Share << Previous PostNext Post >> TORONTO — Travel agents can Learn, Earn, and WIN as part of Sunwing’s partner-of-the-month promotion with Blue Diamond Hotels & Resorts throughout the month of November.Featuring the largest STAR points offering yet, and available until Nov. 30, agents can learn all about the resort chain’s properties through a series of webinars and training opportunities. Properties include Royalton Luxury Resorts, Hideaway at Royalton, CHIC All Exclusive Resort by Royalton, Memories Resorts & Spa, Starfish Resorts and Grand Lido.Agents can also earn 10x STAR Agent Reward Points that convert into cash on each new booking they confirm, with departure dates available between now and April 30, 2018, at any of Blue Diamond Hotels & Resorts’ properties.Moreover, each time an agent makes a booking, they’ll gain a ballot for a chance to win an all-inclusive vacation for two at any one of the chain’s leading resorts. The more bookings an agent makes, the more chances they have to win.More news: GLP Worldwide introduces first-ever Wellness programsA seven-day vacation package will be given away each week during the promotional run.One of the newest properties included in the promotion is the sophisticated yet family-friendly Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa, set to open on Jan. 6, 2018. There’s also the new Starfish Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive property with five different accommodation options, watersports and 40 acres of lush tropical gardens. Travellers looking to secure this property will have to book fast, as the sale price only lasts for 24 hours, until midnight tonight (Nov. 2).Full details of current STAR points promotions, associated hotels, and all departure dates, visit sunwingagents.ca. For more information on vacation packages, visit sunwing.ca. Tags: Sunwing Travelweek Group Thursday, November 2, 2017 Posted by Earn 10x STAR points on Blue Diamond bookings with Sunwing this month read more
Air Canada’s Montreal-Raleigh service takes off Posted by Share Travelweek Group << Previous PostNext Post >> Tuesday, June 4, 2019 Tags: Air Canada MONTREAL — Air Canada’s new nonstop service between Montreal and Raleigh is officially up and running, marking the carrier’s 25th transborder route from its Montreal hub.Flight AC8178 departed Montreal on June 3 to Raleigh-Durham International Airport to kick off daily service onboard a 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ). Flights are timed to optimize connectivity from across Air Canada’s network through Montreal.Mark Galardo, Vice President, Network Planning, said the new route connects the vibrant cultures of both destinations and complements Air Canada’s existing year-round service to North Carolina, which already include flights from Toronto to Raleigh and Charlotte.“With expansion into 29 new markets since the beginning of 2016, our Montreal hub offers convenient nonstop connections to more than 98 destinations in our global network,” he said. “Customers returning to Raleigh from an international destination through Canada pre-clear U.S. customs without even picking up their baggage if the are connecting, saving significant time on their journey.”More news: GLP Worldwide introduces first-ever Wellness programsGalardo also noted that eligible premium customers flying onward internationally from Montreal in Air Canada Signature Class can enjoy exclusive access to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge before continuing on their journey.The new Montreal-Raleigh service is the only non-stop flight between these cities. According to Air Canada, while North Carolina has always been a popular leisure destination, it is also experiencing strong economic growth. read more
No related posts. From the print editionLIBERIA, Guanacaste – Construction began earlier this year on a new wing to the San Rafael Arcángel Clinic, located in the center of the provincial capital of Liberia. The addition includes 10 general patient rooms, three premium private rooms, two surgery theaters, an after-surgery recovery room, intensive care facilities and a cafeteria. The San Rafael Arcángel Clinic opened in 2006 and has grown to its current size in three phases. This third expansion will bring the facility from the status of a clinic to that of a hospital with 24-hour emergency care and surgery centers.There are 23 physicians in the clinic working in fields such as cardiology, nutrition, gynecology, physical therapy, plastic surgery and others. The clinic also includes a laboratory and pharmacy. As a medium-sized, private health care facility, San Rafael sees approximately 3,000 local and foreign patients a month. “The majority of our clients are from the region, and with this expansion we hope to see more patients from other countries traveling here for their medical needs,” said Ronald Guerrero, the clinic’s manager. “Projects like expanding this medical center are going to be what continues to pull Guanacaste up from the recent economic depression.”The new four-story tower on the clinic is scheduled to be completed in December at a cost of $3.1 million.For more, see: www.centromedicosanrafael.com. Facebook Comments read more
