Five Reasons You Should Sue Your Airline
Myanmar Cyclone Death Toll Rising
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Nelson Mandela on US Terrorism Watchlist
Travelers Wanting Free Wi-fi Will Pay, One Way or Another
French, Freedom or Belgian Fries: Who Cares As Long As There’s a Fries Museum
FIVE REASONS YOU SHOULD SUE YOUR AIRLINE - MSNBC
According to travel columnist Christopher Elliott, sometimes passengers’ last resort actually should be their first choice. Some passengers are bypassing the airline complaint process and are taking the airlines to court—and they’re winning. Though it’s difficult to find stats on how many cases are in progress or how many passengers have won, Elliott said, “passengers and hotel guests are doing pretty well in court, thanks very much.” He stresses five reasons when airlines should be taken to court: when they’re playing games, ignoring you, being dishonest, not listening to reason, and/or breaking a contract. It can’t hurt taking legal action against airlines because, as Elliott said, “The courts have probably never been friendlier to the interests of travelers. Case closed.”
Link: MSNBC
MYANMAR CYCLONE KILLS MORE THAN 22,000 - Agence France-Presse
Death tolls skyrocket in Myanmar as more than 22,000 were pronounced dead and 41,000 are still missing after the massive cyclone hit the country’s southern coast five days ago. Witnesses who saw the devastation told accounts of rice fields fraught with corpses. Citizens fear that the death toll could still increase. Due to the country remaining largely secretive, the government allowed only few relief agencies, such as Save the Children, to assist the victims. “I wouldn’t be surprised if [the death toll] went as high as 50,000,” said spokesman Dan Collinson. Urging the government to allow United States aid, Bush said, “Our message is to the military rulers: let the United States come to help you, help the people.” If the junta opens its gates, a U.S. disaster relief team on standby, complete with four naval ships, is ready to assist the country.
Link: Agence France-Presse
ANTI-APARTHEID PEACE-MAKER MANDELA ON U.S. TERRORIST WATCHLIST - BoingBoing
Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid beliefs and activism, is on the United States’ terrorist watch list, along with other members of the African National Congress (ANC). ANC members who want to travel to the U.S. have to be issued waivers from the State Department. In one particular incident, the former South African Ambassador to the U.S. was kept from visiting a dying relative because she was tagged and delayed, due to her placement on the list. Pushing for a bill to remove ANC members from the watch list is Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), who is chairman of the House of International Relations Committee. He calls the fiasco “an indignity.” Mandela turns 90 on July 18, and supporters hope the bill is passed before the big day.
Link: BoingBoing
TRAVELERS WANTING FREE WI-FI WILL PAY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER - The New York Times
Travelers, many of whom have blogs, photo journals and emails to write, are demanding free Wi-Fi in just about every location. In response, businesses have found an almost comfortable medium between the two: to offer both free and paid options. But here’s the catch: The “free” options usually involve travelers viewing an advertisement or signing up for a loyalty program in return. David Blumenfield, a senior vice president with JiWire, says, “Our position is, give the user a choice. It’s not an argument about free versus paid,” he said. “It’s free and paid.” Starbucks is probably the best example of such a system, where customers can pay for Internet access directly, or use a Starbucks card to purchase items, getting two hours per month of “free” Wi-Fi.
Link: The New York Times
FRENCH, FREEDOM OR BELGAIN FRIES? WHO CARES, AS LONG AS THERE’S A FRIES MUSEUM! - Jaunted
Remember when some over-patriotic Americans wanted to call French fries “Freedom” fries? Well, some people actually believe they should be called “Belgian” fries. After all, many swear that fries premiered in Belgium, and Eddy Van Belle, a collector, has set out to prove this notion by opening the Frietmuseum in Bruges. Located in one of Bruges’ oldest buildings, it showcases the history of fries—albeit controversial—which the museum says dates back to Peru in 15,000 BC. A video teaches guests how to make “the perfect fry,” and related artifacts include antique and modern deep fryers. Perhaps the best part of your visit will be snacking on freshly made fries in a cone. A word to the wise: Don’t order French fries.
Link: Jaunted.com
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