West FURginia guidebook lists pet friendly attractions
CHARLESTON — Dog lovers can get a guide of pet-friendly attractions in West Virginia.The free, 20-page booklet lists places to go and things to do while accompanied by pets on leashes.The state Division of Tourism released the “West FURginia Guide” last week.The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that among such available attractions are several restaurants and eateries, dog-friendly cabins at state parks, and sternwheeler cruises to Blennerhassett Island State Historical Park.Copies of the guide are available by calling (800) 225-5982, or by visiting GoToWV.com. Share Posted by West FURginia guidebook lists pet friendly attractions << Previous PostNext Post >> Travelweek Group Monday, August 29, 2016 
Posted by Share Monday, October 31, 2016 Travelweek Group Tags: National Airlines
National Airlines grounded in St. John’s until outstanding fees are paid ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — A commercial National Airlines jet has been grounded at the international airport in St. John’s, N.L. under a court order preventing take off until the airline takes care of the payments it owes the airport authority.St. John’s International Airport Authority issued a statement on Sunday saying the Boeing 757 aircraft has been sitting idle since Friday and will not leave until the operator pays its outstanding fees.The authority also said it “exhausted all avenues” to collect the payments before turning to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador for a court order.CBC reports that the plane landed in St. John’s at 6:28 p.m. on Friday, inbound from Orlando. But the scheduled return flight to Florida was cancelled, with passengers unable to rebook on the discount airline. They were either booked on another flight or reimbursed for the full cost of their ticket.By Sunday afternoon, a notice on the airline’s website stated: “We regret to inform you that we are cancelling several flights in November and December and have decided to not extend our service to St. John’s beyond Jan. 6, 2017.”More news: Onex paying big to get WestJet and that will send airfares soaring, says CWTNational Airlines has offered a direct flight from St. John’s to Orlando since January, and initially held a partnership with Provincial Airlines, which ended in the spring.With file from The Canadian Press << Previous PostNext Post >>
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 << Previous PostNext Post >> TORONTO — We all know that New York ranks among the most expensive cities in America to live in. But to travel to? It doesn’t even rank in the top 10.According to the latest survey from CheapHotels.org, the Big Apple is nowhere to be seen on a list of the 10 most expensive destinations in the U.S. this spring. Cities that did make the list, however, will surprise you.Coming in first place is Charleston, South Carolina, where an overnight guest will have to spend an average US$241 per night for a hotel room. Nashville, TN and Napa, CA round out the top three, with nightly rates of $237 and $234, respectively, for their most affordable room.Here’s the top 10:1. Charleston (South Carolina) $2412. Nashville (Tennessee) $2373. Napa (California) $2344. Key West (Florida) $2315. Calistoga (California) $2266. Austin (Texas) $2247. Islamorada (Florida) $2248. Santa Monica (California) $2149. Poipu (Hawaii) $21410. Boston (Massachusetts) $216More news: Hotel charges Bollywood star $8.50 for two bananas and the Internet has thoughtsThe survey compared all major U.S. destinations based on their average hotel cost during the months of April and May. For comparative purposes, the survey established the minimum price travellers will have to pay to stay in each destination’s cheapest available double room.Only those hotels and inns with a central location and with an overall rating of three stars or more were considered. Share Travelweek Group 
Which U.S. city is the most expensive this spring? (It’s not what you think) Tags: America, New York Posted by
Travelweek Group Tags: Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, Promotions Posted by Up to 35% off a year of vacations with Bahia Principe’s Happiness Week Share
MIAMI — Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts has launched a one-week, value-driven campaign with exclusive discounts of up to 35% on hotel bookings, plus kids stay free deals valid on travel Nov. 1, 2017 through October 2018. Bookings must be made Sept. 19 – 26, 2017.“Happiness Week features our most aggressive discounts of the year allowing vacationers to enjoy our elevated, all-inclusive experience at an unbeatable price point,” said Helen Montijano, VP of Sales and Marketing for the U.S. & Canada.“This one-week sale represents the best value on the market for travelers and the extended travel window, applicable on travel through 2018, allows for extraordinary savings on stays during peak season, including holiday travel.”Bahia Principe is also offering enhanced savings with its Kids Stay Free offer at select hotels. Highlights at the brand’s kid-friendly properties include family suites in select hotels, kids’ clubs and waterparks.Kids Stay Free is available at select hotels on bookings via select tour operators on travel through Oct. 31, 2018. Black out dates and restrictions on number of children and room categories apply. For more information visit www.bahiaprincipe.com. << Previous PostNext Post >> Tuesday, September 19, 2017 
