Government says US airlines had best on-time year since 2003; fewer mishandled bags, too

Airline on-time arrivals in 2009 best since 2003

MINNEAPOLIS – A new government report says airlines were on-time for 80 percent of their flights last year. That’s their best record since 2003.
The Transportation Department report released Friday says Hawaiian Airlines had the best record last year, followed by Southwest and Alaska Airlines. United had the best … Read more »».

Cowgirl Museum’s new O’Keeffe exhibit shows how camping trips in West inspired her paintings

New O’Keeffe exhibit shows artist’s different side

FORT WORTH, Texas – The elegant Georgia O’Keeffe is known for her large-scale paintings of vivid flowers, but she got inspiration for other works during many rustic camping trips out West.
That little-known side of O’Keeffe is the focus of a new exhibit opening Friday at Fort Worth’s National Cowgirl … Read more : Cowgirl Museum’s new O’Keeffe exhibit shows how camping trips in West inspired her paintings.

Violence hits Rio ahead of Carnival; at least 8 killed in slum shootout

Shootout in Rio slum ahead of Carnival; 8 dead

RIO DE JANEIRO – At least seven suspected drug traffickers and a policeman are dead after a gunbattle broke out in a Rio slum a day before Carnival.
Separately, police found the body of the co-founder of a local non-governmental organization that tried to help slum residents. His … Original source on Gaea Times at : Violence hits Rio ahead of Carnival; at least 8 killed in slum shootout.

Flying standby on American Airlines will cost $50 for economy-class passengers

American Airlines to charge $50 for coach standby

DALLAS – Next time you think about flying standby on American Airlines, be prepared to give the gate agent your name and $50.
The days of hanging around the agent’s desk, hoping for a free switch to an earlier flight are over at American for many passengers.
The nation’s second-largest … Original article on : Flying standby on American Airlines will cost $50 for economy-class passengers.

Police aerial photos show World Trade Center collapse; 8 years later, the pictures still shock

Chilling aerial photos of 9/11 attack released

NEW YORK – A trove of aerial photographs of the collapsing World Trade Center was widely released this week, offering a rare and chilling view from the heavens of the burning twin towers and the apocalyptic shroud of smoke and dust that settled over the city.
The images were taken … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Police aerial photos show World Trade Center collapse; 8 years later, the pictures still shock.

Peru launches program to attract tourists to Cuzco after flooding isolates nearby Machu Picchu

Peru tries to bring tourists to Cuzco
LIMA, Peru – Peru’s government is cutting air fares and hotel rates hoping to draw tourists to the Incan city of Cuzco even though the country’s top tourist destination, the nearby Machu Picchu fortress, remains inaccessible.

Tourism Minister Martin Perez says the promotion begins Thursday and will first be extended …. Original article  : Peru launches program to attract tourists to Cuzco after flooding isolates nearby Machu Picchu.

Feds propose blasting away dangerous rock slab from near exit of Utah’s Timpanogos Cave

Feds propose blasting hanging rock from Utah cave

SALT LAKE CITY – A 30-foot slab of protruding limestone near the outside exit of Utah’s popular Timpanogos Cave is expected to be blasted away this spring in hopes of eliminating the risk that it might fall on visitors.
Cave officials on Tuesday released an environmental analysis of the … Read : Feds propose blasting away dangerous rock slab from near exit of Utah’s Timpanogos Cave.

Newly released 9/11 NYPD aerial photos show World Trade Center’s dramatic collapse, aftermath

Newly released 9/11 NYPD photos show WTC collapse

NEW YORK – Newly released aerial photos of the World Trade Center terror attack capture the towers’ dramatic collapse, from just after the first fiery plane strike to the apocalyptic dust clouds that spread over lower Manhattan and its harbor.
The images were taken from a police helicopter – … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Newly released 9/11 NYPD aerial photos show World Trade Center’s dramatic collapse, aftermath.

Newly released NYPD aerial photos show World Trade Center’s dramatic collapse, aftermath

Newly released NYPD photos show WTC’s collapse

NEW YORK – Newly released aerial photos of the World Trade Center terror attack capture the towers’ dramatic collapse, from just after the first fiery plane strike to the apocalyptic dust clouds that spread over lower Manhattan and its harbor.
The images were taken from a police helicopter – the … Read more : Newly released NYPD aerial photos show World Trade Center’s dramatic collapse, aftermath.

