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The wait for U.S. passports is creating travel purgatory and snarling summer plans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

WASHINGTON — Seeking a valid U.S. passport for that 2023 trip? Buckle up, wishful traveler, for a very different journey before you step anywhere near an airport.A much-feared backup of U.S passport applications has smashed into a wall of government bureaucracy as worldwide travel rebounds toward record pre-pandemic levels — with too few humans to handle the load. The result, say aspiring travelers in the U.S. and around the world, is a maddening pre-travel purgatory defined, at best, by costly uncertainty.With family dreams and big money on the line, passport seekers describe a slow-motion agony of waiting, worrying, holding the line, refreshing the screen, complaining to Congress, paying extra fees and following incorrect directions. Some applicants are buying additional plane tickets to snag in-process passports where they sit — in other cities — in time to make the flights they booked in the first place.So grim is the outlook that U.S. officials aren’t even den...

Suspect arrested following violent assault video in Baldwin Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

A suspect seen on video punching a man in Baldwin Park last month was arrested over the weekend, authorities said.The incident occurred around 7:23 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, according to the surveillance video posted to the Baldwin Park Police Department's Instagram page. The video showed the victim walking past a parked vehicle when the suspect, identified by police as Manuel Alejandro Valenzuela, jumped out of the passenger side of the vehicle and punched him in the head. An assault suspect is seen in an image provided by the Baldwin Park Police Department on July, 2, 2023. The victim quickly got up and was punched again by the attacker as he was putting his hat back on. The victim didn't go down after the second punch and put his hands up in an apparent attempt to defend himself from any further attacks when the video cuts off. Manuel Alejandro Valenzuela is seen in this image provided by the Baldwin Park Police Department on July 2, 2023. Valenzuela was arrested on suspicion of...

Man shot to death near Palmdale intersection, LASD says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

An investigation is underway after a man was shot to death in Palmdale early Monday morning.The attack was reported at about 4:45 a.m., when deputies responded to the intersection of 75th Street and Avenue W, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a news release. There, they found an adult man who'd been shot at least one time. He was declared dead at the scene.The man's name and age have not yet been released, nor has any information about the shooter or shooters.Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org. 

End of the World as we Know it: Black Mirror, Dead City, Secret Invasion, Reviewed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

Streaming services, cable TV and Primetime television are fighting for your viewership now more than ever. UNBINGED is here to help you weed through it all, with reviews of the latest shows that highlight what we love, what we hate and what we love to hate-watch, too. Climate crisis, food insecurity, political corruption and unrest … the end of the world has never seemed closer. And what better way to capitalize on this growing fear than on TV? From global annihilation via the undead and alien invasion to technology’s terrifying and very real takeover of humanity, small screen shows are playing on our fears for entertainment’s sake, and finding big audiences doing so. This week, UnBinged examines apocalyptic TV shows Black Mirror, Walking Dead: Dead City and Secret Invasion, and tells you what’s worthy of your precious time on earth.Black Mirror- Season 6 (“Streamberry”)After a long hiatus in which real life seemed to use previous seasons as a playbook, Black Mirror returns to Netfl...

Jill On Money: Mid-year money

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

It’s officially summer, which means you might be tempted to shut down and drown out anything financial. Not so fast.Related ArticlesBusiness | Need-based financial aid: What it is and how to qualify Business | Did the pandemic make us worse drivers? Business | What if you can’t afford long-term care? Business | Should you financially support adult kids? Business | Shopping on social media the smart way You may not be able to control inflation, the path of the economy, or the direction of financial markets, but there are many areas where a little attention can reap great benefits.Beware of ‘junk fees’The Biden Administration has called for companies to end “junk fees,” which are designed either to confuse or deceive consumers.They range from bank overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees, credit card late payment fees, hotel resort fees, airline baggage and change fees, service fees added to the...

