Hurricane Catrina from ISS, March 26, 2004 by Earth Observations Lab, Johsnon space Center

In a press briefing teleconference on Tuesday, Michelle Bernier-Toth, Director of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management, said June 1st is the first day of the Hurricane Season.  As part of hurricane preparedness, the U.S. Department of State wants all citizens to “Know before they go”.

“We want to make sure first and foremost, that US citizens have the information they need before they make travel plans so they can be better informed to make decisions and preparations, should they find themselves in an area affected by a hurricane,” said Ms. Bernier-Toth.

The 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and ends November 30.  Among the highest priorities of the U.S. Department of State is the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas.  Every year, the possibility of hurricanes threatens the welfare of U.S. citizens living or vacationing in parts of Mexico, Central America, and in the Caribbean.

Know before you Go

Prior to departure, Americans should register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website.  Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known and will make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact you in case of emergency.  While Consular Officers will do their utmost to assist Americans in a crisis, travelers should always be aware that when they are abroad, local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.  It is important to follow local authorities’ instructions concerning security and evacuation; failure to do so has cost people their lives.

Americans traveling during the hurricane season should monitor local radio and other sources of information, such as the National Hurricane Center, to stay aware of any weather developments in the area.  Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation.  Travelers should maintain close contact with their tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials for evacuation instructions in the event of a weather emergency.

Preceding the press briefing teleconference, and in line with U.S. President Barack Obama’s direction that federal agencies prepare for the hurricane season, there was an annual workshop with the Department of State, other U.S. government, and foreign embassy officials responsible for responding to hurricanes overseas.  Consular officers from U.S. embassies and consulates in Grenada, Jamaica, Bermuda, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas participated via video conferencing.

Participants discussed the 2010 hurricane forecast, past lessons learned, current response plans, and how to most effectively alert U.S. citizens abroad of any hurricane threat through social media and web 2.0 technologies.   More information regarding hurricane preparedness is available at www.travel.state.gov.

Crews from Amtrak are taking over train operations Saturday in one of a series of moves the rail agency has made in the wake of a crash in 2008 that killed 25 people.

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority had previously contracted train operations with Connex Railroad, but that agreement expired Friday.

Metrolink picked Connex over Amtrak to provide operating services during a bid in 2004.

However, its relationship with the private firm soured after a deadly collision between a Metrolink train and freight train.

Investigators found that Metrolink engineer Robert Sanchez, who worked for Connex, was text messaging seconds before the crash in September 2008. He was among the 25 killed.

View from Animal Flower Cave

Deemed as the trendiest destination in the Caribbean, Barbados, once a Portuguese territorial possession known as Los Barbados, is located in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and sits on a wonderful stretch of world-famous beaches with broad white sand and sparkling blue water as far as the eye can see.

A beautiful, tranquil island with 11 parishes, it’s one of the oldest English-speaking countries in the Western Hemisphere and the island’s modern history began with the arrival of a group of British settlers in 1627. Taking advantage of the weather, these settlers planted tobacco, but soon realized planting and exporting sugar was much more profitable and in order to grow the crop on a larger scale imported black slaves from Africa – a move, which had a profound effect on the island’s future by the mid-20th century, most of the island’s population consisted of descendants of the men and woman who arrived on its shores in chains. Barbados’s sugar plantations, as one historian put it, “rested on the shoulders of the African”. Although not all the slaves were mistreated, many lived in squalors conditions whilst their masters lived in luxurious villas, some of which have been turned into tourist attractions such as St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the island’s oldest surviving plantations with its boundaries still intact.

A British colony for more than 300 years, Barbados has a democratic government and has been independent since 1966 which is when Errol Barrow became the first prime minister. Still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the island retains strong echoes of the nation that ruled it since the 17th century with a blend of British colloquialisms and Barbadian tradition. Many Bajans worship at the Anglican Church, traffic moves on the left, afternoon tea is a ritual and cricket is the national pastime. Some coastal resorts have names like Hastings and Worthing, whilst inland villages called Highgate and Clapham are reminiscent of areas in London. From the capital Bridgetown, which houses several colonial buildings such as the historic Garrison Savannah, (where the British Empire maintained its Caribbean military headquarters) to the Parliament Building, several facets of the island’s historical plight can be seen dotted around including the Bussa Statue, which is also known as the ‘Emancipation Statue’ and commemorates the abolition of slavery.