Carlos Acosta, former director of Costa Rica’s Roadway Council (CONAVI) said Tuesday that “he never witnessed or participated in any wrongdoing or mismanagement of Route 1856,” a 160-kilometer, $44 million road along the Río San Juan, on the border with Nicaragua.Acosta appeared before the Legislative Assembly’s Public Spending Commission, where he testified in a two-hour hearing with lawmakers.“I had no relation with the decisions made on the construction of the route, and I had no knowledge of any irregularities or wrongdoing with the work,” he said. “The entire project was designed and ordered by former ministers José María Tijerino [public security] and Francisco Jiménez [public works and transport],” Acosta said.Acosta also said that Manuel Serrano, another CONAVI official, was responsible for hiring engineering firms to build the road, and that it was physically “impossible” for [Acosta] to control the quality of the works and the amounts that companies were paid.President Laura Chinchilla ordered Acosta’s dismissal on May 14, the same day investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office and Judicial Investigation Police raided CONAVI and National Emergency Commission offices, searching for evidence of the case. Facebook Comments No related posts. read more
On Jan. 12, an article containing false information about new Costa Rican immigration laws was published on the blog Costa Rica Star, and created an uproar. The Costa Rican expat community and aTico lawyer were quick to point out that the article was full of false information and a copy of an article published almost four years ago.Outrage over the misinformation prompted some readers to start a change.org petition to “terminate professional and financial relationships” with the offending website.Despite the misinformation and the attempts to correct it, this erroneous article has found its way on to the Google News feed.The Tico Times spoke with a spokeswoman from the Immigration Administration who said much of the information in question is out of date or incorrect, including naming Public Security Minister Mario Zamora as the current head of the Immigration Administration, a post he has not held since 2010.Please keep in mind that this article is not legal advice and that any immigration question should be directed toward a lawyer knowledgeable about the Costa Rican immigration system.Here are nine of the rumors and the Immigration Administration’s response:1. ‘A tourist will not be able to go to the same country twice …’There is nothing in current immigration legislation that says a tourist cannot leave the country twice in a row to the same destination.2. ‘That after two trips to renew a visa a tourist will have to stay out of Costa Rica for a minimum of 15 days.’Any tourist who complies with the entrance requirements and has no criminal record can enter Costa Rica as often as “needed.” There is no indication of how long someone needs to stay outside the country besides the customs requirements for Costa Rica – to stay out of the country for at least three days – and the arrival country.3. ‘Instead of traveling to another country to renew a tourist visa, a foreigner can go to any immigration location and renew another 90 days for $100. Offices have recently been in San Jose, but will soon be available at international airports, border posts, ports, marinas and other locations.’All persons entering Costa Rica must comply with the following requirements:Hold a continuing travel ticket or a return ticket to a country of origin.Demonstrate financial solvency of at least $100 per month of travel in Costa Rica.Hold a passport in “good condition.”4. ‘To renew a visa, tourists will have to establish financial responsibility and show that they have the means to support themselves for the next 90 days. For those who cannot, such as students, the $100 will be waived by the Ministerio de Hacienda (the Finance Ministry).’Regardless of the visa in question, student or otherwise, these requirements must be met upon entering the country.If the Immigration Administration has already granted a person status (like residency) he or she does not need to meet these requirements, only to present a passport and DIMEX card.It’s important to clarify that a visa is not the same thing as permanent residency or one of the following immigration categories:Visa: a permission to enter the country, which Costa Rica grants at its consulates across the world. The individual’s nationality determines whether or not a visa is necessary. Visa guidelines can be found here.Legal residency: permission for a foreign national to reside in the country. Residency is also determined by nationality and listed on the visa guidelines.Immigration category: a status granted by the Immigration Administration, be it permanent or temporary residency, or a special status for a foreigner based on the reason or activities in Costa Rica.5. Perpetual tourists ‘need to join the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (Costa Rican Social Security System) and show that they have Caja membership when they renew their passports.’No tourist needs to be insured through the Costa Rican Social Security System (Caja). Only individuals with a status granted by the Immigration Administration need to join the Caja.6. ‘Tourists who overstay their visa will pay a larger fine when leaving, and will be prohibited from reentering Costa Rica three times the duration that they were illegally in the country.’Starting on July 31, 2014, tourists who overstay the time permitted by their visa (stamped in their passport) will be charged $100 per month, or a proportion of that by day.7. ‘More categories have been created for persons who seek to work or stay in Costa Rica.’Consult the immigration categories here for your individual case.8. ‘Pensionados (foreign retired residents) approved under the new law must show a monthly income from a certified pension of at least $1,000 a month, up from $600. This amount covers foreign spouses and minor children. Rentistas have to show they have a monthly income of at least $2,500, up from $1,000.’Please consult the immigration rules here.9. ‘Innkeepers and Costa Rica hotel operators will have to keep a registry of persons staying in their establishment for inspection by immigration police.’This is related to the same set of rules mentioned in item 6, which says that anyone who rents a room to a foreigner should verify that the person is in Costa Rica legally. The hotelier could be fined according to a certain base salary, which would be determined during the investigation of a crime. Facebook Comments Related posts:Lonely Planet guide documents a changing Central America US Embassy in Costa Rica announces changes for visa requests A love letter to Costa Rica’s second language 7 things to consider before retiring abroad read more
