From Wikitravel

This is Wikitravel's Travel news section, about issues affecting travelers, both positively and negatively. For more general news, see Wikinews.

[edit] Future

The news items in this section refer to future events and have not been displayed on the Main Page yet. They should be copied there when the date approaches and then shifted to the monthly archives below.

[edit] January 2010

1 January - 31 December 2010

Festivities will be held throughout the year to commemorate 1300 years since the Nara Period, when Nara was the capital of Japan. The Heijo Palace Site is the main area for commemorative events, with the opening of the Former Imperial Audience Hall and special exhibitions in the museums at the site. From mid to late August, illuminations will be lit around the entire park and large parades and festivals will occur during October. [1]

[edit] December

[edit] November

29 Nov 2009

The first presidential election since a brief 2002-2003 war left many northern regions in rebel hands are expected to occur today. Elections have been announced almost yearly since the war, but this date has been deemed 'realistic' by authorities whereas previously announced election dates have slipped during a tumultuous UN-backed peace negotiations. [2]

[edit] October

25 Oct 2009

Houston-based Continental Airlines, the United States' fourth largest airline, changes alliances today, leaving the SkyTeam Alliance and joining Star Alliance.

2 October 2009

The International Olympic Committee will meet today in Copenhagen, Denmark to select the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Summer Paralympics. Candidate cities, in order of evaluation score, are Tokyo, Madrid, Chicago, & Rio de Janeiro.

[edit] September

7 Sept 2009

Just months before the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the 19km-long Canada Line rapid transit line opens today, establishing a fast and efficient method of traveling between Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, BC. [3]

[edit] August

August 16, 2009

Southwest Airlines will begin service today to Boston's Logan International Airport. There will be ten nonstop flights: five to Baltimore and five to Chicago Midway.

2 August 2009

The only Madonna concert in Russia, Sticky and Sweet, will take place at Palace square in Saint Petersburg. The tickets for the concert range from 3 000 to 20 000 roubles per person.

6 August 2009

The Lowell Quilt Festival, the annual city-wide spectacular celebration of quilts, offers a visual feast of color and creativity to visitors of Lowell, Massachusetts! From small to large, traditional to contemporary, hand-work to machine-work, simple to spectacular, the Lowell Quilt Festival quilts are a must-see for all who enjoy and appreciate the work of highly talented and expert artisans. This year's festival will be held August 6–9, 2009 and will feature:

   * The juried Images quilt show, featuring over 300 quilts, with cash prizes in several categories.
   * An exhibit of antique quilts discovered by the Massachusetts Documentation Project
   * Several additional specially selected exhibits for the festival.
   * Exhibits of youth quilts and community quilts
   * Classes and lectures by nationally acclaimed teachers.
   * Auctions of quilts and quilt-related items.
   * Quilt appraisals
   * Over 40 vendors of quilting supplies from New England and beyond.

Many of Lowell's cultural organizations will also hold quilt-related events during the festival. For more information visit www.lowellquiltfestival.org [4]

[edit] July

25 July 2009

The quadrennial LGBT pendant to the Olympics, takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark this year. With queers of all varieties competing in 38 sports disciplines, including a stiletto race, and 37 other more serious sporting competitions for gays, lesbians, bi's and transsexuals athletics. The event is also coupled with several conferences highlighting gay rights around the world.

24 July 2009

Wikitravel went live on the internet six years ago on this day. See the archive on the WayBack Machine to find out what the wiki looked like back then.

22 July 2009

The eclipse will first pass over China before reaching its peak duration over Yakushima Island. From Kyushu to Nagoya, as well as Okinawa, a near full eclipse will be visible, but partial eclipses will be visible throughout the nation. [5]

18 July 2009

Travelers are encouraged to avoid Mauritania today, as citizens head to the polls for the first time since an August 2008 military coup. Post-coup leader, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, resigned on April 22 promising that these elections would not be postponed. The former PM has already labeled these elections 'a farce'. [6]

5 July 2009

The 2nd Pan-African Culture Festival is set to begin today and lat through July 20 in Algiers, Algeria—40 years after the first one in 1969. The Algerian government claims that 43 of the 52 African Union members will attend with official exhibits, while thousands of musicians, artists, writers, & intellectuals are expected to be present for this event. Algeria hopes this revival will become an annual event.

[edit] Current and past

[edit] July

5 July 2009

At 2AM on July 5, 2009, Walt Disney World's Monorail Pink crashed into Monorail Purple at the Transportation and Ticket Center, killing Pink's pilot. All guests, returning from Epcot after Independence Day festivities, were evacuated safely. The entire monorail system will remain closed until further notice.

4 July 2009

The observation deck in the crown of the Statue of Liberty, closed to visitors since September 11, 2001, is being reopened, with restrictions. Visitors will enter/exit the crown in groups of 30, under the direct supervision of a Park Service employee.

3 July 2009

GlobalGiving.co.uk, the online charity market place where donors can choose from hundreds of grassroots projects in the developing world to support, is launching a travel 'Acts of Kindness' competition. Supported by the Travel Foundation and an array of travellers and writers such as Jon Snow, the campaign aims to highlight how we can give something back to the places we visit. As part of the campaign, GlobalGiving will be running a travel writing competition in which a lucky traveller will win a trip for two to visit a GlobalGiving project of their choice.

To enter, simply visit www.GlobalGiving.co.uk/kindness and write a paragraph about an ‘Act of Kindness’ that you have experienced whilst travelling in a developing country. Research has shown that 8 out of 10 Brits have experienced an Act of Kindness whilst travelling abroad, so start reminiscing and get writing! . [7]

3 July 2009

UNESCO recently finished its meeting in Sevilla, Spain adding 13 new World Heritage Sites to the list. Among those added, three new nations, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, and Kyrgyzstan now have sites registered as World Heritage Sites. Among the others added, China's Mount Wutai, Italy's Dolomites, the Hydraulic System of Shushtar, Iran and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty in South Korea were added. Expansion of previously inscribed properties were also granted for sites in Philippines, France, and Slovakia. [8]

2 July - 3 August

At Baltic Sea will be The Tall Ships' Races 2009. There is a schedule:

• 2 July - 5 July: the first race from Gdynia to Saint Petersburg.
• 11 July - 14 July: moving in company from Saint Petersburg to Turku.
• 31 July - 3 August: the second race from Turku to Klaipeda.