With an estimated population of 273,000, the island benefits greatly from tourism. Over a million visitors per year, the vast majority from Europe and the United States are attracted to the island for snorkeling, swimming and sightseeing. There’s world-class diving, wind surfing, fishing, endless hotel and resort options, restaurant choices and activities for the young and young at heart. A chic destination which has attractions and nature experiences, Barbados offer visitors the opportunity to do everything or nothing at all. Just ask Lois Swanson, a regular visitor to Barbados who has been returning to the Idyllic Island for the past 28 years.

“We initially went to Barbados in 1986 and fell in love with the island and the people. We were always treated wonderfully and felt very safe there,” says Swanson, who has visited numerous other Caribbean islands and offers travelers tips from her website www.barbadostips.com “Barbados, in my opinion, is by far the best island. The scenery is so varied and gorgeous,” she continues.

Home to some of the country’s most venerable establishments, there is an astounding collection of 17th century churches, some in still accessible ruinous conditions and others restored to museum quality like St. James Parish Church, which was first built in 1628 by the first British settlers.

A dense pear shaped coral island measuring 166 square miles, most visitors usually head for the southern coast, which houses the lively St Lawrence Gap, but with a rental car from Top Car Rental, accessibility around the island is a mere breeze. The west coast is home to the island’s prime resort area and priciest hotels whilst the east and north coasts, the least visited parts of the island, offer excellent variety of places to explore the rugged and untouched beauty of Barbados.

Although buses and taxis are easily available, driving around Barbados offers unusual prospects for visitors. The most traveled road is Highway 1, which runs the length of the island along its west coast. With steep hills and blind curves, traffic rarely exceeds 30 miles per hour and with road signs few and far apart you may find yourself occasionally stopping to ask for directions, which isn’t a bother for most Bajans you’ll find are very obliging. Every story starts with a smile and people willingly give directions and may even offer to ride part of the way.

“It’s a very friendly country,” agrees Wolfgang Lange, owner of Inchcape Seaside Villas on the Island’s southern coast. “Barbados to me is the friendliest place in the world. They love foreigners and there is hardly any natural aggression and there is no other place in the world that has on such a small island as many beautiful white sand beaches with crystal clear water.”

With the Bajan dollar on par with the U.S. dollar, Barbados can be quite pricey. Despite the nation’s booming tourist industry and the success of many of its commercial ventures, the island is burdened with a trade deficit and imports more than it exports. Sugarcane, however, remains its principal cash crop, which explains why rum is a bargain. Calypso is the music genre of choice although dancehall plays a huge part in Bajan culture and according to the International Crime Victimization Survey; Barbados joins Japan and Northern Ireland as one of countries with the lowest crime rates. With one jail on the island built to house 1,000 inmates, crime on the island is rare, making Barbados a truly magical destination.

From the white sand beaches and crystal blue water to the feeling that life is standing still, life in Barbados is as culturally diverse as it is vibrantly beautiful. The island is strewn with tones of major tourist attractions and the Bajans have such a wonderful sense of humor and polite attitude toward life that it takes the sting out of that “island pace” you should expect. While certain historical aspects may vary from person to person, they all tell the same story of their island in their own unique way for Barbados is really an island that has it all.

Where To Go
A trip to Barbados will not be complete without Glory Tours. A locally owned and operated tour company established in 2001 by Sarah Taylor whose ancestry can be traced back to the early settlers on the island, it offers a stress free, informative experience with professionally guided tours of Barbados’s historic landmarks.

“Our goal is to put a smile on your face and to keep you smiling as we share the beauty, culture and history of Barbados. I truly love what I do. I love my Island and I love sharing it with people from all over the world,” says Taylor who provides more tour options and comprehensive packages than any other tour company on the island.

With Glory Tours, trips can be personalized to stop at anyone or more of the island’s landmarks and locations. Whether it’s “monkey feeding” at the islands Wildlife Reserve, or exploring the historic caves, Glory Tours will tailor your travel experience to suit your every whim. Most of her tours include a lunch stop at Sand Dunes on the island’s east coast, a local eatery where you will be treated to an authentic Bajan meal, which includes famous dishes such Cou-cou and flying fish. www.glorytours.org

Where To Stay
Travelers eager to explore new destinations without wringing out their wallets should check out Inchcape Seaside Villa on Barbados’s south coast.

