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Tag: Florida

  • Those are the most productive inns within the U.S. and Europe, in line with a brand new score

    The U.S. Information & Global Record launched its thirteenth annual score of the most productive inns for vacationers this week.

    The ratings, revealed Tuesday, are in line with 3 elements: the selection of awards won from the commute trade, a lodge’s big name score, and visitor critiques from the commute site Tripadvisor.

    Extra weight was once given to recipients of “extremely selective” awards, in addition to the ones with extra traveler critiques, in line with the clicking liberate. That makes it tougher for brand spanking new inns to damage into the higher ranks of the yearly record.

    The record ranks simplest “luxurious” inns and inns, which U.S. Information defines as those who persistently moderate from 4- to 5-star scores, despite the fact that it now contains choose inns with 3.5 stars too, the corporate stated.

    To be thought to be, inns will have to even have a minimum of 20 rooms, in line with the discharge.

    Absolute best inns within the U.S.

    Those are the highest ranked inns within the U.S.:

    Acqualina Lodge & Flats — Miami, FloridaThe Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a Luxurious Assortment Lodge — Scottsdale, ArizonaPendry West Hollywood — Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golfing Lodge — Kiawah Island, South CarolinaThe Inn & Membership at Harbour The city, Sea Pines Lodge — Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

    Miami’s Acqualina Lodge & Flats took the highest spot in america for the primary time. It has 3 swimming pools, ocean perspectives and an award-winning spa.

    U.S. Information additionally revealed further lodge ratings that may be searched via state or via town.

    As an example, vacationers can seek for the most productive inns in California, or discover lodge ratings in 46 other cities and places there, equivalent to L. a. Jolla, Disneyland and Napa Valley.

    They may be able to then clear out inns in line with big name scores, value and facilities.

    Absolute best inns in Europe

    Those are the highest ranked inns in Europe:

    Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam — Amsterdam, NetherlandsGrand Lodge Tremezzo — Tremezzo, ItalyLa Reserve Paris Lodge and Spa — Paris, FranceThe Goring — London, U.Okay.The Connaught — London, U.Okay.

    Remaining yr’s No. 1 lodge, Le Bristol Paris, got here in at No. 6 this yr.

    Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam clinched the highest spot in Europe for the primary time. It accommodates six canal-side mansions and homes a two-starred Michelin eating place that focuses on vegetarian delicacies.

    The Waldorf Astoria Lodge in Amsterdam, accommodates six connecting properties beside the Herengracht Canal.

    Sebastiaan Kroes | Second Open | Getty Pictures

    Europe’s No. 2 lodge, the Grand Lodge Tremezzo, overlooks Italy’s well-known Lake Como.

    The U.S. Information & Global Score additionally ranks inns in 39 Eu nations, from Albania to Wales.

    Very similar to the U.S. ratings, guests can core into those ratings via “in style areas,” equivalent to Capri, Cinque Terre and Venice in Italy.

    Absolute best inns within the Caribbean

    Those are the highest ranked inns within the Caribbean:

    Cap Juluca, A Belmond Lodge, Anguilla — Maundays Bay, AnguillaJumby Bay Island, Oetker Assortment — Jumby Bay Island, AntiguaJade Mountain Lodge — Soufriere, St. LuciaCheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France — Saint BarthelemyTortuga Bay Puntacana Lodge & Membership — Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

    The Caribbean’s easiest lodge, Cap Juluca, has dome-shaped villas with perspectives of the sea and direct get right of entry to to the seashore.

    A view of St. Lucia’s Pitons mountains from the Jade Mountain Lodge, which was once ranked the 3rd easiest lodge within the Caribbean in 2023 via the U.S. Information & Global Record.

    Thomasfluegge | E+ | Getty Pictures

    The No. 2 lodge, Antigua’s Jumby Bay Island, supplies snorkeling expeditions and kayak excursions for visitors.

    Different ratings

    The U.S. Information & Global Record additionally revealed new ratings for in Canada, Mexico and Bermuda.

    One by one, it additionally ranks all-inclusive inns within the Caribbean and Mexico, that have been crowned via Jumby Bay Island, Oetker Assortment and Grand Velas Los Cabos, respectively.

  • Chinese language Balloon Flew Over Position Close to And Pricey To Trump When He Was once President: CNN

    The account additional refutes Trump’s declare that no Chinese language surveillance balloons operated in U.S. airspace whilst he was once within the White Space. And this one hit relatively with reference to house for Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago property is in Palm Seashore.

    A U.S. army evaluate in April famous {that a} high-altitude balloon from China “drifted previous Hawaii and throughout Florida” in 2019 because it rounded the sector at about 65,000 toes, in keeping with CNN.