2 July 2009

The oldest and most traditional of the Big four annual music festivals in Europe, takes place between Thursday, July 2nd - Sunday July 5th, in Roskilde, Denmark. With more than 80,000 guests, 180 performing bands, 20,000 volunteers, and 300 artists, the stage is set for another seriously huge party.

1 July 2009

Delta Air Lines begins service from Los Angeles to Sydney today, becoming the first US carrier to serve all continents except Antarctica.

[edit] June

28 June 2009

Southwest Airlines will begin service today to New York City's LaGuardia Airport from Baltimore and Chicago Midway.

27 June 2009

Volvo Ocean Race [9], an international 37 000 nautical miles regatta, will finish about 05:00pm near Saint Peter and Paul fortress in Saint Petersburg.

20 June 2009

After a wait of 30 years, the long-awaited New Acropolis Museum in Athens has opened to the public. [10]

15 June 2009

The biennial, week-long Paris Air Show begins today in Paris, lasting through the 21st. This show marks the 100th anniversary since the inaugural show in 1909—the oldest air show in the world. The event which showcases the lineups of major aircraft manufacturers—both commercial and military—is only open to journalists and aviation industry representatives for most of the week, where years past have seen large purchases of aircraft during the show (the 2007 show realized 800 orders worth $100billion for rivals Airbus & Boeing). Notable aircraft on display include the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380-800, and the world's most advanced military aircraft—the USAF's F-22 Raptor. The general public will be allowed access next weekend (19th-21st), during which there will be 3 hours of flying demonstrations per day, over 30 historic aircraft on display, and shows on Saturday & Sunday by the Patroille de France—the French Air Force's precision acrobatics team. France24 Official website

14 June 2009

Nine tourists on a 'picnic', including seven Germans, a Briton, and a South Korean—were kidnapped over the weekend in the mountainous northwestern Yemeni region of Saada. Seven bodies were then fond on Monday. Over 200 tourists have been kidnapped in Yemen over the past 15 years, mostly to use as pawns by local tribesmen in a dispute with the government or for ransom; all but a few released unharmed. The government is placing the blame on Al-Qaeada after initially blaming a local Shia militia. They claim Al-Qaeda is regrouping in Yemen after being pressured out of Saudi Arabia—the kidappings occured very close to the border. BBC News

14 June 2009

The results of Friday's elections in Iran giving current president Ahmadinejad a 63% victory in what was believed to be a close contest have led to rioting by supporters of the moderate, reformist candidate Mir Hussein Mousavi. The rioting in the capital, Tehran, saw students clashing with, and being beaten by, police; congesting of city streets with vehicles; burning barricades of police vehicles and trash bins; and various minor incidents. Violence in Iran is rare, given the hardline conservative stance of the government; these riots are the first in ten years. Mr. Mousavi has openly called for the poll results to be cancelled, citing numerous election discrepancies (including a refusal to allow his poll watchers into the polls and a lack of ballots in many areas). It has leaked that he may be under house arrest. France24

12 June 2009

Following the death last week of the benevolent Gabonese dictator Omar Bongo, who had led the country since 1967, a week of mourning has ensued along with questions over the future of the country. While Mr.Bongo had succeeded in removing ethnic strife from government and bringing peace between ethnic groups, there is concern that the future leader will not be as successful in doing so. There is also concern that as rift will arise between Mr.Bongo's son and daughter who have grown up groomed for succession with other Gobonese politicians vying for the presidency. France24

14 June 2009

The Colombian Ministry for Commerce and Tourism announced a 11 percent increase in tourists visiting Colombia during the first months of 2009 [11] and also improved in world ranking to hold international meetings. [12]

11 June 2009

American Airlines will begin service today to Santa Fe, New Mexico, from Dallas/Fort Worth.

7 June 2009

European Union elections on Sunday backed the current center-right majority, while the left was hit hard in response to their management of the current financial crisis. The center-right French, German, Italian, & Polish ruling parties were bolstered, while the Socialist Spanish & Portuguese and British Labour parties were behind. The UK's Labour Party's 'historic' loss comes after months of scandal involving Labour-party officials' expenses and the resignations of numerous Labour-party Ministers. However, more surprising, the UK's radical right BNP party, known for their staunch anti-immigration and specifically anti-Islam stance, gained one seat in European Parliament. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Hezbollah suffered a defeat in a race thought to be quite close. The win for the current pro-Western bloc comes shortly after US Vice President Joe Biden visited the country threatening to 'review' aid the country receives from the US should the Syrian- & Iranian-supported Hezbolla win a majority.EU (BBC News) Lebanon (BBC News)

7 June 2009

Africa's longest-serving leader and the longest-serving head of government (excluding monarchies) in the world, Gabon's Omar Bongo, has died according to French media. Mr. Bongo has been the leader of the oil-rich state since 1967 and it is unsure what would happen in the wake of his death, of which the next-highest Gabonese official claims no knowledge. During Mr.Bongo's tenure, he has opened up the country's vast oil wealth and maintained close ties with France. Last month, he was checked into a Barcelona clinic, reportedly for cancer treatment, and for the first time ever suspended his political activity to recover from illness and cope after the death of his wife in March. He was recently put under investigation by European authorities for corruption—Bongo and the Gabonese government owned numerous homes in Europe & the US, some worth over US$1 million. Due to uncertainty over succession issues, travellers to Gabon should exercise caution and keep abreast of the current situation. France24 (including biographical video}

4 June 2009

Japanese residents in the Chubu region will have a new domestic and international access point with the opening of the new Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport. Located in Shizuoka, the airport will initially be served by Japan Airlines (1 daily flight to Sapporo, 3 daily flights to Fukuoka), All Nippon Airlines (1 daily flight to Sapporo, 1 daily flight to Okinawa), Korean Air and Asiana (1 daily flight each to Seoul), and China Eastern (4 flights per week to Shanghai). [13] [14]

4 June 2009

Officials in Kenya summoned the US ambassador and made public their anger after the US government revoked the permit for Delta Air Lines to begin the first direct US-Kenya route in 20 years. Officials from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) cited "security vulnerabilities" in Nairobi as the reason for revoking the permit. The TSA's revocation came on Tuesday, just under 24 hours before the Atlanta-Nairobi route's inaugural flight on Wednesday. The TSA also revoked the permit for Delta's new Atlanta-Monrovia, Liberia route set to begin June 10th for "[failure] to meet international security standards and appropriate recommended practices established by the ICAO". The cancellations of these routes are a major setback for Delta, which had planned a major expansion of US-Africa routes this summer, only to see all but one of the planned routes refused government approval or deemed unprofitable since the onset of the recession. The only US carrier to serve the African continent, they offer service to Dakar, Accra, Lagos, Abuja (beginning 10 June), Cairo, Cape Town, & Johannesburg. Their much-hyped expansion this month, announced last year, has planned to include: Sal, Malabo, Monrovia, Abuja (from Atlanta), Luanda, Lusaka, Kampala, & Nairobi. BBC News

3 June 2009

Today the first ever Paris-bound flight departed from Pittsburgh International Airport. As Pittsburgh continues to see rises in travel to and from the city, there are hopes to provide even more European destinations in the future. Bon Voyage!