No related posts. The United States on Thursday declared the notorious Central American gang MS-13 one of the world’s most dangerous criminal groups, and launched a campaign to lock down its financial resources.The U.S. Treasury Department officially labeled the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, a “transnational criminal organization,” a designation also applied to the Italian mafia and Japanese Yakuza. The U.S. government also banned any U.S. citizens from doing business with the group.“MS-13 is an extremely violent and dangerous gang responsible for a multitude of crimes that directly threaten the welfare and security of U.S. citizens, as well as countries throughout Central America,” said Treasury Under-Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen.Cohen said the group has been expanding its activities into murders, racketeering, drug trafficking and sex trafficking.“What we see is an organization with substantial financial flows,” Cohen said.Officials in Washington want “to prevent MS-13 from using its financial wherewithal to infiltrate … legitimate business,” he said.Sanctions under the new designation will help U.S. officials shut MS-13 out of the U.S. financial system and make it more difficult to move money around the world, he said.Cohen called the action Thursday a “first step” in a campaign that could see, as with other designated criminal organizations, leaders, their families, and any related businesses hit with sanctions.With at least 30,000 members mostly in Central and North America, including 8,000 in the United States, the group is “one of the most dangerous and rapidly expanding criminal gangs in the world today,” the Treasury Department said, adding that, “MS-13’s criminal nature can be seen in one of its mottos: ‘Mata, roba, viola, controla’ (Kill, steal, rape, control).”The move officially places MS-13 on a list of “significant transnational criminal organizations” that already includes the Brother’s Circle rooted in Russia and Eastern Europe, Mexico’s Zetas, Italy’s Camorra and Japan’s Yakuza.“This action positions us to target the associates and financial networks supporting MS-13, and gives law enforcement an additional tool in its efforts to disrupt MS-13’s activities,” Cohen said.The Treasury Department said MS-13’s local units, found in 40 U.S. states, are directed by a leadership based in Central America, mainly in El Salvador.“Money generated by local MS-13 cliques in the U.S. is consolidated and funneled to the group’s leadership in El Salvador,” it said.Since 2006, more than 4,000 MS-13 members have been arrested in the U.S. Facebook Comments
Students from the Interactive Media program at Elon University in North Carolina have created a new website to share information about Costa Rica’s Térraba indigenous group, who live in Buenos Aires de Puntarenas in the southern part of the country.Seven students and two professors spent a week living in the Térraba community, gathering information, learning about the culture, history and challenges residents face, and taking photos and video. They returned to the United States to put it all together at www.terraba.org, which was launched Jan. 24.“It was a wonderful experience. We didn’t know what we were getting into, but they opened up their homes to us and had different activities for us to do every day to learn more about the culture,” participating student Dioni Wise said. According to Wise, each student received a different task, including photographer, videographer, project manager, writer and researcher, graphic designer, web builder and librarian. “The job they did was of very high quality and very important for us. It is the first time someone did something like this here in the Térraba community,” said Jerhy Rivera, vice president of the Asociación Cultural Indígena Teribe (Teribe Indigenous Culture Association). “The most important thing for us is to inform the world about the touristic potential our town has, and about our values and natural resources,” added Rivera, who worked as a guide for the group while they lived in the community. Rivera said he has received several calls from people in Costa Rica and abroad telling him how much they like the site.The website is divided into six sections that provide readers information about the location, community structure, language, economy, religion and food of the Térraba, who are also known as Teribe. The history section has an overview and a timeline that shows the group’s background. The culture page offers photo slideshows, videos and interactive information about sacred sites, language, traditions, farming and food, art and medicinal plants. The tourism section has information about attractions including rafting, rappelling and hiking and accommodations, including a new guesthouse built recently with a donation from the United Nations.The challenges page highlights an ongoing community problem caused by the Costa Rican government’s decision to build a $2 billion hydroelectric dam in the area. The project would displace residents of a community that has been there for more than 500 years. Opponents also say it would destroy indigenous land and greatly affect local biodiversity. The Térraba people have had issues with land-rights management since they were granted title to part of their traditional territory in 1956. The Costa Rican Electricity Institute is developing the Diquís Hydroelectric Project, which would create a 27-square-mile lake that would flood 10 percent of Térraba-titled land. In addition to land struggles, the Térraba also have been fighting for their right to influence their local school system. Residents say they want an education system that respects their cultural belief system.“We want people to visit the Térraba indigenous community. We want people to support the defense of the river, the defense of natural resources,” Rivera said. “We invite everyone to come to Térraba to see all beauty we have: rivers, medicinal plants, waterfalls, caves. The students from Elon University made this site during a key moment for our community, to show the world what we have.” Facebook Comments No related posts.