The parents of a British student killed while rock climbing in Costa Rica released a statement Friday paying tribute to their son,the BBC said.Lucas Drummond, 16, died during a fall while rappelling down a rock face in Santa Ana, in west San José, on April 4. Drummond, an experienced climber, was leading an expedition of four along with a Costa Rican supervisors, but he was believed to be out of sight when the fatal fall occurred.The BBC wrote that Drummond’s parents flew to Costa Rica last week, and were believed to be repatriating the body. On Friday, Carol and John Drummond released a statement on the accident:“We are devastated by the loss of our son Lucas, who was a devoted and loving brother and son to us and friend to so many.“He was given the opportunity to study abroad in a multicultural international school with an ethos of being able to help others while learning about themselves.“This was like a dream come true for Lucas and an opportunity to help develop his lively mind and his spirit for adventure which was a strong part of his being. He died doing what he loved.Drummond was studying Spanish at the United World College in Costa Rica as part of an international baccalaureate program. The climbing trip had been done through an extracurricular program offered by the school, according to The Daily Telegraph. Drummond, from northern London, had been in Costa Rica for seven months.The Daily Telegraph said authorities have launched an investigation, and are looking into climbing gear and ropes used during the expedition that resulted in Drummond’s death:A spokesman for the college said: “Lucas was a very experienced climber and had climbed competitively in the UK. He was leading the descent ahead of the rest of the party and, as far as I am aware, no one saw what happened.“The emergency services were called and the Judicial Investigation Department is now investigating. Facebook Comments Related posts:Costa Rica’s lack of safety regulations comes into view after death of 6 tourists in January Life jackets not distributed before Costa Rica catamaran began sinking, killing 3, says president’s office UPDATE: US tourist drowns in Costa Rica rafting trip US citizen dies in Jacó car crash read more
Charlie Hebdo is owned by a holding company, Les Editions Rotatives, that is controlled by staffers including Editor-in-Chief Philippe Val and cartoonist Jean Cabut. They helped re-found the magazine 11 years after a previous version, which ran from 1969 to 1981, ran out of money and shut down.© 2015, Bloomberg News Facebook Comments In recent weeks, the magazine has had two police officers stationed outside its doors because of terrorist threats, Rocco Contento of the SGP police union told BFM Television.Founded in its current incarnation in 1992, the magazine has skewered politicians, pop stars, and religious fundamentalists of all stripes in its weekly installments of caricatures, interviews, and opinionated essays. Targets of its cartoon covers have included former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn dancing in a red tutu and the late singer Michael Jackson as a skeleton shortly after his death from a drug overdose.Before Christmas last year, the cover depicted Charlie’s take on a traditional nativity scene — a spread-eagled Mary giving birth to the baby Jesus. That image currently decorates the magazine’s official Twitter profile. Related posts:In the wake of attack on Paris newspaper, extremists take to Twitter to celebrate World leaders express outrage over attack on Paris publication Blood, bodies, bullets turn heart of France into war zone Costa Rica’s President Solís signs condolence book for Charlie Hebdo victims PARIS — Charlie Hebdo, the satirical magazine where shootings Wednesday left at least 12 people dead, has a long history of pushing the limits of expression.In 2011 Charlie Hebdo published a special edition called “Charia Hebdo” featuring Muhammad as a “guest editor.” The cover depicted the prophet threatening readers with “100 lashes if you don’t die of laughter.” Shortly thereafter, Charlie Hebdo’s Paris offices were firebombed in an overnight attack that caused no injuries.Just before Wednesday’s attack the magazine’s official Twitter and Facebook accounts published a cartoon of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi offering wishes of good health for the New Year. And the current cover is on “Submission,” a book released Wednesay about a future in which an Islamic France is led by a Muslim president who bans women from the workplace. Though little-known outside France, Charlie Hebdo — the name means simply Charlie Weekly — is one of the country’s better-selling political magazines, with an average circulation of about 100,000.In 2006, it printed cartoons of Muhammad originally published by a Danish newspaper, which had prompted sometimes- violent protests because Muslim tradition deems depictions of the prophet to be blasphemous. Islamic organizations sued the magazine for the drawings, a case dismissed by a French court in 2008, according to the Charlie Hebdo website.Politicians in France, which has Europe’s largest Muslim population, have long understood that the magazine might inflame cultural tensions. During the 2006 controversy, then-President Jacques Chirac asked media organizations to avoid “provocation” of Muslims. And in 2012 former Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called for restraint when Charlie Hebdo published more cartoons representing Muhammad. The same year, Agence France-Presse reported that police had interrogated a man who called for the beheading of Charlie Hebdo cartoonist Stephane Charbonnier, known as Charb.The magazine’s writers and owners have been unbowed, defending their content as free speech and arguing that they’ve satirized all major religions. In 2010, a cover showed Pope Benedict giving holy communion with a condom. A 2012 story on gay marriage depicted a ménage-a-trois featuring the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God. read more
