SEATTLE, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Farecast.com, the smart travel search site, today launched free international predictions for more than 200 markets from U.S. cities to the most popular destinations in Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada. Consumers concerned with the wavering economy can expect higher airfares this summer to popular international destinations. Fares to Europe during the peak summer months are on average 11 percent higher this year over 2007. Consumers will be relieved to save over $150 on average for two tickets, using Farecast.com international predictions when shopping for airfare.

"With economic uncertainty and fares to Europe tracking 11 percent higher this year, the stakes of knowing when to buy are considerably higher for international flights," said Hugh Crean, president and CEO, Farecast.com.

Twin Cities passport office will eliminate trips to Chicago

The photographs show the very best parts of Karen Marks' honeymoon in Ireland last March. But the days leading up to the trip? "Not so wonderful," she says.

Though Karen submitted her application for a passport two months in advance of her trip, new passports requirements for North American travel had caused a backlog of passport requests last winter and spring.

"I couldn't get through on the lines," says Karen, who was becoming increasingly concerned about her absent passport. "I mean I was calling random several times a day."

With no passport in hand, days before her honeymoon, Karen made two frantic trips to the closest passport office - in Chicago. One by car, another by plane. "It was crazy," she says recalling the long lines in Chicago and the anxiety that brought her to tears.

Armani To Design Holmes' Wedding Gown

Famed fashion designer Giorgio Armani will design Katie Holmes' dress for her upcoming wedding to Tom Cruise.

Fashion bible Women's Wear Daily claims Armani has designed five different outfits for Holmes for various events taking place on the wedding weekend.

Nelson sees Webber as full-time starter

OAKLAND — Chris Webber has started 819 of 822 games in his NBA career, and he's not going to begin coming off the bench now.

Warriors coach Don Nelson said Monday that beginning with Thursday's game against the Chicago Bulls, Webber will be his fourth permanent starter, taking a slot alongside Baron Davis, Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson.

Since Nelson and Chris Mullin, the Warriors executive vice president, feel that one of Webber's greatest strengths comes in enhancing the production of his four teammates on the floor, what better way to maximize that trait than by putting him with Golden State's best players?

"I think he should start," Nelson said. "I'm planning on starting him every game."

Nelson said he'll primarily use either Andris Biedrins or Al Harrington as his fifth starter, with Matt Barnes mixed in when the Warriors are looking to go small.

Sea lions return to Audubon Zoo

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, the sea lions at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans were evacuated to rather comfy digs. Two animals were sent to the Houston Zoo, with three others taking up temporary residence at Moody Gardens in Galveston. Later Moody Gardens took the two sea lions from Houston, bringing the group together again.

The sea lion pool is one of the zoo’s most beloved attractions and is located in one of the zoo’s historic areas. The sea lion staff trains with all of the animals every day. The sea lions learn all the same commands, but each animal has a different response. Each animal knows how to wave a flipper, but each one has his or her own wave.