Samba group: Judge will let 7-year-old girl dance as Carnival queen in Rio’s celebration

Girl, 7, gets OK to be samba queen in Rio Carnival

RIO DE JANEIRO – A Rio samba group says a judge has ruled that a 7-year-old girl can parade as its drum corps queen during Carnival.
Viradouro samba school spokeswoman Joice Hurtado says the group received the news Wednesday and is ecstatic.
Calls to the judge’s office … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Samba group: Judge will let 7-year-old girl dance as Carnival queen in Rio’s celebration.

British Airways’ OpenSkies to fly Washington D.C. to Paris beginning May 3

British Airways’ OpenSkies to fly D.C. to Paris

NEW YORK – OpenSkies, British Airways’ all-business class airline, said Tuesday it is launching a new route between Washington D.C. and Paris.
The airline currently has a single route from Newark Liberty International Airport to Paris Orly with 17 flights per week. It suspended its route between New York …. Original source  : British Airways’ OpenSkies to fly Washington D.C. to Paris beginning May 3.

Seattle Art Museum lands major Picasso ehibit, with 75 paintings and sculptures

Seattle Art Museum lands major Picasso exhibit

SEATTLE – The Seattle Art Museum has landed a major exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s work.
The exhibit opens in October and will feature 75 paintings and sculptures from throughout Picasso’s eight-decade career, plus drawings and photographs.
The artworks come from the Musee National Picasso in Paris, which houses Picasso’s personal collection. … Read more : Seattle Art Museum lands major Picasso ehibit, with 75 paintings and sculptures.

Southwest launches 3-day fare sale on many short routes

Southwest launches 3-day fare sale
DALLAS – Southwest Airlines Co. is offering a sale geared toward leisure travelers who want to make short trips this spring.

The discount carrier said Tuesday it will sell tickets starting at $39 each way on some routes under 500 miles.
As usual, the airline didn’t say how many seats it will offer …. Source article  : Southwest launches 3-day fare sale on many short routes.

Receiver takes over paralyzed luxury resort in Anguilla codeveloped by US media mogul

Receiver takes over stalled Anguilla resort

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Lenders have assumed ownership of a stalled luxury resort in Anguilla that has the tiny tourism-dependent island’s only golf course and was codeveloped by a U.S. media mogul, officials said Monday.
Victor Banks, Anguilla’s minister of finance and tourism, said a receiver was appointed to take … Original source on Gaea Times at : Receiver takes over paralyzed luxury resort in Anguilla codeveloped by US media mogul.

Australia announces $173 million security upgrade at airports following attempted US bombing

Australia spends $173 million on airport security

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia announced its response Tuesday to the attempted terrorist attack on an airliner over the United States last Christmas: a 200 million Australian dollar ($173 million) upgrade of airport security around the country that will cause passenger delays.
A key element in the four-year upgrade will be …. Original article  : Australia announces $173 million security upgrade at airports following attempted US bombing.

American Airlines to begin charging $8 for pillow and blanket on some flights

American Airlines to charge $8 for blankets

DALLAS – If you want a pillow and blanket in coach on American Airlines, it’s going to cost you.
The airline will charge $8 for a pillow and blanket in coach class for domestic trips and some international flights longer than two hours, beginning May 1. The international flights are … Original article on : American Airlines to begin charging $8 for pillow and blanket on some flights.

Lookout deck of world’s tallest tower in Dubai unexpectedly shuts a month after opening

World’s tallest tower closed a month after opening

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The world’s tallest skyscraper has unexpectedly closed to the public a month after its lavish opening, disappointing tourists headed for the observation deck and casting doubt over plans to welcome its first permanent occupants in the coming weeks.
Electrical problems are at least partly …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Vice president: Iran to cut ties with British Museum in spat over Cyrus the Great artifact

Iran to cut ties with British Museum over loan

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Iran said it will cut ties with the British Museum on Monday because of the museum’s failure to lend Tehran an ancient Babylonian artifact described as the world’s earliest bill of rights.
The spat over the loan has long festered between London and [..] Read the original article: here.