    A suspected Chinese language undercover agent balloon flew around the U.S. remaining week till it was once ordered shot down by means of President Joe Biden over the Atlantic Ocean. Republicans led by means of Trump criticized the management for permitting a possible espionage software to hover over the country.

    It additionally brought on Trump to boast that Chinese language inflatables by no means flew over the rustic when he was once in price. However a Pentagon reliable stated this week that Chinese language balloons did fly over the continental U.S. when Trump was once president, albeit in brief.

    China claims the U.S. overreacted by means of attacking the balloon, which it says was once for amassing climate knowledge.

  • Ron DeSantis Anticipated To Keep an eye on Disney District Governing Board

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Gov. Ron DeSantis would take keep an eye on over the board of a distinct governing district Walt Disney International operates in Florida beneath a invoice offered Monday, because the Republican governor punishes the corporate over its opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Homosexual” legislation.

    Republican leaders within the statehouse, in coordination with DeSantis, have begun a distinct legislative consultation to restructure the Reedy Creek Growth District, because the Disney executive is understood.

    The proposal would in large part depart the district and its talents intact however trade its identify to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and require the governor to nominate a five-member oversight board. Individuals up to now have been named via entities managed via Disney.

    Lawmakers also are making an allowance for a suggestion to create a state division inquisitive about migrant transportation, after the governor flew a bunch of South American migrants from Texas to Massachusetts final yr in protest of federal border coverage.

    The consultation continues a focal point via DeSantis focal point on social problems together with sexual orientation, gender and immigration because the Republican governor wades into political divides on his trail to a possible 2024 presidential run.

    The assembly is the most recent building in a high-profile feud between DeSantis and Disney over the corporate’s grievance of a legislation dubbed via critics as “Don’t Say Homosexual,” which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender id in kindergarten via 3rd grade and classes deemed now not age-appropriate.

    The governor, in going after Disney, displayed a willingness to penalize probably the most state’s greatest employers and political donors, reinforcing the combative management taste that has propelled him to nationwide political stardom and appeals to conservative number one citizens.

    People visit Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on April 18, 2022.
    Folks talk over with Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney International Lodge in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on April 18, 2022.

    AP Picture/Ted Shaffrey, Report

    A spokeswoman for Reedy Creek didn’t in an instant go back an emailed request for remark.

    Along with Disney, DeSantis is the usage of the particular consultation to advance his nationwide time table on immigration and election fraud.

    Lawmakers are anticipated to create the Unauthorized Alien Shipping Program within the governor’s management to move migrants throughout the nation if they’ve been processed via the government.

    The regulation comes after DeSantis final yr used a part of a $12 million fund, paid for via taxpayers, to fly about 50 South American migrants from Texas to the Massachusetts lodge island of Martha’s Winery, drawing in style condemnation.

    The flight additionally ended in criminal questions for the reason that governor’s place of job paid for the commute the usage of cash meant to move migrants out of Florida, now not Texas or every other state. The invoice lawmakers will imagine specifies that long term flights may just transfer migrants from any place within the U.S.

    Some other proposal anticipated to cross right through the consultation would improve the facility of the statewide prosecutor to deliver election crime fees, a transfer intended to fortify the ability of the governor’s new election police drive.

    DeSantis final yr driven lawmakers to create a legislation enforcement unit inquisitive about election crimes, addressing every other fear of conservative citizens after the 2020 election. However within the months since, one of the unit’s fees were disregarded via judges as a result of jurisdiction problems.

    The consultation is predicted to ship DeSantis a political victory in his combat in opposition to Disney, a squabble that started final yr when the leisure massive publicly antagonistic the “Don’t Say Homosexual” legislation. The corporate mentioned it could pause political donations within the state and toughen organizations operating to oppose the legislation.

    DeSantis and different Republicans moved briefly to criticize Disney, calling it a purveyor of “woke” ideologies which might be beside the point for youngsters.

    At DeSantis’ request, the GOP-dominated statehouse in April licensed regulation to get rid of Disney’s Reedy Creek executive via June 2023, starting a carefully watched procedure that will decide the construction of presidency that controls the corporate’s sprawling assets.

    The introduction of the Reedy Creek district used to be instrumental in Disney’s choice to construct close to Orlando within the Sixties, when corporate leaders informed the state they deliberate to construct a futuristic town — the Experimental Prototype Neighborhood of Day after today, sometimes called Epcot.

    The proposed town used to be to incorporate a fast transit machine and concrete making plans inventions, so Disney wanted autonomy within the district for development and deciding tips on how to use the land, they mentioned. The futuristic town by no means materialized, and as an alternative Epcot morphed right into a 2d theme park that opened in 1982.

