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Millions heading off for Memorial Day weekend as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

 AAA is projecting some 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend, a 7 percent increase over 2022. This year, 2.7 million more people will travel for the unofficial start of summer compared to last year, a sign of what’s to come in the months ahead.  “This is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000, when AAA started tracking holiday travel,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, in a statement. “More Americans are planning trips and booking them earlier, despite inflation. This summer travel season could be one for the record books, especially at airports.”  Nearly 3.4 million travelers are expected to fly to their destinations this Memorial Day, that’s an increase of 11 percent over last year. Air travel over the holiday weekend is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels, with 170,000 more passengers – or 5.4% more – than in 2019. Despite high ticket prices, deman...

After melanoma procedure, Orioles Hall of Famer Jim Palmer urges fans to get checked, wear sunscreen

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

During his Hall of Fame pitching career, Jim Palmer wore a cap only on the days he pitched.Palmer, 77, figures his time in the sun has caught up to him later in life. Earlier this week, Palmer, who spent the entirety of his 19-season career with the Orioles and now serves as a broadcaster for the team’s games on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, revealed on Twitter that he recently had melanoma, a form of skin cancer, near his right eye.Palmer said he had “three little freckles” underneath his bottom eyelid, prompting surgery April 8 that left scars underneath and next to his eye. In the procedure, known as Mohs surgery, thin layers of skin are removed until no cancerous tissue remains.The three-time World Series champion said he undergoes checks every three or so months, having also experienced skin cancer on his left shoulder and right arm over the past decade. He said he’s healthy now, but he wanted others to learn from his experience. Beyond his own scares...

Oman says a prisoner swap between Belgium and Iran is underway

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Oman said Friday a prisoner swap between Belgium and Iran was underway. The announcement by Oman state television did not identify the prisoners being swapped. However, Iran has been wanting Belgium to return a diplomat convicted of planning a bombing in France, while Belgium has been seeking the release of an aid worker held by Iran. “Those released were transferred from Tehran and Brussels to Muscat today, Friday, in preparation for their return to their countries,” the Omani report said. “The sultanate of Oman appreciated the high positive spirit that prevailed in the talks in Muscat between the Iranian and Belgian sides, and their keenness to settle this humanitarian issue.”Iranian state media did not immediately acknowledge Oman’s comments. The Belgian Foreign Ministry referred questions to the Belgian prime minister’s office, which could not be immediately reached. In January, Iran sentenced a Belgian aid worker named Olivier Vand...

Saudi, U.S report better adherence to Sudan ceasefire by warring forces after days of fighting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Saudi Arabia and the U.S. said Friday the warring sides in Sudan’s conflict are adhering better to a week-long ceasefire following days of sporadic fighting.The truce, brokered by Riyadh and Washington, went into effect Monday, but fighting continued in Khartoum and the western Darfur region. Particularly intense clashes flared up on Wednesday, the two countries said in a joint statement.The conflict in Sudan erupted in mid-April after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has killed at least 863 civilians, including at least 190 children, according to the most recent numbers from the Sudanese Doctors’ Syndicate.The week-long ceasefire is the seventh attempt at a truce after the others were violated. A new cross-party committee tasked with monitoring potential violations observed Wednesday the “use of artillery ...

Woman killed in overnight two-vehicle crash in Brampton

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

A woman is dead following an overnight collision between a jeep and a minivan in Brampton.Officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Bramalea Road and Sandalwood Parkway just after 2 a.m. Friday.Police tell CityNews a Honda Odyssey and a Jeep Wrangler collided in the intersection. The Jeep rolled over onto its roof as a result of the impact.A woman inside the Jeep was pronounced dead at the scene. Another woman was taken to hospital in stable condition.There is no word on what caused the crash.Police say the intersection will remain closed for several hours for the investigation and cleanup.