Masked merrymaking: Costumes, confetti and sweets mean ‘Carnevale’ is sweeping Italy

Masked merrymakers cavort in Venice for Carnival

VENICE, Italy – Masked merrymakers are cavorting in Venice to mark the start of Carnival, for the canal-laced city’s pre-Lenten festivities are Italy’s most popular.
Venetian souvenir shops are crammed year-round with colorful, delicate masks, but “Carnevale” is the time to put them on.
Other Italian cities celebrate, too, with Rome … Original article on : Masked merrymaking: Costumes, confetti and sweets mean ‘Carnevale’ is sweeping Italy.

Lookout deck of World’s tallest tower in Dubai unexpectedly shuts 1 month after opening

World’s tallest tower lookout suddenly shuttered

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Tourists headed for the observation deck of the world’s tallest tower were left disappointed and confused Monday after the owner of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa unexpectedly cut off public access to the building because of electrical problems.
A lack of information from the building’s owner made it … Original article on : Lookout deck of World’s tallest tower in Dubai unexpectedly shuts 1 month after opening.

Brazil gov’t handing out 55 million free condoms for Carnival parties

Brazil handing out 55M condoms for Carnival

RIO DE JANERIO – Brazilian health officials have kicked off an AIDS awareness campaign and will hand out 55 million condoms during the annual Carnival festival that begins next week.
A new television ad features a talking condom that loudly reminds young people to take him along when they go … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Brazil gov’t handing out 55 million free condoms for Carnival parties.

17 Wis. events this weekend and next to ski or hike by candlelight

17 Wis. events to ski or hike by candlelight

MADISON, Wis. – If you’d like to ski or hike a Wisconsin trail lit by hundreds of candles at night, you’ll have a number of chances over the next two weekends.
State officials are planning nine events for Saturday and eight on the following Saturday, Feb. 13. The …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Several airlines waiving change fees for some flights affected by winter weather

Airlines waive some change fees as snow approaches

DALLAS – Several big airlines waived fees for passengers who want to change their flying dates to avoid potentially serious winter storms in the East, including New York.
So-called weather waivers were issued on Thursday by Delta, United, Continental, US Airways, and AirTran. Passengers who change their tickets, however, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Delta may close pilot crew base in Cincinnati serving Paris route, shuffle flying

Delta may shut Cincinnati crew base, shift flying

ATLANTA – Delta Air Lines is expected to move more aircraft to the Pacific Northwest to handle service to Asia as it continues to shuffle the departure points for its international flying to adjust its network to demand.
The world’s biggest airline told pilots last week that its Boeing …. Original source  : Delta may close pilot crew base in Cincinnati serving Paris route, shuffle flying.

German man lost on frozen North Sea is saved by spotter watching sunset on webcam

German man saved on frozen sea by webcam spotter

BERLIN – Watch the sunset, save a life.
A woman admiring the sunset on a tourist webcam in northern Germany spotted a man who was lost on the frozen North Sea and probably saved his life by alerting authorities, police said Wednesday.
The man had climbed over pack ice …. Original article  : German man lost on frozen North Sea is saved by spotter watching sunset on webcam.

First new gondola at Steamboat Ski Resort in nearly 25 years now running

New Steamboat gondola up and running
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. – The first new gondola in almost 25 years at Steamboat Ski Resort is now running.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday for the gondola linking Trailhead Lodge with the base of the resort. Resort Ventures West says it’s the first gondola at the resort since 1986.
The gondola …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : First new gondola at Steamboat Ski Resort in nearly 25 years now running.

AirTran Airways to offer daily nonstop flights between Baltimore, Md. and Jacksonville, Fla.

AirTran adds new daily nonstop flights to roster

ORLANDO, Fla. – AirTran Airways, which is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings Inc., said Tuesday that it will start offering two daily nonstop flights between Baltimore, Md. and Jacksonville, Fla.
The flights will start May 4 and will go between Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Jacksonville International Airport.
…. Original source  : AirTran Airways to offer daily nonstop flights between Baltimore, Md. and Jacksonville, Fla..

