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Anti-corruption presidential candidate assassinated at campaign event in Ecuador’s capital

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

By GONZALO SOLANO (Associated Press)QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — An Ecuadorian presidential candidate known for speaking up against corruption was shot and killed Wednesday at a political rally in the capital amid a wave of startling violence in the South American country.President Guillermo Lasso confirmed the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio and suggested organized crime was behind his slaying, less than two weeks before the Aug. 20 presidential election.“I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished,” Lasso said in a statement. “Organized crime has gone too far, but they will feel the full weight of the law.”Prior to the shooting, Villavicencio said he had received multiple death threats, including from leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, one of a slew of international organized crime groups that now operate in Ecuador.Villavicencio was one of eight candidates, though not the frontrunner. The politician, 59, was the candidate for the Buil...

Police in barricade situation with pursuit suspect in L.A.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department were in pursuit of a driver suspected of assault with a deadly weapon in Los Angeles that quickly turned in to a standoff situation. The white SUV that the suspect is in was stolen from the L.A. Department of Water and Power, authorities confirmed. Aerial footage captured by Sky5 showed the suspect attempting to ram officers with the SUV, which is now disabled in the area of Edenhurst Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, east of the 5 Freeway. Video also shows that the vehicle no longer has front tires. Bullet holes are also clearly visible in the windshield and the driver's side door. Officers have the suspect, who is still in the vehicle, surrounded. He can be seen acting erratically as he waves and shouts outside the shattered rear window. At around 7:30 p.m. two SWAT vehicles arrived to the scene and boxed the suspect's vehicle in.This is a developing story.

Serial burglars smash through businesses in Santa Clarita

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

A group of serial burglars remains at large after eight businesses were smashed into throughout the Santa Clarita Valley early Wednesday morning.The burglary spree took place within a two-hour span, with security cameras capturing the destructive break-ins. One video shows a masked suspect smashing the glass front door of Robek’s Fresh Juices & Smoothies on The Old Road in Valencia.Meanwhile, three or four other suspects are targeting the neighboring businesses in the Westridge Village Shopping Center including a Starbucks, Panda Express and Sport Clips.Deputies believe the burglars are the same ones who drove about seven miles from the Westridge center to another plaza on Soledad Canyon Road where four other businesses were also burglarized.Those shops included Little Caesars Pizza, See’s Candies, Carriage Trade Cleaners and Bonsai Garden Sushi."About four to five guys in hoodies, they came in and they went to the register,” said Lily Tanner, the area manager of Sports Clips. "...

Wildfire on Maui kills at least 6, damages over 270 structures as it sweeps through historic town

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) — A wildfire tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island of Maui in darkness Wednesday, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died, dozens were wounded and 271 structures were damaged or destroyed.Flyovers Wednesday of the town of Lahaina by US Civil Air Patrol and the Maui Fire Department showed the extend of the devestation, said Mahina Martin, a spokesperson for Maui County.The fires continued to burn Wednesday afternoon, fueled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora as it passed well south of the Hawaiian islands. Officials feared the death toll could rise. As winds diminished somewhat, some aircraft resumed flights, enabling pilots to view the full scope of the devastation. Aerial video from coastal Lahaina showed dozens of homes and businesses flattened, including on Front Street, where tourists gathered to shop and dine. Smoking heaps of rubble lay piled high next to the wa...

Man arrested in connection to Hayward Fourth of July shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

(KRON) -- Five people were arrested on Thursday after search warrants were executed in connection to a Fourth of July shooting that injured six people, the Hayward Police Department announced. Four of the five people were arrested for gun charges unrelated to the Fourth of July shooting. This county has the most gun homicides in California, and you might be surprised The shooting happened near the 400 block of Ranker Place around 10:14 p.m., HPD said. Six people were shot after a fight escalated and at least three people began shooting. All six victims have since been released from the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery, including two who were critically wounded in the shooting. Authorities are still investigating initial reports that one of the victims was also a shooter in the incident, HPD said. Police will not release his name at this time.One of the suspected shooters was identified as Kasi Pohahua, 52, of San Mateo. Police executed four search warrants and on...

Winningest Managers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

1. Connie Mack3,7312. Tony La Russa2,9023. John McGraw2,7634. Bobby Cox2,5045. Joe Torre2,3266. Sparky Anderson2,1947. x-Dusty Baker2,1598. Bucky Harris2,1589. Joe McCarthy2,12510. x-Bruce Bochy2,071SOURCE: mlb.comSource

At least 271 structures damaged or destroyed in devastating Maui wildfire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) — Authorities say at least 271 structures were damaged or destroyed in a devastating Maui wildfire.Officials say assessing the damage of the Maui fires could take weeks or months. But it was becoming clear that the damage would be extensive. Flyovers Wednesday of Lahaina by US Civil Air Patrol and the Maui Fire Department showed that more than 271 structures were damaged or destroyed, said Mahina Martin, a spokesperson for Maui County. A wildfire tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island in darkness, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died and dozens were wounded.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) — A wildfire tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island of Maui in darkness Wednesday, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died and dozens w...

Indignación en Ecuador: candidatos presidenciales lamentan asesinato de su rival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

QUITO, Ecuador- Los candidatos a la Presidencia de Ecuador en las próximas elecciones generales extraordinarias del 20 de agosto manifestaron su consternación e indignación por el asesinato de su rival Fernando Villavicencio, al que dispararon cuando salía de un mitin electoral en Quito.A los pocos minutos de confirmarse el deceso del periodista y exasambleísta, los otros siete candidatos presidenciales expresaron su pésame y solidaridad con las familias, amigos y seres queridos de Villavicencio.El exvicepresidente Otto Sonnenholzner expresó su “más sentido pésame y profunda solidaridad” y deseó “que Dios lo guarde en su gloria”.“Nuestro país se ha ido de las manos”, aseguró Sonnenholzner en referencia a la crisis de inseguridad que atraviesa de Ecuador y que prácticamente ha monopolizado el debate de la campaña electoral. Asesinan a tiros al candidato presidencial Fernando Villavicencio en Ecuador Ecuador:...

Acuña has 3 hits, Harris scores the winning run on a close call at the plate as Braves top Bucs 6-5

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. slugged three hits and Michael Harris II tagged on a popup to right field and scored on a close call in the eighth inning, lifting the MLB-leading Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.Harris raced home on Austin Riley’s fly into shallow right off Carmen Mlodzinski (2-3) that was fielded by backpeddling Jared Triolo. Harris slid in ahead of the throw to home by the second baseman. He was originally called out for possibly having left third before Triolo caught the ball, but the call was reversed following a review and the Braves moved ahead 6-5. Acuña was 3 for 6, including an RBI double in the fourth, one day after leaving in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s 8-6 win after being hit on the left elbow by a pitch from Colin Holderman.The Braves, with a majors best record of 72-40, won their second straight against the Pirates after losing three in a row, including the first game of this four-game series on ...

Authorities: At least 271 structures damaged or destroyed in devastating Maui wildfire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:10:05 GMT

KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) — Authorities: At least 271 structures damaged or destroyed in devastating Maui wildfire.Source