3 June 2009

A British tourist captured in January while traveling from Mali to Niger was killed Wednesday, according to Al-Queda. The victim had been traveling in a large group of tourists in Niger after attending the Anderamboukane nomadic festival in the border region. The killing came after a warning from the kidnappers that the Briton would be executed if an imprisoned Muslim extremist was not released from a British prison. Western governments have warned of travel in the region for some time, due to the ongoing Tuareg rebellion in the region. However, the fact that Al-Queda was involved came as some surprise, as they were not believed to be active so far south. There is speculation that the kidnappers may have been Tuareg rebels who sold him to Algerian Al-Queda members in neighboring Mali. BBC News Map of Al-Queda range in Africa

1 June 2009

This month Delta, the only US carrier with service to Africa, will begin/replace the following routes: Atlanta-Johannesburg (June 1, now nonstop), Atlanta-Cape Town via Dakar (June 1, replaces NYC-CT service), & New York-Abuja (June 10). Plans to serve Malabo, Sal, Abuja, & Luanda from Atlanta this month have been postponed to September. Outside Africa, Delta & their subsidiary Northwest Airlines will start service this month to the following intriguing destinations: Ho Chi Minh City (June 1, from Tokyo), Bucharest (June 1, from NYC), Guam (June 2, from Tokyo), Shanghai (June 3, from Detroit), & Valencia (June 5, from Valencia), & Port-au-Prince (June 20, from NYC).

1 June 2009

Starting June 2009 AeroMexico will have 3 weekly non-stop flights between the Mexican capital and Medellín, the second largest city in Colombia. [15]

1 June 2009

The annual "Hurricane Season" in the Atlantic Ocean, the period of time during which the overwhelming majority of tropical systems occur, begins today. Between now and the season's close on November 30, the famous long-range hurricane forecasts issued by Colorado State University predict 12 tropical storms, 6 hurricanes, & 2 major hurricanes (at Category 3 or above), which is quite close to the 1950-2000 average of 9.6, 5.9, & 2.3 respectively. For monitoring of tropical systems in this region, see the US' National Hurricane Center [16].

1 June 2009

Long anticipated and long delayed, new rules go into effect today for US, Canadian, Mexican, & Bermudian citizens as well as US permanent residents ENTERING the United States by LAND. Prior to 2001, only a driver's license and oral declaration were required. Despite post-9/11 recommendations to implement such changes as these, the large volume of border crossings have forced the gov't to take more time to implement these changes. The following rules have been in effect for air travel between the US and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, & the Caribbean since 2007.

• For US citizens, a passport or passport card; NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI card; or an "enhanced driver's license" (currently issued in Vermont, New York, Michigan, & Washington) are required to enter the US.
• For US Permanent Residents, a valid Lawful Permanent Resident Card (or "green card") is required.
• For Canadian citizens, a passport; NEXUS or FAST card; or "enhanced driver's license" (currently available in British Colombia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec) is required.
• For Mexican nationals, a passport and visa or laser visa are required.
• For Bermudian citizens, a passport is now required.

[edit] May

26 May 2009

Soon after Niger's highest court ruled current president Mamadou Tandja's bid for a third five-year term in office illegal, parliament was dissolved. He claims the people of Niger want him to remain in office—a claim which has met widespread opposition. [17]

26 May 2009

Uzbekistan unilaterally closed their border with Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday following a large explosion at a police station in the border town of Khanabad. The attack was followed by a chase and shootout by police. There are an unknown number of casualties (at the time of writing) and it is unsure when the border will reopen. While Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan are the two most visited countries in Central Asia for Western tourists, there has been great concern (backed by several minor instances) that Islamic fundamentalism (bringing terrorism ) is spreading north into these regions from Afghanistan. [18]

25 May 2009

After recent floods devastated coastal cities in New South Wales and Queensland, the floodwaters have begun receding. With a two-week estimate given for flood waters to fully move off land and predictions of more rain to come, Australians worry that the situation may soon worsen. [19]

20 May 2009

Severe floods throughout the Northeastern region of Brazil have left nearly 400,000 people homeless and killed at least 45 people. The regions of Ceará and Maranhão have been the worst affected by the floods and many cities in the region have been placed under a state of emergency. While the Northeast deals with the floods, the southern region of Brazil has been placed under a state of emergency for severe droughts. The famed Iguazu Falls has been reduced dramatically by the lack of water flowing in the river.[20][21]

18 May 2009

As recent statistics have shown a rise in swine flu cases in Hyogo and Osaka Prefectures, thousands of schools and universities have been shut down in Kobe and Osaka. Many public events have also been cancelled in the area. Although no tourist destinations have been reported to be closed, the Japanese government does not recommend travel to the area at this time. Airlines have already been hit with hundreds of cancellations on flights to Japan. Many of the schools however, will resume classes next week.

31 May 2009

Russian Railways open a direct railway connection between Saint Petersburg and Pskov. The train "Pleskov" convey about 300 passengers during 4.5 hours. It has four carriages, one of which is first class.

30 May - 6 June 2009

Held in Swansea and with Catherine Zeta Jones acting as patron, the Swansea Bay Film Festival [22] is one of the largest and most prestigious screenings of independent film in the United Kingdom

25 May 2009

The Mickey Mouse Revue, one of Disney's longest running theme park shows, which ran at Walt Disney World from 1971-1980 and has been exclusive to Tokyo Disneyland since 1983, will close today permanently. In 2011, it will be replaced by the 3-D show Mickey's PhilharMagic.

18 May 2009

Norfolk Line's [23] thrice-weekly service from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Rosyth, in Fife will embark on its inaugural journey today, taking around 20 hours to cover the distance. Scotland has been without a direct connection to continental Europe since September 2008, when the previous carrier ceased operations. The new service will enable travellers wishing to bring their own vehicles to avoid a lengthy drive on England's often clogged motorway network.

