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

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

By Associated PressQUITO, Ecuador (AP) — An Ecuadorian presidential candidate known for speaking up against corruption was shot and killed Wednesday at a political rally in the capital, an attack that comes 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. Villavicencio was one of eight candidates in the Aug. 20 presidential vote, though not the frontrunner.“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.”The killing comes as Ecuador is rattled by rising violent killings and drug trafficking.Videos on social media appear to show the candidate walking out of the event surrounded by guards. The video then shows Villavicencio entering a white truck followed by gunfire.The politician, 59, was the candidate for the Build Ecuador ...

With 30+ home runs and doubles, Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. keeps building on career highs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

Luis Robert Jr. ripped a Clarke Schmidt sweeper to left field during the fourth inning Tuesday against the New York Yankees.The ball got over the wall for the Chicago White Sox center fielder’s 31st homer of the season.The night before at Guaranteed Rate Field, Robert drove in two runs with an eight-inning double to right. It was his 30th double of the season.Robert is the 10th player in Sox history with at least 30 doubles and 30 home runs in the same season. It’s a feat that’s happened 27 times in franchise history.With six more stolen bases, he would join Magglio Ordóñez (2001) as the only players in Sox history with at least 30 homers and doubles and 20 steals in the same season.“I would like to steal 20,” Robert said through an interpreter after Tuesday’s game, “but actually the real goal, the real number is 30. We’ll see if I’m able to do it.”Robert has been a bright spot for the Sox in a disastrous season. ...

Busted light on Green Monster a curveball at Red Sox game [+gallery]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

The Green Monster got its revenge.Kansas City Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel ripped a line drive in the second inning tonight that crashed into a light — the yellow ones counting outs in an inning.Those iconic lights are at the base of the Green Monster and they ate up this hit.It left Red Sox left fielder Masataka Yoshida baffled — and the hit was ruled a ground-rule double.Bizarre baseball that will now be added to Fenway lore … along with “Manny Being Manny” and taking a break inside the wall through the small door.A closer look from @bostonherald's own Matt Stone https://t.co/OYNwEtrL3t pic.twitter.com/oJgMH55UpV— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) August 10, 2023If you look closely at the Out #1 light, there’s a baseball in it pic.twitter.com/GrpwDFg15F— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) August 9, 2023Not sure how often this happens, but here's a similar moment from 2015 https://t.co/y8W3SdWy0j— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) August 10,...

A wildfire on Maui kills at least 6 as it sweeps through historic town, forcing some into the ocean [+gallery]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

By AUDREY MCAVOY and JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER (Associated Press)KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) — A wildfire tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island of Maui in total 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 were wounded.Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke said the flames “wiped out communities,” and urged travelers to stay away.“This is not a safe place to be,” she said.The wind-driven conflagration swept into coastal Lahaina with alarming speed and ferocity, blazing through intersections and leaping across wooden buildings in the town center that dates to the 1700s and is on the National Register of Historic Places.Aerial video revealed entire blocks of homes and businesses flattened, including on Front Street, a popular shopping and dining area. Other images portray a scene of near-complete devastation. Smoking heaps of rubble lay piled high next to the waterfront and gray smoke hove...

2 killed in collision identified as husband, wife

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- An elderly man and woman killed in a crash in the Bay Terraces neighborhood last week have been identified as husband and wife, local medical officials said.The husband, 76-year-old Ernest Martinez Acuna, was announced as one of the deceased, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office said on its website. The medical staff determined the other victim as Acuna's 74-year-old wife, but her family has yet to confirm her identify.The two-vehicle collision occurred on Aug. 1 around 9:24 p.m. in the 1500 block of South Woodman Street, per the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). ‘Bunnie Fire’ prompts evacuations in Ramona Authorities say a vehicle carrying four occupants crashed into another car while making a left turn onto Jaime Avenue.Acuna was reportedly unrestrained and was ejected from the vehicle, per law enforcement. When first responders arrived, he was performed dead at the scene.The 74-year-old woman was removed from the vehicle and taken to a hospital, where s...

