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What travelers should know when visiting the Caribbean for the first time

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

Lacey Pfalz | TravelPulse (TNS)The Caribbean is a beautiful region of the world, but if you’re traveling to the area for the first time, a few tips will make your travels even better.So what do you need to know when traveling to the Caribbean for the first time?Not all islands are the sameBefore the title concerns you, know: this is a good thing!Firstly, entry requirements will differ depending upon where you’re traveling. Passports, for example, aren’t necessary when traveling to a U.S. territory such as Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are necessary for other islands, most of which are independent nations.Some island nations also require electronic travel forms or additional entry fees, so utilize your preferred travel adviser or do your due research.Don’t be confused by some names, too: Dominica is not the Dominican Republic, and there is a big difference between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.It’s important to do your research on these things ...

Prince Harry surprises guests at screening in Chula Vista

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Guests attending a private screening of the upcoming Netflix documentary series "Heart of Invictus" received a surprise Monday, an appearance by the Duke of Sussex himself.Prince Harry shocked attendees at the AMC 10 theater in Chula Vista, greeting guests and watching the screening with the crowd.The documentary series follows a group of athletes as they prepare for the 2022 Invictus Games, a sporting event founded by Prince Harry for wounded service members, according to Netflix.The screening was held for service members with the Navy Wounded Warrior Program, according to an Instagram from the USO.Harry spoke to the audience about the sacrifices veterans and their families make while serving their countries and how he didn’t have the support he needed when he returned home from combat in AfghanistanThe five-episode "Heart of Invictus" debuted on Netflix on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

Arrests made, victim identified in trolley stop stabbing

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Two suspects were arrested in connection to last week's fatal stabbing at a trolley stop in Logan Heights, said the San Diego Police Department.The victim -- now identified by authorities as 70-year-old Michael Goodin of San Diego -- suffered a stab wound to his chest near the Harbor Drive trolley around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.San Diego Police Homicide Detectives were called in and have been investigating the matter. SDPD says detectives have learned the victim got involved in a brief verbal argument with a small group of people in the moments before a fight broke out.   Brother of Encanto shooting suspect talks to FOX 5 During this altercation, authorities say the victim was stabbed at least one time in the chest and beaten. The suspect group reportedly fled the area.  Detectives have now identified 36-year-old Rafael Chavarria and 29-year-old Angelo Soto Vargas as suspects in this case, according to SDPD.&nb...

German-flair beer festival takes over Arctic Plaza at SeaWorld San Diego

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Imagine a German beer festival atmosphere in the midst of an aquatic and animal-focused amusement park -- that's what you can expect at SeaWorld San Diego's Arctic Plaza this weekend.The Craft Beer Festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Sept.1-3) for parkgoers looking to enjoy some live music while sipping one of several local brews that will be served. In fact, more than 100 domestic and local California craft beers, ciders and kombuchas will be sample ready. Some featured breweries include: Brazilian Day Festival coming to San Diego Mike Hess BrewingThorn Brewing Co.Pizza Port Brewing CompanyMother Earth Brew Co.Abnormal Brewing CompanyBallast Point Brewing CompanyHop Valley Brewing Co.Harland Brewing Co.Second Chance Beer Co.Stone Brewing Co.Golden Road BrewingKarl Strauss Brewing CompanyAccording to event organizers, the area will be decorated with festive banners, ribbons, and floral touches "to bring the space to life." Festivalgoers can...

California prison on generator power after wildfires knock out electricity and fill cells with smoke

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

A Northern California prison was on generator power for a second week and inmates were issued masks to cope with unhealthy air after wildfires knocked out electricity and choked the remote region with smoke. Dozens of lightning-sparked blazes have burned for weeks near Oregon, where the largest group, the Smith River Complex, has charred more than 115 square miles (298 square kilometers) of forest. Last week flames came within about 5 miles (8 kilometers) of Pelican Bay State Prison, but firefighters protected communities around the maximum-security lockup that houses about 1,600 inmates in Del Norte County, said Dev Khalsa, a spokesperson at the fire’s command center.“Unfortunately the smoke cover has been pretty thick,” Khalsa said. Air quality was unhealthy in the coastal area Wednesday, according to the U.S. Air Quality Index.Lingering smoke infiltrated Pelican Bay housing, where Terri Thompson Jackson’s husband, Jeffrey Jackson, is incarcerated. She became concerned...

