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Three-year-cruise becomes ‘the cruise that never ends’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

(CNN) — If the idea of spending three years on a cruise ship made you claustrophobic, it’s time to look away now.Life at Sea Cruises – which is due to depart in November for a three-year round-the-world cruise – reckons that people are so enthused by the idea of sailing around the world nonstop, that they’re going to continue the journey indefinitely, making it “the cruise that never ends.”The idea came about after the firm fielded inquiries from potential customers who were thrilled by the idea of the cruise, but couldn’t make the start date, Kendra Holmes, CEO of Miray Cruises – which owns and operates Life at Sea – told CNN.Individuals will still have to sign up for three years – but now they can start at any point in the itinerary, making it a rolling three-year cruise, rather than a set one.Not that latecomers will get a rehash of what they missed. To appeal to customers who want to stay on, the itinerary will continue to new destinations, rather than returning t...

Kristen Bell helps Boynton Beach schoolteacher’s project to add comfortable seating to classroom library

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — A Boynton Beach teacher became starstruck after his project to revamp his classroom library was featured by a film and TV star on her Instagram page.It’s a moment that fifth grade teacher Kenny Duane never saw coming.“I cannot believe I am actually being broadcast on her Instagram page,” he said. “Her” in this case is “Veronica Mars” and “Frozen” star Kristen Bell.“Back-to-school time, and I am so grateful to each and every educator who teaches my kid complex math and also encourages them not to pick their nose in public situations,” Bell said in an Instagram Reel.Bell shone a spotlight on Duane’s fundraiser to buy comfortable seating for his classroom library on her Instagram page, which has more than 15 million followers.“I was quite shocked, to be honest with you,” said Duane.“Mr. Duane’s classroom library seating project. He’s a fifth grade tea...

Orioles explode out of slump with 6-run inning to back ace Kyle Bradish in 7-3 win over Diamondbacks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

After Friday night’s loss, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was displeased with the quality of his hitters’ plate appearances against the Arizona Diamondbacks.“We haven’t been swinging the bat very well,” Hyde said. “We’ve got to do a lot more offensively.”Through three innings Saturday, not much had changed. Baltimore’s offense managed just two hits and no runs with four strikeouts and had scored only two runs in its past 18 innings.That slump ended the next inning.Seven straight Orioles recorded hits in the fourth inning to turn a two-run deficit into a four-run lead and propel Baltimore to a 7-3 victory. The six-run inning was more than enough for ace Kyle Bradish and his bullpen, which combined to hold the Diamondbacks to three runs on five hits.With one out in the fourth, Ryan O’Hearn started the rally with a 100.5 mph single to center field — the first of six batted balls hit harder than 99 mph, according to Statcas...

Chicago Cubs waste Javier Assad’s 8 shutout innings in a 2-1 walk-off loss to the Cincinnati Reds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

The often stoic Javier Assad screamed as he walked off the mound Saturday night at Great American Ball Park.He painted a 94.3-mph sinker on the inside edge to Cincinnati Reds left-handed pinch hitter Will Benson for the final out of the eighth inning. It completed eight shutout innings and a career-high 98 pitches for Assad. The Chicago Cubs offense, however, again failed to come through, setting up a 2-1 walk-off loss to the Reds.It marked the first time the Cubs (72-64) suffered back-to-back losses on walk-off hits since Aug 15-16, 2019. With the Reds’ win, they take the season series over the Cubs, a valuable tiebreaker for a potential postseason spot.Jeimer Candelario’s home run in the seventh was one of only five Cubs hits. Assad scattered seven hits, walked one and struck out seven.“I was staying confident, trusting myself, trusting in my pitches and trusting in the guys behind me,” Assad said through an interpreter. “I was executing my pitches an...

Santee Drive-In Theatre set to close after over half a century in business

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

SANTEE, Calif. -- After nearly seven decades in business, the longstanding Santee Drive-In Theatre is set to close its doors next year.Owners of the theater, which also daylights as a swap meet on select days, announced on Friday that the they will be officially shutting down in January 2024 -- leaving just one drive-in in all of San Diego County.The East County venue has faced significant difficulty in staying afloat in recent years amid rising costs for operation and a dwindling audience. Despite a slight bump in business during the pandemic, these issues have made the time-honored theater "no longer economically viable." ‘Parrotheads’ mourn: Jimmy Buffett’s last full concert performed in San Diego "We are facing a loss of customers, higher costs, equipment obsolescence, competition from streaming services, and the inability to show some of the newly released films," Susan Boyd, a member of the family who owns the drive-in, said in the statement. "Like movie theatres across the ...