A tourist’s paradise, they have an eclectic selection of beautifully designed ocean front villas and apartments which offer sweeping views of tropical white sand beaches. Situated on the picturesque beach of Silver Sands, famous for kite and windsurfing, it attracts surfers from all over the world who flock there for its trade winds and warm waters. Owners Rosi and Wolfgang Lange were the first people to ever sail at Silver Sands and can offer a wealth of knowledge to first time surfers.

“We were the first people windsurfing in Barbados and we lived on this beach for many years and organized the first windsurfing competition in Barbados on this beach,” says Wolfgang. “This is one of the best windsurfing reefs in the world. It is also ideal for kite surfing for we have medium strong winds perfect.”

An enchanting establishment, which offers tranquility and seclusion, Inchcape has a unique architectural style and has won universal praise from the critics and the instant loyalty of satisfied guests.

“We are a very small property,” continues Rosi. “We look at the property as a private estate that is run like a boutique hotel.”
For more information check out: www.inchcape.net

If it’s a party scene and action you seek, then the Yellow Bird Hotel located in the bustling St. Lawrence Gap is a must. With impeccable service, sumptuous cuisine from their onsite restaurant The Flying Fish, it’s easy to see why it a bargain for your buck.

With airy studio apartments which offer views of crystal clear waters of the Caribbean sea, the hotel boasts a prime location for exciting nightlife and entertainment, fine dining and enjoyable water sports and activities,
There’s also complimentary wireless internet (and rum punch) provided to ensure that you feel right at home.
For more information check out: www.yellowbirdbarbados.com

Ten must-dos in Barbados
1. A visit to Barbados wouldn’t be the same without a taste of rum. The Mount Gay Rum Visitor’s Center near the capital of Bridgetown features educational tours and tastings. Rum is believed to be the oldest distilled spirit in the world and Barbados is considered its birthplace.

2. Barbados has lots of expensive restaurants, but for cheap authentic Bajan cuisine, make sure you check out the weekly fish fry in Oistins, an open air event centered around the Fishing community.

3. The Spa at Sandy Lane, one of islands priciest hotels offers a luxurious full-service spa set in a Romanesque atmosphere. Set in a world class premier luxury hotel where celebrity guests include Simon Cowell and Tiger Woods who was hitched at the hotel in 2004.

4. Sail along Barbados’ crystal clear waters or swim with the turtles on Tiami Catamaran Sailing Cruises.

5. Visitors will be amazed by Harrison’s Cave, a unique and spectacular cave which is one of our island’s most famous attractions accessible by tram.

6. For a classic beach, that’s a favorite of many visitors, visit Crane Beach which offers pink sands and beautiful waters and was named by “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” as one of the best beached in the world.

7. Make sure you don’t miss out on these quintessential island experiences such as The Cliff Restaurant. Perched above the lapping waves of the Caribbean Sea, it was voted as one of the 50 best restaurants in the world by Europe’s industry magazine.

8. The northern part of Barbados is beautiful, scenic and charming and the Animal Flower Caves at North Point is a must see. Featuring impressive cliffs and connected caves which are large enough to house hundreds of people, it’s a historic as well as a scenic sight. Several openings in the cave offer a beautiful yet dangerous view of the Atlantic Ocean and there is a natural pool inside the cavern. There’s also a bar and restaurant outside the cave offering snacks and souvenirs for sale.

9. The Bajan Roots & Rhythms held at The Plantation Theatre is a must. A dinner and cabaret style stage show, it’s a worthy and entertaining introduction to Bajan culture www.plantationtheatre.com.

10. Whether you’re down for a long weekend or a week, jump in a car from Top Car Rentals (www.barbadoscarrentals.com), one of the oldest and cost effective rental car companies on the island and take a drive to Bathsheba on the East Coast, which offers miles of untouched beach along the islands most rugged and hilly coast.

Fire in Western Kingston, Jamaica

Kingston’s Coronation Market has been gutted in the early Friday blaze. It is next to the bullet-pocked complex of Tivoli Gardens, where Jamaican security forces have conducted a slum raid that left scores of people dead in gun battles since Monday.

An AP journalist saw bullet casings scattered at the gutted market. Security forces did not immediately provide comment.

Heavily armed forces have gained tenuous hold on Tivoli Gardens in a hunt for reputed underworld boss Christopher “Dudus” Coke.