Spain takes action against racism after Vinícius case but punishing fans remains a challenge

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

MADRID (AP) — The attention brought by the latest case of abuse against Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has taken Spain to what could be a turning point in the fight against racism in soccer.Never before had local authorities acted so quickly to take action against fans who insulted players, and never before had soccer officials sanctioned a club so harshly for their fans’ racist behavior.Things have clearly changed since Vinícius threw the spotlight on Spain by pointing a finger, literally, at those who racially abused him last weekend in Valencia. But some of the challenges that existed before Vinícius’ case stirred Spain into action are still in place, especially when it comes to punishing fans criminally for their abuse.No one has ever gone to trial in Spain for racially abusing a player, and despite the unprecedented attention prompted by the recent Vinícius case, it may not be easy to get fans to start paying for their actions in court.Similar cases of abuse like the one f...

Stock market today: World markets higher as US government debt talks said to make headway

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

World markets were mostly higher Friday, lifted by optimism that Congress and the president will strike a deal to unlock a vote for lifting the U.S. government’s debt ceiling and avert a potentially calamitous default.U.S. futures and oil prices were little changed. Officials said President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy were narrowing in on a two-year budget deal that could unlock a vote for lifting the nation’s debt ceiling. The Democratic president and Republican speaker hope to strike a budget compromise this weekend. A two-year deal would raise the debt limit for that time, past the 2024 presidential election. As their price for raising the legal debt limit, Republicans have been demanding spending cuts the Democrats oppose. Germany’s DAX slipped 0.1% to 15,785.97 while the CAC 40 in Paris was up just over 1 point at 7,231.25. Britain’s FTSE 100 was also little changed, gaining 2 points to 7,573.21. On Wall Street, the futures for the Dow Jones Industria...

Israeli military: Palestinian man killed after alleged stabbing attempt in West Bank settlement

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Palestinian man was shot and killed on Friday after infiltrating a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army said.In a statement, the military said the man tried to stab a resident in the Tene Omarim settlement and was shot by an armed civilian. It said the infiltration had set off an alarm and soldiers were scanning the area. The Palestinian Health ministry confirmed the death but gave no further details.The settlement is located near Hebron, a flashpoint city in the southern West Bank that is a frequent site of friction between Palestinian residents and Jewish settlers.The incident occurred as Jews were celebrating Shavuot, a festival marking the day that Jews believe the Torah was given to Moses on Mount Sinai in Egypt.It was the latest in more than a year-long spate of violence in the West Bank. During that time, Israel has expanded near-nightly military raids throughout the area in response to an increase in Palestinian attacks. At least 1...

Weekend need to know: Doors Open Toronto, motionball Marathon of Sport; road/TTC closures

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

Doors Open returns to Toronto for the weekend, alongside the annual motionball Marathon of Sport event and a premier Call of Duty League tournament in the city.There are no scheduled subway closures this weekend but there are some platform reductions on Line 1 and a late opening on Line 2. There are also some new and ongoing road closures. Scroll below for those details.Here’s what’s going on this weekend:Top eventsDoors Open TorontoDoors Open weekend is back in Toronto. The annual event encourages people to check out well-known buildings and spaces in the city while learning about the city’s history for free.This year’s theme is called “City of Sound.”The theme focuses on how music and sound has helped shape the city with a program featuring performances, walking tours and insightful talks.The free, weekend-long celebration of architecture and public space will feature more than 150 sites for people to explore.Here are a few famous buildings and events...

Three dead, others missing after dinghy carrying migrants overturns near Greek holiday island

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:59 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Three people have died and up to 12 others are missing after a dinghy carrying migrants overturned near the Greek resort island of Mykonos, officials said.The incident in the Aegean Sea occurred early Friday. The search involving two rescue helicopter along with coast guard and private vessels was launched after two men, a Palestinian and a Syrian, swam to rocks near the shore and were spotted by authorities.The bodies of two adult women and an adult man were recovered at sea several hours later.Coast Guard spokesman Nikos Kokkalas said moderate winds were prevailing in the search area, adding that the incident occurred at around 6 a.m. off the northeast shore of Mykonos. The island is more than 150 kilometers (95 miles) from the closest point on the Turkish coast. Smugglers based in Turkey have frequently chosen open sea routes in recent years to try to avoid the heavily patrolled waters of the eastern Aegean where several large Greek islands lie close to the ...