Algeria says it might reply in kind if it stays on US air travel terrorism watch list

Algeria wants to get off US air travel watch list

ALGIERS, Algeria – Algeria’s interior minister is threatening to reply in kind if his country remains on U.S. and French special terrorism-related air travel watch lists.
Algeria says it is “unacceptable” for the North African nation to be on such lists.
Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni reiterated that Tuesday, saying, …. Original article  : Algeria says it might reply in kind if it stays on US air travel terrorism watch list.

Strikingly lifelike wax statue of Ernest Hemingway is the first of its kind in Cuba

In eastern Cuba, wax Hemingway looks spookily real

HAVANA – Ernest Hemingway still haunts Cuba; he’s just doing it in wax.
A life-size likeness of the legendary author debuted last week at a wax museum in the eastern city of Bayamo.
Hemingway wrote “The Old Man and the Sea” while living in Cuba and his exploits in literature …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Strikingly lifelike wax statue of Ernest Hemingway is the first of its kind in Cuba.

50th anniversary of Woolworth lunch counter protest that challenged segregation

50th anniversary of Woolworth lunch counter sit-in

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Monday is opening day for the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, N.C., where a sit-in that changed America took place 50 years ago.
It was February 1, 1960, that four black college freshmen walked up to the “whites only” lunch counter at an F.W. …. Source  : 50th anniversary of Woolworth lunch counter protest that challenged segregation.

Report: Black Harvard professor arrested outside his home says he donated handcuffs to museum

Report: Black Harvard professor donated handcuffs

NEW YORK – Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. says he he’s donated the handcuffs used on him during his arrest last year outside his home to the Smithsonian Institution’s black history museum.
Gates says in Sunday’s edition of The New York Times Magazine that he donated the handcuffs to the …. Original article  : Report: Black Harvard professor arrested outside his home says he donated handcuffs to museum.

Can’t miss if you seek a kiss; Rio Carnival street parties dominated by smooching competition

Can’t miss if you seek a kiss at Rio Carnival

RIO DE JANEIRO – A kiss is just a kiss, but at Rio’s Carnival, collecting as many pecking partners as possible at one of the 650 massive street parties that hit high gear on Saturday is truly a competitive sport.
Wearing a pink bikini top, flower-print miniskirt …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Tourism minister: Peru hopes to reopen Machu Picchu to visitors by April 1

Peru hopes to reopen Machu Picchu in April

LIMA, Peru – Peru is hoping to reopen Machu Picchu to tourists by April 1 after landslides and flooding cut off access to the Incan citadel perched in the Andes.
Officials are trying to restore a damaged rail line to Peru’s biggest tourist attraction after the tracks were washed …. Original source  : Tourism minister: Peru hopes to reopen Machu Picchu to visitors by April 1.

Sheriff: Body of climber who fell into Mount St. Helens crater recovered

Climber’s body recovered in St. Helens crater

SEATTLE – Authorities say the body of a climber who fell into the crater atop Mount St. Helens has been recovered.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s office says the body of Joseph Bohlig was found Tuesday, more than a day after the 52-year-old man tumbled 1,500 feet.
Bohlig, of Kelso, Wash., reached … Read : Sheriff: Body of climber who fell into Mount St. Helens crater recovered.

Delta, American, United and Continental apply for expected slots at Tokyo Haneda airport

4 big US airlines apply for Tokyo slots
MINNEAPOLIS – The four biggest U.S. airlines applied on Tuesday for coveted slots at Tokyo’s downtown airport, aiming to grab a bigger share of traffic between two of the world’s biggest economies.

The filings on Tuesday came from Delta and United, which are now the two biggest U.S. carriers … Read : Delta, American, United and Continental apply for expected slots at Tokyo Haneda airport.

Delta, Continental, United apply for expected slots at Tokyo Haneda airport

Delta, Continental, United apply for Tokyo slots

MINNEAPOLIS – Delta, Continental and United airlines say they’re applying for permission to fly from the U.S. to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
Delta and United are the biggest U.S. airlines serving Japan, and they already fly to Tokyo Narita airport. Continental is looking to expand its flights to Asia.
Flying to Haneda … Read more >>.