    Having a separate executive lets in the Disney executive to factor bonds and supply zoning, fireplace coverage, utilities and infrastructure services and products on its land. Republican critics of the district argue it provides Disney a industrial merit unavailable to others.

    The particular consultation will even regulate language in present regulations addressing endorsement offers for varsity athletes.

    Florida used to be probably the most first states to cross a legislation permitting school athletes to learn off their identify, symbol or likeness, however it doesn’t permit folks affiliated with universities to lend a hand safe endorsement offers. The proposal would elevate that provision to make Florida extra aggressive with different states that don’t have the restriction.

    Lawmakers will even imagine a invoice to offer extra reduction cash for Typhoon Ian and Nicole restoration efforts.

    Related Press author Mike Schneider in Orlando contributed to this file.

  • Stephen Colbert Provides Lauren Boebert A Hilariously Blunt Geography Lesson

    One instance: Feedback this week by means of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), one of the vital birthday party’s extremists and a conspiracy theorist who this week introduced a wild reaction to a decision for higher gun keep an eye on rules.

    “Alcohol, tobacco and firearms,” she declared. “In Western Colorado, we name {that a} amusing weekend.”

    Colbert stepped in with a geography lesson.

    “Don’t get so filled with your self, Western Colorado,” he mentioned. “In Florida, they name that the meals pyramid.”

    See extra in his Thursday evening “Past due Display” monologue:

  • 25 Arrested Over Alleged Faux Nursing Degree Rip-off In Florida

    MIAMI (AP) — Federal government in Florida have charged 25 other people with collaborating in a twine fraud scheme that created an unlawful shortcut for aspiring nurses to get authorized and in finding employment.

    Not too long ago unsealed federal grand jury indictments allege the defendants took phase in a rip-off that offered greater than 7,600 fraudulent nursing level diplomas from 3 Florida-based nursing colleges, federal officers stated right through a information convention in Miami on Wednesday afternoon.

    Prosecutors stated the scheme additionally concerned transcripts from the nursing colleges for other people in the hunt for licenses and jobs as registered nurses and certified sensible/vocational nurses. The defendants each and every withstand two decades in jail.

    “No longer most effective is that this a public protection fear, it additionally tarnishes the recognition of nurses who in fact entire the tough medical and path paintings required to acquire their skilled licenses and employment,” stated U.S. Legal professional for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe.

    Lapointe added that “a fraud scheme like this erodes public believe in our well being care device.”

    The faux diplomas and transcripts certified those that bought them to take a seat for the nationwide nursing board examination. In the event that they handed, they have been in a position to acquire licenses and jobs in quite a lot of states, prosecutors stated.

    The colleges concerned — Siena School, Palm Seaside Faculty of Nursing and Sacred Middle Global Institute — are actually closed.

    A few of those that bought levels have been from South Florida’s Haitian-American group, together with some with professional LPN licenses who sought after to turn out to be registered nurses, the Miami Bring in reported.

    “Well being care fraud is not anything new to South Florida, as many scammers see this in an effort to earn simple, regardless that unlawful, cash,“ appearing Particular Agent in Rate Chad Yarbrough stated Wednesday.

    He stated it’s in particular aggravating that greater than 7,600 other people across the nation acquired faux credentials and have been probably in important healthcare roles treating sufferers.

    The promoting and buying of nursing diplomas and transcripts to “keen however unqualified people” is a criminal offense that “probably endangers the well being and protection of sufferers and insults the honorable occupation of nursing,” stated Particular Agent in Rate Omar Pérez Aybar. Pérez stated investigators have now not discovered, then again, that any of the nurses brought about hurt to sufferers.

    The scholars paid a complete of $114 million for the faux levels between 2016 and 2021, the newspaper reported. About 2,400 of the 7,600 scholars ultimately handed their licensing tests — basically in New York, federal officers stated. Nurses qualified in New York are allowed to observe in Florida and lots of different states.

    A lot of the ones other people would possibly lose their certification however most probably gained’t be criminally charged, federal officers stated.

  • GOP Rep. Greg Steube Injured In Coincidence On His Assets

    “Congressman Steube used to be enthusiastic about an twist of fate on his assets past due this afternoon and has sustained a number of accidents,” the tweet stated. “We can supply further updates when imaginable. Please pray for the Congressman and his circle of relatives.”

    A spokesperson for Steube didn’t in an instant go back a request for remark.

    The lawmaker has represented Florida’s seventeenth Congressional District, in south-central Florida, since 2019. In the past, he served within the Florida Space and Florida Senate between 2010 and 2018. He used to be within the U.S. Military for 4 years from 2004 to 2008.