Maui wildfire kills at least 6 as it sweeps through historic town, forcing some into the ocean

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

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 were wounded.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 waterfront, boats in the harbour were scorched, and gray smoke hovered over the leafless skeletons of charred trees.“It’s horrifying. I’ve flown here 52 years, and I’ve never seen anything come close to that,” said Richa...

Disney to boost prices for ad-free Disney+ and Hulu services and vows crackdown on password sharing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger vowed to make its streaming services profitable via a planned October price hike on its ad-free Disney+ and Hulu plans and a crackdown on password sharing expected to extend through next year.The increases will raise the monthly cost of ad-free Disney+ by $3, or roughly 27%, to almost $14. The cost of ad-free Hulu will likewise rise $3 to almost $18 — a 20% hike that will make it more expensive than the most popular ad-free tier at Netflix.Iger spoke following Disney’s release of mixed earnings for its fiscal third quarter ended July 1. The company reported a substantial net loss while shedding customers in both domestic and international markets. Overall, Disney reported a 4% increase in revenue for the quarter but swung to a net loss of $460 million from a year-earlier profit of $1.4 billion. Disney shares, which closed at $87.49, rose roughly 2.2% to $89.45 in after-hours trading.While Disney reported narrower losses on Disney+ in the quarter, the ser...

Michael Lorenzen throws 14th no-hitter in Phillies history in 7-0 victory over Nationals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Lorenzen threw the 14th no-hitter in Philadelphia Phillies history, a dazzling performance in only his second start with his new team, which beat the Washington Nationals 7-0 on Wednesday night.The 31-year-old Lorenzen (7-7) struck out five, walked four and improved to 2-0 since he was acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline for a minor leaguer.Lorenzen retired Lane Thomas on a grounder to open the ninth and struck out Joey Meneses looking. The crowd of 30,406 erupted when Lorenzen retired Dominic Smith on a flyball on his career-high 124th pitch to end his first career complete game in 2 hours, 9 minutes. Lorenzen flipped his cap backward and was mobbed by his teammates in a rowdy celebration near the plate.“I didn’t strike out the world in this game. When you are pitching, balls can land in different places. I just had God’s grace today,” Lorenzen said.Lorenzen’s mother, Cheryl, and wife, Cassi, wept in the stands during the final out, with Cassi ho...

Presidential candidate in Ecuador shot, killed at campaign event

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot and killed Wednesday by an unidentified gunman while at a political rally in the country’s capital of Quito, President Guillermo Lasso said.The killing comes amid a startling wave of violence in the South American nation, with drug trafficking and violent killings on the rise.“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.”Videos on social media appear to show the candidate walking out of the event surrounded by guards. The video then shows Villavicencio entering a white truck, followed by gunfire.The politician, 59, was the candidate for the Build Ecuador Movement. He was one of eight presidential candidates for the late August election.He was one of the most critical voices against corruption, especially during the government of former President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017. He filed many judi...

When will the $1.58B Mega Millions jackpot winner be revealed?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:37 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — If you are wondering who won the largest Mega Millions jackpot in the game's history, you will likely have to wait a few months.So far, all we know is that the winning ticket worth $1.602 billion — this is the finalized total; the prize was advertised as $1.58 billion before the drawing — was sold at a Publix on Atlantic Boulevard in Neptune Beach, Florida. The winning numbers in Tuesday's drawing were 13, 19, 20, 32, and 33, and Mega Ball 14. That Publix location will receive a $100,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket, according to the Florida Lottery. 3 things to do immediately if you won the Mega Millions jackpot We also know the jackpot is the state’s fourth and largest Mega Millions jackpot, and the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. After officials adjusted the final prize to be $1.602 billion, the jackpot surpassed a $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot split by three tickets — one each in California, Florida, and Tennessee — in 2016, but it...