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Travel: Crystal, a cruise line that went under during the pandemic, sails again

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

Twinkies, Toys R Us and Gymboree share the distinction of being beloved consumer brands that were euthanized by their parent companies, but resurrected under new ownership to the delight of distraught devotees.A cruise line being added to the list of brand favorites brought back from the dead is nothing short of a maritime miracle on the heels of a pandemic. But when the gorgeous Crystal Serenity pulled into Lisbon the other week, completing a 12-night maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, so returned industry darling Crystal Cruises (crystalcruises.com).For its ardent and affluent following, the 1 1/2 years spent lamenting over their loss must have been rough — not unlike being without one’s favorite cellophane-wrapped snack cake or pair of children’s retailers. The hardship could be felt all the way in South America. Several months ago, off the coast of French Guiana on another ultra-luxury cruise line, a senior-aged woman from California felt the need to tell a travel writer that s...

‘Pokemon Go’ new Party Play feature adds another reason to team up in real life

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

Niantic has always been big on bringing players together when it comes to their games. It’s a key pillar in the design of “Pokemon Go” and “Monster Hunter Now.” Players gather around events such as Raid Hour or hunt boosted spawns of a rare pink Rathian. They make friends face to face while accomplishing the goal of defeating a legendary Pokemon or carving parts from a rare creature.Now, the developer hopes to amplify that feeling togetherness through Party Play in “Pokemon Go.” The new feature, which comes out soon, lets players team up in groups of up to four and challenge each other to catch Pokemon, spin stops or do activities such as defeating raids. The new feature is available in the Trainer Profile under a new Party Tab. Once you create a party, it creates a numerical code or QR code so that nearby friends can scan or enter the numbers.Related ArticlesEntertainment | Review: ‘Forza Motorsport’ and ‘Crew M...

Suzanne Somers: Olivia Newton-John ‘taught me not to be afraid’ of breast cancer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

Following the death of Olivia Newton-John in August 2022, Suzanne Somers offered a special tribute to the singer, based on the “sisterhood” they both belonged to: Women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and lived with the specter of the disease for decades.“Everyone would want an Olivia Newton-John in their life,” Somers said in an interview with the Daily Mail last year. Somers, who was about to turn 77, died Sunday from breast cancer, a little more than a year after Newton-John’s death.MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Olivia Newton-John speaks to the media prior to the formal opening of the Olivia Newton John Cancer & Wellness Centre at Austin Hospital on September 20, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) The Australian singer and star of “Grease” was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, recovered and used that experience to become a well-known advocate for breast cancer r...

Travel Troubleshooter: Breeze Airways lost our bags. Can you help me find them?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: Breeze Airways lost my family’s checked luggage on a flight from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, Florida. It’s been four days, and we haven’t received an update from Breeze. Plus, there’s no way to get in touch with the airline. We’re missing two large suitcases and a car seat.Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter We would like to receive our lost luggage and be fully compensated for the clothes and necessities that we have had to purchase since losing our checked luggage. We would also like to be refunded the full amount of our airfare for this hardship.— Benjamin Wallis, Los AngelesANSWER: I’m sorry that Breeze lost your luggage. Most airlines have sophisticated tracking systems that are supposed to ensure your luggage gets delivered to you at the end of your flight. And considering that you’re paying Breeze a fee for your luggage, you should expect your bags to show up on the carousel promptly ...

Wish You Were Here: Adventures in Budapest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

Our globe-trotting readers have spent the last months traveling to destinations near and far. They’ve explored the Galapagos Islands, cruised the Mississippi River and traipsed through Viennese museums. And they’ve shared their experiences — and helpful travel tips — along the way.Now, two Sunnyvale residents are sharing their discoveries along the Danube.Wish You Were HereHUNGARY: Before boarding their Danube River cruise, Sunnyvale residents Sally MacDonald and Scott Gerken (pictured) spent four days in Budapest, which included a stop at a charming railway, Gyermekvasut. “The Children’s Railway is a 6-mile-long narrow-gauge railway that is used to teach the children about the railroad profession,” Scott says. “The railway is operated by children from 10 to 14 years of age under adult supervision. All positions, except train engineer, are staffed by children (who) work positions like ticket sellers, conductor, dispatcher.”Related Arti...

