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There's music to enjoy too, with Hannah Waddingham leading an Apple TV+ special and the annual Tabernacle Choir concert airing on PBS. Here's where — and when, in Eastern Standard Time — to watch this year's holiday TV bonanza. Hatcher offers a second holiday movie helping this season with a rekindling romance rom-com. The quintet portray former soap opera co-stars who come together for a live holiday special and play matchmakers with their producer and director. HOLIDAY TUNES“Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham taps into her musical theater background by hosting her own Christmas special for Apple TV+ called “ Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas."

Persons: Charlie Brown, ”, Melissa McCarthy's, Hannah Waddingham, Lori Loughlin, Teri Hatcher, Lacey Chabert, Denise Richards, Hatcher, Kate Hudson's “, Loughlin, James Tupper, Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, “, Joel McHale, Phoebe Robinson, Heather McMahan, Chris “ Ludacris ” Bridges, Eddie, Teyonah Parris, Nick, Lil Rel Howery, Santa Claus, Varun Saranga, Jean, Luc Bilodeau, Devyn Nekoda, Nadine Bhabha, Sarah Levy, Leighton Meester, Robbie Amell, “ EXmas, Graham, Ali, Scott Wolf, Jenn Lilley, Matthew Morrison, William DeVry, Chabert, Holly, Kristoffer Polaha, Bethany Joy Lenz, Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Nicollette Sheridan, Jonathan Bennett, Cherry, Vincent Rodriguez III, Erin Cahill, John Brotherton, James Denton, Catherine Bell, Tia Mowry, Kringle, Buddy Valastro, Melissa McCarthy, Paapa, Candace Cameron Bure’s, Natasha Bure, Natasha, Cheryl Ladd, Wolf, Andy Rooney, he’s, Rudolph, Red, “ Frosty, Frosty, Nick Jr, “ Bossy, Vic Michaelis, Bryan Greenberg, Ted Lasso ”, Broadway’s Lea Salonga, Sir David Suchet, Fox’s, Singer ”, ” alums, Nick Cannon, Jenny McCarthy, Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke, Nicole Scherzinger Organizations: Disney, Apple, Tabernacle Choir, Hulu, Amazon, “ Party, Hallmark, Hallmark Channel, Biltmore Estate, “ Ladies, Lifetime, Netflix, TBS, TNT, CBS, Paddington, London Coliseum, Tabernacle, PBS Locations: Peacock, Milwaukee, Santa, “, North Carolina, New York, Santa Claus

☆ Ecuador legislature begins new session, Noboa joins leftists for majority
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Members of Ecuador's National Assembly take part in a session, the first since President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the assembly, to elect a new head of the legislature, in Quito, Ecuador November 17, 2023. The legislature was dissolved in May by outgoing President Guillermo Lasso to avoid his own likely impeachment, bringing forward legislative and presidential elections scheduled for 2025. Analysts say the coalition could help Noboa ensure he is able to govern - unlike his predecessor Lasso - during his truncated term. Noboa, who won a runoff election in October to beat Correa's protégé Luisa Gonzalez, will be sworn in next week. Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Guillermo Lasso, Karen Toro, Daniel Noboa, Rafael Correa, Henry Kronfle, Noboa, ADN, Alfredo Espinosa, Fernando Villavicencio, Correa, Correa's protégé Luisa Gonzalez, Alexandra Valencia, Oliver Griffin, Richard Chang Organizations: Ecuador's National, REUTERS, Rights, National, Social Christian Party, PSC, Noboa's National Democratic, Thomson Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Rights QUITO

The 2023 Earthshot Prize winners:This year’s winners were chosen from a shortlist of 15 finalists by Prince William and the Earthshot Prize Council, chaired by Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate chief, who played a key role in negotiating the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. The Prince of Wales speaks with the winners of the 2023 Earthshot Prize following the awards ceremony on Tuesday night. Irwin added that the Earthshot Prize offers “hope,” which “is something we all need to hang on to.”The Singapore skyline was lit up in green to celebrate the Earthshot Prize on Monday. Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty ImagesFigueres, who is also an Earthshot Prize trustee, told CNN that it was “such a joy” to work with the Prince of Wales. The prince said he was “thrilled” to be in Singapore for the third Earthshot Prize ceremony and outlined his vision for supporting this year’s shortlist of finalists.