16 May 2009

After budget cuts, it was initially stated that all the villas would close however, new management has allowed the Hattoji Villa and Shiraishi Island Villa to remain open, offering visitors cheap accommodations in interesting and less-travelled areas of Okayama. Unfortunately, the Fukiya, Takebe, and Ushimado villas were closed at the end of March 2009. There are talks that the Ushimado Villa could be reopened however a decision has not yet been reached. [24]

16 May 2009

As a way to promote the Smithsonian Museum, and in honor of the new "Night at the Museum" movie, the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. is hosting a sweepstakes allowing the winning child to host his/her own sleepover in the museum, as a real night at the museum experience. Sweepstakes offers will be placed on Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Hershey's chocolate, and Post cereal boxes.

12 May 2009

The ceremony, held in the ruins of Yingxiu, commemorated the first anniversary of the devastating Sichuan Earthquake that killed approximately 90,000 people. President Hu Jintao gave a speech at the event praising relief efforts and all the help from the Chinese people in rebuilding the region. Many gathered to lay flowers around the rubble to remember their loved ones lost in the disaster [25]

10 May 2009

Just days after climbers were allowed back on Mount Nyiragongo following a six month closure from rebel occupation and rebuilding, scientists are now warning that another nearby volcano may be close to an eruption. In 2002, Mount Nyiragongo, in the eastern DRC near the border with Rwanda, erupted unexpectedly sending lava flows into the nearby city of Goma, burying alive over 200 and turning parts of the city of one million into a 'modern day Pompeii'. Furthermore, the city is in the volatile North Kivu province, epicenter of nearly a decade of insurgency which has led to around 4 million deaths in the eastern DRC. Mount Nyragongo has been symbolic to the region's recovery, with around 50 tourists a month climbing its peak to view one of just 4 lava lakes in the world. However, just miles away, Mount Nyamulagira may soon erupt, according to scientists who have noticed a large spike in earthquake activity. BBC France24

8 May 2009

A month after allowing the strict, conservative Islamic Taliban to rule the Swat Valley, the Pakistani government has changed its position and is now planning to force the Taliban out of power in the region. This comes just days after the Taliban went on the offensive to gain greater control in northern Pakistan, which at one point was just miles from the capital, Islamabad. Since gaining control in the region, the Taliban has led hundreds of thousands of residents to flee, a result of the violent ways the Taliban has used to enforce strict Sharia law. Travel anywhere north of Islamabad in the coming weeks is vehemently NOT recommended.

8 May 2009

Large swaths of the coastal mountains north of Los Angeles have gone up in flames over the past week. In an annual ritual for many who live in the mountains of southern California, residents of thousands of homes threatened by the fires have been forced to flee. As of Friday, the largest threat is outside the beachside resort of Santa Barbara, where over 1300 acres(525 hectares) have been blackened. Travelers to California in the coming months should expect to see hazy skies as more wildfires appear during the Californian dry season. France24

7 May 2009

Violence has increased over the past week in the east Saharan country Chad. The violence—which the EU & US have blamed on Sudanese soldiers, weapons, & money crossing the border—is the latest in the off-and-on violence and civil war the country has seen over the past few years. A clash Thursday led to around 150 deaths and an equal number of POWs taken by Chadian forces. While tourism is not recommended in any part of the country, any NGO workers headed to Chad should be extremely cautious, as several have been injured or killed since January. France24

7 May 2009

Riot police repelled protesters in the Georgian capital Tbilisi with rubber bullets Thursday night, injuring 29, as they attempted to climb over fencing surrounding police headquarters. The protest of tens of thousands is a continuation of the string of protests the capital has seen for over a month, led by opposition leaders calling for the removal of the president from power. This particularly large protest was the first in which police confronted protesters, as all previous ones had been peaceful. It also comes just one day after a small 'mutiny' among soldiers stationed near the capital, which Tbilisi has blamed on Moscow influence. France24

7 May 2009

The presidents of Armenia & Azerbaijan met today for the first time to discuss the state of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. They made no statements, but are purportedly 'made progress' with talks and will meet again in St.Petersburg, Russia in early June. This historically Armenian/Christian region was an integral part of Azerbaijan at the collapse of the Soviet Union, but has been protected and occupied by Armenia since a bloody war for independence in the early 1990's leading to a stalemate which lasts to this day. Tensions have been sour between the two for the past two decades, although there is hope for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. This meeting comes on the heels of improving relations between Armenia and Turkey, which has been greatly pressured by ethnically-similar Azerbaijan to be dependent on addressing the Karabakh question. France24 BBC

4 May 2009

In new Saint Petersburg's seaport "Marine Facade" arrived a first cruise liner "Norwegian Jewel" (Norwegian Cruise Line). In 2009 scheduled 112 calls of 28 vessels, which will convey about 230 000 tourists.

1 May 2009

Allegiant Air [26], an ultra-low cost carrier, will establish a focus city operation at Los Angeles International Airport this month. Allegiant Air will serve 12 destinations from LAX: Bellingham, WA; Billings, MT; Des Moines, IA; Fargo, ND; Grand Junction, CO; McAllen, TX; Medford, OR; Missoula, MT; Monterey, CA; Sioux Falls, SD; Springfield, MO; and Wichita, KS.

1 May 2009

The streets of French cities will be filled with union members today as they protest Sarkozy's response and management of the financial crisis. France24

[edit] April

25 April 2009

A new flu virus, which is suspected in the deaths of at least 60 in Mexico and possibly related to a swine virus in the southern United States which has sicken dozens, has sparked fears of a pandemic. Unlike most illnesses, this virus has mostly affected young, healthy adults. The World Health Organization has recalled several key staff to their Geneva headquarters and advised all member nations to be on high alert for unusual flu or pneumonia-like symptoms. BBC

24 April 2009

The restoration of the Winter Garden at Saint Petersburg's Marble Palace has finished. During the four year restoration, the historic interiors, glass lamps, paintings, and sculptures were all recreated.

