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Brightline’s inaugural Miami to Orlando trip commences today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

In a historic moment, Brightline is set to embark on its maiden voyage from Miami to Orlando, marking the first private US passenger rail line to link two major Florida cities at high speed in 100 years. This new travel option promises convenience and accessibility for residents and tourists alike.Starting Friday, Brightline trains will operate between Miami and Orlando, providing a unique travel experience for those looking to journey between these vibrant cities. The train service offers a convenient alternative to traditional transportation methods.The journey from Miami to Orlando will make several stops along the way, with each stop averaging just two to four minutes. Travelers can purchase a Smart Ticket starting at $79 for a one-way trip, or $158 for a round trip. For those seeking an enhanced experience, Premium Tickets start at $149 for a one-way trip, offering a round trip for nearly $300.Brightline also introduces dynamic pricing, which may result in lower ticket prices f...

Fatal collision between Brightline train, pedestrian in Delray Beach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — Tragedy struck in Delray Beach as authorities investigate a fatal collision between a Brightline train and a pedestrian. The incident occurred at the intersection of Southeast Second Avenue and Southeast Fourth Street. Delray Beach police are urging the public to avoid the area as they conduct their investigation. https://x.com/DelrayBeachPD/status/1705176005181063203?s=20The incident occurred as the first Brightline train from Miami to Orlando is en route.Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

‘Rent-A-Mom’ service aims to ease college student stress in Tampa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WSVN) — College students far from home now have a heartwarming alternative to bridge the gap—meet the “Rent-A-Mom” service offered by Tampa-based “Daisy Bug Delivery,” owned by Rachelle Arnolds. This unique service is gaining popularity for providing a motherly touch and support to students navigating their college journey.Arnolds, the compassionate owner, personally invests in each student’s well-being. “Somebody left you behind, you’re in an awkward situation, you know, do not get in an Uber by yourself,” she said. “After midnight, you call me, I will come and get you. It’s free. I love. I don’t judge. We don’t tell the parents unless there’s a safety issue involved.”For a fee of approximately $10,000, students can enlist the services of a “Rent-A-Mom” for an entire semester. The package includes grocery shopping, bed-making, laundry assistance, and even a comforting ...

Platinum artist Stephen Sanchez talks debut album ‘Angel Face’ and career highlights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

Twenty-year-old platinum-certified artist Stephen Sanchez already has a global hit with his song “Until I Found You.” He performed the hit on stage with Sir Elton John and at Sofia Richie’s wedding.We talked to him about his career highlights and the release of his debut album.He’s got the face of an angel and he sings like one too So it’s no surprise Stephen Sanchez’s debut album is called “Angel Face.”The sound is old school.Stephen Sanchez: “It is embedded in every lyric and sound that this record is, and so when we were recording it, you know, there were influences from the likes of Roy Orbison to you know, Frank Sinatra to Elvis, to Marty Robbins to Frankie Valli you know, James Brown, Marvin Gaye.”Stephen says his music tells a story about how you can’t choose who you love.Stephen Sanchez: “It is set from the years 1958 through 1964, highlighting the career of the fictional famous Crooner the Troubadour Sa...

Tony Blair faces fresh scrutiny over Azerbaijan PR work amid Nagorno-Karabakh offensive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

LONDON — Tony Blair, former U.K. prime minister, is under pressure over his work lobbying on a major Azerbaijani energy deal after the country’s strongman leader launched a military offensive against an enclave populated by ethnic Armenians.Ilham Aliyev, who has been president of Azerbaijan since 2003, declared victory on Wednesday following a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused Aliyev of “ethnic cleansing” and there are fears Armenians are facing large-scale forced displacement.Blair built close links to Aliyev after he stepped down as U.K. prime minister and began earning millions as a consultant for governments and companies around the world.He was hired in 2014 to advise a BP-led consortium looking to export natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, a pet project of Aliyev’s. Blair reportedly discussed the so-called Trans Adriatic Pipeline, which terminates in Apulia, at a meeting with Italy’s then-Interior Minister Matteo Sa...

