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Anti-corruption presidential candidate is assassinated in Ecuador as country reels from violence

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

By GONZALO SOLANO and REGINA GARCIA CANO (Associated Press)QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — An Ecuadorian presidential candidate who recently pledged to root out corruption and lock up the country’s “thieves” was fatally shot at a political rally in the capital as the South American country reels from drug-related crime and violence.Fernando Villavicencio, 59, who was known for speaking up against cartels, was assassinated Wednesday, less than two weeks before a special presidential election. He was not a front-runner, but his death deepened an organized crime crisis that has already claimed thousands of lives and underscored the challenge that Ecuador’s next leader will face.Video of the rally in Quito posted on social media appeared to show Villavicencio walking out of the rally surrounded by guards. The footage then showed the candidate getting into a white pickup truck before gunshots were heard, followed by screams and commotion around the truck.The sequence ...

Man groped child in Knott's Soak City wave pool, police say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

A Norwalk man has been arrested for allegedly groping a child at Knott's Soak City water park last month.Daniel Alvarez, 44, was at the park on July 25 when a child "felt the suspect grabbing him/her from behind" while in the wave pool, the Buena Park Police Department said in a news release. Alvarez touched the child, who was there with other children from a summer camp, in "his/her private area," and staffers told police that he had also been accused of "taking photos of minors" by others at the park, police said.The case has been submitted to the Orange County District Attorney's Office for the filing of possible charges.Alvarez was booked into the Theo Lacy Facility on the day of the incident and released two days later, as the charges had not yet been filed.

Dramatic before and after photos show devastation on Maui

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

Dramatic before-and-after satellite images from Maxar Technologies show the devastation in Lahaina, Maui, on Wednesday.Wildfires fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from Hurricane Dora killed 36 people and destroyed hundreds of homes and other buildings in the popular Hawaiian tourist destination. How to help victims of Hawaii wildfires The fire started Tuesday and took the island by surprise, racing through dry growth and leaving behind burned-out cars on once-busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood.This combination of satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Lahaina Square on Maui, Hawaii, on June 25, 2023, left, and an overview of the same area on Wednesday, Aug. 9, following a wildfire that tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island. (Maxar Technologies via AP)The flames left some people with mere minutes to act and led some to flee into the ocean.Officials said 271 structures have been damaged or destroyed...

ACC leaves Stanford, Cal in limbo

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

The Atlantic Coast Conference presidents chose not to vote Wednesday night on whether to add Stanford and California to the league, keeping the schools in limbo as they look for an escape from the crumbling Pac-12, two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the ACC nor the schools were speaking publicly about internal discussions.Both people stopped short of calling the league’s exploration of westward expansion dead after three days of meetings on the subject but added that it was clear getting the necessary 12 votes to add the Northern California schools would have been difficult.The ACC has also been looking at SMU, the Dallas-based school from the American Athletic Conference, as an expansion target. Cal and Stanford have been searching for a path from the Pac-12 to another Power Five conference for days, also reaching out to officials with the Big Ten, two people with knowledge of that situatio...

Bay Area high school football 2023: Where to find our complete preseason coverage

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

The Bay Area News Group is previewing each of the leagues in its coverage area — well over 100 schools — leading up to the start of the high school football season on the weekend of Aug. 24-26.We also are unveiling preseason all-BANG recognition at each position.If you have not already, please subscribe. Your contributions keep us going.Here is what we’ve published thus far, with a lot more to come throughout the entire school year.LEAGUE PREVIEWSOakland Athletic League: Top players, predicted order of finishBVAL West Valley: Top players, predicted order of finishBVAL Santa Teresa-Foothill: Top players, predicted order of finishBVAL Santa Teresa-Valley: Top players, predicted order of finishBVAL Mt. Hamilton: Top players, predicted order of finishPAL Lake: Top players, predicted order of finishPAL El Camino: Top players, predicted order of finishPAL Ocean: Top players, predicted order of finishTCAL Stone: Top players, predicted order of finishTCAL Rock: Top players, pred...