23 April 2009

The north of Sri Lanka is seeing a high level of violence as Sri Lankan troops encroach on the last remaining strongholds of the decades-old Tamil Tiger resistance (formally: the Liberation TIgers of Tamil Eelam). The international community has condemned both sides of the conflict for grossly endangering the lives of civilians as tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of civilians have found themselves trapped, with the UN security council urging the LTTE to surrender. Since the start of the civil war in 1983, the Tamils have seen their territory grow to nearly half of the country, wane to a fraction of the north, and see their capital captured in February 2009. The coming days should draw to a close the massive surge of Sri Lankan army over the past year (especially since January) which has seen the majority of Tamil-held territory conquered. [27] [28]

22 April 2009

Kiwis along with the rest of the world know New Zealand's two main components as the North Island and the South Island, but it turns out that the names are not legally registered. It would seem obvious for officials to go ahead and register those names, but instead the country's Geographic Board, which assigns and registers place names, has announced that they will consider both English and Maori names for the islands. The problem? The Maori names, used for centuries, have no relation to the simple English 'North' & 'South' names used for nearly 200 years. Rather, the Maori names for the islands are Te Ika a Maui (the fish of Maui[a Maori demi-god]) for the North Island and Te Wai Pounamu (the waters of greenstone) for the South Island. [29]

24 April 2009

In Saint Petersburg finished a restoration of the Marble Palace's Winter Garden. During four year the restorer was recreated a historic interiors, four uranic lamp of a glass stand etc.

March 24 - May 10

In honor of the 650th memorial year of Muso Daishi, the founder of Kyoto's Myoshinji Temple, the Kyoto National Museum is holding a special exhibition of the many famous treasures housed in Myoshinji Temple. [30]

22 April

Voters in South Africa will head to the polls today in the most highly contested election since the historic 1994 election which brought Nelson Mandela to power. Travelers during elections should always remain vigilent against political violence, although this one should be relatively peaceful. More...

21 April 2009

Delta Air Lines, the world's largest airline, is imposing a new $50 fee for passengers to check a second bag for international flights. The new fee takes effect for flights booked from April 21, for travel beginning July 1, and is being imposed "in response to the global recession," according to an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Exempt from the new fee: Business Class passengers, elite-level frequent flier members, active military traveling on duty, and passengers who purchase a Y ticket (full-fare coach). Customers will still be able to check the first bag for free. [31]

21 April 2009

British Restaurant Magazine announces it's annual S.Pellegrino top 50 restaurants, based on a poll of top international chefs and critics. El Bulli in Roses runs with the gold medal, while The Fat Duck in London and Noma in Copenhagen are runners up. [32]

21 April 2009

After two years of study, using modern mapping technology, government research has been able to determine that China's Great Wall is miles (290 kilometers) longer than previous estimates, making the total length approximately 3,900 miles (6,300 kilometers). [33]

19 April 2009

Space Mountain, one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World in Florida, will close today for an extensive refurbishment that will last until the end of the year.

18 April 2009

In order to protect Antarctica's environment, Antarctic ports are now going to turn away any cruise ship with over 500 passengers on board. Cruise ships will also be limited to allowing only 100 people to be on the shore at once, and only one cruising vessel will be allowed to dock at each port at one time. The restrictions will take affect after each of the 28 nations involved in the discussions sign the proposal. [34]

18 April 2009

The complex, unclear rules surrounding claims to Canadian citizenship have been cleared up by a bill which went into effect April 17 and 'hundreds of thousands', mostly in the US, now can claim Canadian citizenship. It restores citizenship to children of Canadian citizens born in the US between 1947 & 1977, people forced to give it up when nationalized in another country, and children born to Canadian Mennonites in Mexico. On the contrary, it reverses the practice of granting citizenship perpetually to children of Canadians (ie. parents must have been born in Canada for their children to gain citizenship). The government has released a humorous YouTube video in an effort to alert such new citizens to these changes.

17 April 2009

Two magnitude 5.5 earthquakes hit Afghanistan's Eastern Nangarhar Province killing at least 22 people and toppling more than 200 homes. Becauset the homes of most people are composed of only mud, even light quakes can cause serious damage. Death tolls are expected to rise within the next few days as more bodies are discovered among the rubble. [35]

13 April 2009

The 'La Combre' volcano on uninhabited Fernandina Island, the most active volcano in the Galapagos Islands. No humans or tourist facilities are threatened, but officials are concerned about many rare species on the island as the volcano releases lava into the sea as well as plenty of ash and gasses.[36]

13 April 2009

After protests for the past five days, turning violent the past two, Thailand is set to see more protests Tuesday as anti-government continue their call to bring Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra back from exile. Protests in Bangkok on Monday saw clashes with Thai troops, leading to the deaths of two and many vehicles and building were set on fire. Meanwhile, opposition leaders in Georgia are continuing their call for the president to resign. While initial protests brought around 100,000 to the capital Tbilisi, protests over the past few days have only seen around 20,000. As these protestors claim they won't leave until the president's resignation and his vehement refusal to do so, it is uncertain how long the protests will last. [37] [38]

13 April 2009

After disrupting and leading to the cancellation of the ASEAN summit in Pattaya on Friday, protestors returned to Bangkok on Monday to continue their call for PM Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign. After a state of emergency was declared in the capital Monday, Thai soldier began efforts to clear major intersections by force, leading to clashes which left 70 injured. Visitors to the region the next few days should be careful to avoid protestors, and probably downtown Bangkok in general. [39]

11 April 2009

Following the killing of three Baloch nationalist leaders last Thursday, political factions in Balochistan (the large, southwestern province of Pakistan) have called for a three day general strike. This very conservative tribal region—rich in copper, gold, & natural gas—is largely ethnic Baloch, who feel the Punjabi tribe which rules Pakistani politics has exploited the region. The three killed Thursday were Baloch members of a government committee to reconcile differences between the region and the national government. [40]

9 April 2009

On April 4th the final leg of a ring metro line around Brussels city centre was finally completed, consequently the entire network of line has been reorganised. Lines 2 & 6 now circles the new ring - with line 6 continuing on the old northbound line. Line 1 terminates at the west station and covers the eastern branch, while line 5 covers the two branches in the southern part of the city.

