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's Olympic soccer qualifying
Now comes the winner-take-all semifinal Sunday night against Honduras or Canada for a trip to the menโs Olympic soccer tournament. Mexico, the 2012 Olympic champion, won its 14th straight Olympic qualifier dating to 2008 and finished first in Group A at 3-0. AdโWe wanted to win the game to be at the top of our group,โ American defender Mauricio Pineda said. In the first game of the doubleheader, Costa Rica routed the Dominican Republic 5-0 in a matchup of eliminated teams. Randall Leal of Major League Soccerโs Nashville scored twice, and Manfred Ugalde, Bernald Alfaro and Aaron Salazar had one goal each.
Fly to warmer weather: United offering $70 flights to destinations over 70 degrees
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)ORLANDO, Fla. โ The Sunshine State could be expecting some chilly visitors as United just rolled out an appealing winter deal. United Airlines is offering low fares on winter getaways to sunny destinations. The airline says travelers could book one-way domestic flights starting at $70, as long as their destination has an average temperature of over 70 degrees. If you see an influx of visitors, itโs because United pinpointed Orlando as a wonderful warm-weather getaway. Orlando also ranks among San Francisco, Phoenix and Miami on Unitedโs list of winter getaway hot spots.
Missing Marion County teen found safe
MARION COUNTY, Fla. โ UPDATE: Deputies said Tuesday that Charles Anthony Manie returned home safely. Original story below:Deputies with the Marion County Sheriffโs Office are searching for a missing teenager. The sheriffโs office said Charles Anthony Manie was last seen around 11 p.m. Sunday at his home in Ocala. AdDeputies said Charles is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Charles was last seen wearing a red jacket with a firefighter picture on the back, blue jeans and light blue Leviโs sneakers.
UPDATE: 3 men wounded when 30 shots fired into car outside Sanford home
Sanford police said officers responded to the shooting at 9:43 p.m. in the 1300 block of Summerlin Avenue near Hamilton Elementary School and Rescue Daycare. All three victims spoke with officers and investigators, but they elected not to prosecute, according to police. Sanford police are searching for suspects after three men were shot at a home on Summerlin Ave last night. โI do think that they should probably patrol this area a little bit more (because there is) a day care right here,โ she said. โIf they probably patrolled a little bit more or patrolled the dangerous areas a little bit more, maybe this stuff wonโt happen,โ he said.
Taco Bell testing new Crispy Chicken Sandwich Taco
(Copyright 2020 by CNN Newsource - All rights reserved.) Taco Bell wants to make a chicken sandwich with a twist. The fast-food chain is preparing to test its new Crispy Chicken Sandwich Taco. It describes the shell as puffy bread thatโs shaped like a taco. Taco Bell will test the new taco in restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
FAA orders United to inspect Boeing 777s after engine blows apart during flight
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson identified the focus on the stepped-up inspections as hollow fan blades unique to the Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engine model and used solely on Boeing 777s. United had 24 of the planes in service; it is the only U.S. airline with the engine in its fleet, according to the FAA. In South Korea, Asiana Airlines grounded nine, seven of which were in service, and Korean Air said it grounded 16 aircraft, six of which are in service. The airline has said the plane had engine trouble after takeoff and returned to Naha. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways will stop operating a combined 32 planes with that engine, Nikkei reported.
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!"
Dike continues strong play, Orlando City tops Atlanta United
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Daryl Dike had a goal and an assist to continue his strong rookie campaign, Chris Mueller scored on a free kick, and Orlando City beat Atlanta United 4-1 on Wednesday night. Orlando City (9-3-8) bounced back from a loss that ended a 12-match unbeaten streak and snapped a four-game winless skid. Tesho Akindele put away a one-touch shot, off a pass from Dike, in the 60th before Atlanta's Erick Torres scored in the 87th minute. It was the first goal of the season for Torres, who scored 14 goals in 27 appearances for the Houston Dynamo last season. Matheus Aias, a 23-year-old who signed with Orlando City on Aug. 21, scored his first MLS goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
Spain tries to reverse economic slump as unemployment rises
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Snchez has declared a second nationwide state of emergency in hopes of stemming a resurgence in coronavirus infections. The country is grappling with a resurgence of the virus that has claimed at least 35,000 lives. The 2021 spending plan includes the first 27 billion euro from the EUโs fund expected to arrive in Spain. The proposal is based on the expectation that Spainโs economy will grow 7.2% next year. The International Monetary Fund expects GDP to sink more than 12.8% this year, more than any other developed economy.
