Lindsey Vonn takes another step in comeback at age 40, competes in a pair of downhills
Most Americans who marry say “I do” between 25 and 30 — ages when serious illness is probably not the first thing on their minds. But in a way, tying the knot is a major health decision. For men, just being married is a predictor of living longer. For women, the picture is more complex. Among men with prostate cancer, married men survive longer than single men; married men are also less likely to die of cardiovascular disease. And that’s not because healthier men are likelier to get married. In fact, “research shows the reverse is true,” concludes a summary of the studies by Harvard Health Publishing. “Unhealthy men actually marry earlier, are less likely to divorce, and are more likely to remarry.” “There is a huge literature showing that husbands benefit from their wives’ support in terms of mortality and health outcomes — much more than the other way around,” says Joan Monin, an associate professor of public health at the Yale School of Medicine. (Most of the research focuses on opposite-sex couples.) When it’s the wife who is sick, husbands sometimes struggle to support her, according to several studies from the 1990s through the 2000s. Multiple studies found that women were much more likely to donate kidneys to their husbands than husbands were to do the same for their lives. Some doctors and nurses say they still see those sorts of gender imbalances today. The husbands who step up share some common attributes. They already participate in more household tasks than the average husband. They are more likely to be happy in the marriage. And perhaps most importantly, they tend to have egalitarian views of marriage, rather than seeing themselves as the breadwinner. This doesn’t mean they necessarily earn the exact same amount as their wives; but they view the marriage as an equal partnership. For couples, this should be a powerful reminder that a marriage-of-equals isn’t just about being “politically correct” or “woke.” Nor is an egalitarian marriage only a matter of taming the stresses of parenthood, or evening out who gets the most leisure time and who carries the family’s mental load. For wives, an egalitarian marriage can be a matter of life and death. Really. Patients with unmet care needs are at a greater risk of hospital readmission and, yes, dying. Conversely, good at-home caregiving is associated with better rates of recovery. Picking up medication, helping a spouse bathe, offering emotional support, shopping and cooking — it all matters. And yet married female patients have been, on average, only about half as likely to have their needs met as married male patients, according to research by Susan Masterson Allen, professor emerita of health services, policy and practice at Brown University. Sometimes taking care of an ailing spouse is as basic as making the right phone calls. One study Allen worked on involved a sample of 90,000 disabled military veterans, 97 percent of whom were male. They were all eligible for supplemental government benefits, but only about 10 percent had signed up. When Allen and her collaborators looked at what distinguished the enrollees, “a strong predictor was being married,” she says. It was the wives who’d taken the trouble to make the calls and do the paperwork. A likely reason for the low overall uptake? Very few of these vets were married — only some 20 percent. Some of these gender imbalances may be changing. One of the most recent studies of adult-to-adult caregiving, published earlier this year, found that men and women spent about the same amount of time taking care of a partner with a spinal cord injury, with the exception of tasks related to housekeeping. Women still spend more time on these chores than men do, but the gap is narrowing — not because men are doing more around the house, but because younger women are opting to do less. Women being choosier with their time? That represents a type of progress. But it’s not enough. Many men still see themselves as “breadwinners” — even when their wives earn more money. And the research suggests these men are not as committed to helping when their wives get sick. Perhaps they are so focused on contributing financially that they overlook other forms of support. Or they fear the impact of caregiving on their careers: One of the biggest reasons husbands give for not spending more time caring for ailing wives (or donating kidneys to them) is concern about missing work. Maybe the real mystery isn’t why some husbands provide more care but why wives so consistently do. Women are socialized from a young age to view caregiving as a core feminine duty. It’s so deeply ingrained that many people will tell you that women are just better at it — that it’s innately feminine. But studies find that both men and women suffer similar rates of stress associated with caregiving. There is no female “caregiver gene.” Of course, people can change. For many men, says Yale’s Monin, taking care of an ailing wife can open up a new, care-oriented sense of identity. For their wives, that evolution may make all the difference.NoneCOPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X. “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’"
Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Soprano Angel Blue sings her first Metropolitan Opera 'Aida' in a new production Angel Blue, one of the most admired singers of her generation, is headlining the Metropolitan Opera’s first new production of Verdi’s “Aida” in 36 years. The 40-year-old takes on the title role of the enslaved Ethiopian princess torn between love for an Egyptian warrior and loyalty to her country. It’s a part that comes weighted with history, especially for a Black soprano at the Met, where Leontyne Price embodied the role from her first performance in 1961 until her retirement in 1985. Blue tells The Associated Press she’s long looked up to Price, and directors who have worked with her say the singer is ready for the challenge. Blue’s Met debut in ‘Aida’ will happen New Year’s Eve. Centuries-old angels uncovered at Boston church made famous by Paul Revere BOSTON (AP) — Conservators have uncovered eight angels in a historic Boston church that counted Paul Revere as a bell ringer and played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. The angels were painted in the early 18th century but painted over in 1912 as part of a renovation of the Old North Church. Inspired by research showing the existence of at least 20 angels, conservators for the past four months have been removing the white paint that covered the eight angels located on the balcony's arches in the church sanctuary. The public is now able to view them. Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger dies in avalanche, aged 26 Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger has died following an avalanche at a mountain resort. The country's skiing federation says the incident took place at the Arosa resort in Switzerland. The 26-year-old Hediger competed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in the women’s snowboard cross and the mixed team version of the same event. Hediger achieved her first two World Cup podium finishes in the 2023-24 season. Her best result was a second place in St. Moritz in January. NFL on Netflix: Christmas Day games are a 1st for streaming giant Netflix will have one of its biggest days since the site launched in 1998 when it carries two NFL games for the first time on Christmas. “NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix” kicks off with a two-hour pregame show at 11 a.m., before Pittsburgh hosts Kansas City. Baltimore faces Houston in the second game. The streaming giant agreed to a three-year contract in May to carry Christmas Day games. Magic and lights draw crowds to an alpine village in Washington state for Christmas LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) — Freshly baked pretzels, shining tree lights and sleds in the snow lend a ruddy warmth to an unlikely collection of Bavarian-themed chalets in the mountains of Washington state. Decades ago, the town of Leavenworth was a near ghost town, one of the poorest parts of the Pacific Northwest. The mines and the sawmill had closed, and even the railroad left. That’s when desperate business owners took a serious gamble -- reinventing the community in the vision of an alpine village. More than half a century later, the result brings tourists from near and far -- especially during the holidays, when Leavenworth takes on the flavor of a German Christmas market. Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington after developing a fever. The 78-year-old was admitted in the “afternoon for testing and observation,” Angel Urena, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, said in a statement. “He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving,” Urena said. Packers clinch playoff berth with 1st shutout in NFL this season, 34-0 over Saints GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Josh Jacobs gained 107 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown for a sixth straight game as the Green Bay Packers clinched a playoff berth while producing the first shutout of the NFL season, 34-0 over the hapless New Orleans Saints. Green Bay improved to 11-4 and earned its fifth postseason appearance in six years. New Orleans played without injured quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara. Rookie Spencer Rattler started and went 15 of 30 for 153 yards with an interception and a fumble. The Packers have won nine of their last 11 games. Prosecutors withdraw appeal of dismissed case against Alec Baldwin in fatal movie set shooting SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico prosecutors won’t pursue an appeal of a court’s decision to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin. The actor had been charged in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal on a movie set outside Santa Fe in October 2021. Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey withdrew on Monday the appeal of a July decision at trial to dismiss the charge. The decision to drop the appeal solidifies the decision by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer halfway through trial to dismiss the case on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense. An all-Filipino crew is set to make history in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race SYDNEY (AP) — There have been plenty of “firsts” in the history of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race which was first held in 1945. An all-Filipino crew of 15 sailors will make it another when the annual ocean classic begins in Sydney Harbor on Thursday. With veteran sailor Ernesto Echauz at the helm, Centennial 7 will embark on the 628-nautical mile race. The boat itself is no stranger to the race. Previously, the TP52 yacht was known as Celestial and claimed the Sydney to Hobart overall handicap victory in 2022 under Sam Haynes after being runner-up the year before.
