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Pastor of Fort Lauderdale church damaged in Christmas weekend fire asks for prayers amid cleanup efforts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

As firefighters contained hot spots from an intense fire that broke out at a church in Fort Lauderdale, its pastor sought prayers as this community of faith determines their next steps.Christmas Eve was more work day than holiday at Mount Bethel Baptist Church.7News cameras on Sunday captured crews as they boarded up the doors of the house of worship with plywood after Saturday night’s blaze.“I need you to pray fervently, number one, that God will show himself strong during this time,” said Bishop C.E. Glover, the church’s senior pastor.Glover’s words of hope come less than 24 hours since the fire drew a massive response. Twenty-five units from Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue were able to knock down the flames.While the building’s exterior doesn’t show much damage, FLFR Deputy Chief Garrett Pingol said looks are deceiving.“Because of the size of the building, it does a very good job at hiding what actually occurred inside,” he said. “What you’re...

Families across South Florida celebrate Nochebuena with lechón asado, quality time with loved ones

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

Families across South Florida have come together to cook up a tasty tradition, as they celebrated Nochebuena.Agustine Exposito and his family feasted on one beautifully cooked pig, Sunday night.Exposito and his brother invited 7News into their home on a quiet Christmas Eve. They said that while the food and drink taste good and look good, the most beautiful part about it all is spending time with their loved ones.“Nochebuena” literally brings together the Spanish words for “good” and “night,” and a good night it was for this extended family.But Exposito said pulling off this special occasion without a hitch takes months of preparation.“It’s a family tradition like no other. We look forward to Nochebuena. Every single year, we’re already prepping come October,” he said.Exposito said he and his brother arguably carry out the most important tradition: making roast pork, or lechón asado.“It’s a 77-pounder so, you kn...

The ultimate POLITICO Christmas gift guide for the cheesiest political swag

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course … politics at the dinner table. Here are the best/weirdest Christmas gifts POLITICO managed to scrounge up for that conservative aunt, the environmentally conscious cousin or that one die-hard Brussels-bubble-fanatic friend.Tis the season!Keir Starmer flip-flops: The gift that keeps on giving (and flipping)In the political arena, consistency is often a prized virtue. But Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom, is something of a master of the flip-flop — most recently, on Margaret Thatcher.  This Christmas, why not embrace that political agility and get a pair of Keir Starmer flip-flops? Just like the political leader himself, the flip-flops are adaptable to various environments. Whether for heading to a warm destination over the winter holidays or being worn in the cozy warmth of one’s own home, this versatile piece of footwear will pad any feet from the harsh floor. Sold on the Conservativ...

King Charles III’s unfiltered Christmas speech

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

BUCK PAL, London — Oh, for the love of god Camilla, must I do another one of these dreary things? What do you mean we’re “rolling”? I think I’d be able to tell if I was making some miserable sounding off-the-cuff remark live on television, thank you very much! Right, here goes…Christmas! Chrimble! Xmas! The big Deccy 2-5! But what even is it?It’s a time for family, obvz. The thoughtful gift given, the kind word said, the passable meal shared. On this day above all days, we remember and give thanks to those whose immense sacrifices have made our own happiness possible.For some, such gratitude is shown through less traditional means.Loved ones may choose to sulk in America like massive posh toddlers. They may choose to imply their family is a bunch of racist dinosaurs on Oprah. They may even insert the phrase “frostbitten penis” into a frankly over-written autobiography most people didn’t ever bother to finish. Above all, Christmas is a time to forgive and...

The guardrails that once prevented wars are failing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

Abishur Prakash is the founder of the Geopolitical Business, Inc. He is a global keynote speaker and the author of five books. His latest book is called “The World Is Vertical.”The Israel-Hamas war is an ominous message to the world: The guardrails that long stopped wars from breaking out are now effectively failing.Of course, Ukraine was the first sign of this. After Russia invaded the country, it quickly became the worst conflict in Europe since World War II. Except, at the onset, the world didn’t know what to make of it. Was this a “one-off” event or the start of something else?The latest flareup in the Middle East answers this question.The conflict between Israel and Hamas signals that a new era has begun — one where wars are no longer black-swan events that occur every decade or so. Rather, they are becoming a regular occurrence, representing the most significant transformation to global affairs since 9/11. This is a pivotal moment in history, as it signals that whatever stood ...