Persons: Wales, Prince William, “, ” William, Christiana Figueres, Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Ernest Gibson, Jack Ma, Prince, Chris Jackson, Nidhi Pant, Emily Owen, ’, Ted Lasso ”, Hannah Waddingham, Sterling K, Brown, Cate Blanchett, Nomzamo, Robert Irwin, OneRepublic, Irwin, ”, Hunter, Steve Irwin, Mohd Rasfan, Prince of Wales, William, we’ve, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Lee Hsien Loong, Catherine, Princess, Prince George Organizations: CNN’s Royal, Singapore CNN, Earthshot, Theatre, MediaCorp, Royal Foundation, WildAid, Technologies, S4S Technologies, CNN, ”, Voices, Getty, Figueres, BBC, PBS, Singapore, Jewel, HSBC Locations: Singapore, India, UN, Paris, Peru, South America, Hong Kong, South African, ”, AFP, Gardens, Kallang

☆ Ecuador's incoming president picks new finance chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Noboa, 35, has pledged to rebuild the South American country's ailing economy, create jobs and work to quell rising crime and violence largely blamed on organized crime. Moya will serve in a cabinet that the incoming president has pledged will feature an equal number of women and men. Noboa faces the challenge of a local economy that has struggled since the coronavirus pandemic, pushing thousands of Ecuadoreans to migrate. In October's run-off election, Noboa won about 52% of the vote, besting leftist adversary Luisa Gonzalez's 48% support. Reporting by Yury Garcia in Guayaquil; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Daniel Noboa, Guillermo Lasso, Noboa, Karen Toro, Sariha Moya, Moya, Luisa Gonzalez's, Yury Garcia, Sandra Maler Organizations: Ecuadorian, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Rights GUAYAQUIL, Noboa, United States, Guayaquil

☆ Colombia to send energy to drought-stricken Ecuador
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] View of the installations of Ecuador's hydroelectric power station Coca Codo Sinclair in Napo, Ecuador June 1, 2018. Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso said Colombia would provide 450 megawatts, helping Ecuador fill a 650-megawatt deficit due to low-producing hydro-electric plants amid the worst drought in 50 years. The drought, which the government attributes to the El Nino weather pattern, has affected the eastern and southern regions where 90% of Ecuador's hydro-electric plants operate. The countries are evaluating payment options, including Ecuador potentially providing energy to Colombia once its drought ends. "We're going to fill the deficit of Ecuador's energy demand," Petro said.

Persons: Sinclair, Daniel Tapia, Guillermo Lasso, Gustavo Petro, Lasso, Petro, Alexandra Valencia, Luis Jaime Acosta, Daina Beth Solomon, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, El, Colombian, Thomson Locations: Napo, Ecuador, Rights BOGOTA, Colombia, Bogota, Peru, Guayaquil

☆ Colombia to Send Energy to Drought-Stricken Ecuador
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia will sell geothermal energy to Ecuador to help the neighboring country avoid electricity cuts brought about by severe drought, the presidents of both countries said Saturday. Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso said Colombia would provide 450 megawatts, helping Ecuador fill a 650-megawatt deficit due to low-producing hydro-electric plants amid the worst drought in 50 years. The countries are evaluating payment options, including Ecuador potentially providing energy to Colombia once its drought ends. Lasso said Peru would export another 50 megawatts to Ecuador, and Guayaquil business leaders with thermal plants have the ability to provide another 100 megawatts. "We're going to fill the deficit of Ecuador's energy demand," Petro said.

Persons: Guillermo Lasso, Gustavo Petro, Lasso, Petro, Alexandra Valencia, Luis Jaime Acosta, Daina Beth Solomon, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: El, Colombian Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Ecuador, Bogota, Peru, Guayaquil

☆ It's not just you. It seems like practically every streaming service got more expensive in the last year.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Apple is raising the price of a subscription to its streaming platform Apple TV+. Apple is raising the price of a monthly subscription to its streaming platform Apple TV+, the home of "Ted Lasso" and "The Morning Show. It's not the only streaming platform that's upping its subscription price. Hulu's ad-free tier went from $14.99 per month to $17.99, and a monthly subscription to Disney+'s ad-free tier increased from $10.99 to $13.99. Before HBO Max and Discovery+ merged to become Max in May, HBO Max raised its ad-free subscription price one dollar to $15.99.