The Costa Rican airline Nature Air said it is purchasing four new aircraft that will be arriving by year-end, representing an investment of $2.5 million.The LET-L410 type aircraft can carry 19 passengers. The planes will take to the air in December, Nature Air said this week, and will fly to the airline’s 15 destinations in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.General Manager Gustavo Chinchilla said the new, faster aircraft will significantly reduce flight times on all routes.“Tourists can arrive in 20 minutes to almost any beach destination that by land would take up to 5 hours,” Chinchilla said.In addition, the new planes have increased cargo capacity and more space for passengers.The LET-L410s will add to Nature Air’s current fleet, also allowing for more daily flights.“Our current fleet has a capacity of 160,000 seats per year and our new aircraft will allow us go up to 200,000,” Chinchilla said.He added that in coming months the airline will start offering new charter flights to Ometepe and Costa Esmeralda in Nicaragua. Nature Air also plans to add a new route to David, Panama.The latest report from Costa Rica’s Civil Aviation Administration states that Nature Air and Sansa, the other company offering domestic flights, transported 83 percent of all passengers who circulated at local airports in 2013. The remaining 17 percent used charter flights from other carriers, private flights or rental planes. Facebook Comments Related posts:Costa Rica could launch 7 new airline routes and add 2 carriers this year Avianca now offers San José-San Andrés flights on weekends Canadian carrier WestJet to add flights to Costa Rica from Calgary, Toronto New Costa Rican airline plans to launch with flights to Central and South America, US read more
Recommended: Reader not fond of ‘torturing fish,’ but sportfishing isn’t the problemNote: I first wrote about this many years ago in The Tico Times, but it seems not much has changed since then, and it is time to rethink our actions once again.Bragging is part of human nature. We all do it, no matter what activity we partake in. I’ve seen bird-watchers nearly exchange punches as they reviewed their sighting scorecards at the end of the day, accusing each other of inventing the number of different species they saw. Fishermen, I believe, were born with a more dominant bragging gene than most of the public. For any type of bragging, photographic proof is the most convincing tool of all. Thus, the “hero shot” was born.The traditional hero shot shows an angler posing in front of the camera with a giant smile, proudly displaying in his hands – or on his lap, if the fish is too heavy to lift – the trophy he or she has caught. If one is keeping the fish as a food item, it doesn’t much matter how you take the picture, because the fish is going in the icebox. If the fish is going to be released, however, it is a different story altogether, especially a fish the size of a sailfish or marlin.As 90 percent of anglers coming to Costa Rica are after sailfish or marlin, and all sailfish must be released by law, let’s talk about these species.You can go to almost any website that features fishing in Costa Rica and see photos of sailfish being dragged across the gunwale of the boat and posed with the angler for the “hero shot.” Then the fish is put back in the water. This had been the norm for more than two decades. Most marine biologists agree that pulling the fish overboard for pictures can severely harm the fish. Air exposure reduces intake of oxygen and offload of carbon dioxide, which causes stress to the fish. Dragging a big fish across the gunwale can damage internal organs as well as remove the protect slime making them susceptible to bacteria and parasites. This photo, taken legally 12 years ago before new regulations were passed, is typical of the “hero shots” taken at that time. (Courtesy of Todd Staley)Over eight years ago, in December 2008, Costa Rica passed regulations making it illegal to remove sailfish from the water for the purpose of taking a photo. A fine of ₡2 million (around $3,500) can be imposed on those found in violation. For the most part, this regulation has been ignored by the sport fishing fleet for various reasons.First, I’d bet you a boatload of ballyhoo most people don’t even know this regulation exists. Website and brochure photos with happy people posing with big sailfish out of the water sell fishing trips, just like years ago a bunch of dead fish hanging at the dock sold trips. When tourists see these types of photos advertised, they want to bring home their own hero shot, with the sailfish onboard, to show all their friends back home. Fishing crews oblige them in hopes of getting a good tip. The original “hero shot.” Lots of fish hanging on the dock usually sold a charter for the next day. (Courtesy of the Sailfish Club via Todd Staley)A good crew does an orientation with the client before