No related posts. The Costa Rican Foreign Ministry sent a formal letter to the United States Embassy in San José on Wednesday requesting clarification aboutalleged spying by the U.S. National Security Agency in the country.The letter, signed by Vice Minister Luis Fernando Salazar, requested that U.S. authorities “confirm the veracity of the reports and, if they are true, explain the reach of these programs.”The request followed reports in the Brazilian newspaper O Globo Tuesday alleging NSA monitoring of electronic and telephone communications in Latin American countries under the controversial program “Prism,” according to documents obtained by the daily from former-intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.Mexico, Brazil and Colombia were the top targets of the supposed snooping, with Costa Rica listed alongside several other countries in the region under regular but less intensive surveillance by the spy agency. When contacted for comment earlier this week, Eric Turner, press officer for the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, said that it is not policy to comment on individual allegations of spying and that the department handles these concerns through bilateral diplomatic channels.The press representative added that the U.S. collects the same kind of foreign intelligence as other nations.Diplomatic platitudes, however, did little to assuage outrage from Latin American governments over the supposed surveillance.Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla said Tuesday that she was “uncomfortable” with the idea of the NSA spying on communications from Costa Rica.Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff ordered an investigation into the report of electronic spying on Brazilian citizens and companies.“It sends chills up my spine when we learn that they are spying on us through their intelligence services in Brazil,” Argentine President Cristina Kirchner said, referring to another O Globo report that the United States maintained a satellite spy base in Brasilia at least until 2002. The tensions are more awkward for close U.S. allies listed as surveillance targets by the newspaper report. Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto said that would be “completely unacceptable” if the allegations were true but added that the neighboring countries maintain relations of “respect and cordiality.”Mexico and the United States have worked closely in the battle against drug trafficking in recent years, with the U.S. government earmarking $1.9 billion in law enforcement training and equipment.Costa Rica received $18.4 million in direct security spending from the U.S. in 2012, reported The Associated Press. Kirchner called on Latin American countries to use today’s meeting of the customs union Mercosur in Uruguay to make a collective statement about the allegations.Costa Rican Foreign Minister Ernesto Castillo is in the South American country on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said.Latin America has become one of the top regions for the 30-year-old whistleblower to accept asylum. After Bolivian President Evo Morales’ airplane was rerouted from Moscow to Vienna last week on suspicions that Snowden was on board, he has received asylum offers from Bolivia, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Facebook Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The first U.S. government shutdown in nearly two decades put a choke hold on Washington Tuesday, as the White House and Republicans dug in for an extended struggle with no way out in sight.National monuments were barricaded, U.S. war cemeteries in Europe closed, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers sent home without pay, after dawn revealed the wreckage of the U.S.’ latest paralyzing political crisis.President Barack Obama accused conservatives in the House of Representatives of waging an “ideological crusade” by making government funding conditional on gutting his health reform law.His top foe, House Speaker John Boehner, meanwhile claimed Obama was pursuing a “scorched earth” policy by refusing to negotiate with Republicans, as the rhetoric hit new heights and hopes for a swift end to the standoff faded.The president was in feisty form at a White House event marking the rollout of a key portion of Obamacare, which turned into an extended taunt at Republicans for failing to halt implementation of the sweeping law.“This Republican shutdown did not have to happen – I want every American to understand why it did happen,” Obama said.“They have shut down the government over an ideological crusade to deny affordable health care to millions of Americans.”It was the morning after on Capitol Hill, where late night brinkmanship Monday sent the U.S. into its first government shutdown in 17 years when the money ran out at midnight.Boehner, who effectively chose to side with the uproarious Tea Party faction of his party rather than risk his job by attempting to pass a straight funding resolution stripped of political poison pills, lit into the president.“Washington Democrats have slammed the door on reopening the government by refusing to engage in bipartisan talks,” he wrote in an opinion piece in USA Today.“This is part of a larger pattern: the president’s scorched-earth policy of refusing to negotiate in bipartisan way on his health care law, current government funding, or the debt limit.”So far at least, Boehner was dancing on the trickiest political ground.A Quinnipiac University poll found voters oppose the shutdown of the government as a way to derail Obamacare by a margin of 72 percent to 22 percent.The New York Daily News tabloid had a more blunt summation: “House of Turds” its front page read, in a swipe at Republicans modelled on the hit Netflix political mini series “House of Cards.”Thousands of federal workers trekked into town only to clear their desks and to be told they were not “essential” to the running of the U.S. government machine.Young aides trooped out of the White House, leaving Obama with only a skeleton crew on hand.Perplexed tourists were turned away from monuments and museums on the National Mall secured behind barriers and tape reading “Police Line: Do not Cross.”But one hardy group was made of sterner stuff – an ageing band of the so-called Greatest Generation showed up at the World War II memorial and refused to be denied entry.Those visiting their dead comrades in France, Belgium, Italy and elsewhere were turned away, as funding dried up for U.S. cemeteries in 20 corners of foreign fields.Another symbol of hard won freedoms – The Statue of Liberty in New York – was off-limits to disappointed tourists.