Persons: —, Ted Lasso, Apple, Mac, It's, Bob Iger, Iger, Matt Turner, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Max, HBO Max Organizations: Apple, Netflix, Service, Disney, Hulu, Street Journal, Warner Bros, Discovery, HBO Max, HBO

☆ Apple TV+ is raising prices and expanding its content ambitions — here are the shows and movies it wants now, per leaked Hollywood agency documents
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple TV+ is a small but influential player in the streaming wars. And Apple has signaled it wants to grow its streaming content slate at a time when other media companies are contracting. Apple is "always looking" for films that "highlight humanity," according to one of the agency documents. As a side hustle of a massive retail business, Apple TV+ can fly under the radar, insulated from economic pressures that have roiled the entertainment business. (Apple TV+ was the first streamer to win the best picture Oscar, in 2022, for "CODA," which it acquired at the Sundance Film Festival).

Persons: Martin Scorcese's, Reese Witherspoon, Apple, execs, Apple hasn't, Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso, Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen, Jon Stewart's, Isaac Asimov's, John Krasinski, Stephen Curry, Ridley Scott's, Napoleon, They're Organizations: Apple, Netflix, Disney, New York Times, Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, New England Patriots, Sundance Locations: China

☆ Apple Raises TV Streaming Price to $9.99
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Joseph De Avila | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A scene from Apple TV+ show ‘Ted Lasso.’ Photo: Colin Hutton/Associated PressApple is raising the monthly price of its TV streaming service to $9.99, joining Netflix, Disney and other companies that have recently increased prices. The iPhone maker is increasing the monthly cost of Apple TV+ by $3. It is also raising prices for Apple Arcade, its videogame service, and Apple News+.

Persons: Ted Lasso, ’, Colin Hutton Organizations: Apple, Associated Press Apple, Netflix, Disney, Apple Arcade

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Daniel Noboa has managed to do what his father failed at five times: Getting elected as Ecuador’s president. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesAnd as he is getting a truncated term, Noboa faces a daunting task. He cut his term short when he dissolved the National Assembly in May as lawmakers pursued impeachment proceedings against him over alleged improprieties in a government contract. His political career began in 2021, when he got a seat in the National Assembly and chaired its Economic Development Commission. The younger Noboa's party will not have have enough seats in the National Assembly to be able to govern on its own.

Persons: — Daniel Noboa, ”, Will Freeman, “, Guillermo Lasso, Noboa, Luisa González, Rafael Correa, González, Ecuadorians, Fernando Villavicencio, themslves, Álvaro, Lasso, Julio Ricaurte, Villavicencio, Correa, Rosa Amaguaña, ” Amaguaña, ” ___ Garcia Cano Organizations: American, Voters, Council, Foreign Relations, National Assembly, Corp, Economic Development Commission, National Police, Assembly Locations: QUITO, Ecuador, U.S, “, Quito, Noboa, Colombia, Peru, Mexican, wife’s, Belgium, Caracas, Venezuela

☆ Businessman Noboa to face economic, security hurdles as Ecuador president
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We do not anticipate the Noboa administration will be in the position to carry out deep structural reforms." Noboa is set to take office in December and complete the current administration's term through May 2025. Noboa will need to ensure some quick security wins during his first 90 days in office to appease social and political pressures, JPMorgan added. Noboa, Ecuador's youngest president in recent history, would be able to run again in the regularly scheduled 2025 contest. Noboa made a special point to woo young people, with some supporters touting his victory as a fresh start for the country's politics.

Persons: Daniel Noboa, Noboa, Luisa Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Ecuadorean, Goldman Sachs, Fernando Villavicencio, Alvaro, Guillermo Lasso, Lasso, Alexandra Valencia, Rodrigo Campos, Julia Symmes Cobb, Gerry Doyle, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Wall Street, JPMorgan, El, National Democratic Action, Thomson Locations: QUITO, American, Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador's

QUITO/GUAYAQUIL, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Business heir Daniel Noboa on Sunday won Ecuador's presidential election, vowing to rebuild the South American country, which is struggling with a weak economy and rising crime and violence. "From tomorrow Daniel Noboa starts work as your new president," he added. "Daniel Noboa, our profound congratulations, because this is democracy," Gonzalez told supporters in Quito, calling on Noboa to fulfill his promises to students and the elderly. [1/16]Ecuadorian presidential candidate Daniel Noboa and his wife Lavinia Valbonesi celebrate his win in the presidential election, in Santa Elena, Ecuador. Analysts have said a Noboa victory initially could be perceived as positive by investors, but longer-term outlook will depend on his cabinet appointments.