leaving the dock. This includes discussing the boat’s safety equipment, the level of the angler’s experience and how we fish billfish in Costa Rica. I have found that when clients are informed before leaving the dock that removing billfish from the water is not permitted in Costa Rica, and why, they are very receptive. A good owner or manager insists that his or her crews give a good introduction. Good communication is a big part of the whole experience, and it should start at the dock.The Costa Rica government is finally starting to get its feet wet in marine conservation that is long overdue. So far, all their major decisions have continued to allow sport fishing in the new management areas. The Costa Rican Fishing Association (FECOP), a sport fishing advocacy project that started with President Laura Chinchilla, has protected over 200,000 square kilometers from tuna purse sein activity as well as moving them 45 miles from shore. Sport anglers have reported better tuna fishing as well as larger pods of spinner dolphins which are often associated with yellowfin tuna.FECOP is currently investing more than $100,000, and the government even more, in a joint project with INCOPESCA and the National Training Institute (INA) to teach the use of “Green Sticks,” a selective type of commercial fishing for tuna which eliminates bycatch of sailfish. This also includes proper handling of the catch to receive the best market price.The regulations are far from perfect in this country, and way too many billfish die each year as bycatch in commercial operations, but that does not give us the right to not follow the regulations in place. It is not difficult at all to leave them in the water and still get a good hero shot.Taking a good photo of a billfish: After your crew has a calm fish alongside the boat.1. Leave it in the water.2. Have your camera ready. Most people want a shot with their own camera, so make sure your friends know how to use it. Valuable time is wasted explaining how to use it and the chance of a bad photo increases.3. Always touch a fish with a pair of fishing gloves on. Lean over and gently place one hand on the bill and the other hand on the dorsal fin.4. SMILE and click. All this can be done in less than a minute if you are prepared.5. Then you can either pass the fish back to the crew or hold it yourself while the boat moves slowly forward to pass water over the fish’s gills. When you can feel the fish resist, gently push it away from the boat and watch it swim away.6. High-five your friends and crew and keep fishing.Todd Staley has run fishing sport operations on both coasts of Costa Rica for over 25 years. He recently decided to take some time off to devote full time to marine conservation. Contact him at wetline@hotmail.com. Facebook Comments Related posts:Reader not fond of ‘torturing fish’ — but sportfishing isn’t the problem Costa Rica’s ocean creatures inspire hand-crafted sculptures King of the silver kings Outdoor fitness event will host 125 women in Herradura read more
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) – An appeals court in Vietnam has upheld the 11-year sentence given to a pastor of an outlawed Mennonite church. Authorities say he gave interviews to foreign media and posted articles online that distorted the country’s religious and human rights situations.The 43-year-old Nguyen Cong Chinh was convicted of undermining the government policy of unity at a trial in March. He appealed the sentence. More Valley freeways to be closed this weekend for improvements Think Tank analyzes the second round of Democratic debates Natural spring cleaning tips and tricks for your home Judge Pham Ba Son said Tuesday there was no new evidence that constituted a sentence reduction at a half-day hearing in central Gia Lai province.Vietnam’s communist government has tight control over society and all churches must get government approval to operate.(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Comments Share New high school in Mesa lets students pick career paths Meghan McCain to release audiobook on conservatism, family 4 sleep positions for men and what they mean Early signs of cataracts in your parents and how to help Top Stories Sponsored Stories read more
Sponsored Stories Bottoms up! Enjoy a cold one for International Beer Day Top Stories Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter shows health improvement Quick workouts for men Mary Coyle ice cream to reopen in central Phoenix BEIJING (AP) – Police in China have arrested 73 people suspected of manufacturing and selling almost 1 million fake luxury bags.The Ministry of Public Security says police seized more than 20,000 fake Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Coach bags and closed 37 sites where the forgery ring made or sold the bags. Police say the ring sold more than 960,000 bags and exported many to the United States and Middle East.The ministry said Sunday that police in southern Guangdong province uncovered the forgery ring in January and that Chinese agents worked with U.S. customs and immigration officials in the case. It said authorities seized assets worth 5 billion yuan ($800 million), including unsold counterfeit goods, production equipment and bank accounts.(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Comments Share Parents, stop beating yourself up Construction begins on Chandler hospital expansion project 4 sleep positions for men and what they mean read more