Sen. Bob Menendez and wife indicted on bribery charges, Justice Department says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

(CNN) — New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez was charged with corruption-related offenses for the second time in 10 years.Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, were indicted on bribery offenses “in connection with their corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen,” the US attorney in New York tweeted.Prosecutors with the US attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York have been investigating whether Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, or his wife received improper gifts, among other things.Menendez has vigorously denied any wrongdoing. In April, he told CNN, “This inquiry will end up, I believe, in absolutely nothing.”This is the second set of corruption charges levied against Menendez by the Justice Department in a decade. He previously fought off conspiracy, bribery and honest services fraud related to alleged personal favors.Senate Democratic Caucus rules will force Menendez to step aside as chairman of the ...

Some Lahaina residents can return to scorched town next week but most likely in protective gear due to toxic ash, governor says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

(CNN) — For the first time since wildfires decimated West Maui’s historic Lahaina community, some residents will be allowed to return to their properties on Monday but will likely have to don protective gear due to potentially toxic ash, Hawaii’s governor announced.“It’s going to be a slow process,” Gov. Josh Green said during a Thursday news conference. “It’s going to be a very emotional time. We’re going to have support staff there.”Hawaiian authorities prohibited public entry to Lahaina after wildfires tore through the town and surrounding areas in August, reducing the culturally rich community and many of its historic landmarks to rubble and ash. As about 100 people died in the Maui fires, many have still not returned to the land where their loved ones were lost.The disaster area has been split into zones, which will be gradually reopened to residents as they are inspected and deemed safe to reenter, according to Maui officials.Residents of the...

Why Patriots signed Will Grier for third QB spot on 53-man roster

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

If there was one clear message behind the Patriots’ decision to sign quarterback Will Grier off of the Bengals’ practice squad and onto their 53-man roster Thursday, it’s that current backup Bailey Zappe shouldn’t get too comfortable.But Zappe should have known that already. He was a surprise cut in late August just to pass through waivers and sign to the Patriots’ practice squad. For a brief time, Mac Jones was the Patriots’ only quarterback on the entire roster. Panthers 2022 third-round pick Matt Corral was claimed to the 53-man roster before he left the team without notice and landed on the exempt list. Only then did Zappe get a promotion to the 53-man roster.The Patriots briefly added another former fourth-round pick to the practice squad in Ian Book before waiving Corral with the original intention of signing him to their practice squad.Plans changed, and now Grier is on board as the Patriots continue to rifle through signal callers.Related ...

Pope visits multicultural Marseille as some in Europe talk of fences and blockades to curb migration

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The French port city of Marseille, for centuries a multiethnic and multifaith melting pot, awaited the arrival Friday of Pope Francis, who plans to amplify his call for the Mediterranean region of Europe to be a place of welcome for migrants. The pope’s position on migration is an increasingly lonely one in Europe, where some countries are emphasizing border fences, repatriations and the possibility of a naval blockade to keep a new influx of would-be refugees out.Francis is presiding over the closing session of a gathering of Mediterranean Catholic bishops, but his two-day visit to Marseille is aimed at sending a message well beyond the Catholic faithful to Europe, North Africa and beyond. After a prayer at the southern French city’s basilica, Francis is scheduled to hold an interfaith prayer at a monument dedicated to those who have died at sea. The U.N.’s International Organization for Migration estimates that more than 28,000 Europe-bound mi...

Stock market today: Wall Street holds a bit steadier as it closes out an ugly week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:51 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s ugly week is getting a bit of a reprieve, and stocks are holding steadier on Friday, but it’s still heading for its worst week in six months.The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher in early trading, coming off an ugly slide caused by the stock market’s growing understanding that interest rates likely won’t come down much anytime soon. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 3 points, or less than 0.1%, at 34,066, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.4% higher.Pressure has built on Wall Street as yields in the bond market climb to their highest levels in more than a decade. They’ve been rising for months and accelerated this week after the Federal Reserve indicated it’s unlikely to cut its main interest rate by as much in 2024 as investors had hoped. The federal funds rate is at its highest level since 2001, which grinds down on investment prices as it undercuts high inflation.Yields were easing a bit Friday, which reduced the pressure ...