Persons: Daniel Noboa, Noboa, Fernando Villavicencio, Alvaro, Luisa Gonzalez, Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Lavinia Valbonesi, Santiago Arcos, Eduardo Chavez, Diana Atamaint, Correa, Guillermo Lasso, Alexandra Valencia, Yury Garcia, Tito Correa, Rodrigo Campos, Julia Symmes Cobb, Diane Craft, Bill Berkrot, Deepa Babington, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Sunday, Ecuadorian, Santiago, National Democratic, Thomson Locations: QUITO, GUAYAQUIL, American, Ecuador, Olon, Quito, Santa Elena, Guayaquil, Sucumbios, Nicaragua, Russia, Belarus, Israel, Canuto, New York

Voter turnout was “historic” at 82.33% despite initial security concerns, Ecuador’s National Electoral Council president Diana Atamaint said after polls closed Sunday. “We will inform the country of the first results as the votes are processed,” she said. Ecuador’s Interior Minister Juan Zapata also assured the country in a news conference that there had been no security incidents to report. “Governing Ecuador right now is hell – this presidency is designed to eliminate you from political life,” Freeman said. The new president will have relatively little time to work on a solution to the country’s woes.

Persons: Luisa González, Daniel Noboa, Fernando Villavicencio, Diana Atamaint, “, Atamaint, Juan Zapata, Guillermo Lasso, ” Will Freeman, Rafael Correa, González, César Ortiz, Ortiz, ” Freeman Organizations: CNN, Electoral, Nacional, Council, Foreign Relations, Movimiento Revolución Locations: Ecuador, Sucumbios, America, Belgium, Peru, Colombia, Europe, Quito

☆ How F1 and ‘Drive to Survive’ are changing way we watch sports
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Leah Asmelash | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“Hard Knocks” is a docuseries that focuses on a single NFL team as it prepares for the upcoming NFL season. F1 is already a dangerous and exciting sport on its own, but “Drive to Survive” transforms it into a soap opera. By the end, hopefully, they’re consuming the product; in this case, actually watching the live sport. But his strength on the field isn’t why Travis Kelce is a household name. In last season’s Super Bowl, Travis Kelce went head-to-head against brother Jason Kelce, when the Chiefs faced the Philadelphia Eagles.

Persons: “ I’ve, it’s, Michael Jordan, Travis Vogan, Vogan, ” Vogan, Aaron Rodgers, isn’t, It’s, They’re, ”, “, Lewis Hamilton, Tom Brady’s, Sergio Perez’s, James Gay, Rees, “ It’s, ” Gay, weren’t, ” Haas, Mick Schumacher, Patrick T, Fallon, Cody Havard, Woods, Williams, Lance Armstrong, they’ve, “ They’re, they’re, Travis Kelce, Kelce, Jason Kelce, Travis, Taylor Swift, Swifties, Swift, David Eulitt, ‘, ’ ” Havard, There’s, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Rory McIlroy, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, ” Havard, Havard, Patrick McElhenney, Ted Lasso ”, Hannah Waddingham, “ Ted Lasso, — she’s, Marshawn Lynch Organizations: CNN, Sports, Studios, Chicago Bulls, Covid, NFL, HBO, Warner Bros ., NFL Films, University of Iowa, New York Jets, Netflix, Films, PGA Tour, de, Formula One United, Prix, Getty, University of Memphis, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Wrexham AFC, Welsh soccer, Los Angeles Lakers, AFC Richmond, Manchester City, West Ham United, English Premier League, Fox Locations: Europe, China, Brazil, Mexico, Austin , Texas, ”, Formula One United States, Wrexham, Welsh, United States, “

☆ Ecuadoreans weigh economic, security pledges in presidential ballot
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The violence, which the outgoing government blames on drug gangs, reached a crescendo during the campaign with the murder of anti-corruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was shot dead while leaving a Quito campaign event in August. He is the son of multimillionaire banana magnate Alvaro Noboa, who himself ran unsuccessfully for president numerous times. "So while the first reaction is positive, because he's a pro-business candidate, pro-business and pro-markets can mean two different things." Both have pledged to beef up security at ports and airports, hot spots for drug smuggling. About a quarter of the 13 million Ecuadoreans obliged to vote are between the ages of 18 and 29.