Monday Morning Lights: De La Salle-SRV rewind, early look at Serra vs. Riordan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

Welcome back to Monday Morning Lights, our weekly feature that sheds more light on the high school football weekend and peeks ahead to the new week. If you haven’t already, please subscribe. Your contributions keep us going.DLS VS. SRV: REWINDFor a big game to exceed the hype, a lot has to happen.Friday, a lot happened.De La Salle, playing on the road in Danville, survived San Ramon Valley’s incredible late-game rally from 15 points behind to win 33-27 in overtime.The Spartans’ 32-year unbeaten streak against North Coast Section opponents moved on. Barely.They are 265-0-1 against teams within their section since losing to Pittsburg in 1991, with Clayton Valley (tie, 2004) and San Ramon Valley (28-27 in 2016, OT on Friday) being the closest calls.Here are our takeaways:Playoff picture: When the game finally ended with DLS running back Derrick Blanche scoring on a 6-yard run in overtime, it was impossible not to think about a rematch in the NCS playoffs next month.But will that even m...

Nice player Atal investigated for “defending terrorism” after reposting antisemitic message

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

NICE, France (AP) — The Nice public prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation Monday targeting soccer player Youcef Atal on charges “of defending terrorism” after he shared an antisemitic message on social media. The prosecutor’s office said Atal is also being investigated for “public incitement to hatred or violence because of a particular religion.”Atal, who plays for French league club Nice and the Algeria national team, apologized after reportedly reposting and then deleting a video in which a Palestinian preacher made an antisemitic statement.French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo said Atal had relayed “appeals for violence.” Diallo said in a statement that he “condemns them with the greatest severity” and that the case will be handled by the federation’s ethics committee.Writing on Instagram, the defender said he understood that his post “shocked several people, which was not my intention.”Atal also said he condemns all forms of vio...

Organizaciones de DC urgen al gobierno detener los desalojos de migrantes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

La Red de Ayuda Solidaria para Migrantes denunció que más de 60 familias han sido desalojadas de refugios en DC, sin tener un lugar seguro para mudarse.“Me desalojaron. Llegué hace dos meses con mi esposa, mis tres hijos y aquí me dieron una ayuda momentánea”, afirmó el migrante venezolano, Israel Ravelo.Sin permisos de trabajo, ahorros ni empleo, Ravelo y su familia dicen que lograron que una buena samaritana les preste la sala de su casa para dormir por las noches, pero el día lo pasan en los alrededores de los refugios. Transportan decenas de migrantes a la casa de Kamala Harris Suspenden servicios de alojamiento para inmigrantes recién llegados a DC Por su parte, migrantes que prefirieron permanecer en el anonimato afirmaron que la policía estaría sacando a las familias bajo el argumento de que “el gobierno ya no está dando más recursos”.La Oficina de Servicios para Migrantes a través del Departamento de Servicios ...

France player who laughed during minute’s silence for war victims apologizes for ‘nervous laugh’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

PARIS (AP) — France defender Jean-Clair Todibo apologized Monday after he was filmed laughing during a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the war between Israel and Hamas and of a teacher killed in France by a suspected extremist.The minute’s silence was held before France’s 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Friday in a European Championship qualifier.Todibo said he had a “nervous laugh” after French media reported he had been asked by the French soccer federation’s ethics body to explain himself.“I don’t think I’m a disrespectful guy when it comes to these things. I had a nervous laugh, but in no way was I making fun of the current situation,” he told journalists ahead of Tuesday’s friendly match against Scotland.Todibo said that he was sitting in the stands, in the middle of opposing supporters.“Some made jokes and I laughed nervously,” he said. “In no way was I making fun of the situation.”France coach Didier Deschamps said Todibo came to see him to apologize,...

Crimson Coward bringing more Nashville Hot Chicken to Northern Va.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:38:00 GMT

Los Angeles-based Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken will be opening its second Northern Virginia location later this year. (Courtesy Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken)Los Angeles-based Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken, a fast-growing fast-casual chain, will be opening its second Northern Virginia location in Stafford in the Embrey Mill Town Center later this year.Crimson Coward opened its first Virginia location in Woodbridge in January. That restaurant recently won a Reader’s Choice Award from Prince William Living.Restaurant Management Group Mid-Atlantic, the local franchise operator, expects to open a total of 25 locations in Northern Virginia, and at least four locations in Maryland, the first of which opens in Baltimore early next year.The Stafford location will be the chain’s eighth location. Crimson Coward plans to grow to 200 locations across the U.S. by 2027.That is aggressive growth for the chain, which was founded in 2019 and started out selling its spice ...