Conservative judge seeks presidency of Israel’s high court in new challenge to embattled judiciary

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A junior conservative justice on Wednesday launched a bid to become president of Israel’s Supreme Court, an unprecedented move that legal scholars said is yet another challenge to the tribunal’s independence as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government advances with its plan to overhaul the judiciary.In Israel’s 75-year history, the committee that selects the president of the country’s top court has always nominated the most senior judge for the position. With the court’s current president, Esther Hayut, due to retire in October, Judge Yosef Elron’s decision to throw his name in the ring as her replacement represents a departure from tradition.Isaac Amit, the justice set to replace Hayut under the seniority system, is a liberal who has sat on the court for over a decade. Elron, who joined the court in 2017 and is considered its most conservative justice, is believed to be favored by Justice Minister Yariv Levi...

Wasaga Beach granted injunction against illegal car rally this Labour Day weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

An Ontario Superior Court judge has granted Wasaga Beach’s request for an injunction against an illegal car rally planned for the Labour Day long weekend.The ruling says promoting or attending this type of event violates a recently passed bylaw that prohibits vehicular nuisance events, known as the “car rally bylaw,” and under the injunction, provincial police are authorized to arrest anyone who ignores the court order.“The car rally can not in any way be compared to a lawful protest nor in my view could a car rally be equated with any of the Charter-protected rights of freedom of conscience, peaceful assembly, or freedom of expression,” Justice Edwards said in his ruling.“I can see no basis upon which the persons unknown who have published their intentions on social media have the right to violate the Town by law and trample on the rights of others.”The Georgian Bay town has been a popular hotspot for illegal car rallies since the pandemic ...

Locomotive manufacturer, union reach tentative deal to end 2-month strike

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — The country’s largest locomotive manufacturer and its striking union workers have reached a tentative agreement that could end a two-month strike that saw about 1,400 people walk off the job at its Pennsylvania plant.Pittsburgh-based Wabtec announced the agreement with Local 506 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America on Wednesday. The company said it calls for wage increases, improves the grievance process and provides other benefits, but it did not disclose specific details.The tentative agreement also maintains a two-tier wage system at the Erie plant that allows the company to pay new hires less money and gradually raises their pay to match those of so-called legacy employees, according to the Wabtec statement.A message seeking comment was left Wednesday afternoon for Scott Slawson, president of Local 506. It wasn’t immediately clear when a ratification vote may be held.Wabtec acquired the plant and the rest of General Electric Trans...

Liberals fight Republican attempt to boot Wisconsin Supreme Court justice from redistricting case

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Liberals argued in a legal filing this week that Republicans were trying to nullify the election of a Democratic-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court justice by asking her to recuse herself from hearing redistricting lawsuits that could result in drawing new legislative electoral maps.Attorneys in two separate redistricting cases filed arguments Tuesday objecting to the Republican-controlled Legislature’s request that Justice Janet Protasiewicz recuse herself. They argued that there was no legal or ethical obligation for Protasiewicz to step aside, despite her comments during the campaign that she thinks the current maps are “rigged” or because she accepted nearly $10 million from the Wisconsin Democratic Party.One motion objecting to Protasiewicz’s recusal argued that such a move would be unsupported by fact or law and “it would be contrary to her duties as a justice on the Supreme Court.”“Unhappy with this electoral result, which they could not prevent t...

Residents offered bus visits to their burned homes in and around West Kelowna, B.C.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:08 GMT

People whose homes were destroyed by the wildfire in and around West Kelowna, B.C., are being contacted to schedule escorted bus visits to assess the damage.Only people whose properties are completely destroyed or damaged to the point they’re uninhabitable will be invited to participate at this time, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre said in a statement on Wednesday.The process is aimed at ensuring people who have lost their homes “have the privacy, time and space to be the first to see their properties,” it said.Bus visits are being offered before officials lift any further evacuation orders in neighbourhoods ravaged by wildfire nearly two weeks ago, the centre added.People must remain on the bus during their visit, and not all properties will be visible from the bus, such as those with a long driveway, the statement noted.Regional staff, as well as RCMP and mental health professionals, will be present during visits to offer support to property owne...