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‘Don’t put it off’: Cost concerns aren’t keeping Gen X, boomer travelers from the great getaway

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

This summer, WTOP is taking you on a tour and exploring how adults 50 and older are spending their travels.They may not be doing it for the ‘Gram, the likes or their followers, but older adults are visiting top travel destinations, and they’re not letting recent inflation get in the way of checking items off in their bucket lists.“Don’t wait,” said Sally Matts of Waldorf, Maryland. “Don’t think you can keep putting things off, because you never know.”Matts, 71, has become an avid traveler since her retirement. She is a Road Scholar travel ambassador who has been on nine trips planned by the nonprofit organization, which provides education travel programs for those 50 and older. With an upcoming trip to Spain this fall, Matts is among older adult travelers who plan to take trips, despite inflation limiting some globe-trotters.Matts agreed that travel has always been expensive, but she believes that even when inflation subsides, prices w...

Denver weather: Hot and mostly dry week, fire concern

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) —  Denver weather will move into a pattern of sunshine and hot temperatures reaching the 90s for most of this week. Winds will also be gusty, so fire danger is a concern. Weather today: Hot and breezyWe are heating up to the low 90s this afternoon, which is seasonal for this time of the year. There will be mostly sunny skies and breezy winds, but an isolated storm chance is possible through the evening. The wind is the main concern with the hot temperatures meaning high fire danger.The storm chance is at 20% Monday and a low severe risk, but there could be a few storms along the Eastern Plains with strong winds and hail. Looking ahead: Summer HeatHot, dry, and breezy winds continue for most of the week.An isolated storm chance returns Friday and for the weekend. This will help to cool temperatures a bit with highs in the 80s.

WingAI app uses artificial intelligence to revolutionize online dating experience

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WSVN) — Dating in the digital age can be a daunting task, with the challenge of striking up a conversation with a complete stranger. Recognizing this common struggle, Tyler Henkel, a software engineer, has developed a solution to help single people navigate the complexities of online dating.Henkel, who noticed a prevalent issue with generic and uninspiring opening messages, decided to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist users in making meaningful connections. He created an app called WingAI that serves as a virtual wingman on popular dating platforms.“I could tell that a lot of guys struggle with crafting compelling messages on dating apps. Their go-to lines, such as ‘Hey, what’s up?’ or ‘How’s it going?’ often fail to stand out,” explained Henkel. The app, which primarily targets male users, but also caters to women, aims to enhance the dating experience by generating personalized icebreaker ...

Senator Chuck Schumer calls for FDA investigation into high caffeine content of PRIME Energy drinks

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

New York (CNN) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called on the US Food and Drug Administration to investigate the high caffeine content of PRIME Energy drinks, which he claims are being targeted to children as “one of the summer’s hottest beverages for kids.”Schumer said cans of PRIME Energy drinks contain more than double the caffeine of a can of Red Bull and six times more caffeine than a can of Coca-Cola. He warned parents the drink is gaining popularity on social media. The company does not recommend the drinks for anyone under the age of 18, according to information on its website. Schumer claimed marketing for the beverage is tempting for minors.Speaking at a news conference in New York on Sunday, Schumer said, “This stuff called PRIME … at just 12 ounces PRIME has an eye-popping level of caffeine and that’s giving parents and doctors the jitters for the kids that are targets. Here’s the other problem, most parents haven’t even heard of this stuff that their kids are ...

Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak exchange warm words despite Ukraine tensions

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

LONDON — Joe Biden told Rishi Sunak he “couldn’t be meeting with a closer friend and a greater ally,” as the pair met briefly ahead of this week’s NATO summit in Vilnius.In a sit-down that ran to just 40 minutes, the U.S president and British PM reaffirmed what Biden called “rock solid” relations between the two countries — despite a number of geopolitical splits straining the coveted “special relationship.”The U.S. decision to arm Ukraine with cluster bombs — a controversial munition — opened a rift among NATO countries ahead of the summit, which kicks off Tuesday in Lithuania. Sunak said over the weekend that the U.K. “discourages” use of the weapons.The U.K. and U.S. also appear at odds over Ukraine’s aim to join NATO, a key theme of this week’s summit. In an interview Sunday, Biden said Ukraine is “not ready” to join NATO and that membership could only be considered once the war is over — whereas...

