2010 World Expo: Tips for navigating the crowds and culture of Shanghai

Shanghai Expo: Squat toilets, touch screens

SHANGHAI – Several million foreigners, including thousands of Americans, are expected to visit Shanghai over the next six months to see the Expo. For many, it will be their first trip to this sprawling city of 20 million people.
Here are some tips to help you navigate the crowds, logistics and …. Original article  : 2010 World Expo: Tips for navigating the crowds and culture of Shanghai.

Architecture, culture, shopping and food: Plenty of fun and even some wow at Shanghai Expo

Finding the wow amid the kitsch at Shanghai Expo
SHANGHAI – Crowds at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai have subsided, which is good news for travelers planning a visit during its six-month run. But even without the long lines that plagued its May 1 opening and the days that followed, visitors may have …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Architecture, culture, shopping and food: Plenty of fun and even some wow at Shanghai Expo.

Iranian state TV says families of 3 detained Americans to be allowed to visit them in prison

Report: Families to visit Americans jailed in Iran

TEHRAN, Iran – An Iranian state television channel said Monday that the families of three Americans arrested along the Iraqi border in July will be allowed to visit them in a Tehran prison.
Iran’s English-language Press TV did not say how it obtained the information, adding only that a …. Read the original article  : Iranian state TV says families of 3 detained Americans to be allowed to visit them in prison.

At France’s new Pompidou museum, the building steals the spotlight from the Picassos

At new French museum, the building steals the show

METZ, France – It’s France’s newest architectural wonder, and it looks something like an enormous white floppy sun hat. Or a giant swimming manta ray, or maybe an alien spacecraft.
The new Pompidou Center art museum in the eastern French city of Metz has generated a big buzz … Original article on : At France’s new Pompidou museum, the building steals the spotlight from the Picassos.

JetBlue offers $10 seats for travel on Tuesday and Wednesday across its network

JetBlue offers $10 seats for last-minute trips

NEW YORK – Sometimes being impulsive comes in handy.
JetBlue is selling all remaining seats on nonstop flights Tuesday and Wednesday to 59 destinations for $10 each way.
The airline didn’t specify how many seats are available in the sale.
JetBlue Airways Corp., based in Forest Hills, N.Y., serves 61 cities in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : JetBlue offers $10 seats for travel on Tuesday and Wednesday across its network.

NYC’s Whitney Museum receives major gift of more than 350 works of art

NYC’s Whitney Museum receives major artwork gift

NEW YORK – The Whitney Museum of American Art has received a major gift of more than 350 works of art from a longtime benefactor.
The museum said Friday the donation was made by philanthropist and art collector Emily Fisher Landau. The 367 pieces include works by Carl Andre, Jasper … Original source on Gaea Times at : NYC’s Whitney Museum receives major gift of more than 350 works of art.

JetBlue partners with South African Airways so customers can fly on both with a single ticket

JetBlue forms partnership with South African Air

NEW YORK – JetBlue has formed a partnership with South African Airways that will allow travelers to fly on both airlines with a single ticket.
Starting May 12, JetBlue customers will be able to travel to 40 international cities served by South African Airways. South African Airways passengers will be …. Original source  : JetBlue partners with South African Airways so customers can fly on both with a single ticket.

Art official: lady’s portrait found in Italian palace storeroom might be a Raphael original

Art official: painting in storage may be Raphael’s

ROME – A finely painted portrait of a demurely looking woman nestled in an exceptionally ornate frame that was kept in an Italian ducal palace storeroom appears to be a Raphael original and not a copy as long thought, an art official in central Italy said Friday.
However, experts …. Source  : Art official: lady’s portrait found in Italian palace storeroom might be a Raphael original.

Indiana tourism agency aiming at social media with new summer travel discount offers

Ind. aiming at social media with tourism deals

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s tourism agency, armed with a dwindling budget, is offering summer travel deals – but only to those who follow the agency through e-mail and on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, who oversees the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, began …. Original source  : Indiana tourism agency aiming at social media with new summer travel discount offers.

Swiss museum opens Europe’s most extensive retrospective of US artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Swiss open Europe’s largest Basquiat retrospective

GENEVA – A Swiss museum will present what it says is the broadest retrospective ever seen in Europe of the work of American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
The ambitious show hosted by the Beyeler Foundation features over 100 paintings, drawings and objects by Basquiat, with many borrowed from private collections, the foundation …. Original source  : Swiss museum opens Europe’s most extensive retrospective of US artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Government says US airlines improved on-time performance in March to 80 percent

Airlines improve on-time performance in March

DALLAS – The government says U.S. airlines are doing better at staying on schedule.
The Transportation Department said Tuesday that the airlines averaged an 80 percent on-time arrival rate in March, better than February and better than March 2009.
Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Pinnacle Airlines had the best on-time ratings. JetBlue, …. Original article  : Government says US airlines improved on-time performance in March to 80 percent.

