Travel News – Newsletter for February 18, 2010

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Rio samba group that fronted 7-year-old Carnival queen places last; underdog Tijuca wins

Group of 7-year-old queen last in Rio Carnival

RIO DE JANEIRO – A samba group that enraged child-welfare advocates by choosing a 7-year-old as a drums corps queen finished last Wednesday in the extravagant parade competition, relegating them to the minor leagues next year.
Julia Lira, daughter of Viradouro samba group president Marco Lira, was reduced to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rio samba group that fronted 7-year-old Carnival queen places last; underdog Tijuca wins.

Getty Museum, Sicilian culture ministry launch collaboration to conserve, share, protect art

Getty, Sicilian officials launch art collaboration

LOS ANGELES – The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Sicilian cultural ministry will collaborate to conserve art objects, stage exhibitions and do scholarly research.
The agreement was announced Wednesday in Palermo and Los Angeles.
The Getty Museum will present two exhibits.
One will examine Sicily’s founding Greek colonies, some … Read more >>>.

Buffalo to get passport office; Expected to open in fall

Buffalo to get passport office
BUFFALO, N.Y. – A new federal passport office will open in Buffalo later this year, giving those near western New York’s four busy border crossings quick access to the travel document.
Authorities said Wednesday the new downtown office will allow people to obtain a passport within hours of applying. Right …. Read the original article  : here.

FAA restricting Las Vegas air space Thursday and Friday during Obama visit

FAA restricting Vegas air space during Obama visit
LAS VEGAS – The Federal Aviation Administration says Las Vegas air space will be restricted for some traffic and closed to sightseeing air tours, gliders, parachutes and balloons during President Barack Obama’s visit to the region.
Obama is due to arrive Thursday and leave Friday.
He’s scheduled to … Read : FAA restricting Las Vegas air space Thursday and Friday during Obama visit.

Rio samba group demoted after fronting 7-year-old Carnival queen; underdog Tijuca wins

Tijuca crowned Rio Carnival parade champs
RIO DE JANEIRO – A samba group that enraged child-welfare advocates by choosing a 7-year-old as a drums corps queen finished last Wednesday in the extravagant parade competition, relegating them to the minor leagues next year.

Julia Lira, daughter of Viradouro samba group president Marco Lira, was reduced to tears under …. Original article  : Rio samba group demoted after fronting 7-year-old Carnival queen; underdog Tijuca wins.

SkyWest plane’s propeller blades strikes jetway at LA International Airport, no injuries

SkyWest plane hits LAX jetway with propeller blade

LOS ANGELES – The National Transportation Safety Board says a SkyWest Airlines plane propeller struck a boarding jetway at Los Angeles International Airport
NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson says none of the crew or 25 passengers on board the twin-engine Embraer turboprop airplane were injured Tuesday morning.
Knudson says the plane’s …. Source article  : SkyWest plane’s propeller blades strikes jetway at LA International Airport, no injuries.

Carnival agrees to buy 2 ships for its Princess Cruises brand to begin service in 2013, 2014

Carnival agrees to buy 2 cruise ships
MIAMI – Cruise operator Carnival Corp. said Wednesday it agreed to acquire two ships for its Princess Cruises Brand.

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri will build two 3,600-passenger cruise ships, scheduled to enter service in the spring of 2013 and the spring of 2014.
The new ships will have an all-in cost of …. Source  : Carnival agrees to buy 2 ships for its Princess Cruises brand to begin service in 2013, 2014.