Sponsored Stories Arizona families, Arizona farms: working to produce high-quality milk Mary Coyle ice cream to reopen in central Phoenix The death left the Surabaya Zoo with 11 Sumatran tigers, the world’s most critically endangered tiger subspecies.Last year, a giraffe died there with a beachball-sized wad of plastic in its belly. The facility has long been plagued with problems including premature deaths, uncontrolled breeding and a lack of funding.(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter shows health improvement How Arizona is preparing the leader of the next generation Comments Share Bottoms up! Enjoy a cold one for International Beer Day SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) – A Sumatran tiger has died at Indonesia’s problem-plagued largest zoo.Zoo spokesman Anthan Warsito says Rozek, a 13-year-old male tiger, was found dead Thursday in his cage at the zoo in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city and the provincial capital of East Java.Warsito said Friday that an autopsy found that the tiger, suffering from respiratory and digestive problems for about two years, died of complications also linked to hepatitis and pneumonia. 4 sleep positions for men and what they mean Construction begins on Chandler hospital expansion project Top Stories read more
The OECD, a global watchdog, says that not only has social and political implications but also economic ones.“Put simply: rising inequality is bad for long-term growth,” the OECD concluded in its report, “In It Together, Why Less Inequality Benefits All.”An increase in income inequality between 1985 and 2005 knocked 4.7 percentage points off cumulative growth between 1990 and 2010 on average across a range of its 34 member countries, the OECD said.The problem is particularly acute in the U.S.: Between 2008 and 2013, real average household disposable income at the top 10 percent rose 10.6 percent, while in the bottom 10 percent it fell 3.2 percent, the OECD said. Austria, Denmark and France are other countries where rising income at the top has been accompanied by falling incomes at the bottom.The average income of the top 10 percent in the U.S. was 19 times higher than the bottom 10 percent in 2013, far higher than the OECD average of 9.6 times. The U.S. figure rose from just 11 times higher 30 years ago, the OECD said.The report adds fuel to the argument popularized in French economist Thomas Piketty’s 2014 best-seller “Capital in the Twenty-First Century.” Top Stories PARIS (AP) — The widening gap between haves and have-nots in much of the developed world not only raises concerns about the fraying social fabric — it’s also dramatically holding back economic growth, according to a new global study.Far from a rising tide lifting all ships, income inequality increases in good economic times as well as bad, Thursday’s report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says. Policies to improve women’s treatment in the labor market and measures to reverse the growing share of low-quality, “dead-end” jobs are key to reducing income inequality and unlocking more economic growth, the OECD said.___On the Web: http://www.oecd.org___Follow Greg Keller on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Greg_KellerCopyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Arizona families, Arizona farms: working to produce high-quality milk Sponsored Stories Milstead says best way to stop wrong-way incidents is driving sober Top holiday drink recipes Comments Share Ex-FBI agent details raid on Phoenix body donation facility Natural spring cleaning tips and tricks for your home Vendors browse their smartphones as they wait for customer at their store selling Chinese made souvenirs at the Wangfujing shopping district in Beijing, China Thursday, May 21, 2015. Manufacturing in China shrank for the third straight month in May as demand remained soft, raising the chances of more stimulus to prop up growth in the world’s No. 2 economy. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) New Valley school lets students pick career-path academies Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter shows health improvement read more
MONTREAL (AP) — A judge has awarded more than $15 billion Canadian (US$12 billion) to Quebec smokers in a case that pitted them against three giant tobacco companies. The case is believed to be the biggest class-action lawsuit ever seen in Canada.Superior Court Justice Brian Riordan said in his decision released late Monday that by choosing not to inform health authorities or the public directly of what they knew, the companies chose profits over the health of their customers. The judgment calls on the companies to issue initial compensation of more than $1 billion Canadian (US$800 million) in the next 60 days, regardless of whether they elect to appeal. The judge will decide at a later date how to distribute those funds.JTI-Macdonald, Imperial Tobacco and Rothmans, Benson & Hedges said they will appeal.The Quebec case marked the first time tobacco companies had gone to trial in a civil lawsuit in Canada and involved two separate groups of plaintiffs: some of whom became seriously ill from smoking and others who said they couldn’t quit.Riordan denounced the firms’ actions.“The companies earned billions of dollars at the expense of the lungs, the throats and the general well-being of their customers,” he wrote. “If the companies are allowed to walk away unscathed now, what would be the message to other industries that today or tomorrow find themselves in a similar moral conflict?”More than 1 million Quebecers were represented and argued the companies were liable because they knew they were putting out a harmful product and hid the health effects of tobacco.Lise Balais, who lost her husband to lung cancer, said she waited for a ruling for 17 years. Her husband had tried to quit five or six times in 14 years but couldn’t. Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter shows health improvement The industry argued people knew about the risks of smoking and that the products were sold legally and with federal government approval and strict regulation.