Alameda County: 1 dead, 2 injured after struggle between law enforcement and alleged car thieves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

ALAMEDA COUNTY — One man died and two others were injured early Monday morning after a struggle in which an alleged car thief attempted to disarm a law enforcement officer in unincorporated Alameda County, according to the county’s sheriff’s office.In a news conference Monday morning, a spokesperson with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office said a CHP officer was responding to a report of a stolen car out of Hayward that was found speeding on eastbound Interstate 580.The officer was following the car when it exited on 164th Avenue and later crashed. Three suspects, all wearing ski masks, then left the vehicle on foot, according to the sheriff’s office.When an Alameda County sheriff’s deputy arrived to assist the CHP officer, they saw the CHP officer on their back, fighting two of the suspects. One of the suspects appeared to be attempting to disarm the officer, the sheriff’s office said.“Shots were fired,” Lt. Tya Modeste said in the ea...

This week in SF Giants baseball: A final home stand before a much-needed All-Star break

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

The San Francisco Giants have battled stomach bugs in a foreign land. They made two separate round trips to the East Coast in the first two weeks of the season. They endured a five-hour rainless delay on getaway day. They will, by the end of the season, have traveled more miles than any team in baseball.This might be their most taxing stretch of the season yet.Because Sunday’s series finale at Citi Field was picked up by ESPN, the Giants weren’t scheduled to arrive home until well after midnight Monday. The first pitch was thrown at 7:10 p.m. ET, and it didn’t help matters that the game moved at a primetime pace: 3 hours, 17 minutes. After arriving around 4 a.m. local time in both cities from their past road trip, it will be more of the same for the Giants to start this home stand, with a 6:45 series opener followed by an Independence Day matinee.“We’ve all got to go get some rest on the plane, as much as we possibly can, and these guys have to rest up ...

Bobcat attacks sleeping camper during youth wilderness program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

A man sleeping in a hammock was attacked by a rabid bobcat during a youth campout at a Connecticut state park.The attack happened around 2 a.m. Friday at Selden Neck State Park, where nine young people and three adults had set up camp for a wilderness program sponsored by a state agency.The man attacked was a staff member for the program. He and the two other adults killed the bobcat; all were taken to a hospital for treatment.None of the youth campers were injured. The outing was cut short, and firefighters used boats to bring them out of the park, which is on an island.The bobcat tested positive for rabies, state officials confirmed on Monday.The Wilderness School is an intervention and transition program for adolescents. It offers year-round wilderness programs ranging in length from one to 20 days that include hiking, camping and canoeing.Selden Neck is on the Connecticut River 3 miles west of Lyme and 10 miles upriver from Long Island Sound.Related ArticlesEnvironment | ...

Black bear bites homeowner and attacks his dog; both are recovering

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

LITCHFIELD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut homeowner was bitten by a black bear after his dog chased it into the yard and attacked the pet, officials said. Both were recovering Monday, though the bear escaped into the woods.The dog spotted the bear as it was inspecting a bird feeder on a porch Saturday in the western Connecticut town of Litchfield and chased it, state environmental officials said. The bear attacked the dog and bit the 65-year-old homeowner on the hand when he tried to intervene, officials said.The man was treated at a hospital, and the dog was sent to a veterinary hospital. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection did not have an update on the dog’s condition.A 74-year-old woman was bitten on her arms and legs in April when she was attacked by a bear while walking her dog in Avon, a Hartford suburb. There were two attacks last year, including one in October in which a 10-year-old boy was mauled in a backyard.Statistics compiled by the environmen...

Rafa Benítez says he had more than 20 offers before taking coaching job with Celta Vigo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:05 GMT

VIGO, Spain (AP) — Rafa Benítez was introduced as Celta Vigo coach on Monday, saying he accepted the Spanish club’s offer because he wanted to be back in a top league and closer to home.Benítez, who last coached Everton in England, said he received more than 20 offers from clubs in Spain and abroad.“There is a lot of money being offered out there,” the 63-year-old Spaniard said. “I wanted to be in a top league and closer to family, and with a project that allows me to grow. This offer was the most attractive. I am proud to be the club’s coach in its centennial.”Benítez coached some of the top clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli. He won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005.Benítez had a stint in China before taking over Everton and after coaching Newcastle.Celta finished 13th last season in the Spanish league.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource