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Solo trips or ‘gramping?’ How older adults travel is changing

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

Many tour companies are creating experiences for the solo traveler. (Courtesy Road Scholar/Alyssa Bichunsky)This summer, WTOP took you on a tour and explored how adults 50 and older are spending their travels.This fall, Sally Matts is going to Spain. Since her retirement as a human resources professional, the Waldorf, Maryland, woman has become an avid traveler, going on several trips in the U.S. and abroad.“Don’t wait,” said Matts, 71, who is an ambassador with Road Scholar, an organization that specializes in travel for those 50 and older. “Don’t think you can keep putting things off, because you never know.”One thing she said she wished she did more of was travel with her husband, who passed away in his early 60s.“I was still working, and I feel bad that I can’t be traveling with him. I kind of wish we had traveled more,” Matts said. “It would have been nicer if we’re still able to do stuff together. Do some of these trips together.”While Matts wishes she had a travel...

The spotlight in the Alabama-Texas game will be squarely on the 2 QBs, Quinn Ewers and Jalen Milroe

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

Jalen Milroe’s first coveted jersey growing up in Texas was Vince Young’s No. 10. Nowadays, he is apt to end his media interviews with an enthusiastic “Roll Tide.”Quinn Ewers lifted Longhorns fans’ hopes that they had found another star passer like Young or Colt McCoy with his dazzling start in last year’s Alabama game.Milroe, the third-ranked Crimson Tide’s dynamic new starting quarterback, and Ewers of No. 11 Texas will lead their teams into Saturday night’s showdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Not Young, Bryce or Vince.“Vince Young is someone I did watch, as far as highlights,” said Milroe, who is from Katy, Texas, outside Houston. “My family loved Vince Young. Growing up, I was always a Vince Young fan. He was my first jersey that I bought.”Like that Young or Milroe’s predecessor, No. 1 NFL draft pick Bryce Young, quarterbacks at these programs will ultimately be judged by how they perform in games like this one.Milroe especially hasn’t been tested on this stage before, though he d...

Injured Man United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat pulls out of Morocco squad for African Cup qualifying

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat pulled out of Morocco’s upcoming international games because of injury, the Premier League club said Friday.Amrabat, who completed a loan move to United from Fiorentina last week, will return to the club’s Carrington training base for rehabilitation work on an unspecified problem.He was due to make his 50th appearance for Morocco, which plays Liberia in an African Cup qualifier on Saturday. The World Cup semifinalists then play Burkina Faso in a friendly on Tuesday.Morocco coach Walid Regragui called up Yahya Jabrane to replace Amrabat for the games.United manager Erik ten Hag will hope his new signing will be ready for the team’s upcoming game against Brighton on Sept. 16.United has had a rough start to the season. The team lost two of its first four league games and Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane are all injured. Also, Rasmus Hojlund missed the start of the campaign because of an ex...

El presidente de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, llega a China para reunirse con Xi Jinping

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

(CNN Español) — El presidente de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, visita China este viernes tras una invitación de su homólogo Xi Jinping, informó en un escueto comunicado el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de China.Sin brindar detalles, la Cancillería china dijo que la visita será hasta el 14 de septiembre.Por el momento, el Gobierno venezolano no ha proporcionado más información sobre la visita de Maduro. CNN está intentando obtener más detalles, pero aún no ha tenido respuesta.Análisis: La ausencia prevista de Xi en el G20 podría formar parte de un plan para remodelar la gobernanza mundialSin embargo, este jueves, la vicepresidenta de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, sostuvo una reunión en Beijing con el máximo representante diplomático de China, Wang Yi, según informó el medio estatal de Venezuela VTV.Rodríguez, según VTV, “cumple una agenda de trabajo para continuar fortaleciendo las relaciones de hermandad y cooperación con el gigante asiático, socios comerciales y aliados estr...