Program for African-American students disbanded after criticism of separate field trip

Program ends after field trip for black students

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A program for African-American elementary students in Michigan has been disbanded after a field trip to meet a black rocket scientist that excluded children of other races.
Ann Arbor Schools spokeswoman Liz Margolis tells AnnArbor.com that the “Lunch Bunch” program at Dicken Elementary has ended.
Officials …. Read the original article  : Program for African-American students disbanded after criticism of separate field trip.

Baltimore wants visitors to find their happy place in Charm City with new campaign

Baltimore sells smiles with new tourism campaign

BALTIMORE – Baltimore’s tourism agency is all smiles.
The group Visit Baltimore plans to unveil a $500,000 marketing campaign Thursday with the slogan, “Find Your Happy Place in Baltimore,” according to The Baltimore Sun. It will target nearby states.
As part of the unveiling, the agency will attempt to set a … Read more : Baltimore wants visitors to find their happy place in Charm City with new campaign.

City of Knoxville sponsoring canoe tours of Holston and Tennessee rivers this summer

City of Knoxville sponsoring summer canoe tours

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department is giving canoe tours again this summer.
Paddlers can tour the Holston and Tennessee rivers, beginning in Holston River Park and traveling to downtown Knoxville.
The Parks and Recreation aquatics staff will be on each tour to help with canoeing …. Source article  : City of Knoxville sponsoring canoe tours of Holston and Tennessee rivers this summer.

British Airways cabin crew plan strikes totaling 20 days in May and June

BA plans fresh strikes
LONDON – Cabin crew at British Airways PLC announced plans on Monday to strike for a total of 20 days in May and June, threatening yet more chaos for tens of thousands of travelers just weeks after an Icelandic volcanic ash cloud shut down European air space.

BA warned that the unprecedented scale …. Original article  : British Airways cabin crew plan strikes totaling 20 days in May and June.

Berlin’s Jewish Museum expanding to add more research and education space

Berlin’s Jewish Museum expanding
BERLIN – Berlin’s Jewish Museum says it is expanding to meet increasing demand for research and education.

The museum said Tuesday it will group its archives, library and education center under one roof across the street from the zigzag-shaped main building designed by architect Daniel Libeskind.
The new building, built in the 19th century … Read more >>>.

Visas approved for mothers of 3 Americans held in Iran; departure date unknown

Moms of 3 Americans jailed in Iran get visas

MINNEAPOLIS – Visas have been approved for the families of three American hikers jailed in Iran but no date has been set for the families to visit them, a mother of one of the hikers said Wednesday.
Nora Shourd told The Associated Press that that family of 27-year-old … Original source on Gaea Times at : Visas approved for mothers of 3 Americans held in Iran; departure date unknown.

Jessica Watson Sails Back Home

SYDNEY (GaeaTimes.com)-Australian teenage sailor Jessica Watson who has set a new record for becoming the youngest person to sail the globe on her own and uninterrupted has returned to her homeland in Australia. She set out for a voyage seven months back that lasted for a whopping 210 days but finally she succeeded in …. Read the original article  : Jessica Watson Sails Back Home.

Chicago’s Field Museum cleans Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton Sue for exhibit’s 10th anniversary

Field Museum cleans T. rex Sue for her anniversary

CHICAGO – One of the world’s most famous dinosaurs is getting a cleaning before the celebration of her 10th anniversary begins at Chicago’s Field Museum.
The Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton known as Sue went on display at the museum 10 years ago this month, and museum officials expect big …. Source  : Chicago’s Field Museum cleans Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton Sue for exhibit’s 10th anniversary.

NY group promotes tours of ‘Gold Coast’ mansions on Long Island

NY group promotes ‘Gold Coast’ mansions
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – The operators of some of Long Island’s Gold Coast mansions are trying to make it easier for tourists to see the stately rooms and gardens that housed some of the country’s wealthiest people.

The Gold Coast Mansion Alliance is launching a marketing campaign, similar to the Newport …. Source  : NY group promotes tours of ‘Gold Coast’ mansions on Long Island.

Volcanic ash may affect UK flights beginning Sunday, German flights starting on Monday

UK, Germany eye possible ash travel disruptions

LONDON – Volcanic ash from Iceland could disrupt air travel in both Britain and Germany in the next few days, officials said Saturday.
The British Department of Transport said there was a risk that parts of British airspace could be closed beginning Sunday and those problems could continue through Tuesday. … Read more »».