Police investigating Christmas Eve shooting in Dorchester

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

Boston police are investigating a shooting on Christmas Eve in Dorchester that left a man hospitalized. Officers responding to a ShotSpotter Activation in the area of 10 Ripley Road around 10 p.m. found a man suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.He was taken to a nearby hospital.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Week 16 recap: Chicago Bears jump to a big early lead and hold on for a 27-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

All the Chicago Bears needed for Christmas was to play the Arizona Cardinals.The Bears were more productive on offense Sunday at Soldier Field than they were one week earlier during a dismal collapse against the Cleveland Browns.Behind a big game on the ground, the Bears jumped to a 21-point first-half lead and held on for a 27-16 victory over the 3-12 Cardinals.The Cardinals entered the game as the 31st-ranked defense against the run, and the Bears took advantage, rushing for 250 yards. They totaled 117 rushing yards in the first half and scored two touchdowns on the ground on the way to a 21-7 halftime lead.Running back Khalil Herbert had a season-high 112 rushing yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Justin Fields rushed for 97 yards and a TD to help the Bears (6-9) wash away the sting of the 20-17 loss to the Browns in Week 15.The Cardinals still threatened the Bears in the fourth quarter after Fields’ only turnover of the game.Early in the fourth, Fields scrambled for 39...

Death toll from China earthquake rises to 149, with 2 still missing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — The death toll from China’s most powerful earthquake in years has risen to 149, with two people still missing after the tremor hit northwestern parts of the country last week.The 6.2-magnitude quake struck a remote mountainous area between Gansu and Qinghai provinces on Dec. 18, reducing homes to rubble and triggering heavy mudslides that inundated two villages in Qinghai province.State broadcaster CCTV said Monday the death toll in Donghai city in Qinghai has risen by one, to 32, and rescuers were still searching for two missing people. In neighboring Gansu, authorities had reported 117 dead.Nearly 1,000 were injured and more than 14,000 homes were destroyed in China’s deadliest earthquake in nine years.Primary schools in Jishishan county in Gansu resumed classes in tents on Monday, state media reported. Local authorities said they would use the upcoming winter break to repair damaged schools and erect temporary structures so that classes could resume as normal in th...

Brazil’s federal police arrest top criminal leader Zinho after negotiations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil’s federal police said one of the country’s top criminal leaders surrendered Sunday after negotiations with local authorities.Luiz Antônio da Silva Braga, better known as Zinho, is the top leader of the largest militia group in the state of Rio de Janeiro. He had 12 arrest warrants issued against him, federal police said.“After the formalities due to his arrest, the inmate was taken for medical forensics and then sent to the state’s prison system, where he will remain available for our courts,” federal police said.Militias emerged in the 1990s when they originally were made up mainly of former police officers, firefighters and soldiers who wanted to combat lawlessness in their neighborhoods. They charged residents for protection and other services, and more recently moved into drug trafficking themselves.Zinho’s group dominates Rio’s west region, where several members of his gang were killed in recent years. He had been on the run ...

Chatham woman, 5 grandchildren receive early Christmas surprise thanks to CPD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:05 GMT

CHICAGO — Christmas came early for a Chatham woman and the five young grandchildren she's taken guardianship of.It was all a surprise for Lisa Holmes, who has been through a lot in the past few years.Two years ago her son was murdered, leaving the care of his five children to Holmes and her husband. But only three months ago, she lost her husband too. 2 Illinois lottery players win $1 million each on new $50 scratch-off ticket Chicago police provided Holmes with a house full of surprises, holiday decorations, toys for the kids, money to pay bills, and food for Christmas dinner.Police officers escorted tow trucks carrying gifts for the family and a choir sang Christmas carols.