Airline to Outfit Passenger Jets With Anti-Missile Devices
Major Rainstorms Hit California (L.A. Drivers Panic)
San Francisco Zoo Reopens With Heightened Security
Pet-Friendly Hotels Unfriendly to Some Guests
Eiffel Tower Restaurant Not Worth the Euros?
AIRLINE TO OUTFIT PASSENGER JETS WITH ANTI-MISSILE DEVICES – USA Today
Passenger jets soon will be armed with anti-missile systems as part of a government test, in the hopes of thwarting terrorists armed with shoulder-fired projectiles. This spring, three of American Airlines’ Boeing 767-200s, which fly between New York and California, will be outfitted with anti-missile laser jammers. The Department of Homeland Security is spending $29 million on the tests. “This is the first time these systems have been tested on actual passenger airlines in commercial service,” says Burt Keirstead, director of commercial aircraft protection at BAE Systems, which developed the anti-missile device. “It’s the ultimate consumer use of the equipment.”
Link: USA Today
MAJOR RAINSTORMS HIT CALIFORNIA (LOS ANGELES DRIVERS PANIC) – Los Angeles Times
A series of major rainstorms—the second of which is forecast to be the strongest—stalled on California’s Central Coast and will hit Los Angeles with lighter showers forecast to start Friday. Los Angeles may receive as much as five inches this weekend. “There’s no way out. This is a big low-pressure system with a lot of moisture. It definitely has us in its sight,” said climatologist Bill Patzert. The last time Los Angeles received more than three inches of rain was in February 2005, when 11.02 inches of rain hit downtown, and it caused mudslides on the coastal Ventura County, which killed 10 people.
Link: Los Angeles Times
SAN FRANCISCO ZOO REOPENS WITH HEIGHTENED SECURITY - MSNBC
The San Francisco Zoo reopened Thursday, nine days after a tiger attacked three people, killing one. The zoo has heightened security, such as a public alert system and more signs around the premises. “All I know is that something happened to provoke that tiger to leap out of her exhibit,” said zoo director Manuel Mollinedo.
Link: MSNBC
PET-FRIENDLY HOTELS UNFRIENDLY TO SOME GUESTS – Wall Street Journal
Of course, pet owners appreciate hotels that have pet-friendly policies, but what about those who have animal allergies? According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s 2006 annual survey, nearly 50 percent of hotels welcome pets. This is not good news for people allergic to animals; about 17 percent of the U.S. population tests positive for pet allergens, and these folks now are finding themselves in hotel beds where animals have slept the night before.
Link: Wall Street Journal
EIFFEL TOWER RESTAURANT NOT WORTH THE EUROS? – Jaunted
A new restaurant owned by Alan Ducasse has opened in the Eiffel Tower, but meals cost about $228 or $280—and that price doesn’t include wine. Granted, you will have an excellent view of Paris, but you could enjoy a far better meal—or six—at a modern French restaurant. Since the restaurant closes at 11:30 PM, it’s considered a tourist trap for the rich, as most French diners are enjoying an aperitif at that time.
Link: Jaunted
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