “ It’s, David Holland, Niklas Boers, “ Organizations: California Institute of Technology, West Antarctic, New York University, Animals, Amazon, Technical University of Munich, Potsdam Institute, Climate Impact Locations: Western Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Greenland, Antarctica, Sahara, North Africa, East Africa, Africa, Caribbean, Europe

☆ Tamirat Tola wins captivating Olympic marathon for Ethiopia
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Tola surged clear and never looked back (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)After letting the little-known Eyob Faniel of Italy lead for most of the first half of the race, Tola made his first move just before the halfway mark. Tola crossed the line an Olympic record time (Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images)Most remarkably, Tola didn’t even make the Ethiopian team originally. “I trained hard so I could win,” Tola said. Even his compatriot, Kenenisa Bekele, one of the most decorated Ethiopian distance runners but at 42 nearing the end of his career, was gushing after finishing 39th. “Not easy to win the Olympic Games,” he said, in perhaps the understatement of the past two weeks in Paris.

Persons: Tamirat Tola, Tola, Cameron Spencer, ”, Bikila, Bikele, Belgium’s Bashir Abdi, Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, Eliud, victoire appartient, Napoleon, Roland Garros, Andrej Isakovic, Tola didn’t, “, ” Tola, Connor Mantz, Akira Akasaki, ” Mantz, Clayton Young, Abdi, Kenenisa Bekele, ” Bekele, Denisa Geleta, Kipruto Organizations: “, East, Getty, Ethiopian, Boston Marathon, Olympic Locations: Ethiopia, Invalides, Paris, Versailles, Eugene , Ore, New York, Italy, Rome, Tokyo, Kenya, AFP, Japan

☆ This remote, mystical forest has been protected for centuries. Now it’s under threat
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

He and most of the community believe it is their duty to protect it – and in turn, they believe the forest will protect them. In photos: The plants and animals of Naimina Enkiyio Prev NextShared landIn a shady clearing, a group of Maasai elders sit in a circle on the grass. Peter Achammer/Helicopter Charter EA Ltd.For centuries, local communities have protected the forest, but today they are facing new threats. As the culture modernizes, Maasai elders fear this will be forgotten. “We shall protect the forest so that we retain this fresh air for our communities and also everyone in the world,” he says.

Persons: CNN — Naimina, Ntirua, Obibi, ”, Nell Lewis, CNN Ntirua Koikai, Enkiyio, Mara, Rob O’Meara, Sarah, Kirk's dik, dik, Peter Achammer, Ole Koikai, Ntirua Koikai, Mbuvi Musingo, “, O’Meara, “ We’re, Josephat Olokula, sparky, you’re, “ I’m, Ntasikoi Oloimoeja, Oloimoeja Organizations: CNN, Initiative, Hansen Global, Forest Guardians, Guardians, Government, Helicopter Charter EA, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, ” Locations: “, Kenya, Nairobi, Mara, Narok

Although their population is small compared to other states, Latinos in Minnesota said Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris' pick for running mate, has not overlooked them as governor. About 38% of Minnesota Latinos who voted in 2020 backed Donald Trump, according to NBC News’ exit poll. And state residents without legal status can enroll in Minnesota Care this November and begin getting those health benefits in 2025, she said. Peréz-Vega said she worked with Walz to help get that cap extended to those without legal immigration status who pay federal taxes. He has been a present governor for many Latinos,” Gonzalez said.

Persons: Tim Walz, Kamala Harris, Walz’s, Paul, Donald Trump, Emilia Gonzalez Avalos, Biden, Walz, Gonzalez, ” Gonzalez, don’t, María Isa Peréz, Vega, ”, John Pacheco, Carlos Odio, Odio, Trump, J.D, Vance, Pacheco, ” Pacheco, he's, Rick Aguilar, “, Aguilar, UnidosMN Organizations: Democratic, Midwest, Minnesota, NBC, Unidos, Hub, Minnesota Office, Higher Education, Democrat, Mankato ., Chamber, Commerce of, Equis Research, Hispanic Republican, of, Walmart, Independence, Mercado Central Locations: Minnesota, St, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rican, Mankato, Mankato . Mankato, U.S, Commerce of Minnesota, of Minnesota, Minneapolis

☆ African cities sitting on ‘keg of gunpowder’ as growing youth anger fuels unrest
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Nimi Princewill | Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Military and police personnel arrest protesters during the anti-corruption protest in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on July 23, 2024. Those protesting are angry about widespread government corruption in the country, which loses an estimated Sh. 10 trillion ($2.7 billion) in public funding to graft annually, according to Ugandan anti-corruption body the Inspectorate of Government (IG). In the preceding months, Ghana, Senegal’s fellow West African state, saw days of anti-government protests as demonstrators railed against economic hardships and unemployment. “All over Africa, we are… sitting on a keg of gunpowder,” he said in a recent interview with CNN affiliate Citizen TV.