“The Statue of Liberty is such a strong symbol for so many people. It is America, it symbolizes freedom, jobs, a government you can trust,” said Bea Mueller, left in tears after she traveled from Seattle to tour the monument, only to find it closed.Other government-funded bodies seen as doing urgent work, like the military and border patrol, were kept at full strength, but the Pentagon was due to stand down almost half of its 800,000 civilian employees.Under the serene Capitol Dome, warring lawmakers, exhausted by the political theatrics of Monday night, stirred as the shutdown moved into its 18th hour.But early hopes that a compromise would emerge once the shock of the shutdown had hit proved premature.Republicans in the House and Senate geared up for an effort to pass small bills funding popular parts of the government, including Veterans benefits and museums.The plan appeared to be an attempt to shame Democrats who say they will not negotiate with “a gun to their head” with the government closed.“That proposal shows the utter lack of seriousness that we’re seeing from Republicans,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney.Democratic Senate Majority leader Harry Reid added: “We won’t be forced to choose between parks and cancer research … or the FBI.”Democratic tactics were designed to thwart every Republican attempt for a face-saving exit and to force an eventual climbdown from Boehner.Obama warned that the shutdown could have disastrous consequences for the sluggish economic recovery.“We may not know the full impact of this Republican shutdown for some time,” he said.“We know that the last time Republicans shut down the government in 1996, it hurt our economy. And unlike 1996, our economy is still recovering from the worst recession in generations.”To press his case, Obama was due to meet CEOs of some top Wall Street firms at the White House on Wednesday. Facebook Comments No related posts.
Experts from the National Emergency Commission (CNE) last week conducted aerial inspections of nine sites in the San José metropolitan area where ground conditions are prone to landslides during the rainy season.The CNE conducts surveillance throughout the year, but those inspections are increased both by air and on the ground at the start of the rainy season, which runs from May to November. CNE experts last week found a small displacement of terrain on Bajo Alumbre hill, at the canton of Turrubares in San José. (Courtesy of CNE)Last week’s inspections found that while active displacement of ground material is occurring, most of the land is currently stable.The air inspections surveyed hills in the southern Greater Metropolitan Area at Las Lajas in Escazú, Burío in Aserrí, Chitaría and Tapezco in Santa Ana, Potrerillos in Acosta, Alto Alumbre in Turrubares, and La Cascabela in Alajuelita.These areas are under strict monitoring by CNE experts because they are most prone to landslides caused by heavy rains. Inspection teams also include experts from various scientific agencies and municipal officials.CNE’s head of disaster prevention, Lidier Esquivel, said that “although the condition of the hills is mostly stable, a landslide can occur at any time because of the country’s geological and topographical conditions.”Esquivel recommended residents in these areas to remain vigilant to visible changes such as the tilting of trees, the sudden formation of large trenches or loud rumbling.The CNE will continue conducting periodical inspections of these hills, and the agency uses real-time monitoring with two Web cameras located at Tablazo and Chitaría, where serious landslides have previously occurred. That area is close to populated neighborhoods and major roadways. Facebook Comments Related posts:Route 32 to Caribbean coast reopened to traffic, but officials urge caution Emergency on Route 32 as landslides trap hundreds of motorists on mountainous Costa Rica highway Costa Rica’s Caribbean region hit by heavy rains, flooding El Niño in Costa Rica: We haven’t seen the worst of it yet, say experts
Sponsored Stories Arizona families, Arizona farms: A legacy of tradition embracing animal care and comfort through modern technology A few anti-monarchist demonstrators were outside the cathedral with slogans including “Republic Now!” or, in a shot at the cost of maintaining the monarchy, “9500 Nurses or 1 Queen?”Royalists in the crowd responded noisily, chanting “God save the queen!”Along the parade route, 70-year-old Margaret Barker said Philip’s absence would put a damper on the queen’s day.“She’s got the rest of her family around her but when you think of all the planning there’s been for this and how long they’ve been together, it seems very sad that he can’t be with her today,” Barker said.Tourist Cassandra Past, 20, from New York, said she expected the queen to keep her chin up despite worries about her 90-year-old husband. “She is the queen, and she sort of has to put on a good face for her country and her people,” Past said.___AP’s David MacDougall contributed to this report.