Dutch PM Mark Rutte is quitting politics

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Monday he would leave politics after the next election, following his government’s collapse last Friday.“On Sunday I decided that I will not be available as a leader for the VVD in the upcoming elections,” Rutte told the Dutch parliament Monday. After the Cabinet collapse late last week, Rutte said he still had the “energy and ideas” to continue, but this weekend he decided to put an end to his 17 years as leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). “I do this with mixed feelings, with emotions,” he said. “I love the team dearly. But it feels right.” As one of Europe’s veteran leaders, Rutte has been linked with a number of top jobs outside the Netherlands, including at NATO and the EU. But Rutte said Monday that he’s not interested in an international top job.Rutte will stay on as a caretaker prime minister until the elections in November. He said that “restraint is appropriate”...

Downpours, Localized Flooding

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

Giving the way the last 5 weeks have gone, today should come as no surprise. More showers and storms are in the forecast. However, this go around, there is a flood watch posted for a large portion of central and western Southern New England. The highest risk for flooding today will be across CT, western Mass and up into VT. In fact, in Vermont, an additional 3-6″ of rain on top of what’s fallen, will continue to produce significant/damaging flooding, washing out roads as streams and rivers rise rapidly. While the flooding rains won’t be as severe across eastern Mass and RI, there is the potential of some localized street/poor drainage flooding as showers and storms will be capable of producing, locally, a quick 1-2″ of rain. Those showers and storms will be in and out starting late morning, into the afternoon. We’ll also watch for the potential of a strong storm or two this afternoon with the potential for damaging gusts.Rain tapers off tonight, and ot...

Orioles reset: Félix Bautista has earned his All-Star reputation. Just ask the hitters who’ve faced him.

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

When a dominant new pitcher emerges, Kevin Kiermaier is eager to face him and see what the hype is about.The Toronto Blue Jays center fielder had that same reaction with Félix Bautista when the Orioles closer broke out as one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, and Kiermaier has now faced the towering right-hander four times.Does he still have that same enthusiasm?“I’d gladly never face him again,” Kiermaier said with a laugh.In his second major league season, Bautista is an All-Star, earning a trip to Seattle after a stellar first half in which he saved 23 games, posted a 1.07 ERA and put himself on pace to shatter strikeout records by punching out 18.0 batters per nine innings.Despite his surprise breakout last season, it’s not a mystery why Bautista is having the success he is. It’s mostly simple: He throws 100 mph and has a nasty splitter.“He’s one of the best closers in the game for a reason,” Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia said.But hitters around the league li...

Column: Home Run Derby — this year featuring Chicago White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr. — has eclipsed the All-Star Game as must-see TV

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

I recently relayed my idea for how Luis Robert Jr. could steal the show at Monday’s Home Run Derby in Seattle to one of his Chicago White Sox teammates.“That’s sick,” he replied.I wasn’t sure if he meant it was a cool idea or that I was disturbed, and since both were possibilities, I let it go. I then attempted to give my idea to Robert but was informed by his handler he was not talking that day. An attempt to interview Sox bullpen catcher Luis Sierra, who will be throwing to Robert in the derby, also was rebuffed.But if you see Robert walk out for the derby wearing the long coat and fedora that Sox players don after hitting home runs, remember where you heard it first. In fact all the contestants should have some similar kind of shtick, just as many teams do in dugouts.It is, after all, entertainment.A somewhat reluctant entrant into the derby, Robert originally said he was not interested in participating but changed his mind last week after some lobbying by fellow Cubans Randy Aro...

Luis Robert Jr. is the top seed in the Home Run Derby. Here’s what else to know — including how Cubs and White Sox players have fared.

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:56:51 GMT

Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. is the No. 1 seed in Monday night’s Home Run Derby at Lumen Field in Seattle.Here’s what to know about the event — including how Cubs and White Sox players have fared in the past.History of the eventESPN didn’t start airing the event live until 1994, but the derby actually dates to December 1959, when the major leagues’ best sluggers went to Wrigley Field — in Los Angeles, then home of the Pacific Coast League’s Angels — over a three-week period to take their hacks in “Home Run Derby,” a short-lived television show with Chicago native Mark Scott as host.The 30-minute show aired weekly for 26 episodes during the major-league season. Nine of the 19 players who participated in April 1960 — including Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Ernie Banks — went on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Of the 20 players who hit 25 home runs or more in 1959, Scott recruited all but four to compete on “Home Run Derby.”And of the 16 major-lea...