Persons: Z –, William Ruto, Fabz, Anita Annet, Yoweri Museveni, Inibehe Effiong, ”, Bola Tinubu, Edward Buba, ” Mugano, Mamadou Thior, ” Thior, Thior, Macky Sall, Sall backtracked, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Olusegun Obasanjo, There’s, … unempowered, Obasanjo Organizations: CNN, Military, Xinhua, Security, of Government, World Bank, South Africa’s Durban University of Technology, ”, Citizen TV Locations: Kenya, East, Kampala, Uganda, Ugandan, United States, United Kingdom, Nigeria, West, Africa, West Africa, Senegal, Ghana

☆ Khartoum: Women and girls subjected to widespread sexual violence by warring parties, HRW report finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Of those, 18 had provided direct care to a total of 262 survivors of sexual violence, aged from 9 through 60. The RSF has also pillaged medical supplies, according to the report, and some fighters “have on occasion perpetrated acts of sexual violence” against healthcare providers. One healthcare provider recalled being told not to report instances of sexual violence to the UN. CNN has previously reported on the RSF’s campaign of killings, enslavement and sexual violence, conducted behind a curtain of secrecy. The report added that the UN Security Council should call on the warring parties to end sexual violence and impose targeted sanctions against the commanders and perpetrators responsible for the atrocities.

Persons: “, Women ”, , ”, Laetitia Bader, shivering –, ’, HRW Organizations: CNN, Rapid Support Forces, Human Rights Watch, Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, United Nations, Women, HRW, AFP, Getty, UN Locations: Sudan, Khartoum, Darfur, Sudan’s, Africa, Gedaref, AFP

☆ UK planned to spend 10 billion pounds on Rwanda asylum scheme, minister says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Britain's previous government had planned to spend 10 billion pounds ($12.9 billion) on a now-scrapped plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda and it has already cost taxpayers 700 million pounds, new Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Monday. Cooper said the costs include money for chartering flights that never took off, paying for the work of government officials and 290 million pounds in payment to the Rwanda government. Cooper also said tens of thousands of asylum seekers left in limbo as they were threatened with deportation to Rwanda will now have their asylum claims processed. Instead, the government promised to process their claims, end the costly use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers and clear a backlog of claims. The shift in policy would save taxpayers an estimated 7 billion pounds over the next 10 years, Cooper said.

Persons: Yvette Cooper, Keir Starmer's, Cooper Organizations: Labour, Conservative Locations: Kigali, Europe, Rwanda, Britain's, Britain, East, California

☆ Uganda’s President Museveni warns citizens they are ‘playing with fire’ over planned protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

… We are busy producing … cheap food, other people in other parts of the world are starving… you here want to disturb us. You are playing with fire because we cannot allow you to disturb us…”, Museveni said in the three-hour-long wide-ranging address. However, those agitating for a protest are unimpressed with the government’s handling of corruption, urging Ugandans to “#March2Parliament” on July 23 to “#StopCorruption.”’. She was among high-profile Ugandan politicians sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom for corruption earlier this year. “Among is designated due to involvement in significant corruption tied to her leadership of Uganda’s Parliament,” according to the US State Department.

Persons: CNN —, Yoweri Museveni, Museveni, ”, “, Ashiraf Hector, X, Bobi Wine, Wine, ” Museveni, Ugandans, Anita Annet Organizations: CNN, National Commission, Human Rights, Uganda Police Force, ”, of Government, US State Department, Locations: Kenya, East, Uganda, United States, United Kingdom, ”

☆ New UK leader Starmer declares Rwanda deportation plan 'dead and buried'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers his speech outside Downing Street 10, following the results of the election, in London, Britain, July 5, 2024. Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday he would scrap a controversial plan to fly thousands of asylum seekers from Britain to Rwanda in his first major policy announcement since winning a landslide election victory. But no one was sent to Rwanda under the plan because of years of legal challenges. At his first press conference since becoming prime minister, Starmer said that the Rwanda policy would be scrapped because only about 1% of asylum seekers would have been removed and it would have failed to act as a deterrent. "The Rwanda scheme was dead and buried before it started.

Persons: Keir Starmer, Starmer, It's, I'm, Tony Blair Organizations: British, Downing, Conservative Locations: London, Britain, Rwanda, East, British, Downing

☆ Kenya rocked by fresh protests despite president’s U-turn over tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Nimi Princewill | Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Police in Kenya fired tear gas on protesters as a fresh wave of demonstrations swept the country, despite President William Ruto’s U-turn on controversial tax plans. In a surprise move on Wednesday, Ruto said he would not sign the finance bill, saying he had been “listening keenly” to the Kenyan people. “It’s more than about the finance bill now,” Maria, a Kenyan protestor from Nairobi told CNN. Some have called on President Ruto to resign for failing to withdraw the unpopular bill much earlier to save the lives lost. Others are seeking justice for the deceased protesters and demanding the recall of lawmakers who voted in support of the finance bill.