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The Big Ten football regular season has concluded and the matchup for the conference championship game is set, with the top-ranked Oregon Ducks set to face Penn State on Saturday night in Indianapolis. WATCH: Stream most college football games live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial). Before the Ducks and Nittany Lions square off for the conference crown, The Oregonian/OregonLive offers one final round of power rankings for the 2024 season. There was only minor movement in this week’s rankings. Oregon finished off a run of eight consecutive weeks at the top, while Penn State climbed one spot to No. 2. After Michigan’s giant upset of Ohio State, the the Buckeyes dipped one spot to third and the Wolverines moved up a couple of spots to seventh. Here are the complete power rankings for Week 15. (Voting panel: Ryan Clarke , James Crepea , Aaron Fentress , Sean Meagher , Joel Odom , Bill Oram ) 1. OREGON DUCKS (12-0, 9-0) Poll points: 108 (All six first-place votes) Last week (1): Beat Washington 49-21. Next: vs. Penn State in Big Ten championship game, 5 p.m. PT Saturday on CBS. 2. PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (11-1, 8-1) Poll points: 100 Last week (3): Beat Maryland 44-7. Next: vs. Oregon in Big Ten championship game, 5 p.m. PT Saturday on CBS. 3. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (10-2, 7-2) Poll points: 96 Last week (2): Lost to Michigan 13-10. Next: Awaits postseason destination, likely in the College Football Playoff. 4. INDIANA HOOSIERS (11-1, 8-1) Poll points: 92 Last week (4): Beat Purdue 66-0. Next: Awaits postseason destination, possibly in the College Football Playoff. 5. ILLINOIS (9-3, 6-3) Poll points: 82 Last week (5): Beat Northwestern 38-28. Next: Awaits bowl destination. 6. IOWA HAWKEYES (8-4, 6-3) Poll points: 74 Last week (6): Beat Nebraska 13-10. Next: Awaits bowl destination. 7. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (7-5, 5-4) Poll points: 73 Last week (9): Beat Ohio State 13-10. Next: Awaits bowl destination. 8. MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS (7-5, 5-4) Poll points: 70 Last week (T7): Beat Wisconsin 24-7. Next: Awaits bowl destination. 9. WASHINGTON HUSKIES (6-6, 4-5) Poll points: 57 Last week (T7): Lost to Oregon 49-21. Next: Awaits bowl destination. 10. USC TROJANS (6-6, 4-5) Poll points: 51 Last week (10): Lost to Notre Dame 49-35. Next: Awaits bowl destination. T11. NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS (6-6, 3-6) Poll points: 43 Last week (11): Lost to Iowa 13-10. Next: Awaits bowl destination. T11. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS (7-5, 4-5) Poll points: 43 Last week (14): Beat Michigan State 41-14. Next: Awaits bowl destination. 13. UCLA BRUINS (5-7, 3-6) Poll points: 39 Last week (13): Beat Fresno State 20-13. Next: The Bruins’ season is over. 14. WISCONSIN BADGERS (5-7, 3-6) Poll points: 38 Last week (12): Lost to Minnesota 24-7. Next: The Badgers’ season is over. 15. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (5-7, 3-6) Poll points: 23 Last week (15): Lost to Rutgers 41-14. Next: The Spartans’ season is over. 16. NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS (4-8, 2-7) Poll points: 17 Last week (16): Lost to Illinois 38-28. Next: The Wildcats’ season is over. 17. MARYLAND TERRAPINS (4-8, 1-8) Poll points: 15 Last week (17): Lost to Penn State 44-7. Next: The Terrapins’ season is over. 18. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS (1-11, 0-9) Poll points: 6 Last week (18): Lost to Indiana 66-0. Next: The Boilermakers’ season is over. PREVIOUS RANKINGS Week 14 Week 13 Week 12 Week 11 Week 10 Week 9 Week 8 Week 7 Week 6 Week 5 Week 4 Week 3 Week 2 Week 1 -- Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference. Listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup newsletter .
WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz is preparing for an emotional return to Florida. He played a vital role there in the Panthers’ Stanley Cup-winning season. Speaking to reporters, Stolarz shared his thoughts on revisiting his former team, receiving his championship ring, and facing off in a crucial divisional game. In addition to reflecting on his time with the Panthers, Stolarz noted the significance of sharing this moment with teammates Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Steven Lorentz . Both were also part of Florida’s championship run. For Stolarz, It Will Be a Meaningful Return with Championship Rings and Video Tributes Stolarz expressed his excitement about receiving his Stanley Cup ring alongside Ekman-Larsson and Lorentz. He highlighted his unique bond with his two current Maple Leafs teammates, who will also receive their championship rings. The trio’s shared history adds another layer of significance to the night. It helps make the night both a professional milestone and a personal one. He acknowledged the Panthers’ organization for its role in his success. He also appreciated their support during last year’s remarkable season. The emotional weight of the occasion is heightened by the video tribute planned by the Panthers during the game. For Stolarz, it’s a chance to reflect on last year’s accomplishments. He also gets to see old friends and honor the relationships and memories forged during his time in Florida. Their reunion reminds us of the camaraderie built during last year’s championship journey. It also underscores the lasting impact of those experiences. Stolarz Is Focused on Helping the Maple Leafs Win a Crucial Divisional Matchup Despite the personal significance of the night, Stolarz emphasized the importance of staying locked in on the task at hand: a critical divisional game. “At the end of the day, it’s a four-point swing,” he said, recognizing the need to maintain the momentum the Maple Leafs have built in recent games. Stolarz praised the Panthers for their aggressive forechecking style and high-intensity play, acknowledging the challenge ahead. However, he focuses on helping the Maple Leafs secure a critical win as they continue their push for playoff positioning. When the battle starts, you can bet that Stolarz will put any previous friendships out of his thinking. He’s out to win. The Bottom Line: Stolarz Will Have a Night to Remember Anthony Stolarz ’s return to Florida promises to be emotional and meaningful, blending personal milestones with professional responsibility. While the Maple Leafs are focused on continuing their strong play, the night will also offer Stolarz and his teammates a chance to celebrate their shared history and the hard-earned rewards of a championship season. It remains to be seen how the Maple Leafs will fare against the Panthers, but one thing is sure: for Stolarz, this game will be about more than just two points. It’s a chance to reflect on where he’s been while looking forward to where he and his new team are headed. This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.
Middle East latest: Syria's forces withdraw from Homs, a key link between the capital and coastA SUPERMUM with 12 kids has shared some of her best buys for over the festive period. Zoe Sullivan, 46, husband Ben, 49, and their dozen children make up one of the Scotland 's biggest families. The couple are parents to Elisabeth, 19, Olivia, 18, Noah, 14, Evangeline, 12, Tobias, 11, Agnes, seven, Joseph, six, Florence, two, and two sets of twins - Charlotte and Isabelle, 16, and Leah and Erin, eight. The bumper brood live in a six-bedroom house in Burghead, Moray, where they regularly document their busy lives on their YouTube channel . And this week Zoe visited Aldi to stock up on some of the family 's festive favourite treats. But while she was checking out all the food on offer, she came across a brilliant bargain that's ideal for a youngster this Christmas. The adorable Squishees are a super soft dupe for Squishmallows, which normally retail at around £20. They come in a few different characters, including the new black and white striped Humbug. And they only cost £6.99. Zoe said: "They have these Kevin the Carrot, sort of Squishmallow things and the Bah Humbug Christmas ones, which are quite cute." And Aldi says of the toys: "Uncover our top-secret toys before they're gone! "Kevin and Katie are here to save the day. Snuggle up with Kevin, Katie and the Humbugs Squishees this Christmas, collect the whole gang for the ultimate Kevin the Carrot fan or treat yourself." It wasn't the only festive bargain that Zoe was impressed by. The self-confessed chocolate addict loves the little Christmas choccy lollies from the budget supermarket, which she said are a nice , occasional after-dinner treat for the kids . And they cost just £1.79 for 10. Zoe also says the chocolate Santa is a great buy. It's £1.49, which is around the same price as other shops , but the mega mum reckons Aldi's is bigger than the competition . Meanwhile, the family recently revealed 14 brilliant, bargain stocking fillers to keep the kids happy.Syria's crisis threatens West Asia security, warn regional players