(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) “She has made her public happy and all the signs are that she is herself happy, fulfilled and at home in these encounters.”With most of Tuesday’s events indoors or under cover, there was less worry about the precarious weather, which has ranged from unseasonably cool to downright foul, as rain poured during Sunday’s grand procession of boats down the Thames.Among the early arrivals at the cathedral were four women from Jedburgh, a Scottish town near the English border, who displayed a large Union Jack flag.“We’ve been saving for three years to come here,” said Marion Kingswood, 69. “Apart from the royal wedding, there’s been nothing like it. Sixty years is such an achievement.”Barry Dandy, 71, and his wife flew in from Sydney, Australia, to join in the celebrations.“They showed a preview of the River Pageant on Australian television and my wife said, `I’d love to be there,’” Dandy said. “It’s been great to take part in the celebrations.”The Very Rev. David Ison, the dean of St. Paul’s, said Philip would be remembered in the prayers.“We were already going to say prayers for the Duke of Edinburgh and it will have an added poignancy as we hope he will make a swift recovery,” Ison said. Top Stories Associated PressLONDON (AP) – Crowds cheering “God save the queen!” and pealing church bells greeted Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday as she arrived for a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on the last of four days of celebrations of her 60 years on the throne.Poignantly, the queen was without Prince Philip, her husband of 64 years, who was hospitalized on Monday for treatment of a bladder infection. New high school in Mesa lets students pick career paths Comments Share During the service, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, praised the queen for bringing happiness to the nation. His thoughts were seconded by jubilant crowds that cheered royals major and minor as they made their way to the service of thanksgiving.“We are marking six decades of living proof that public service is possible and that it is a place where happiness can be found,” Williams told the royals and dignitaries filling the vast landmark church designed by Christopher Wren in the 17th century.“This year has already seen a variety of Jubilee creations and projects. But its most lasting memorial would be the rebirth of an energetic, generous spirit of dedication to the common good and the public service, the rebirth of a recognition that we live less than human lives if we think just of our own individual good,” Williams added.The queen will close the Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a rare address to the nation.The broadcast at 1700 GMT (1 p.m. EDT) in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth follows the service, a lunch in a medieval hall and a carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace where the queen and her family could greet well-wishers from a balcony. More Valley freeways to be closed this weekend for improvements Think Tank analyzes the second round of Democratic debates Meghan McCain to release audiobook on conservatism, family Men’s health affects baby’s health too The two-minute address, recorded on Monday, will also be available on the Royal Channel on YouTube, the palace said. Other than the annual Christmas Day broadcasts, the 86-year-old monarch has rarely spoken directly to the nation.Williams paid tribute to the queen for her service to the nation and Commonwealth. It was not a role she chose, but one thrust upon her when her uncle David, King Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936. The queen’s father became king and Elizabeth, the elder daughter, was destined to reign.Within the constraints of a constitutional monarchy, the queen’s life has been one of ceremonial duty, world travel and the pleasures of great wealth. She has also been the mother of family that has produced turbulent marriages and traumatic divorces.“Dedication to the service of a community certainly involves that biblical sense of an absolute purge of selfish goals, but it is also the opening of a door into shared riches,” Williams said.“I don’t think it’s at all fanciful to say that, in all her public engagements, our queen has shown a quality of joy in the happiness of others; she has responded with just the generosity St. Paul speaks of in showing honor to countless local communities and individuals of every background and class and race,” Williams said. Quick workouts for men
Think Tank analyzes the second round of Democratic debates The PRD has struggled in the rest of Mexico, but it has held a lock on Mexico City since the mayorship became an elected position in 1997.(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexico’s main leftist party appears to have won big in the Mexico City mayor’s race.Miguel Angel Mancera of the Democratic Revolution Party says exit polls favor his victory after voting in the capital ended Sunday.His closest challenger, Beatriz Paredes of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, says none of the exit polls favor her. The conservative National Action Party’s candidate, Isabel Miranda de Wallace, has not commented on the voting. Top Stories Comments Share More Valley freeways to be closed this weekend for improvements Arizona families, Arizona farms: providing the local community with responsibly produced dairy
Men’s health affects baby’s health too Sponsored Stories Meghan McCain to release audiobook on conservatism, family New high school in Mesa lets students pick career paths 4 ways to protect your company from cyber breaches