Persons: William Ruto’s U, ”, Ruto, ” Maria, Daniel Irungu, “, Mwangi, Moody’s, Herman Manyora, ” Manyora, ” Ruto, Manyora Organizations: CNN — Police, House, Security, State House, Kenyan, CNN, Civic, Law Society of Kenya, Monetary Fund, International, University of Nairobi Locations: Kenya, Nairobi, East, Kenya’s

☆ Kenya president backs down on tax rises after deadly protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Kenya's president on Wednesday withdrew planned tax rises, bowing to pressure from protesters who had stormed parliament, launched demonstrations across the country and threatened more action this week. "Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this finance bill 2024, I concede. And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn," he said in a televised address. Thousands took to the streets of Nairobi and several other cities during two days of protests last week as an online movement gathered momentum. Protests in Kenya have usually been called by political leaders who can be amenable to negotiated settlements.

Persons: William Ruto, Ruto, Ruto's, Lawmakers Organizations: Wednesday, Kenyan, IMF, The Nation, Kenya Medical, Medical, Protesters, State, World Bank, International Monetary Fund Locations: Kenya, Eldoret, Nairobi

☆ Tension and Tear Gas Linger in Kenya After Tax Protests Turn Deadly
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In downtown Nairobi, the capital, the strong smell of tear gas still wafted through the air after the clashes between protesters and the police. Large rocks and a burned car were strewed next to the City Hall offices that protesters had breached. Police officers also cordoned off the streets leading to Parliament and were not allowing pedestrians to pass. Although businesses were slowly reopening across Kenya, newspapers being sold on the streets of Nairobi captured the chaos of the previous day. “Pandemonium,” the front page of the Daily Nation newspaper said.

Persons: William Ruto Organizations: City Hall, Police, Daily Nation, The Star Locations: Kenya, East, Nairobi

☆ Protests Driven by Younger People Aim to Push Kenya to Scrap Tax Rises
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Before Tuesday’s demonstration, several activists who are prominent critics of the bill were abducted, according to the Law Society of Kenya. The abductors’ identities were not publicly known, but some were believed to be intelligence officers, said the Law Society’s president, Faith Odhiambo. Lawmakers in Parliament are set to debate and vote on proposed amendments to the bill on Tuesday. President William Ruto’s governing alliance has enough votes to pass it, although opposition leaders have rejected the measure in its totality. Once the bill has parliamentary approval, Mr. Ruto can sign it into law or send it back for amendments.

Persons: Faith Odhiambo, William Ruto’s, Ruto Organizations: Amnesty International, Law Society of Kenya Locations: Kenya, East

☆ Live Updates: Casualties Reported as Police Fire on Protesters in Kenya
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The police used live fire and tear gas on protesters who marched on the Parliament building in an attempt to stop a vote on a contentious finance bill. The police used tear gas in an attempt to keep the protesters from approaching Parliament, and the sound of live fire rang out. Before Tuesday’s demonstration, several activists who are prominent critics of the bill were abducted, according to the Law Society of Kenya. But protesters have denounced other taxes, including on imported goods, and have urged the government to abandon the draft legislation. Image President William Ruto promised to be a champion of the poor, but critics say his administration has been marred by extravagant spending.

Persons: Faith Odhiambo, Odhiambo, Martha Koome, ”, Kasmuel McOure, William Ruto, Urs Flueeler, Ruto, Instagram, Mike, “, Kimani Ichung’wah, It’s, Anita Barasa, McOure, Mr Organizations: Amnesty International, Law Society of Kenya, Mr, Kenyan, Observers, KFC, Protesters Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, East, reneging, ”

CNN —Violent clashes between police and protestors have broken out in Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday as a government vote on a controversial finance bill gets underway. Parliament has been sealed off since Thursday morning with roads around it blocked as lawmakers debate the Finance Bill inside. Police are breaking up peaceful protesters with tear gas and water cannons around the city center in Nairobi. Festo Lang/CNNCNN has met protesters as young as 18 who say they’re fighting for their future. Look at the tears of the women in the country of Kenya,” one young man told CNN’s Larry Madowo.

Persons: Anger, Festo Lang, Ruto, ”, CNN’s Larry Madowo, Young Organizations: CNN, Police, CNN CNN Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, East

☆ Kenya: Hundreds arrested as protests flare over tax hikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Protests have erupted in parts of Kenya, with hundreds detained by police as citizens rejected planned tax hikes in the East African nation already grappling with escalating living costs. Civil society groups said that at least 283 people have been arrested since Tuesday as protests flared over the proposed hikes. Among the taxes suspended was a 16% value-added tax on bread and a 2.5% tax on motor vehicles, a statement from Kenya’s presidency said. Amnesty International’s Kenya office said it was “deeply outraged by the arbitrary arrest of peaceful protestors” in Nairobi on Tuesday. An alliance of civil society groups called for the unconditional release of detained protesters, which it said included journalists.

Persons: Kenyan John Wills Njoroge, It’s, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Kenyan, NTV, Kenyan Police Service, ” CNN Locations: Kenya, East, Nairobi, Mombassa, Mombasa, Kenya’s

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