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‘Why would I’: Trump says he’ll skip GOP debate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

The first Republican Presidential debate will apparently be held Wednesday without the party’s biggest star.While at least eight other conservatives prepare to take the stage at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee for a debate hosted by Fox News, former President Donald Trump says he will be taking a pass on joining the lineup.“As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a “wonderful” field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary. In fact, I am leading the runner up, whoever that may now be, by more than 50 Points. Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote, employing his typical disdain for the rules of capitalization.According to party rules, to qualify for the first debate candidates need to have seen at least 1% support in three “high-quality national polls” or a mix of national and early primary state polls, and receive donations from at least 40,000 people acro...

Ecuadorians vote for president without violence, but overseas voting system sees cyberattacks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuadorians put aside fears of leaving their homes amid unprecedented violence and voted for a new president Sunday in a special election that was heavily guarded by police and soldiers in part due to the assassination of a presidential candidate this month.The country’s top electoral authority, Diana Atamaint, reported no violent incidents affected voting centers and characterized the election as “peaceful and safe” after polls closed. However, Atamaint, president of the National Electoral Council, said the electronic voting system used by Ecuadorians living abroad was targeted by several cyberattacks, including from China, India and Bangladesh. She said the incidents did not jeopardize vote counts.Authorities deployed more than 100,000 police and soldiers to protect the vote against more violence. Gen. Fausto Salinas, commander general of the National Police, said one person was arrested for false voting, two for harassment and resisting arres...

Guatemalans vote in presidential runoff, hoping their new leader will bring real change

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

VILLA NUEVA, Guatemala (AP) — After a tumultuous campaign, Guatemalans cast ballots Sunday in a runoff presidential election that pitted an anti-corruption advocate against a former first lady seen as an ally to the outgoing government.The two candidates offered starkly different paths forward. Former first lady Sandra Torres became an ally of outgoing, deeply unpopular President Alejandro Giammattei in her third bid for the presidency. Her opponent, Bernardo Arévalo, with the progressive Seed Movement, rode a wave of popular resentment toward politics to his surprise spot in the runoff.Central America’s most populous country and the region’s largest economy continues to struggle with widespread poverty and violence that have driven hundreds of thousands of Guatemalans to migrate to the U.S. in recent years.Voting appeared to have been peaceful. The Attorney General’s Office, which sought unsuccessfully to suspend Arévalo’s party before the vote, announced several arrest...

‘They destroyed everything’: Rally held to save beloved west end shrine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

The Marian Shrine of Gratitude has been tucked away behind St. Basil-the-Great-College School and the Carmine Stefano Community Centre near Weston Road and Sheppard Avenue for years. The property where this sacred place of worship resides has been sold despite cries from the public for it to be saved. Residents say this has been a place where all are welcome. “It’s not just Christians that are coming here, it’s different denominations coming here because they feel peace,” said Angela Carboni, a shrine volunteer coordinator for 15 years. The shrine was being looked after by three priests who have since passed away. Ownership was then transferred over to the Basilian Fathers at the Order of St. Basil the Great of St. Josaphat. A letter was sent out earlier this week advising locals that the shrine would no longer be accessible to the public. The once-open shrine is now behind gates and guarded with security. Trucks have been brought in and workers have been on ...

Thieves rob Prada store near Magnificent Mile

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are investigating a robbery at a Prada store near the Magnificent Mile on Sunday.Chicago police say it happened just before 1 p.m. at the store located near North Rush Street and East Oak Street.According to police, at least six people, who were all wearing masks and gloves, entered the store and stole property.  String of 7-11 robberies within 30 minutes on North Side Police say no employees or shoppers were injured during the robbery. Anyone with information can file an anonymous tip at CPDtip.comAn investigation is underway, but police say nobody is currently in custody.

