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Guatemala’s attorney general asks authorities to act against pro-democracy protests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemala’s attorney general on Monday called for the government to act against largely peaceful protesters, who have taken to the streets for weeks demanding her resignation for what they say are clear attempts to undermine their nation’s democracy.Protests broke out in Guatemala two weeks ago following one of the most tumultuous elections in the country’s recent history. The protests are fueled by accusations that Attorney General Consuelo Porras has tried to prevent President-elect Bernardo Arévalo from taking office in January.Since emerging as a political contender earlier this year, Arévalo – a progressive outsider challenging the elite who have long controlled the Central American nation – and his Seed Movement party have faced waves of legal attacks. Those only ramped up when he won the country’s elections in August.The attacks have included raids on electoral facilities and the suspension of Arévalo’s political party, effectively handicapping his abili...

Toronto police boost presence ahead of Israel, Palestine rallies, warn against hate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

TORONTO — Police are warning the public that there will be no tolerance for violence or hate crimes ahead of expected large-scale demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli communities in downtown Toronto.One rally is being held by the Youth Palestinian Movement at 2 p.m. at Nathan Phillips Square, while another gathering in solidarity with Israel is expected for 7 p.m. at Mel Lastman Square.They come after a Saturday attack on Israel by Hamas militants out of Gaza left more than 1,000 dead.Deputy chief Lauren Pogue says police will have an increased presence at the unsanctioned Palestinian rally in front of Toronto city hall. She adds there are currently no concerns for the safety of the public or any specific communities. Mayor Olivia Chow and several Toronto councillors have denounced the pro-Palestine demonstration. Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are set to speak at the rally for Israel in north Toronto later this evening.Some police forces have upped their pr...

$3M winning scratch-off Lottery ticket sold in Mount Prospect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — An Illinois Lottery player won $3 million on a scratch-off ticket bought in the northwest suburbs.According to Illinois Lottery officials, the $30 Cash Fortune scratch-off was purchased at a BP gas station, located at 1625 East Euclid Drive in Mount Prospect.“This is such happy news,” exclaimed Benny Lukose, Manager at BP in Mount Prospect. “While we sell a lot of lottery tickets, I can definitely recognize our regular customers - so I bet I’ll know the winner. I hope the lucky winner stops in to tell us, so we can share in the excitement of their big win!”Lottery officials said the Mount Prospect gas station will receive a $30,000 cash bonus for selling the winning ticket. Powerball jackpot up to $1.55 billion as lottery losing streak continues “This couldn’t have come at a better time,” expressed Lukose. “Business can be slow at times due to competitors, so with this bonus, we plan to use it to cover some business expenses. We are very grateful!”Winners ha...

MedWatch Digest: More evidence of 'long term cold' symptoms — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

For Monday, Oct. 9, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Study finds more evidence of 'long term cold' symptoms More research on the existence of long colds after a study by London's Queen Mary University finds people may experience long-term symptoms after acute respiratory infections that test negative for COVID-19. Common symptoms like coughing and stomach pain remain more than four weeks after the initial infection. The study suggests more research needs to be done to find out why some people suffered extended symptoms and others don't. Autism diagnosis may change in toddlers by 6 Not all children who receive an autism diagnosis as toddlers will still have that diagnosis once they reach elementary school.  Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that 37% of the toddlers with autism they studied no longer met the criteria for the condition by the age of six.  The subjects were diagnosed between 12 and 36 mo...

Trump rips Forbes after removal from wealthiest Americans list

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

(The Hill) -- Former President Donald Trump tore into Forbes magazine after it again dropped him from its annual list of the wealthiest Americans.Trump ripped the magazine in a Truth Social post on Monday, calling it "very badly failing" and asserting it "lost most of its relevance long ago."Trump bemoaned that Forbes "took me off their Fake Forbes 400 list, just by a 'whisker,' even though they know that I should be high up on that now very dated and discredited 'antique.'" Justice Department fights Trump effort to push Mar-a-Lago trial until after 2024 election The magazine announced last week that Trump had fallen off the list of its 400 richest Americans for the second time in three years, citing what it said was Trump's estimated $2.6 billion fortune, which came in $300 million short of the threshold used to make the list."For years Forbes has attacked me with really dumb writers assigned to hit me hard, and I am now up 60 Points on the Republicans, and beating Crooked Joe ...

