OPEC to boost oil output as economies recover, prices rise
The OPEC oil cartel and allied producing countries have confirmed plans to return 2.1 million barrels per day of oil output, balancing fears that COVID-19 outbreaks in some countries will sap demand against surging demand from recovering economies around the globe.
Mexico beats US 1-0 in men' Olympic soccer qualifying
United States Julian Araujo leaves the pitch after losing 0-1 against Mexico on a Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying championship soccer match in Guadalajara, Mexico, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)Uriel Antuna scored following a sloppy giveaway by Sebastian Soto in the 45th minute, and Mexico beat the United States 1-0 at Guadalajara on Wednesday night in qualifying for the menโs Olympic soccer tournament. Each Olympic team can use three wild-card players over the age limit. AdSebastiรกn Jurado replaced Mexico goalkeeper Luis Malagรณn in the 39th minute after the starter appeared to injury a wrist in a collision. Randall Leal of Major League Soccerโs Nashville scored twice, and Manfred Ugalde, Bernald Alfaro and Aaron Salazar had one goal each.
Spain arrests 80 in 3 nights of riots over rapper's jailing
A demonstrator throws a stone against police during clashes following a protest condemning the arrest of rap singer Pablo Hasl in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. Protests over the imprisonment of a rapper convicted for insulting the Spanish monarchy and praising terrorist violence have morphed for the third night in a row into rioting. Pablo Hasl began this week to serve a 9-month sentence in a northeastern prison. AdLike the two previous nights, the protests began Thursday with large gatherings in several cities that were, at first, mostly peaceful. In Catalonia's regional capital, Barcelona, hundreds sang songs, rapped and shouted โPablo Hasรฉl, freedom!"
Down Syndrome Association of South Texas to have virtual Buddy Walk this weekend
According to the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas, or DSASTX, early intervention programs and community resources can help individuals with Down syndrome thrive and reach their full potential. One of their biggest fundraisers is the annual Buddy Walk, a walk that draws thousands of people each year. Cade along with her husband, Bill Cade, love getting together each year at the Buddy Walk with family and friends to support their sonโs team, Billyโs Buddies. โThe Buddy Walk kind of brings us all together and reminds us, you know, who we are, and weโre able to reach out to other people and meet new people,โ Bill said. For more information on this yearโs virtual DSASTX Buddy Walk, click here.
California wavers on theme park opening rules amid pressure
But following industry criticism of the proposed rules, state health officials said no announcement was coming Friday as negotiations continue. Amusement park leaders saw a draft of the new rules Thursday and urged state officials to change them, said Erin Guerrero, executive director of the California Attractions and Parks Association. A Disney official said there have been no major reported outbreaks in Florida associated with the companyโs theme parks and declined to say whether any cases have occurred there. Ian Henderson, a spokesman for Steelโs office, said county health officials have worked closely with Disney to prepare for the reopening of its parks. ___Taxin reported from Orange County, California.
American, United to furlough 32,000 as time runs out on aid
American Airlines and United Airlines say they will begin to furlough 32,000 employees after lawmakers and the White House failed to agree on a broad pandemic relief package that includes more federal aid for airlines. She said a bailout that keeps airline workers employed would be cheaper for the government than putting them on the unemployment line during a pandemic. Beyond American and United, smaller airlines have sent layoff warnings to several thousand employees. Late Tuesday, the Treasury Department said it completed loans to seven major airlines: American, United, Alaska, JetBlue, Frontier, Hawaiian and SkyWest. American now expects to borrow $5.5 billion from the Treasury, and United can get $5.17 billion.
FAA: Check engines on 737s that could shut down mid-flight
WASHINGTON Safety regulators issued an emergency order directing airlines to inspect and if necessary replace a critical engine part on popular Boeing 737 jets after four reports of engines shutting down during flights. The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that its order affected about 2,000 twin-engine passenger jets in the United States. Delta Air Lines said it would inspect 20 planes but did not say whether any of its planes suffered engine shutdowns. The directive does not apply to the newer Boeing 737 Max, which has been grounded worldwide since March 2019 after two crashes that killed 346 people. Passenger jets have two or more engines, and multiple engine failures of the type that FAA warned about in its order are rare.
Frequent flyer mile programs vary
But can you really get where you want to go using your frequent flyer miles? To find out, Consumer Reports asked staffers to try booking round-trip tickets using their frequent flyer miles with nine programs: Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest, Spirit, United and US Airways. Spirit required the most miles for the routes staffers checked, followed by US Airways. Whatever you do, Consumer Reports says don't hoard frequent flyer miles. Consumer Reports says that if you can't book a seat using miles, try calling the frequent-flyer service desk.