Starbucks told to pay $2.7M to manager fired after arrest of 2 Black men

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — A judge has ordered Starbucks to pay an additional $2.7 million in lost wages and tax damages to a former regional manager who was earlier awarded more than $25 million after alleging she and other white employees were unfairly punished following the high-profile arrests of two Black men at a store in 2018.In June, Shannon Phillips won $600,000 in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages after a jury in New Jersey found that race was a determinative factor in Phillips’ firing, in violation of federal and state anti-discrimination laws.The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that U.S. district judge Wednesday ordered Starbucks to pay Phillips another $2.73 million in past and future lost earnings and benefits as well as compensation for tax disadvantages due to the lump sum, according to court documents. The company opposed paying any amount, saying Philipps had not proven she couldn’t have earned the same or more in the fut...

Newest Saints lead St. Paul past Indianapolis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

Twins fans attending Sunday’s Saints game at CHS Field might have been disappointed that top prospect Brooks Lee was given the day off. But the two players called up from Double-A Wichita along with him on Aug. 3 put on a show of their own in the Saints’ 7-6 win over the Indianapolis Indians.Outfielder DeShawn Keirsey’s elite athleticism was on display, first by hitting a stand-up triple to center field that jump-started the Saints’ four-run sixth inning. Then, with two runners on and two outs in the eighth and the Saints clinging to their one-run lead, he raced into the left-center gap to pull in a potential extra-base hit.For his part, Yunior Severino, who homered over the batter’s eye in center field on Saturday, hit two more long home runs on Sunday before adding an RBI single in the Saints’ game-changing sixth.Both players — as well as Lee — have been mainstays in the lineup since being called up, and they have not disappointed.“The idea is to get all those guys as much playing...

Nick Dunlap wins U.S. Amateur Golf Championship by embracing the history he hoped to share with Tiger Woods

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE — Back from the abyss he stared out of early in the week, Nick Dunlap channeled the same motivation on the 33rd green of Championship Sunday that he had channeled after his dismal start to U.S. Amateur stroke play.That felt like centuries ago, the Crimson Tide golfer starting the tournament at 5 over par after only seven holes. He had looked unrecognizable Monday. Match play was a much more familiar image of Dunlap. The ninth-ranked amateur stampeded through the field, starting with top-ranked Gordon Sargent and all leading to the 15th hole Sunday at Cherry Hills Country Club. Dunlap only needed a two-putt to clinch the title. To clinch history.“We talked about it all week,” he said afterward, the Havemeyer Trophy glistening at his side.Dunlap, a 19-year-old from Huntsville, Alabama, completed his remarkable turnaround in Denver by becoming the second golfer in history to win both the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Amateur championships. His ...

LAUSD schools will be closed Monday due to Tropical Storm Hilary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

Los Angeles Unified School District will be closed on Monday due to Tropical Storm Hilary, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced during a press conference Sunday.Schools across the district are expected to re-open on Tuesday, according to the superintendent. Live updates: Tropical Storm Hilary hits Southern California "This was not an easy decision. Los Angeles Unified recognizes the unique, unprecedented nature of Tropical Storm Hilary, which has garnered city, county and state declarations and emergencies," a news release said. To ensure the children continue their studies, the district announced that teachers will upload activities for students and additional resources for families on Schoology, a learning management system used throughout district schools, by 10: 30 a.m. on Monday. Due to the tropical storm, significant amounts of rain across Southern California are expected to continue Sunday and into Monday.Multiple areas, like Northridge, Van Nuys and Beverly Hill...

DoorDash temporarily suspends operations in Southern California communities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:36 GMT

DoorDash has temporarily suspended operations in multiple counties across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Santa Clarita and San Diego counties due to Tropical Storm Hilary. Live updates: Tropical Storm Hilary hits Southern California These are the areas DoorDash operations are temporarily suspended in:San Diego CountyPalm SpringsIndioLos Angeles CountyImperial ValleyBarstowJulian Newberry SpringsOperations will be suspended from 3:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon and are expected to resume Monday morning at 11 a.m. depending on weather conditions, a news release said.“To keep our community safe, DoorDash is activating its Severe Weather Protocol and temporarily suspending our operations in parts of Southern California,” DoorDash spokesperson Jenn Rosenberg said in a news release.The company announced that it will continue to closely monitor the conditions and guidance from local officials and will remain in close contact with Dashers, merchants and customers as the situation e...