3 international destinations to visit in 2019 Mary Coyle ice cream to reopen in central Phoenix ATHENS, Greece (AP) – A Greek man has been arrested on suspicion of having stolen 9 million personal data files in what is believed to be the biggest breach of private information the country has ever seen.Police said Tuesday that the 35-year-old, whose name was not released, was found in possession of the data files that included identity card details, tax numbers, vehicle license plate numbers and home addresses. Construction begins on Chandler hospital expansion project The files appeared to include duplicate entries, meaning the number of actual individuals affected could be lower. Greece has a population of around 10 million.Authorities are investigating how the man, who faces felony charges of data theft, came into possession of the files and whether he intended to sell the list, police spokesman Christos Manouras said.The investigation began Monday after an employee at the data protection authority notified police that someone appeared to have a large number of digital files containing personal data, the head of financial and electronic crimes police Dimitris Georgatzis said.The 35-year-old was tracked down through the internet, and computer equipment seized from his house during a search, Georgatzis added.(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Sponsored Stories Bottoms up! Enjoy a cold one for International Beer Day
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Top ways to honor our heroes on Veterans Day The EU ministers meeting in Luxembourg also proposed negotiations for closer ties with Kosovo, a possible step on the way of membership talks. Serbia hopes that the talks will pave the way for foreign investment and unblock access to the bloc’s pre-entry funds.Serbia’s neighbor Croatia will join the EU on July 1 as the bloc’s 28th member.A vital breakthrough came April 19, when Serbia and Kosovo reached a historic agreement to normalize relations between the Balkan rivals and end years of acrimony.“Both countries worked very hard in recent months on the normalization of their relations,” said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. “We welcome this and it deserves a positive European response,” he said.Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, declared independence in 2008. Over the years, Belgrade has said it would never recognize the sovereignty of Kosovo, which is considered by Serbia’s nationalists to be the cradle of the country’s medieval statehood and religion.Kosovo has been recognized by more than 90 countries including the U.S. and 22 of the EU’s 27 members.Membership negotiations can take years, since any new EU nation has to bring reams of legislation into line with EU standards, from farm policy to human rights and legal issues. New Valley school lets students pick career-path academies Serbia has already made several reforms to clear the way for the start of negotiations.After starting out as a largely western European group, the EU has steadily expanded east and into the Balkans to bring in several nations that were once dominated by communist regimes.(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Comments Share Ex-FBI agent details raid on Phoenix body donation facility Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter shows health improvement The difference between men and women when it comes to pain BRUSSELS (AP) – The European Union on Tuesday provisionally agreed to open membership talks with Serbia by January at the latest, acknowledging Belgrade’s efforts to improve relations with breakaway Kosovo and push through overall reforms.Ireland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore said that the unanimous recommendation would be put to a summit of government leaders on Friday where it is overwhelmingly expected to be endorsed. Milstead says best way to stop wrong-way incidents is driving sober The vital role family plays in society Top Stories Sponsored Stories 
Top Stories FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique (AP) — French President Francois Hollande told Caribbean leaders on Saturday that a planned international green fund could help the vulnerable, tourism-dependent region mitigate the effects of climate change.Hollande headlined the Caribbean Climate Summit, which drew about 40 leaders or top officials from regional nations including the Bahamas, Trinidad and Cuba, as well as experts talking about renewable energy, waste and water management. Before the session, Hollande visited the tomb of Aime Cesaire, a renowned poet and politician who supported increased autonomy for the French Caribbean and urged blacks to cultivate pride in their heritage. He died in April 2008.Hollande arrived late Friday as part of a five-day tour through the French Caribbean before heading to Cuba and Haiti. He previously visited St. Barts and St. Martin and planned to meet with officials in Guadeloupe late Saturday and Sunday.Pascal Saffache, a university professor of geography in Martinique, said Hollande’s presence would help draw attention to climate change effects in a region vulnerable to hurricanes, rising sea levels and coastal erosion.“The Caribbean is made up of tiny countries that people generally don’t understand,” he said. “The words from a president carry weight.”Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Ex-FBI agent details raid on Phoenix body donation facility New Valley school lets students pick career-path academies Milstead says best way to stop wrong-way incidents is driving sober Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter shows health improvement Check your body, save your life The meeting came ahead of a global climate conference in Paris that activists hope will mark the first time that all countries take collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally.Hollande said the Paris session would highlight the importance of the U.N. climate fund, which is struggling to find donors.“Thanks to this fund, we will be able to find solutions to the problem of global warming,” he said.Officials have said they hope to secure at least 50 percent of the $10 billion that governments have pledged for the fund before the Paris summit begins.Hollande said climate change is a pressing issue that represents $600 million a year in costs to the Caribbean region alone, adding that he promises to reinforce and expand a local natural disaster fund.“This is a human issue that has displaced millions of people and caused the disappearance of species every year,” he said.Roosevelt Skerrit, with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, and other regional officials warned that the Caribbean faces rising sea levels that will hit economies largely dependent on tourism.“We are among the smallest (nations), but we are one of the most vulnerable,” Skerrit said. 5 ways to recognize low testosterone Comments Share Sponsored Stories 5 things to look for when selecting an ophthalmologist