“These cases are far from over,” RBH spokeswoman Anne Edwards said in a statement. “We will vigorously appeal this lower court’s judgment.”JTI-Macdonald said Canadians have been well aware of the health risks since the 1950s and health warnings have been on packages for more than 40 years.The three firms will split the payout according to responsibility set out by the court — 67 percent will fall to Imperial Tobacco, 20 percent to Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and 13 percent to JTI-Macdonald.“These three companies lied to their customers for 50 years and hurt their right to life,” Andre Lesperance, one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, said Monday. “It’s a great victory for victims as well as for society in general.”The trial stemmed from two cases that were originally filed separately in 1998 before being certified and consolidated in 2005. The case began sitting in 2012.Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 3 international destinations to visit in 2019 Top holiday drink recipes How Arizona is preparing the leader of the next generation Sponsored Stories Comments Share Ex-FBI agent details raid on Phoenix body donation facility Top Stories New Valley school lets students pick career-path academies Milstead says best way to stop wrong-way incidents is driving sober read more
A facility at the NIH’s research hospital makes modest quantities of experimental drugs for those studies. NIH workers discovered the two contaminated vials in April. Officials say there is no evidence of any other contamination. But last month, Food and Drug Administration inspectors found problems with manufacturing quality practices that NIH must correct.Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Natural spring cleaning tips and tricks for your home Four benefits of having a wireless security system New Year’s resolution: don’t spend another year in a kitchen you don’t like New Valley school lets students pick career-path academies Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter shows health improvement Ex-FBI agent details raid on Phoenix body donation facility Milstead says best way to stop wrong-way incidents is driving sober Sponsored Stories WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Institutes of Health is suspending its production of experimental medicines for certain research studies after the discovery of two vials contaminated with fungus.The NIH says six patients who received different doses made from the original batch in the spring show no signs of illness. Thursday’s suspension leaves about 250 people in 46 NIH studies waiting to hear when they will receive other experimental treatments. Comments Share Top Stories read more
4 sleep positions for men and what they mean Xinhua said the bus belonged to a Lhasa-based tour bus company, but gave no details about those on board.While foreign visitors to Tibet are tightly restricted, the Himalayan region has grown increasingly popular with domestic Chinese tourists drawn to its striking mountain vistas and traditional Buddhist culture.Visitor numbers hit 15 million in 2014, up more than 20 percent from the year before, bringing in close to $2 billion in revenue, according to official figures.Despite the opening of a high-altitude rail line from inland China to Lhasa, infrastructure in much of the vast area is still primitive and many cliff-side roads are narrow and unpaved.Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. New Valley school lets students pick career-path academies Top Stories Early signs of cataracts in your parents and how to help Ex-FBI agent details raid on Phoenix body donation facility Milstead says best way to stop wrong-way incidents is driving sober Here’s how to repair and patch damaged drywall Sponsored Stories Comments Share BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese tour bus plunged off a cliff in Tibet early Wednesday, killing 11 people, state media reported.The accident took in Gonggar county just south of the regional capital of Lhasa, where the city’s airport and many of Tibet’s most famous tourist attractions are located, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.It said eight other people were injured in the accident, and that the cause was under investigation. How do cataracts affect your vision? read more
<a href=”http://www.etbtravelnews.global/click/27aad/” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://adsvr.travelads.biz/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=10&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&n=a5c63036″ border=”0″ alt=””></a> Boeing has welcomed the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) ruling that the billions of dollars in European launch aid subsidies received by Airbus are illegal and must end. The ruling is the result of a 2004 US Government submission to the WTO that disputed the legality of the subsidies. The decision, which was made public last week, also found that a range of government funding for Airbus research and infrastructure development violated international trade agreements. “This is a landmark decision and sweeping legal victory over the launch aid subsidies that fueled the rise of Airbus and that continue to provide its products a major cost advantage,” said Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim McNerney. Airbus currently controls more than half of the commercial airplane market, a feat the panel in charge of the decision said could not have been achieved without the illegal subsidies. Boeing Executive Vice President and General Counsel J. Michael Luttig said that the ruling unequivocally declares that the subsidies have been market-disorienting and have caused significant harm to America’s aerospace industry and its workers.