Hooker Furniture: Fiscal Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Hooker Furniture Corp. (HOFT) on Friday reported net income of $785,000 in its fiscal second quarter.On a per-share basis, the Martinsville, Virginia-based company said it had profit of 7 cents.The home furnishings company posted revenue of $97.8 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on HOFT at https://www.zacks.com/ap/HOFTSource

Japan gives flanker Shimokawa first start in Rugby World Cup opener against Chile

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

TOULOUSE, France (AP) — Rookie flanker Kanji Shimokawa will make his first start for Japan against Rugby World Cup debutant Chile on Sunday in Toulouse.Shimokawa was picked ahead of Shota Fukui, who started against Italy in the last warmup two weeks ago, and in the absence of Pieter Labuschagne, who was suspended for this match.Shimokawa has less than 80 minutes of test rugby but impressed off the bench against New Zealand in October and Fiji in August.Japan’s second row issues appear to have been resolved by Amato Fakatava, who starred in the Pacific Nations Cup and quickly overcame a foot injury to be a late selection, and Jack Cornelsen, who has been a back-rower for club and country this year but was restored to lock against Italy.Rikiya Matsuda has the No. 10 jersey after playing behind Yu Tamura at the 2019 home World Cup and then was overtaken this year by Seungsin Lee.Semisi Masirewa at fullback, and Kotaro Matsushima, on the right wing, have swapped positions.Keita In...

Brock Purdy’s wild NFL ride leads to a Week 1 start at QB for 49ers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy has been on quite a ride since entering the NFL as the final pick of the 2022 draft.Purdy worked his way onto the San Francisco 49ers’ roster as a rookie, then went on a storybook late-season run when forced into action by injuries only to sustain a serious injury to his throwing elbow in the NFC championship game.Now after a grueling offseason of rehabilitation and building back his arm strength, Purdy is set to start his second season in the NFL as the starting quarterback for one of the Super Bowl favorites. “Honestly, there’s some moments where I’m able to sort of step back and be thankful for everything and whatnot, but at the same time it’s like, man, there’s a lot in front of me that I’m trying to handle and prepare for,” Purdy said Thursday. “Obviously with this game coming up and then really this whole offseason it’s been about my arm, getting it right, getting healthy, so I’m … not trying to get caught up in to...

Takoma Park toy store focuses on ‘the playful at heart’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

WTOP is proud to spotlight the many small businesses that make up the D.C. region as part of our Small Business September coverage. The Small Business September series is brought to you by EagleBank.Running a local toy store can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, especially when it offers a unique blend of nostalgia, creativity and community engagement.That is the atmosphere at Fair Day’s Play, a toy and game store along Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland.“We’re always trying to find different ways for families to come together or for different age groups to come together and have fun,” said Lisa Ripkin, the store’s owner. “We also sell things for an individual to work on themselves, which includes workbooks for kids.”Stepping into Ripkin’s business can transport customers back to their childhood.Seeing both children and adults smile as they explore shelves filled with toys, board games and puzzles is a heartwarming ex...

Broward County prepares for fallen officer’s procession in tribute to Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

Broward County stands united in solemn anticipation as it prepares to bid farewell to Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The fallen officer’s procession is scheduled to take place following an early morning service on Friday at the LC Pointer Funeral Home. Battalion Chief Jackson, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on August 28, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief, honoring his dedication and unwavering commitment to serving the community.Amidst the grief and reflection, Broward County officials are moving to acquire a new state-of-the-art helicopter for the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO). This decision comes in response to the catastrophic helicopter incident, which not only claimed Battalion Chief Jackson’s life but also that of Lurean Wheaton, a 65-year-old resident living in an apartment complex in Pompano Beach. The county’s resolve to replace the aircraft emphasizes...

Investigation underway after inferno engulfs Miami mechanic shop

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:37:22 GMT

An investigation is underway after a raging inferno tore through a mechanic shop in Miami on Friday morning. At 5:20 a.m., the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue responded to reports of a fire at the scene. Firefighters arrived to find a vehicle fire raging on the exterior of the mechanic shop located near the intersection of Northwest Seventh Avenue and 78th Street. Video footage from the scene captured the flames shooting out from multiple vehicles parked within the premises. Their fire attack, which included extending hand lines, quickly brought the situation under control. Within minutes, the inferno was contained, and the fire was prevented from spreading to the interior of the structure. The business was closed at the time of the incident. As a result, there have been no reported injuries related to the fire, but fire officials said six vehicles sustained damages due to the fire’s intensity. The Miami Fire Investigation Unit and Miami Police are investigating to det...