9 April 2009

The Prime Minister of Thailand has declared Friday (April 10) a national holiday to help security forces and ease the strain on transport as the capital, Bangkok, and Pattaya, where 16 Asian leaders are gathered for the ASEAN summit, brace for large protests. Protests on Thursday paralyzed Bangkok as taxis, busses, and commuters were stopped or in some places surrounded by protestors and unable to navigate the city. Protestors, supporters of ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, accuse the current PM, Abhisit Vejjajiva, of being an illegitimate puppet of the military and hope to make their disapproval of him evident to the visiting Asian leaders. [41]

9 April 2009

A strike by employees at the Eiffel Tower caused its closure on Wednesday and Thursday. The protestors, demanding better pay and job security, were to meet with the Paris landmark's management Thursday evening. If an agreement is not reached, the tower could be closed again on Friday (the 10th). [42]

9 April 2009

Opposition leaders plan to continue protests in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, have promised to 'demonstrate daily' outside parliament until president Saakashvilli, re-elected just last year, resigns. Thursday's protests drew over 60,000 to the capital and remained calm and without incident. Many planned to stay throughout the night, but opposition leader have declared that the protests will restart at 15:00 local time, the deadline they have given the president to resign. The government claims police will keep a low profile, but also have evidence to claim that the opposition has numerous varieties of illegal weapons. Thursday's protest came on a noteworthy day—20 years to the day that Soviet police & military surrounded then beat and clubbed pro-independence protestors in Tbilisi. [43] [44]

9 April 2009

Persons traveling in Indonesia or Algeria are advised that today is election day and that persons are likely to be livid about their political opinions in those countries today. This will be the first election since Algeria's removal of presidential term limits, a move many opposition candidates believe makes Bouteflika president-for-life. Opposition is officially boycotting the elections, believed to be corrupt, and there is a small potential for unrest. Indonesians are voting for the first time for candidates (previously they voted for parties which then appointed politicians), so expect confusion and large crowds/queues near polling stations. In Jayapura, Papua, a region home to many separatists, a police station was overrun by a mob; at least six were killed in political violence around the Papua region. Elsewhere, however, there is only a low risk of violence. [45] [46]

8 April 2009

Pro-West protestors in Moldova's capital Chişinău turned violent and stormed the Parliament building, which was later reclaimed by riot police. More protests against the ruling Communist Party's win in last week's elections are expected on Wednesday (Apr 8). Meanwhile, 'tens of thousands' of protestors have hit the streets of Bangkok in a new bid to oust the current PM and allow former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to return from exile (since a 2006 coup) without the prospect of jail time. The protests haven't become violent, but a similar protest in December saw mild violence and the closure of both of the city's airports for almost a week. [47] [48]

7 April 2009

Heavy rains in the DRC and northern Zambia have flown into the Zambezi River resulting in the worst flooding in 50 years, which has affected over half a million people from Namibia's Caprivi Strip east through northern Botswana, southern Zambia, & northern Zimbabwe. As the flooding moves down the river basin, tens of thousand will be forced to flee flooding in central Mozambique and parts of extreme southern Malawi. [49]

6 April 2009

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake centered near L'Aquila shook central Italy early on April 6 waking people across the region, including Rome—some 65 miles away—leaving over 200 people dead. [50]

3 April 2009

Seville, Spain inaugurated it's spanking new metro line on April 2nd, 2009. The new 18 kilometre, which has taken 6 years to complete, follows reverse U from the south-west to the south-east through the southern end of the city centre where it stops at Plaza de Cuna, Prado and San Bernado. Much of the route runs in tunnels constructed in the 1980's as part of a previous, failed attempt, to construct a metro in the city.

2 April 2009

Cambodian soldiers fired at Thai troops for purportedly entering Cambodian territory at Preah Vihear, a historic palace surrounded by disputed territory. While the palace was awarded to Cambodia by an international court in 1962, but is surrounded by land claimed also by Thailand. Two Cambodian soldiers were killed here in October, gunfire was shared a month ago, and a Thai soldier was injured by an old landmine on Thursday. [51]

[edit] March

31 March 2009

The United States has had travel restrictions on visiting Cuba for over four decades, but new legislation introduced calls for the end to such restrictions. Unlike previous attempts at ending such restrictions, the current legislature and president support such a bill. Earlier this year, limits on money sent to Cubans by US relatives were removed.

31 March 2009

A Dutch couple was kidnapped by armed tribesmen in the Yemeni capital Sana'a. Fortunately, most Western tourists kidnapped in this poorest of Gulf countries are released soon afterwards unharmed. Unlike the practice of killing hostages as a form of terrorism, as in many Middle Eastern countries, Yemeni abductions are usually for bargaining chips in disputes regarding tribesmen and the government. In this case, captors are demanding the release of two relatives, [52].

31 March 2009

The Eiffel Tower celebrated its 120th birthday on Tuesday. It also marked the beginning of painting—its 18th such cosmetic upgrade—which will take nearly one year to complete. In addition, the first-floor restaurant, to be renamed '58 Tour Eiffel, will also be reopened following an extensive renovation, [53].

29 March 2009

United Airlines is beginning a new, daily service from Washington-Dulles and Moscow-Domodedovo on the 29th, followed by new Los Angeles-Sydney & Los Angeles-Melbourne services on the 31st. Introductory one-way fares (based on round-trip, exclusive of taxes/fees) are as low as $119 to Moscow and $299 to Australia!!

29 March 2009

Mayotte voted overwhelmingly (95.2%) today to become a 'departement' of the Republic of France, which will be effective in 2011. The vote will change numerous facets of Mayotte's Muslim-inspired society, such as banning polygamy, giving equal rights to women, and replacing the island's Islamic-based law with French common law. [54]

29 Mar 2009

Air India, India's flag carrier, was to become a Star Alliance on March 2009, but entry has been delayed to sometime in 2010.

29 Mar 2009

The 60th FIA Formula One World Championship will begin in Melbourne, Australia.

29 Mar 2009

Voters in Mayotte, a "Collective" in the Indian Ocean governed by France, go to the polls today to decide whether or not to become a "Department" of the Republic of France. French Departments are more integrated into French legal, institutional, and social structures than Collectives. Although Mayotte is currently administered by France, the Union of the Comoros also claims Mayotte. Comoran public opinion strongly favors the return of Mayotte to Comoros. The potential reaction of Comorans is uncertain, but demonstrations are likely. Demonstrations on emotionally-charged issues have turned violent in the past. Visitors to the Comoros should consider avoiding all large public gatherings before, during, and after the March 29 vote in Mayotte.

24 March 2009

Alaska's Mount Redoubt has erupted six times between early Sunday and Monday morning. The volcano, 100 miles (160km) southwest of Anchorage, spewed plenty of ash, which was fortunately blown north of the state's largest city...towards the vicinity of Mt. McKinley.[55]

22 March 2009

Eight Britons and Americans were the first officially-sanctioned tourists in Iraq, outside of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, since the coalition invasion in March 2003. Many Westerners have tried to visit the country as tourists and were denied visas or detained by military personnel. While tourist infrastructure is nearly non-existant and many museums are closed, those on the trip, organized by the UK's Hinterland Travel, felt relatively safe and enjoyed the sights. [56]

20 March 2009

Fans of ABC's daytime soap operas need not mourn the loss of Super Soap Weekend. It has been replaced with the Soap Nation Tour, a collection of nationwide events designed to interact with fans on a year-round basis, offering greater access to stars in more cities, more often. The 2009 tour kicks off with a three day cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico. Learn more at http://www.rockthesoap.com/.