Persons: Ecuadoreans, Fernando Villavicencio, Daniel Noboa, Luisa Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Gonzalez, Alvaro Noboa, Guillermo Lasso, Zulfi Ali, Ali, he's, Correa, Noboa, Alexandra Valencia, Rodrigo Campos, Julia Symmes Cobb, Diane Craft Organizations: Voters, PGIM, Correa's Citizens, National Democratic, Thomson Locations: QUITO, Quito, Guayaquil, New York

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Frightened by unprecedented violence on the streets and within prisons, Ecuadorians have a universal demand for the president they are choosing Sunday — safety. The runoff election in the South American country pits an heir to a banana empire, Daniel Noboa, against an attorney, Luisa González. The election comes as more Ecuadorians become victims of drug-related violence that erupted roughly three years ago and intensified in August, when a presidential candidate was assassinated in broad daylight. Lasso, a conservative former banker, clashed constantly with lawmakers after his election in 2021 and decided not to run in the special election. The next president must be able to do even something small.”___Gonzalo Solano contributed to this report from Quito, Ecuador.

Persons: Daniel Noboa, Luisa González, Guillermo Lasso, Lasso, demagoguery, Julio Ricaurte, ”, Rafael Correa, Correa, Rosa Amaguaña, “, ” Amaguaña, ” ___ Gonzalo Solano Organizations: Sunday, National Assembly, Lasso, National Police, Assembly, Economic Development Commission, Corp Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela, American, Ecuador, Quito, “

☆ Ecuador Banana Heir Daniel Noboa Hopes to Fulfill Father's Presidential Dreams
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Gonzalez won an August first round with 34%, while Noboa came a surprising second with 23%. Noboa has also promised job creation, particularly for young people, and spent significant time campaigning at universities. He would boost employment through investment in strategic sectors and vocational training for job hunters, Noboa has pledged. Noboa resigned from a management position at his family's corporation to enter politics, winning a legislature seat in 2021. Noboa, a married father of two, frequently appears in videos on social media dancing and singing or DJ-ing music at his political rallies.

Persons: Alexandra Valencia, Daniel Noboa, Alvaro Noboa's, Luisa Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Gonzalez, Noboa, Fernando Villavicencio, Guillermo Lasso, Janeth Tayo, Oliver Griffin, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Alexandra Valencia QUITO Locations: Ecuador, Guayaquil, Sangolqui, Quito

Cocaine is also increasingly found in shipments of tuna, as well as hidden in hollowed-out pineapples and stashed amid sugar, police say. The security situation in Ecuador has sharply deteriorated in recent years, one factor in South America's migrant exodus. Police have seized some 50 tonnes of drugs so far this year at the country's two principal ports. The percentage of searched banana shipments which contained cocaine has fallen this year, but it is still very high - at 57% in 2023, from 70% in 2022, according to police figures. There is evidence some drugs may be being displaced elsewhere, with the amount of searched tuna shipments containing drugs rising to 9% from 3%.

Persons: Vicente Gaibor del Pino, Pablo Ramirez, Daniel Noboa, Luisa Gonzalez, Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Noboa, Alvaro Noboa, Guillermo Lasso, Lasso, Jose Hidalgo, Ramirez, hadn't, " Ramirez, Alexandra Valencia, Yury Garcia, Julia Symmes Cobb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Police, Reuters, U.S . Coast Guard, Ecuador's, Thomson Locations: Guayaquil, Ecuador, Rights GUAYAQUIL, QUITO, South, Europe, Quito, United States, Sierra Leone, Hong Kong

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former baseball MVP Steve Garvey joined the race Tuesday to succeed the late California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, giving Republicans a splash of star quality on the ballot in a heavily Democratic state where the GOP hasn’t won a Senate race in 35 years. He did not answer directly when asked if he considered himself part of the Trump wing of the GOP. In California's last two Senate races, GOP candidates performed so poorly that only Democrats appeared on the November ballot. The last Republican to win a Senate race in the state was in 1988. Garvey confirmed in June that he was considering entering the Senate race, and his candidacy was widely expected.

Persons: Steve Garvey, California Sen, Dianne Feinstein, GOP hasn’t, Garvey, Donald Trump, “, ” Garvey, “ It’s, Trump, ”, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee, Sen, Laphonza Butler, Gavin Newsom, Joe Biden’s, Wade, Republicans —, haven't, Eric Early, “ We're, wasn't, I’ve Organizations: ANGELES, Republicans, GOP, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Democrats, Trump, National League MVP, Democratic U.S, Reps, Republican, Democratic, Senate, Dodger Locations: California, Mexico, U.S

☆ Ecuador Investigates Prison Agency After Killings of Suspects in Candidate Assassination
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Ecuadorean authorities said they initiated the investigation because SNAI did not carry out a pending order to transfer the inmates for security reasons. Villavicencio, a prominent journalist who exposed corruption and organized crime, was gunned down while leaving a campaign event in August, bringing the country's rising violence to the spotlight this campaign season. On Friday, six of the suspects, who were identified by authorities as Colombian nationals, were killed in a prison in Guayaquil. The Colombian government condemned the killings and offered its support to Ecuadorean investigators in a statement on Saturday. The second round run-off vote will be held on Oct. 15, ending an election cycle marred by the South American country's rising violence.