TSA apologizes to boy forced to remove leg braces for screening at Philadelphia airport

TSA apologizes to boy who had to remove leg braces

PHILADELPHIA – The Transportation Security Administration has apologized to a boy allegedly forced to take off his leg braces during screening at Philadelphia International Airport.
Bob Thomas, a Camden, N.J., police officer, says it happened in March when he and his wife were flying to Orlando, Fla., …. Read the original article  : here.

UK Prosecutors say wife of airliner bomb plotter failed to raise alarm over plan to down jets

UK Prosecutors: Wife failed to reveal airline plot

LONDON – British prosecutors say the wife of a man convicted of plotting to kill thousands by bombing trans-Atlantic airliners was aware of his plans but failed to alert authorities.
Prosecutor Richard Whittam told the Inner London Crown Court on Tuesday that Cossor Ali, 28, supported her husband’s attempts … Read more >>>.

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.

United Airlines flight carrying 199 people diverted to Salt Lake airport after bomb threat

Flight diverted to Salt Lake after bomb threat

SALT LAKE CITY – An airliner that was diverted mid-flight because of a bomb threat was being scoured by investigators at Salt Lake City International Airport on Thursday.
Airport spokeswoman Barbara Gann said a flight attendant found a note while the 757 was en route from Denver to San …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : United Airlines flight carrying 199 people diverted to Salt Lake airport after bomb threat.

Russian museum honors legendary WWII vet who fought with US and Soviet armies

Russian museum honors US WWII vet
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – An exhibit opened in Russia on Thursday on the life of an American veteran believed to be one the few soldiers to fight for both the U.S. and the Soviet Union in World War II.

The Russian Museum exhibit, titled “Joseph R. Beyrle – A Hero of …. Source  : Russian museum honors legendary WWII vet who fought with US and Soviet armies.

Brush off winter gloom and transport yourself with these colorful orchid and garden shows

Warm up at colorful indoor orchid and garden shows

NEW YORK – Flowers from around the world will be on display in Philadelphia, orchids in the Bronx will help conjure up Cuba, and the streetscapes of Paris have been reimagined at a garden in St. Louis.
These are a few of the garden and orchid shows taking …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rome exhibit showcases Italian master Caravaggio with works gathered from across Europe, US

Rome exhibit showcases Italian master Caravaggio

ROME – The master of light, shadow and emotion is back on center stage after 400 years.
An exhibition opening Saturday in Rome commemorates Baroque master Caravaggio, who revolutionized the art world with his realism and intensity.
The show brings together 24 paintings from museums across Europe and the United States of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Rome exhibit showcases Italian master Caravaggio with works gathered from across Europe, US.

Michael Jackson’s ‘Captain EO’ returns to Disneyland for indefinite run

Michael Jackson’s ‘Captain EO’ returns to Disney

ANAHEIM, Calif. – “Captain EO” and Michael Jackson are returning to Disneyland.
The park says it will show the 1986 Jackson musical film beginning Tuesday and running indefinitely.
On the Disney Parks blog, Disney executive Heather Hust Rivera says the park will show a 70mm print of the 17-minute movie in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

German’s Lufthansa asks court to halt pilots’ strike; 800 flights canceled, travel upended

Lufthansa pilots begin four-day strike
FRANKFURT – Thousands of travelers scrambled Monday to find flights, trains, hotel rooms or rental cars after Lufthansa pilots began a four-day walkout over job security that grounded at least 800 flights and upended travel across the continent.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG quickly rushed to get a court injunction to halt the strike …. Original article  : German’s Lufthansa asks court to halt pilots’ strike; 800 flights canceled, travel upended.

Spanish tourism office offers free holiday to winner of Facebook competition

Spain: Free vacations for snappy Facebook answers

MADRID – Spain is offering free vacations to the person who best answers questions on Facebook about the country and its customs.
The state tourism office Turespana says the contest will last through the end of February.
Turespana said in a statement that the winner will get a week’s holiday per … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Spanish tourism office offers free holiday to winner of Facebook competition.

Millay Society opening poet’s Steepletop retreat to public tours

Millay Society opening Steepletop to tours

AUSTERLITZ, N.Y. – The Millay Society plans to open Steepletop, the home of the late poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, to the public for tours starting May 28.
Millay was a native of Maine but she lived and worked at the farmhouse on the Taconic Ridge for her last 25 years. …. Source article  : Millay Society opening poet’s Steepletop retreat to public tours.