The vital role family plays in society Jonas Bagas, executive director of the pro-LGBT rights group TLF Share, said the U.S. court ruling “will reverberate in other corners of the world.”The rally was scheduled to commemorate the 1969 demonstrations in New York City that started the gay rights movement around the world. Bagas said the U.S. court’s decision on Friday made it more significant.He said that in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines, where the church has fiercely opposed gay marriages along with divorce and artificial contraceptives, he expects the “conservative majority” to continue to block human rights for LGBTs.“We hope that after this decision, the struggle for equality can be reframed to go beyond marriage equality so that we can address other dehumanizing situations that LGBTs encounter,” he said.Sylvia Estrada Claudio, a gender rights advocate and professor of women development studies at the University of the Philippines, said the decision was also “a triumph for feminism” because of the “intimate connections” between discrimination based on biological gender and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Comments Share New Valley school lets students pick career-path academies Mesa family survives lightning strike to home Ex-FBI agent details raid on Phoenix body donation facility Sponsored Stories Here’s how to repair and patch damaged drywall
“I can’t help but note that the three women justices voted for marriage equality, forming a solid core in what was a close vote,” she said.Same-sex unions are not legally recognized in the Philippines because the country’s civil code limits marriages to a man and a woman.A gay lawyer, Jesus Nicardo Falcis III, has challenged the constitutionality of the civil code provision on marriage, saying that the constitution does not define marriage solely as between a man and a woman and that the family code itself does not require a married couple to have children or the ability to procreate.The U.S. court’s ruling “touches the very heart of same-sex relationships: that now you can marry and live with the one you love, your union protected by the legal mantle of the state,” said Danton Remoto, chairman of the LGBT Party List.Remoto said attaining recognition of same sex marriage in the Philippines may be achieved partly by working for an end to discrimination not just against LGBT people, but also against indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities.Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said in a statement that the church will continue teaching that marriage “is an indissoluble bond of man and woman.” He said, however, that the church won’t discriminate against LGBTs. Top Stories Check your body, save your life 5 greatest Kentucky Derby finishes MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Several hundred gays, lesbians and transgender people held a Gay Pride rally Saturday in the Philippine capital to push for LGBT rights and to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court decision recognizing gay marriages in all U.S. states as a victory for their cause.About 500 people marched around Manila’s Rizal Park, many carrying placards and streamers saying “Fight for Love” and waving rainbow banners. Some came with pets dressed in rainbow costumes. The church will study the U.S. court’s decision “with assiduousness, and revisit our concepts and presuppositions, always with an eye to being faithful to the Gospel and to the mission of the Church,” Villegas said.Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
NSW tourism minister Jodi McKay launched the short film ‘Celebrations’ at the new free Sydney Harbour Bridge Visitor Centre on Wednesday.The ‘Celebrations’ film captures community celebration of the bridge since its 1932 opening, including the world famous New Years Eve fireworks. Ms McKay said, “The new Sydney Harbour Bridge Visitor Centre gives everyone a great opportunity to learn more about the Bridge and to ‘celebrate New Year’s Eve every day.’ “What’s also important about this new attraction is that it’s one of a growing number of accessible tourism experiences now available in Sydney”.Ms McKay also launched the new look ‘sydneyforall.com’ website, the NSW Government’s accessible tourism portal for Sydney.The celebrations also marked the first official event, which Paul Cave, Chairman and Founder of BridgeClimb, has hosted since he became a recipient of a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).Paul was recognised on the Queen’s Birthday 2010 Honours list and in particular was commended for his service to Tourism in NSW.Paul commented on the new film, “The Sydney Harbour Bridge has been a centrepiece for Sydney celebrations since opening day. “The new film ‘Celebrations’ captures the spirit of these events, climaxing the world famous New Year’s Eve fireworks so you can experience them here every day.”The Sydney Harbour Bridge Visitor Centre is the first fully accessible space situated in and dedicated to Australia’s icon. Visitors can immerse themselves in interactive exhibits, display galleries and a 46 seat digital high definition cinema, which shares the stories of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from preconstruction to the present day. Source = e-Travel Blackboard: C.F Paul Cave & the Honorable Jodi McKay, Minister for Tourism 