UCF faculty union upset about schoolโs spring semester plan
ORLANDO, Fla. โ As the University of Central Florida prepares to offer more in-person classes starting in the spring semester, the schoolโs faculty union has filed a grievance citing coronavirus safety concerns. United Faculty of Florida at UCF posted a message on its website earlier this week saying that members have expressed anxiety about having more in-person classes starting in January. A UCF spokesman said the same safety measures, including physical distancing and requiring face masks, will be in place for the spring semester. โWe are working to offer more face-to-face classes in the spring because we know the on-campus experience is important for our students' success. Faculty members who are considered high risk have the option to request a remote teaching assignment.
Orlando City qualifies for MLS playoffs for first time ever after 1-1 tie against New York Red Bulls
HARRISON, N.J. โ Brian White scored in stoppage time, helping the New York Red Bulls to a 1-1 tie with Orlando City on Sunday night. Orlando City clinched its first playoff spot when Toronto beat Atlanta United 1-0 later Sunday. Luรญs Carlos โNaniโ Almeida da Cunha scored on a penalty kick in the 56th minute after New York's Daryl Dike conceded a foul in the area. New York (7-8-4), which has just one win in its last five games, outshot Orlando City 14-9 and had 58.8% possession. Orlando City (8-2-8) is unbeaten in 12 games, yet has only one win in its last five.
Guzan makes 6 saves, Atlanta, Orlando City play to 0-0 draw
ATLANTA โ Brad Guzan made a diving stop in the 86th minute among his six saves, and Atlanta United settled for a scoreless draw with Orlando City on Wednesday night. It was Guzan's fifth shutout of the season and his third in the last five games for Atlanta (5-8-3). Orlando City (8-2-6) is unbeaten in its last 10 games. Goalkeeper Brian Rowe made his first start of the season and had three saves for Orlando City. Rowe started all 32 games and had seven shutouts for Orlando City in 2019.
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. โTaxin 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.
Atlanta United ties Orlando City 1-1 on Jahns late header
ORLANDO, Fla. Adam Jahn scored on header in the final minutes of second-half stoppage time to give Atlanta United a 1-1 draw with Orlando City on Saturday night. Benji Michel scored in the final minute of the first-half stoppage time for Orlando City (4-2-4). Cubo Torres' wide-open header was wide. Orlando City goalie Pedro Gallese batted away Emerson Hyndman's shot from distance seconds later. Orlando City nearly added a second goal in the 79th minute, but Nanis laser free kick glanced off the post.
Urso, Mueller help Orlando City beat Atlanta United
ATLANTA Jnior Urso scored his first MLS goal, Chris Mueller added a goal and Orlando City beat Atlanta United 3-1 on Saturday. Orlando City (4-2-2) has won back-to-back games, beating Atlanta for the first time in nine career meetings. Urso, a 31-year-old Brazilian in his first MLS season, headed home a corner kick by Mueller to open the scoring in the 13th minute. Brooks Lennon slipped a header, off a cross by Jrgen Damm, from the center of the area just inside the right post for Atlanta (3-4-0) in the in the 83rd minute. Urso stole the ball from Pity Martinez deep in the attacking half and fed Lus Carlos Almeida da Cunha for a goal that capped the scoring in the 86th.
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.
Major airlines call for testing to restore transatlantic travel
FRANKFURT Major airlines are urging the U.S. and the European Union to quickly restore transatlantic air travel by deploying a joint COVID-19 testing program. The CEOs of United, American Airlines, IAG and Lufthansa Group wrote Tuesday that given the unquestioned importance of transatlantic air travel to the global economy as well as to the economic recovery of our businesses, we believe it is critical to find a way to reopen air services between the U.S. and Europe.They said that a testing program for the transatlantic market could be an excellent opportunity for government and industry to work together and safely restore passenger travel between the U.S. and Europe.The letter was addressed with urgency to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and to Ylva Johansson, the European commissioner for home affairs. The signers were Scott Kirby for United, Carsten Spohr for Lufthansa, Doug Parker for American, and Willie Walsh at IAG, which owns British Airways and Iberia.
DOT releases list of airlines to cancel flights the most
The federal agencyโs annual report breaks down which airlines most often cancel flights, lose bags and which is the most affordable. American leads the group with the most canceled flights at an average of 2.68%; Southwest was at 2.6% and United had 2.46%. Delta ranked as the best airline for the least amount of canceled flights at 0.68%. Delta was the most expensive airline with a ticket costing $390 on average, Unitedโs average cost was $387 and Americanโs average was $370 a flight. As for the most affordable airline, Spirit came in at No.