    The 44-year-old used to be one of the most 147 Republicans in Congress who voted to overturn the 2020 election effects after the Jan. 6, 2021, rebellion on the U.S. Capitol. Final yr, he made headlines after he waved 3 weapons round throughout a digital listening to on gun violence.

    This can be a growing tale. Please take a look at again for updates.

  • Ron DeSantis Proposes Completely Banning COVID-19 Mandates

    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) mentioned Tuesday that he needs to completely ban a lot of protection measures supposed to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, together with masks and vaccine mandates.

    “When the arena misplaced its thoughts, Florida was once a shelter of sanity, serving strongly as freedom’s linchpin,” he mentioned at a press convention, consistent with CNN. “Those measures will ensure that Florida stays this manner and can supply landmark protections without spending a dime speech for clinical practitioners.”

    DeSantis emerged as a darling of the Republican Celebration partly thru his opposition to federal pandemic pointers. He in the past enacted transient government orders to ban COVID-19 protection precautions and now hopes to make the insurance policies everlasting.

    “We imagine that there’s no turning again from our route,” DeSantis mentioned on the press convention. “And we wish to lead with this. We wish to lead with this via making these types of protections everlasting in state statute, which we’re going to do within the upcoming legislative consultation.”

    The governor added that he plans to inspire the Republican-held Florida Area and Senate to fortify his insurance policies, which come with banning COVID-19 passports previously required for commute and prohibiting employers from hiring or firing staff in keeping with their vaccination standing.

    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he expects the state's Republican-held House and Senate to support his policies.
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned he expects the state’s Republican-held Area and Senate to fortify his insurance policies.

    DeSantis mentioned his coverage proposal would come with law that “protects clinical execs’ freedom of speech,” a rebuttal to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) new legislation that defines spreading clinical incorrect information as doable skilled misconduct.

    DeSantis invited dermatologist Jon Ward, who has made more than one unsubstantiated claims tying high-profile deaths to COVID-19 vaccines, to talk at his press convention.

    “Governor DeSantis helps the most powerful loose speech coverage for physicians in The us,” Ward mentioned on the tournament. “I will be able to be venerated to be a few of the freest docs, who care for the freest sufferers, within the freest state in The us.”

    Florida state Area Minority Chief Fentrice Driskell (D) later held a press convention of her personal and mentioned, “Smartly, that was once bizarre.”

    DeSantis is recently main former President Donald Trump in numerous polls of Republican citizens and may just neatly turn out to be the birthday celebration’s nominee for 2024 ― even though some imagine he lacks attraction.

    Whether or not Florida’s Republican-held legislature will fortify making his insurance policies everlasting continues to be observed. As for his maximum evident pageant, Trump instructed the “Water Cooler” podcast Monday that he’ll “care for” DeSantis “the way in which I care for issues” if the 2 move face to face.

  • Police: 8 Folks Shot, 1 Vital At Florida MLK Day Match

    FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Police in Florida mentioned 8 other folks had been shot Monday all the way through an MLK Jr. Day match, with some of the sufferers indexed in crucial situation.

    The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Workplace showed the entire sufferers within the early night taking pictures in Castle Pierce had been adults, WPBF-TV reported.

    The taking pictures happened at Ilous Ellis Park at 5:20 p.m. all the way through an MLK Automobile Display and Circle of relatives Amusing Day, which the sheriff’s place of business mentioned was once attended by means of greater than 1,000 other folks, WPBF-TV reported.

    “More than one other folks had been shot, it appears like from our preliminary investigation right here on scene there was once a confrontation of a few kind between two events, and sadly, they selected to unravel that with weapons,” St. Lucie County Leader Deputy Brian Hester mentioned.

    Police mentioned 4 other folks together with a kid sustained non-life-threatening accidents all the way through the following confusion, the station reported.

    “It was once mass chaos, as you’ll believe, when photographs rang out,” Hester mentioned. “There have been 1000 plus other folks right here on the match, and because the photographs rang out, other folks had been simply operating in all instructions.”

    The sheriff’s place of business mentioned two deputies on the match spoke back right away and aided sufferers, WPBF-TV reported.

    Video got by means of the station confirmed other folks ducking, operating and hiding at the back of vehicles, together with a lady operating to protection whilst maintaining a child.

    “It’s in point of fact unhappy in a birthday celebration of anyone who represented peace and equality {that a} confrontation ends up in a use of weapons and violence to unravel that confrontation, and that’s what’s in point of fact unhappy to me about what came about right here,” Hester mentioned. “After which such a lot of blameless individuals who had been injured or harm and weren’t a part of the confrontation as smartly.”