Source = e-Travel Blackboard: C.F Google Inc has purchased ITA Software Inc., a flight-information software company, for $700 million. The internet search giant said the acquisition of ITA will simplify online comparison shopping for internet users and it will help drive more potential business to the $80 billion online travel market.”I think it’s unlikely that anything we do [with ITA’s technology] will look very much like what’s available today,” Google CEO Eric Schmidt told The Wall Street Journal. Google said the acquisition shouldn’t raise any antirust concerns because the company doesn’t currently compete against ITA, which licenses its technology to help power travel booking sites such as Kayak.com. However, the acquisition could still come under regulatory scrutiny because it pairs the largest search site on the Web with the dominant travel search software company. Mr. Schmidt told The Wall Street Journey that while he was comfortable with Google’s position, the company expected a “significant” regulatory review of the deal. <a href=”http://www.etbtravelnews.global/click/150b7/” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://adsvr.travelads.biz/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=10&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&n=a5c63036″ border=”0″ alt=””></a>
Source = e-Travel Blackboard: N.J Heavy rains and excess flooding may have scared off tourists earlier this month but the Murray River Marathon did not fail to draw a crowd this holiday season. Despite weather warnings the five day event which will conclude on New Year’s Eve, attracted hundreds of people as 700 canoes took on the mighty body of water, Bendigo Advertiser reported. Earlier this month tourism operators along the Murray River experienced a slow start to the holiday season after mass flooding in the river. With several camping grounds and parks forced to close due to lurking safety concerns, travellers have been advised to contact the area’s information centres for accommodation concerns, ABC reported. “We are certainly trying to encourage people to the Moira Shire area to check the website or phone the visitor information centres along the Murray,” Moira Shire council mayor Ed Cox said. “I have spoken to one local operator here along the Murray and he told me he’s never been so quiet in the last decade.”
Source = e-Travel Blackboard: N.J Hilton Worldwide was declared the largest hospitality company in the US in 2010 after it opened its 600,000th hotel room. The company said in a statement that with its recent title the company is well on its way to achieving its goal to be the “preeminent global hospitality company” Hilton Worldwide added that receiving the title was on its list of accomplishments from 2010. “2010 was a turning point for the industry with overall performance improving and showing more signs of recovery, and Hilton Worldwide was positioned at the front of the pack to capitalize on this rebound,” Hilton Worldwide president and chief executive Christopher J. Nassetta said. “Over the past few years, Hilton Worldwide has transformed our business and united as one globally-integrated company. “As a result, we recorded some very strong results in 2010 and have reason to be even more optimistic about what’s to come.”Among the company’s 2010 recognitions include; its selection as the number one franchise in the Entrepreneur’s Annual Franchise 500, the introduction of its global brand identity Doubletree by Hilton as well as receiving the highest honour in the JD Power and Associates 2010 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study.
Source = Carlson Wagonlit Travel Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has been recognised in two separate travel industry award ceremonies as the leading travel management company in the United Kingdom as well as Ireland. Last week CWT accepted “Best Travel Management Company” honors at the Business Travel Awards in London, and “The Best Corporate Travel Agency” at the Irish Travel Industry Awards in Dublin.Best Travel Management Company – United KingdomCWT UK was named “Best Travel Management Company (more than 250,000 UK transactions annually)” for the second consecutive year at the 2011 Business Travel Awards in London on January 24. The Business Travel Awards, the “Oscars” of the UK corporate travel sector, were judged by an industry panel of corporate travel buyers and business travel journalists. The panel noted CWT’s high client retention, exceptional response to the ash cloud and other operational challenges of 2010, and focus on the future.“Winning ‘Best TMC’ for the past three out of four years reflects the dedication of every person within CWT UK to provide the best service for our clients,” said Andrew Waller, executive vice president, CWT UK & Ireland. CWT UK was also highly commended for “Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program” and shortlisted with government client the Home Office for “Travel Team of the Year.” Best Corporate Travel Agency – IrelandJust a few days later, CWT Ireland was named “The Best Corporate Travel Agency” for the first time at the Irish Travel Industry Awards 2011, the premier awards for suppliers and distributors in the travel industry in Ireland, in Dublin on January 27. The award’s independent industry panel cited CWT’s client retention of 97%, exceptional sales, and a new leadership team that delivered a great result while balancing a significant amount of change in 2010. “CWT is very proud to receive this award following what has been a particularly challenging year,” said Lisa Whelan, country manager, CWT Ireland. “The successful transition from Executive Travel to Carlson Wagonlit Travel offers our clients further enhancements in technology and benefits from a global organisation, while retaining a flexible local service in Ireland.”CWT acquired Executive Travel in December 2008.