19 March 2009

An underwater volcano, which had been sending gasses into the sky for four days, erupted violently on Wednesday just six miles off Tonga's main island—Tongatapu—providing a spectacular view for gathered journalists and scientists. On Thursday, a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck 130 miles south-southeast of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa at the shallow depth of 6.2 miles, triggering a tsunami alert for nearby islands, but only resulting in a small flux in sea level. [57] [58]

19 March 2009

Labor unions across France went on strike today, similar to those in January, in a move which three-fourths of French people support. Initial estimates indicate more participants than the January strikes, which saw over 2.5 million people take to the streets in protests and transportation severely disrupted. While today's strike didn't severely affect transportation, over 218 towns and cities saw protests demanding higher salaries, higher taxes on the wealthy, and an end to public sector lay-offs.[59] [60]

17 March 2009

The HIV infection rate in America's capital could be as high as 5%—or on par with most African nations! Even the official statistic of 3% places the city on par with countries like Uganda & Brazil. The prevalence is highest amongst homosexual males(~25%), those aged 40-49 (7.2%), black males (6.5%), & those 50-59 (5.2%). [61]

16 March 2009

Violence broke out in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo as rebels stormed the presidential palace. While the president was away from the capital and neither captured or killed, the rebels have claimed the presidency, the central bank, and most of the army. Tourists to Madagascar should be leery of violence; there has been some anti-French sentiment. [62] [63]

15 March 2009

Two South Korean tourists and two Yemeni guides were killed near the historic city of Shibam. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, often referred to as the Manhattan of the desert due to the height of its towers, is a popular tourist attraction in this foreboding country. While the cause of the attack is unclear, Yemen has seen numerous anti-Western attacks, the most recent being a September car bombing beside the US Embassy which killed 16. [64]

12 March 2009

Chicago's iconic Sears Tower, unarguably the tallest building in the world (with spire, sans antenna) from 1973 until the 1998 completion of the Petronas Towers, after which much controversy arose regarding measurement of the "tallest building", and from a 2000 antenna addition until surpassed in 2007 by Burj Dubai for "pinnacle height." Sears' naming rights to the tower expired in 2003. and, effective June 2009, the building will be renamed "Willis Tower" for London insurer Willis Group, a move many Chicagoans are not very pleased about. Today, the building is the "tallest building" in the Americas (pinnacle height) & the fourth-tallest "freestanding structure" in the world. [65] [66]

8 Mar 2009

Visitors to the Mall of America will be headed for lower fares today as Southwest Airlines begins service to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport from Chicago Midway Airport.

7 Mar 2009

A new subway station was opened in Saint Petersburg, "Spasskaya". At the same time, the fourth and fifth lines were rerouted. The fourth line's section from "Staraya Derevnya" to "Sadovaya" became part of the fifth line, and trains from "Sadovaya" arrive at "Zvenigorodskaya". Trains of the fourth line from "Dostoyevskaya" station arrive at the "Spasskaya" terminal.

6 Mar 2009

The first railway in Laos, from the Thai city of Nong Khai across the Mekong to the outskirts of Vientiane, has officially opened to the public.

5 Mar 2009

The 2nd World Baseball Classic begins today. Sixteen teams including China, Chinese Taipei, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, South Korea, Cuba, Canada, Italy, the Dominican Republic, the Neatherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the United States will start competition in four venues Tokyo, Mexico City, Puerto Rico, and Toronto. Semifinals will be held in Miami and San Diego and the final match will be held in Los Angeles on March 23.[67]

3 March 2009

The US believes Mexican drug cartels to have over 100,000 soldiers, rivaling the size of the Mexican Army. Over 7,000 persons have been killed in the last 12 months in Mexico, including many beheaded or dumped in acid. The US Department of Defense now believes Mexico to be a greater security threat than Iraq or Afghanistan. [68]. Travel in Mexico is not recommended aside from the Yucatan Peninsula.

1 Mar 2009

U.S. airline company Spirit Airlines says it will be offering cheap direct flights between Medellín (Colombia) and Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2009. [69]

[edit] February

26 Feb 2009

Border Guards began a mutiny Thursday in Bangladesh. Disconcerted with pay and living conditions, the mutiny in the capital, Dhaka, began by taking 100 hostages in a military barracks. A clash soon erupted between rebellious Border Guards and the Army, catching many civilians in the crowded capital in the crossfire, with 50 confirmed deaths. The mutiny has now begun to spread to other regions of the country, with unconfirmed reports of gunfire in Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Khulna, Sylhet, & Feni. [70]

22 Feb 2009

A French woman was killed after a bomb exploded in a crowded Cairo bazaar, Khan el-Khalili, which is often filled with tourists. A second bomb was later discovered unexploded nearby. A bomb exploded in the same bazaar in 2005 killing 2 French and an American. Egypt fought a long war with extremists in the 1990s which has largely left the country safe for tourists, aside from the Sinai Peninsula.[71]

21 Feb 2009

US State Department have issued a travel warning for the French Caribbean territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique, relating to an ongoing labour strike. Gas stations, stores, the port, and banks remain closed, and critical supplies are dwindling. In Guadeloupe there are reports of armed gang blocking major roads. French police and armed forces have been dispatched to the area. [72]

20 February 2009

From now until 31 March, people can purchase World Cup 2010 tickets online. On 15 April, a lottery will be held for all overticketed games.

20 Feb 2009

The country of Mexico has overtaken Colombia as the country with the most kidnappings, while Mexico City topped the list of cities with the most kidnappings. Violence in Mexico has increased dramatically over the past two years as drug gangs battle for influence and control over each other and authorities, particularly near the US border in cities such as Tijuana, Nogales, Monterrey, and Ciudad Juarez, where the police chief resigned Friday after gangs had killed 3 police officers and a jail guard in fulfilling their promise to "kill 1 police officer every 48 hours until the chief resigned". Despite claims by US officials that the violence had not crossed the border, Phoenix, Arizona ranked second on the city list—where 370 people were kidnapped last year. [73] [74]

18 Feb 2009

The 2009 Winter Universiade (the XXIV Winter Universiade) begins today in Harbin, China and lasts through the 28th. Universities from around the world will be sending their best athletes to compete for gold in twelve ice and snow sports.