  • Brazil Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro Offers Autographs To Enthusiasts In Florida

    KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — A pair dozen enthusiasts scored autographs from Jair Bolsonaro on Friday, however the debatable former Brazilian president didn’t emerge to greet them after a stint within the health center previous this week.

    The fitting-wing populist has been quietly staying with a supporter in an Orlando suburb since leaving Brazil in overdue December and skipping the Jan. 1 swearing-in of his leftist successor. On Sunday, supporters again house who refused to simply accept his defeat overtly attacked the Brazilian capital, prompting some lawmakers there and within the U.S. to call for the Biden management to expel him.

    Eduardo Carvalho, 47, a Brazilian-born realtor and pastor from Kissimmee, Fla., was once amongst the ones out of doors the house of combined martial arts fighter Jose Aldo on Friday. He stated the previous president hadn’t fomented the capital assault and must be left by myself.

    “He got here right here legally, he didn’t do the rest incorrect and why ― if this can be a unfastened nation ― would we deal with a former president like that? It is a disgrace,” he stated.

    The supporters passed a safety guard out of doors the place of abode such things as Brazilian-themed T-shirts, hats, banners and items of paper to be autographed. One girls despatched in her shoe.

    The person went in thrice and each and every time returned mins later with Bolsonaro’s autographs at the pieces.

    Carvalho, who stated he supported Bolsonaro as a result of he had promoted circle of relatives values and residential education “unfastened from indoctrination,” stated he despatched a small reward, a letter and a call for participation to a non secular collecting.

    Bolsonaro was once hospitalized Monday with an stomach adhesion stemming from a 2018 stabbing assault, he wrote on Instagram in conjunction with a photograph of himself on a mattress.

    He hasn’t posted about his well being tendencies since, however he informed a Brazilian media outlet on Tuesday that he can be returning to Brazil earlier than the late-January departure he at the beginning deliberate.

    He entered the U.S. whilst nonetheless president and would most likely have held a visa reserved for sitting heads of state, which might grant him no less than 30 days following the tip of his time period earlier than both having to depart or observe for a transformation of visa.

    A gaggle of 46 Democratic lawmakers wrote to President Joe Biden on Thursday to call for Bolsonaro’s visa be canceled within the wake of Sunday’s rampage, wherein his supporters trashed Congress, the Ideal Courtroom and presidential palace. The letter stated the U.S. must now not safe haven a pace-setter “who has impressed such violence towards democratic establishments.”

    John Raoux in Kissimmee, Fla, contributed to this document.

  • Monumental Boa Constrictor Found out In Lady’s Elevate-On Baggage Via TSA

    A “Snakes on a Aircraft” state of affairs at Tampa Global Airport used to be fortunately averted when Transportation Safety Management (TSA) officials found out a huge boa constrictor within the carry-on bag of an unidentified passenger.

    TSA publicized the incident on Dec. 15 in a pun-laden Instagram publish and had no qualms about making mild of the subject.

    “There’s a risk noodle in that bag…,” it learn. “Our officials at Tampa Global Airport didn’t in finding this hyssssssterical! Coiled up in a passenger’s carry-on used to be a 4’ boa constrictor! We don’t have any adder-ation for locating any puppy going thru an x-ray gadget.”

    Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson, showed the passenger used to be a girl. Farbstein advised CNN that the transportation company notified the airline she used to be “ticketed to fly on,” and — in in all probability the least sudden determination — “the airline didn’t allow the snake at the aircraft.”

    “Do you’ve got asp-irations of taking a snake on a aircraft? Don’t get upsetti spaghetti via no longer working out your airline’s laws,” wrote the TSA within the publish. “For example, airways don’t permit nope ropes in carry-on luggage, and only some let them slither round in checked luggage if packaged accurately.”

    In the end, this sort of mistake is a ways from unusual.

    One individual at New York’s John F. Kennedy Global Airport used to be reportedly surprised to discover a cat in his carry-on remaining yr — and mentioned one in all their roommates should’ve packed it. In the meantime, body of workers on the Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin, discovered a canine in a backpack.

    The TSA instructs passengers to take away pets from their sporting instances to be despatched thru screening machines. Boa constrictors, which kill their prey via wrapping round them to asphyxiate them, are most often most effective allowed in checked baggage.

    The dad-joke barrage of an Instagram publish pointed readers to “AskTSA,” a Twitter knowledge portal that may be reached seven days every week between 8 a.m. and six p.m. EST. Sadly, if contemporary animal discoveries via the TSA are any indication, some passengers nonetheless have so much to be told.