Preseason all-Bay Area News Group high school football 2023: Linebackers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

PRESEASON ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP LINEBACKERS(Listed in alphabetical order)Sosefo “Money” Akuila, Tennyson, 6-3, 240, seniorFirst-team all-Oakland Athletic League selection also played quarterback for Fremont-Oakland before transferring to Tennyson. Three-star prospect has offers from Cal, Arizona, BYU. Marley Alapati, Serra, 6-0, 205, seniorThe first of Serra’s three terrific linebackers had 41 tackles and two interceptions. Named WCAL outside linebacker of the year. Committed to play for Army. Zaire Calhoun, Liberty, 6-3, 205, juniorEarned first-team all-BVAL honors as a defensive lineman last season, but can also line up at linebacker. Had four sacks in just six games as a sophomore. Ben Coulter, Bellarmine, 5-11, 195, seniorLed all WCAL juniors in tackles with 98. Also had 13 TFL and grabbed two interceptions for NorCal Division 3-A champions. Drew Cunningham, De La Salle, 6-4, 225, seniorFirst-team all-EBAL Mountain Division selection had 56 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fu...

The Beginner’s Guide: How to Buy Crypto Safely and Efficiently

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

Sponsored ContentFor newcomers, the digital currency world feels like stepping into a different universe. The prospect of buying cryptocurrency may seem like a daunting venture. However, with some guidance and the right safety measures, this process can be as seamless as purchasing anything online. In this beginner’s guide, you will learn how to buy crypto safely and efficiently.Initial ConsiderationsEmbarking on a crypto journey begins with understanding the fundamentals. Like venturing into the Amazon rainforest, doing your homework before you tread this uncharted digital industry is crucial. In the crypto world, that translates into researching the various cryptocurrencies, assessing their credibility, and understanding their potential for future growth.It’s also crucial to know that the crypto universe extends beyond Bitcoin. Numerous other digital currencies—from Ethereum to Ripple—come with their own distinct features and potential. Knowledge is power, so ensure yo...

Larry Magid: Being courteous in your use of technology

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

Tech is all around us which is mostly good, but it can also lead to some not-so-good social interactions.Related ArticlesBusiness | Magid: Time to think about back-to-school devices and policies Business | Magid: Google’s back in the game with its new Pixel Tablet Business | Magid: Inexpensive speakers for outdoor listening Business | I joined Threads on Day 1. Here is my experience. It’s bad enough when someone’s phone rings during a meeting or at a theater, place of worship or other public place, but now I’m seeing reports about people watching videos or listening to audio through their speakers in movie theaters. I’ve seen reports of fights breaking out in movie theaters because someone was watching a YouTube video while their fellow patrons were trying to concentrate on Barbie and Ken.I often watch videos or listen to audio books on airplanes, but it wouldn’t occur to me to do so through my device’s spea...

Escape from Maui: Travelers at Bay Area airports share stories of escaping flames

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- As the deadly wildfires on Maui continue to burn Thursday, the widespread impacts are being felt right here in the Bay Area. Flight cancellations at Bay Area airports have upended vacation and travel plans. Many travelers returning from the island have come back with harrowing stories of narrowly escaping the devastation.Selin Uyarer arrived at SFO Thursday morning from Maui and was staying at an Airbnb on vacation with her family when the wildfires erupted. She says the Airbnb was destroyed completely. Fire causes heavy smoke near Port of Oakland “Staying in Lahaina in an apartment place. And then we were waiting for the storm to calm down, but it got really bad. And then the ceiling starts... the roof starts to fly off. And then we got the evacuation order. So, in the five minutes, we put everything in our bags and leave. And then we saw the smoke," said Uyarer, a San Jose resident. "It's gone. It's been totally burned. Those people have lost their homes...

Excitement for the first day of school in East Bay

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:12 GMT

SAN RAMON, Calif. (KRON) -- The San Ramon Valley Unified School District kicked off their first day of school on Thursday. Alamo Elementary School welcomed students back on campus with a welcome display. Classes started at 8 a.m. with Thursday also being a minimum day for students. Cancellations at SFO continue as wildfires in Maui rage on The school district wants to remind parents and students that class assignments and schedules can be found on the district's Infinite Campus portal. School officials are asking parents to be patient and park only in designated spaces both before and after school."We're really excited. We love our jobs. We love what we do," said Principal Bjorn Remmers, Alamo Elementary School. "We're going to be looking out for them and taking great care of them."