17 Feb 2009

In a protest to the deployment of the Mexican Army to areas near the US border, thousands of Mexicans protested today by blocking several key border crossings. The Army has been policing in some areas due to high levels of corruption and desertion, due to killings and threats, by police officers in border regions. Drug traffickers have kidnapped hundreds in the border regions in the last few years and, in 2008 alone, killed 5000.

14 Feb 2009

Lithuania will celebrate the millennium of its name today. The first known mention of 'Lithuania' occurred on February 14, 1009 in the journals of the Quedlinburg monastery in Harz, Germany.

13 Feb 2009

Late in the evening of 12 February, Continental Connection Flight 3407, from Newark to Buffalo, crashed into a house in Clarence, five miles east of the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. All 44 passengers and four crew members were killed, along with an off-duty pilot and one person in the destroyed house.

2 Feb 2009

As Alaska is still waiting the imminent eruption of Mount Redoubt [75], residents of some Tokyo suburbs awoke to layer of ash from Mount Asama, 90 miles away. While the eruption was small and did not cause major damage to nearby villages, it did spread ash over parts of east-central Japan and interrupt some aircraft routes through the region, [76].

1 Feb 2009

Heavy snow was expected Sunday night into Monday over much of England and Wales in the largest snow event the region has seen in six years. Kent, London, Surrey, & Hampshire could see up to 15cm (6 in) of the white stuff, which has clogged or closed regional motorways, closed Gatwick Airport for 2 hours, and caused delays for travelers through London City and Heathrow airports. The snow, expected to last for several more days, was also accompanied by subzero temperatures, [77].

[edit] January

30 January 2009

Zimbabwe on Thursday announced that it will be legal to accept and use foreign currencies in the nation. Prior to the announcement, only select, licensed businesses could accept currencies besides the Zimbabwe dollar, which has suffered from the most severe hyperinflation the world has ever seen (currently at 10²⁴%) over the past few years. While many businesses had already begun, illegally, accepting other currencies, following the announcement most shops immediately began refusing the Zimbabwe dollar, of which a $100 trillion note was recently released. [78]

30 Jan 2009

The US Geological Survey claims Mount Redout—100 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska—is within days of eruption (as of 29 january). It would be its first eruption in 20 years and has the potential of spreading ash over much of Southcentral Alaska, interrupting flights to the region as well as US-Asia flights, most of which pass through the region.[79]

29 Jan 2009

JetBlue Airways will begin service to Bogota, Colombia, from Orlando today.

25 Jan 2009

Tampa, Florida will host the pinnacle of American football this Sunday, February 1, between the (Philadelphia Eagles or Arizona Cardinals) and (Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens). The Super Bowl draws large crowds of devoted fans to the host city, which usually puts on numerous festivities including the NFL Experience, Hall of Fame dinner, Gasparilla, and a week-long party atmosphere. It will be broadcast in the United States on NBC; in the UK on BBC One and Sky Sports; Foxtel and Austar in Australia; and Rai Due in Italy. [80]

20 Jan 2009

Washington, D.C. welcomes spectators today for the inauguration of Barack Obama as the president of the United States of America. The inauguration will choke much of the city, with people crowding the city's streets and placing a burden on local airports, roads, and mass transit.

15 Jan 2009

Tourism officials in Queensland, Australia is looking to draw tourists through advertising the 'best job in the world' which consists of spending six months on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef while writing a blog to promote the island...oh, you are also paid AU$150,000. With the Feb. 22 deadline still over a month away, officials have begun sifting through over 2,000 video applications. [81]

25 Jan 2009

The impressive structure is located in the Santander department and took 14 months to complete. The official opening is scheduled for January 24th, with president Uribe set to attend. [82]

15 Jan 2009

Arctic temperatures dove into the central & eastern US Thursday as a massive arctic high brought temps as low as -30ºF(-35ºC) and wind chills below -50ºF(-45ºC). Most Midwesern & northern Plains cities are also expecting subzero (ºF,-18ºC) highs. The cold, expected to last through the weekend, brought such temps/windcills (ºC in parentheses) as: Minneapolis -21/-45(-29/-43), Chicago -10/-26(-24/-32), Bismarck -38/-48(-39/-44), & Des Moines -18/-40(-28/-40). Gathered temps here.

15 Jan 2009

Transport officials in the UK have approved the construction of a highly controversial third runway at London's Heathrow Airport, much to the dismay of environmentalists, nearby residents, and MPs (after Parliament learned it would not be able to vote on the project).[83]

12 Jan 2009

Beginning today, all persons entering the US under the Visa Waiver Program must file an online I-94 form (which replaces the ones filled out on the plane) at least 72 hours before arrival, or risk delays or even deportation. Don't worry; most applications are approved within 4 seconds and remain valid for all trips for 2 years after approval. [84]

12 Jan 2009

Interior Alaska has been dealing with a large area of high pressure which has held temperatures well below normal for nearly two weeks. While the region is used to a few cold snaps with such temperatures every year, this has been unusual in that the high has remained, blocking other weather patterns from entering. Much of the state has remained well below zero as areas near Fairbanks have frequently been down to near -60ºF(-50ºC). AP

2 Jan 2009

An explosion occurred near the Sri Lankan Air Force headquarters in Colombo, killing 2. This occurred just a couple of hours after the capture of the unofficial capital of the Tamil Tiger resistance, Kilinochchi. The capture of this town, held by the rebels for over a decade, was followed by repeated calls from Sri Lanka for the Tamil Tigers to lay down their arms.[85]

1 Jan 2009

The American Idol Experience opens this month at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This interactive live stage show will feature performances by park guests, who will compete for the grand prize of auditioning for the actual American Idol TV show.

1 Jan 2009

Beginning January 1, all fares on Saint Petersburg transport have been increased for the first time since April 2008. One metro trip now costs 20 rubles (up from 17 rubles). The trip on tram, trolleybus and municipal bus has risen in price from 16 to 18 rubles. Fares have also risen on marshrutkas (taxi bus) and local railway lines.

1 Jan 2009

Slovakia starts the year by adopting the euro, at the rate of 30.1260 koruna to the euro. Turkey will introduce the second series of New Turkish Lira banknotes.

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