Persons: Fernando Villavicencio, SNAI, Guillermo Lasso, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Franklin Paul Organizations: Reuters, Police, South Locations: Guayaquil

☆ Ecuador investigates prison agency after killings of suspects in candidate assassination
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Persons: Fernando Villavicencio, SNAI, Guillermo Lasso, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Franklin Paul Organizations: Police, South, Franklin Paul Our, Thomson Locations: Guayaquil

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — A seventh man accused in the August assassination of an Ecuadorian presidential candidate was killed inside a prison in Ecuador's capital, authorities said Saturday, a day after six others allegedly linked to the crime were slain in a different lockup. The killing of the seven suspects happened a little more than a week before Ecuador holds a presidential runoff election and as officials struggle to explain how this was possible. The prison system said in a press release that the man killed was being held at a prison in Quito, Ecuador’s capital. Six Colombian men charged in the Aug. 9 assassination of Fernando Villavicencio were killed Friday inside a prison in Guayaquil. He had reported being threatened by affiliates of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, one of the many international organized crime groups operating in Ecuador.

Persons: —, Fernando Villavicencio, Guillermo Lasso, Villavicencio, Luisa González, Daniel Noboa Organizations: Ecuadorian Locations: QUITO, Ecuador, Ecuador's, Quito, Ecuador’s, Guayaquil, Sinaloa

☆ Six suspects in assassination of Ecuador candidate murdered in prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The killings took place in a penitentiary in Guayaquil, the South American country's largest city, the attorney general's office announced earlier on Friday. A seventh suspect, also Colombian, was shot and killed by police, while other suspects were later arrested. The second round run-off vote is scheduled for Oct. 15, the culmination of an election cycle marred by numerous incidents of violence. She has said that surging crime is unprecedented and that voters should not allow "terror" to stop them from voting for change. Reporting by Julia Symms Cobb; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Fernando Villavicencio, Ecuador's, Guillermo Lasso, Daniel Noboa, Luisa Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Julia Symms Cobb, David Alire Garcia, Robert Birsel Organizations: American, Police, Thomson Locations: Guayaquil, Quito, Colombian

☆ Ecuador polls predict close race for presidency
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Noboa, 35, would win 41.5% of total votes, including blank and void ballots, while Gonzalez, who led the first round of voting, would garner 36.4%, according to polling firm Comunicaliza. The survey, conducted this week, included 5,265 people and had a margin of error of 1.35%. Some 17% of the 3,000 people polled are still undecided, while 5.3% would hand in protest ballots, Negocios & Estrategias said. This contest was called by current President Guillermo Lasso after he dissolved the legislature to avoid impeachment. Reporting by Alexandra Valencia Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb Editing by Chris Reese and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Daniel Noboa, Luisa Gonzalez, Noboa, Alvaro Noboa, Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Alvaro Marchante, Estrategias, Maluk Resarch, Guillermo Lasso, Alexandra Valencia, Julia Symmes Cobb, Chris Reese, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Negocios, Noboa, Thomson Locations: QUITO

☆ Ecuador presidential rivals agree tough stance on crime, differ on economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Leftist Luisa Gonzalez, a lawyer and protege of former president Rafael Correa and young businessman Daniel Noboa will compete in a run-off vote on Oct. 15. Gonzalez won the first round with almost 34% of the votes while Noboa took a surprise second place. Both candidates promised in Sunday's debate to get tough on organized crime gangs, to strengthen the security forces and to seek international help to tackle spiraling insecurity. Gonzalez pledged to boost oil production and reiterated plans to inject $2.5 billion of international reserves into the economy. However, he also clarified that a previous proposal to use $1.5 billion of international reserves was for worst-case scenarios only.

Persons: Luisa Gonzalez, Daniel Noboa, Karen Toro, Rafael Correa, Gonzalez, Noboa, Guillermo Lasso, Alexandra Valencia, Oliver Griffin Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, El, Thomson Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Rights QUITO

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