AP source: New full-body scanners going to airports in next 2 weeks for passenger screening

AP source: New full-body scanners for 2 airports
WASHINGTON – U.S. government officials say the first of 150 new full-body scanners will be installed in airports in Boston and Chicago over the next two weeks.
A Homeland Security Department official said Tuesday all of the 150 new machines will be installed by the end of …. Original source  : AP source: New full-body scanners going to airports in next 2 weeks for passenger screening.

Sex and art and Gustav Klimt: Swingers in Vienna art hall highlight provocative painting

Sex at the museum: Swingers in Vienna art hall

VIENNA – In the name of art, an Austrian landmark is encouraging visitors to confront their sexual inhibitions by having them walk through a swingers club to reach one of Gustav Klimt’s masterpieces.
The Secession – a world-renowned venue for contemporary art in downtown Vienna – has temporarily … Read more »»».

Brazil defends response to shipwreck that left international students adrift for 2 nights

Brazil defends its search efforts in shipwreck

SAO PAULO – The Brazilian navy on Sunday defended its response to a shipwreck that left dozens of teenage students from around the world adrift on the ocean for two nights.
The navy deployed a search aircraft about 19 hours after it received a distress signal from the SV Concordia … Read : Brazil defends response to shipwreck that left international students adrift for 2 nights.

Several airlines waive fees to rebook flights due to bad weather in Northeast, Southeast

Several airlines waive change fees due to weather

ATLANTA – Several airlines are again offering to waive fees customers would ordinarily pay to rebook their flights on alternate itineraries due to bad weather in some parts of the country.
AirTran Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, and US Airways were among the carriers offering change-fee … Read more »».

Panama City Beach hopes to trade hard-partying image for family friendly theme

Panhandle’s spring break beach wants new image

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – The few beach walkers, surfers and sidewalk shoppers who ventured out on a recent chilly afternoon created a very different scene from the craziness that will soon crank up here as temperatures climb and students descend on this spring break paradise.
March and April on … Read : Panama City Beach hopes to trade hard-partying image for family friendly theme.

Ski designers add bling, flash to make helmets more fashionable

Ski helmets add bling for fashionable twist

DENVER – Dareece Saca, a statuesque former computer programmer with a long blond ponytail, grew up skiing without ever wearing a helmet. She joked to a friend, “I’ll never wear a helmet unless it’s crystallized like a Judith Leiber bag.”
When she started skiing in the Lake Tahoe area with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ski designers add bling, flash to make helmets more fashionable.

Discredited Dutch collector owned many fakes, but 1 genuine Van Gogh now authenticated

Van Gogh experts authenticate unusual VG painting

AMSTERDAM – Dirk Hannema was known as a brilliant art curator but a bit of a fool. He claimed he had seven Vermeers in his collection, several Van Goghs and a few Rembrandts, but no one believed him.
Now 25 years after his death it turned out he was right …. Original article  : Discredited Dutch collector owned many fakes, but 1 genuine Van Gogh now authenticated.

Newly authenticated Van Gogh unveiled, once owned by oft-hoodwinked and discredited collector

Van Gogh experts authenticate unusual painting

AMSTERDAM – A newly authenticated Van Gogh has gone on display 35 years after a discredited art collector bought it in Paris, convinced it was painted by the famed Dutch master but never able to prove it.
Louis van Tilborgh, curator of research at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, said …. Source  : Newly authenticated Van Gogh unveiled, once owned by oft-hoodwinked and discredited collector.

SeaWorld trainers will keep working with whale that killed trainer; procedures being reviewed

Whale that killed its trainer won’t be isolated

ORLANDO, Fla. – Trainers will continue working with a killer whale that grabbed one of their colleagues and dragged her underwater, killing her, but SeaWorld said Thursday it is reviewing its procedures after the attack.
People lined up to get into the park a day after the whale named …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Boom amid bust: Many museums see increase in visitors during tough times while funding drops

Boom amid bust: Many museums see attendance spike

WASHINGTON – Many museums across the country saw a spike in visitors during the economic slump last year, even as they experienced increasing financial stress, according to results of a study released Thursday.
More visitors were opting for affordable “staycations,” rather than expensive trips last year, museum officials reported …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Boom amid bust: Many museums see increase in visitors during tough times while funding drops.