Two arrested at Santee checkpoint for suspected drug DUI: SDSO

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

SANTEE, Calif. -- Two people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence at a DUI checkpoint in Santee Friday night, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office said.Over 784 cars drove through the checkpoint, according to SDSO, which was held from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the 9200 block of Carlton Hills Boulevard.About 46 vehicles were sent to a secondary checkpoint for evaluation, with 15 resulting in a DUI evaluation. No drivers were taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, authorities said. Two people were detained for suspected DUI drug offenses. 22 citations issued at DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista In addition to the DUI arrests, five drivers were cited for driving unlicensed or with a suspended license, SDSO said. Three more drivers received tickets for other vehicle code violations, including driving with an open alcoholic beverage container. Two vehicles were also towed for an undisclosed reason, SDSO said.This comes several hours into...

Pope joins shamans, monks and evangelicals to highlight Mongolia’s faith diversity, harmony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — With China’s crackdown on religious minorities as a backdrop, Pope Francis joined Mongolian shamans, Buddhist monks and a Russian Orthodox priest Sunday to highlight the role that religions can play in forging world peace, as he presided over an interfaith meeting highlighting Mongolia’s tradition of religious tolerance.Francis listened intently as a dozen faith leaders — Jewish, Muslim, Bahai, Hindu, Shinto and evangelical Christian among them — described their beliefs and their relationship with heaven. Several said the traditional Mongolian ger, or round-shaped yurt, was a potent symbol of harmony with the divine — a warm place of family unity, open to the heavens, where strangers are welcome.The interfaith event, held at a theater in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, came midway through Francis’ four-day visit to Mongolia, the first by a pope. He is in Mongolia to minister to one of the world’s smallest and newest Catholic communities and highlig...

Taiwan suspends work, transport and classes as island braces for arrival of Typhoon Haikui

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Taiwan suspended flights, rail transport and ferry services along with classes, outdoor events, and officials urged workers to stay home as the island prepared for the arrival of Typhoon Haikui later Sunday. The storm’s approach came as Typhoon Saola continued to weaken while moving along the Chinese coast, where 900,000 people and 80,000 fishing vessels had been moved to safety and most of Hong Kong and parts of the coastal mainland closed down businesses, transport and schools. Damage appeared to be minimal, however, and restrictions had largely been lifted by Sunday. Parts of Taiwan were already feeling the effects of Haikui’s heavy rain and high winds, and dozens of domestic flights were canceled, along with air services to Hong Kong and Macao. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 137 kph (85 mph), with gusts up to 173 kph (107 mph), according to the island’s meteorological bureau.Among events canceled was a hot air balloon festival in the central Taichu...

Two teens sought in west-end Etobicoke stabbing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

Police are searching for two teens following a stabbing in the west end of the city. Police were called to the area of Renforth Drive and Eringate Drive around 10:45 p.m. for reports a man had been stabbed. When they arrived they found one man suffering from stab wounds. He was taken to a nearby trauma centre in serious condition.Two suspects were seen fleeing the area. The first is described as Black, 17 years of age, between five-foot-eight and six-feet tall. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black pants. The second suspect is described as Black, 17 years of age, five-foot-nine with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a white tank top and black pants.

'It means a lot to the people': Annual Labor Day Parade moves to Pullman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:22 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago's Labor Day Parade kicked off on Saturday in a spot with a long-time history in America's labor movement.For the first time in years, the Pullman neighborhood was at the center of the city's celebration of American workers. Nearly 1.6M flyers expected at O’Hare, Midway over busy Labor Day weekend Bob Reiter, the President of the Chicago Federation of Labor, sees the long history of unions in the United States as a legacy that is very much part of the city."You know, Chicago is the home of the American labor movement," Reiter said.Ray Quiroz worked for the famed Pullman Rail Company from 1959 to 1981 alongside his brother Al."To me, it was fun working there," Ray Quiroz said. "Just a wonderful place to work, a wonderful, wonderful place to work because everyone got along with everybody." Chicago Football Classic makes its return this weekend The brothers are lifelong Pullman residents and say they are glad to see the parade move from the East Side to Chicago's f...