“Compliance with the WTO’s ruling is essential to establishing a fair and level playing field between Boeing and Airbus. It also is essential to preserving the integrity of the WTO process and, by extension, the integrity of the rules-based trading system that has been a key driver of global economic growth,” he said. Ludwig added that the European launch aid provided for the development of the Airbus A380 had been found to include export-contingent subsidies, which are prohibited under WTO rules and are required to be withdrawn without delay. “Under today’s decision, Airbus must repay the $4 billion in illegal launch aid it received for the A380 or restructure the A380’s financing to proven commercial terms. Likewise, Airbus must abandon its plans to finance the A350 through the use of illegal subsidies,” he said. According to a report in The Post and Courier, Airbus has promised to appeal the findings.An Airbus counterclaim that accuses the US government of illegally subsidizing Boeing is expected to be decided upon in mid July. Source = e-Travel Blackboard: S.F read more
Air travel is expected to increase over the holiday period with Air Transport Association (ATA) predicting a three percent rise compared to last year. The ATA said it expects to see up to 43.6 million people travelling by air during the Christmas and New Year period, CB Online reported. Based on last year’s results, the group noted the most popular days for air travel will be from 21-23 December and 2-3 January. According to the news source airlines have added a surcharge of up to $30 over the predicted busier period. “With demand for air travel showing signs of improvement, airlines are hoping to see industry profitability continue into 2011,” ATA president and chief executive James C May said. The ATA also anticipated that the government is likely to open airspace reserved for military aircraft to accomodate to the increase in passengers. Source = e-Travel Blackboard: N.J read more
Virgin Blue Virgin Blue will seek to repair its email marketing systems after unsubscribed users were forwarded commercial and advertising emails. Virgin will engage an independent third party to thoroughly assess its email marketing processes and to implement any recommended changes, according to The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).”It will also provide training to relevant employees, establish a complaints handling policy and audit 10 per cent of its email marketing campaigns monthly for a year,” the ACMA said. The airline will cover the costs of the independent assessment, said to be AU$110,000.There were a string of consumer complaints in regard to the matter. “Virgin had continued to send commercial emails despite recipients’ multiple attempts to unsubscribe from its mailing list. “During the investigation, Virgin Blue acknowledged that it had experienced problems with its email marketing systems, which led to some previously unsubscribed consumers continuing to receive emails,” the ACMA said.The Spam Act 2003 requires companies sending commercial email messages to cease action five working days after an unsubscribe request is received, according to ACMA chairman Chris Chapman. Source = e-Travel Blackboard: P.T read more
Travelscene American Express is pleased to announce the finalists of the Travelscene American Express Consultant Awards, with the winners to be revealed at the National Consultants Conference (NCC), themed “I <3 Travel” which kicks off in Melbourne next weekend.The Awards showcase achievements of individual consultants and agency teams as well as recognising the great relationship that Travelscene American Express has with our business partners and include four voting categories this year: the Rising Star of the Year Award, the Consultant of the Year Award, the Most Supportive Preferred Supplier and the Most Supportive Quantum Supplier.Travelscene American Express General Manager Jacqui Timmins said the NCC will be a fantastic opportunity for travel enthusiasts to learn about the challenges and the opportunities in the year ahead, and how to gain the strategies and knowledge to succeed in the travel industry."Given the challenges our industry faces in attracting and retaining quality staff, we continue to work with our Owners and Managers to identify ways to help them maintain the highest calibre of consultants within the industry," Ms Timmins said.The finalists for the Rising Star of the Year Award are:Roxana Iacob, Globenet Travel, QLDBrett Walker, The Travel Studio, TASRenee Hayward, Travel Edge Redbank, QLDHolly Francis, Travel O’Connor, SARebecca Norberry, Travelscene Kempsey, NSWCandice Holt, Travelscene Toorak, VICThe finalists for the Consultant of the Year Award are:Tammie Ethell, Elite Travel Solutions, WAJenny Mitchell, The Travel Studio, TASSue Kyriakidis, Travelscene Greenslopes Mall, QLDPaul Moran, Travelscene Hampton, VICKathy Blanch, Travelscene Kempsey, NSWFiona Hyde, Voyager Travel Corporation, VICThe finalists for the Most Supportive Preferred Supplier Award are:Bench InternationalCIT HolidaysOctopus TravelSabre PacificWendy Wu ToursThe finalists for the Most Supportive Quantum Supplier Award are:Air TicketsAustralian Pacific Touring (APT)Qantas AirwaysQantas HolidaysTravelscene HolidaysThe conference will be held at the Crown Promenade, Melbourne on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July 2011. The 2011 NCC is supported by over 40 preferred industry partners including major sponsorships from Qantas Airways, Qantas Holidays, The Travel Corporation and Tourism Victoria. Source = Travelscene American Express read more