SeaWorld will continue to interact with whale that killed trainer, but procedures will change

Procedures to change for whale in trainer death

ORLANDO, Fla. – Trainers will continue to interact with a killer whale that grabbed one of their colleagues and dragged her underwater, killing her, but procedures for working with him will change, SeaWorld said Thursday.
People lined up to get into the Orlando park a day after the whale … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : SeaWorld will continue to interact with whale that killed trainer, but procedures will change.

In wake of security breach, Newark airport cameras to sound alarms when they malfunction

Newark airport cameras to be fitted with alarms

NEWARK, N.J. – Cameras at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey are being fitted with alarms to alert security personnel when there is a malfunction.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says it is installing the alarms in the wake of a security breach last …. Original article  : In wake of security breach, Newark airport cameras to sound alarms when they malfunction.

Boom amid bust: Museums seek more visitors in tough times while funding declines

Boom amid bust: Museums see attendance spike

WASHINGTON – Museums across the country saw a spike in visitors during the economic slump last year, even as they experienced increasing financial stress.
A survey of nearly 500 institutions by the American Association of Museums shows more than 57 percent saw increased attendance in 2009.
The study released Thursday reports …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Boom amid bust: Museums seek more visitors in tough times while funding declines.

French air traffic controllers strike for 3rd day, job action to end Saturday

French air traffic controllers strike for 3rd day

PARIS – A strike by French air traffic controllers disrupted flights Thursday on the third day of a walkout that looks set to extend into the weekend.
At Orly airport south of Paris, 50 percent of flights were canceled, while 15 percent were scrapped at Charles de Gaulle airport …. Read the original article  : French air traffic controllers strike for 3rd day, job action to end Saturday.

Killer whale attacks, kills trainer at Orlando SeaWorld as horrified spectators watch

Whale drags trainer off platform in fatal attack

ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld will be open Thursday but killer whale shows are suspended for the time being at its Orlando and San Diego parks following the death of a trainer, according to the company’s Web site.
The veteran SeaWorld trainer was rubbing a killer whale from a poolside …. Original article  : Killer whale attacks, kills trainer at Orlando SeaWorld as horrified spectators watch.

SeaWorld: Killer whale shows to resume after fatal attack, but trainers won’t enter water

SeaWorld: Whale show to resume after trainer death

ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld will restart its killer whale shows this weekend after Tilikum, the largest orca in captivity, dragged a trainer to her death in the water at the Orlando park.
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment President Jim Atchison said Friday trainers won’t get in the water with the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

US tourist wounded by machete-wielding robbers inside Bahamas bed-and-breakfast

US tourist wounded in Bahamas machete attack

NASSAU, Bahamas – Bahamas police say machete-wielding robbers wounded an American tourist during a break-in at the bed-and-breakfast where he was staying.
The victim is identified as Eddie Bryant of Stamford, Connecticut. He has been airlifted to Florida for treatment of a deep gash on his right arm.
A police statement …. Original source  : US tourist wounded by machete-wielding robbers inside Bahamas bed-and-breakfast.

Atlanta-bound flight out of Rochester, NY, canceled after argument between flight attendants

Flight canceled after flight attendant argument

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – An argument between two female flight attendants forced the cancellation of an Atlanta-bound flight at an airport in upstate New York.
A Pinnacle Airlines spokesman in Memphis, Joe Williams, says the spat erupted just as Delta Connection Flight 887 returned to the gate Thursday morning after a passenger … Read more »».

Reunion of ancient scroll fragments illuminates missing link in Bible’s evolution

Pieces of rare biblical manuscript reunited

JERUSALEM – Two parts of an ancient biblical manuscript separated across centuries and continents were reunited for the first time in a joint display Friday, thanks to an accidental discovery that is helping illuminate a dark period in the history of the Hebrew Bible.
The 1,300-year-old fragments, which are among only … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Reunion of ancient scroll fragments illuminates missing link in Bible’s evolution.