Which Halloween costumes will be most popular in Chicago?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

DEVER (KDVR) — You might not be as creative as you think when it comes to your choice of Halloween getup. Google Frightgeist pulled the top 500 costume searches from Google Trends to determine the most popular Halloween costumes for 2023. Americans are spending more than ever on Halloween If you want to wear a trending costume, one of these top 10 costumes is your best bet. If you're looking for something unique, you may have to try harder. Here are the costumes you will probably see the most this year.Most popular costumes nationallyWitchSpider-ManDinosaurStranger ThingsFairyPirateRabbitCheerleaderCowboyHarley QuinnSurprisingly, the most searched costumes aren't all that basic. While a witch is a classic costume, there aren't as many dinosaurs and "Stranger Things" characters roaming the street on Oct. 31. These Halloween pop-up bars are open in Denver The national list goes on to the top 100 costumes. If you need more ideas, or if you're looking for something that's not on th...

Postal Service to increase stamp prices again in 2024 due to 'inflationary pressures'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

The price of sending mail is about to go up, again. The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced Friday it might increase stamp prices in 2024 for the second year in a row, citing pressures from inflation.If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the changes would take effect Jan. 21, 2024. New rates include a 2-cent increase for First-Class Mail Forever stamp, among other proposed changes.If the price changes are approved by the governors of the Postal Service, service prices would increase by approximately 2 percent, the USPS said in its announcement.“As inflationary pressures on operating expenses continue and the effects of a previously defective pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service with much-needed revenue to achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan,” the USPS said in its statement.Last year, the USPS announced it would increase prices to cope with the rising cos...

Judge rules against Woodbury woman’s claim of being mentally ill when she killed daughter, injured son

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

A Washington County judge has ruled against a Woodbury woman’s defense that she was mentally ill when she fatally attacked her 5-year-old daughter and assaulted her 6-year-old son in the street outside their townhouse.Judge Doug Meslow reached the verdict last week as part of the second phase of Sadiyo Ibrahim Mohamed’s bifurcated trial, concluding that her mental illness does not exonerate her of the crimes. It follows his decision last month that Mohamed, 34, was guilty of second-degree intentional murder and second-degree assault. She had waived her right to a jury trial in favor of a court trial based on stipulated evidence and facts.Sadiyo Ibrahim Mohamed (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)Mohamed has a history of mental health issues and civil commitments dating back to 2013. She is currently being housed at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter under a civil commitment.In his one-page verdict issued Wednesday, Meslow wrote the “evidence in ...

Q&A: Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti on NIL, Big Ten events in Twin Cities and his relationship with Gophers AD Mark Coyle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

Big Ten commission Tony Petitti set up shop Monday morning in the Timberwolves/Lynx coaching room at Target Center.Petiti opened the door on his temporary office to a few reporters, including the Pioneer Press, for a string of interviews during women’s and men’s basketball media days early this week.He discussed name, image and likeness (NIL), conducting Big Ten events in the Twin Cities, and his relationship with Gophers Athletics Director Mark Coyle.Here’s a condensed Q&A with Petitti, who was hired as commissioner in April.The decision for the Big Ten to come to the Twin Cities for this event was made before your time. Why do you feel it’s important to be here in Minnesota?“Minnesota is in the heart of Big Ten country, and I think it means a lot when you bring tournaments and championship games to different places within the conference. It’s really important to connect fans to give them the chance to not only follow the regular season, which they do, but also then...

Man charged with fatal stabbing of roommate in St. Paul

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:17 GMT

When a 37-year-old man and his girlfriend argued in St. Paul, the man’s 57-year-old roommate intervened and the two men fought. The older man fatally stabbed the younger one, according to a murder charge filed Monday.Randall B. Williams died at Regions Hospital on Friday.Officers responded to a report of a stabbing about 10:30 a.m. Friday in St. Paul’s Snelling-Hamline neighborhood.Williams and his girlfriend of about six weeks were arguing over some missing money, the criminal complaint said. The woman later reported to police that one of Williams’ roommates, Alvin Rozell Stafford Sr., told Williams to leave her alone. Another roommate came out and tried to separate Stafford and Williams.Williams’ girlfriend went back into her room, and heard the argument between Stafford and Williams continue. When she came out, she saw Williams was bleeding.Police arrested Stafford at the scene in the 1500 block of Iglehart Avenue near Asbury Street. Stafford told police h...