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Voting closes as Guatemalans choose new president after a tumultuous electoral season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Polling centers closed and poll workers began tallying ballots across Guatemala on Sunday evening to determine hundreds of congressional and local races, but the big presidential field was expected only to be narrowed and require a runoff.While some isolated incidents reportedly interrupted the vote in some localities, voting appeared to have been orderly and peaceful in much of the country.Many Guatemalans expressed disappointment with their presidential choices after three opposition candidates were excluded by authorities. A large number of null ballots were expected, and experts said it could depress turnout.With none of the 22 presidential candidates polling near the required 50% threshold for winning outright, a second round of voting on Aug. 20 between the top two finishers was almost certain. At a polling place in central Guatemala City, a bell tolled and people cheered as voting closed with few still in line waiting their turn to cast ballots.Alejandro...

What is the Hajj pilgrimage and what does it mean for Muslims?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Over 2 million Muslims will take part in this week’s Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings returns to full capacity following years of coronavirus restrictions.The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so. For the pilgrims, it is a profound spiritual experience that wipes away sins, brings them closer to God and highlights Muslim unity.For the Saudi royal family, which captured Mecca in the 1920s, organizing the pilgrimage is a major source of pride and legitimacy. Authorities have invested billions of dollars in modern infrastructure, but the Hajj has occasionally been marred by tragedy, as in 2015, when over 2,400 pilgrims died in a stampede.Here’s a look at the pilgrimage, which begins on Monday, and its meaning.WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE ...

BET Awards open with celebration of 50 years of hip-hop, medley of the genre’s early hits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A masked Lil Uzi Vert opened the 2023 BET Awards on a platform suspended from the ceiling and jumped into a pyrotechnic-filled kickoff performance before the show quickly turned into a celebration of hip-hop’s early years.For a show promising to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, it set the tone for a hip-hop history lesson: DJ Kid Capri walked the audience through a medley of the earliest days of New York City ’80s rap culture featuring The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” MC LYTE’s “Cha Cha Cha”, D-NICE’s “Call ME D-Nice” and Big Daddy Kane’s “Raw,” into a partial cover of “Just A Friend,” an homage to the late great Biz Markie.“I would not be in this business on the stage tonight if it wasn’t for one person,” Big Daddy Kane said introducing the song. “Rest in peace.” He invited audience members to sing along to the song’s infectious chorus and point toward a photo of Markie shows on stage. Vert got the show started suspended above the stage for “Spi...

Man fatally stabbed in Scarborough

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

A man is dead following a stabbing in Scarborough. Police say they were called to the area of Brimley Road and Eglinton Avenue for reports someone had been stabbed just after 7 p.m. Sunday night.When they arrived they found a man suffering from stab wounds. He was taken via emergency run to a nearby trauma centre were he was pronounced dead. Police have yet to release a suspect description.

15-year-old boy dead after Little Village shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

CHICAGO — A 15-year-old boy is dead after a shooting in Little Village late Sunday afternoon.According to the Chicago Police Department, a 15-year-old boy was near the sidewalk in the 2200 block of South California Avenue around 4:11 p.m. when he was approached by a white-colored vehicle.Police said a person inside the vehicle then opened fire on the 15-year-old, hitting him in the chest.He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead.Police have no one in custody. 3 killed in fiery crash near Michigan City after driver hits disabled car No other information is available at this time.If you or someone you know has information that can help police make an arrest and conviction in the investigation of this incident, anonymous tips can be filed online with CPD at cpdtip.com

Round Rock claims Texas 7-on-7 high school football championship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If their performance at the Texas 7-on-7 championships can carry over to the gridiron in the fall, then look out for the Round Rock Dragons.The Dragons rolled through the passing league tournament and claimed the Division I championship with a 26-13 win over A&M Consolidated at Veterans Park in College Station. MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersRound Rock topped Manvel in the first round of championship play 26-19, then bounced Heritage 30-22 before beating PSJA North 28-14 in the quarterfinals. The Dragons defeated Coppell 32-27 in the semifinals before taking down the Tigers in the title game.The championship bracket was chocked full of Central Texas squads, but other than the Dragons, only two of them advanced past the opening round. Buda Johnson made it to the quarterfinals before falling to A&M Consolidated 28-26 and San Marcos made it to th...

Grand Pride Parade dazzles Downtown St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The Gateway Arch served as the backdrop for the Grand Pride Parade, an epic march in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. The procession started at the corner of 8th and Market Streets, and ran through the Pridefest grounds, before wrapping up at the intersection of Market at 15th Street.Thousands of people were on hand to see the creative talents of those involved in the parade. St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura Jones was on hand to express her support for the community.

Faith leaders supporting LGBTQ+ community during St. Louis Pridefest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- It's been a celebration of pride this weekend across Downtown St. Louis. Before the festivities got started today, a church service took place on the main stage near Tucker and Chestnut."To me, it's so important for religious people of faith who are supportive of the LGBTQIA community to stand up and speak out and be a part of pride because so much of the resistance and animosity and hatred that comes towards the LGBTQ comes from people of faith. And so it's important for other folks to hear that God does love them and that they are welcome in some of the churches around our city," said Rev. Wes Mullins, Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis. Life in Illinois gets more expensive on July 1 with multiple tax increases, new laws Rev. Mullins says the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis is the first LGBT affirming church in the city. They are and celebrating 50 years this year.Speakers from Christian, Jewish and other religious traditions came ...

Heman Park Pool reopens after last summer's historic flood damage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. -- People are looking for a place to cool off as the summer heat is setting in. Large crowds of people are out at the Heman Park pool for the reopening.The pool is officially back open after close to a million dollars of repairs made to the electrical system, pumps, and cleaning out debris and trash from last summer's historic flooding. Life in Illinois gets more expensive on July 1 with multiple tax increases, new laws Heman pool is open daily from noon until 6 p.m. Sunday. The city says this summer they will not be offering swim lessons. Employees say the re-opening brought in a steady stream of families from across the area.Make sure to check online before you decide to visit the pool. There are fees for residents and non-residents to use the pool.https://www.ucitymo.org/101/Heman-Park-Swimming-Pool

Only 4,000 tickets remain for $700,000 dream home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Tickets for this year's St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway are selling fast. There are less than 4,000 tickets left.The four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home in Dardenne Prairie is valued at $700,000. It was built by Fisher Homes. The top-rated steakhouse in every state, according to Yelp Tickets cost $100. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. If you buy your ticket today, you qualify for four prizes. The house, a new Honda, an outdoor kitchen set, and $5,000 worth of airline miles.To reserve your ticket, click here or call 1-800-667-3394. The drawing is on August 17th.