Vendors have been avoiding the market since violence broke out Sunday. The government had been encouraging them to return.

Hollywood sign on top on the hill

LOS ANGELES _ A volcanic cloud of ash hovering over Europe is causing quite a scene in Hollywood and beyond.

The ash spat out by an Icelandic volcano that has left thousands of air travelers stranded is also affecting celebrities, filmmakers, musicians and even pro-wrestlers.

With almost two-thirds of Europe’s flights grounded, cancellations and postponements were popping up across the entertainment landscape on Saturday as Icelandic scientists warned that volcanic activity had increased and showed no sign of abating.

Organizers of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, tweeted that some acts were forced to pull out of the weekend event. British musicians The Cribs, Bad Lieutenant, Delphic, Talvin Singh and Gary Numan as well as Scottish rockers Frightened Rabbit and Chicago brass group Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, who were on tour in Europe, weren’t able to make the lineup.

“I can’t tell you how disappointed we all are,” Numan posted on his Web site Saturday.

Bad Lieutenant announced Saturday it was also canceling concert dates through Wednesday in San Francisco, Chicago and New York because of flight disruptions.

“We’re stuck in Manchester,” said band member Bernard Sumner in a statement. “We were hoping that conditions might change at the last minute and we’d be able to come and play for our fans. Obviously, this is a situation out of everyone’s control, and we are crushed that we won’t be coming to America for these dates.”

Whitney Houston was forced to ditch a plane for a ferry across the Irish Sea to perform in Dublin. The R&B diva, currently in the middle of her “Nothing But Love” world tour, opted for the not-so-glamourous boat ride after no-fly orders shut down airports across Europe. Houston is scheduled to perform the first of three shows Saturday at the O2 arena in London.

The ash cloud also grounded several other musicians in Europe. Welsh indie pop band Los Campesinos! canceled their Friday appearance at the Culture Shock Festival in Purchase, New York, as well as their Saturday concert in Hoboken, New Jersey. Pop singer Mika postponed his Friday concert in Lisbon, Portugal, after unexpectedly finding himself stranded in Paris.

“Volcano freak out,” he tweeted. “This is bad.”

Scientists were indicating that travel chaos could extend into the upcoming week, increasing the threat to New York’s Tribeca Film Festival, which begins Wednesday. Festival organizers said that some early arrivals _ those scheduled to fly in Monday to help promote their films _ had already been grounded. Tribeca is to feature films from nearly 40 countries, with many filmmakers from Europe expected to attend.

The cloud situation was also causing havoc for World Wrestling Entertainment, the professional wrestling organization nearing the end of a two-week European tour. Several wrestlers and crew members traveled for nearly 17 hours in buses and ferries to make it from Lieven, France, to Belfast, Ireland. The trip normally takes about an hour and a half in a plane.

WWE spokesman Kevin Hennessy said Friday it was unclear if everyone would arrive in time for Monday night’s scheduled “WWE Raw” event at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He said the WWE wrestlers and crew normally “fly commercial, but we are booking a charter just to be safe.” Hennessy added that “Sunday is normally a simple travel day _ very easy.”

Worldwide press junkets for two of the summer season’s most anticipated films _ “Iron Man 2,” starring Robert Downey Jr., and “Robin Hood,” starring Russell Crowe _ also were still scheduled as planned next weekend in London, according to studio officials.

Some U.S. book publishing executives were forced to cancel plans to attend next week’s London Book Fair because of the disrupted air travel. But organizers said Friday the three-day gathering will proceed as scheduled.

Back in Hollywood, “A Single Man” director Tom Ford wasn’t on hand to accept his trophy for outstanding wide release film at Saturday evening’s GLAAD Media Awards, which honor gay representations in the media. Ford’s partner, Richard Buckley, accepted the award on Ford’s behalf because the filmmaker and fashion icon was marooned in London.

Saturday’s blue-carpet world premiere of Disneynature’s “Oceans,” at the El Capitan Theatre also hit bumpy waters. The film’s French director, Jacques Cluzaud, and producers didn’t attend the debut of their Disney documentary narrated by Pierce Brosnan. They were stuck overseas.

HAMILTON, Bermuda  _ The global recession is continuing to take a bite out of Bermuda tourism.

The British territory’s government says air arrivals in 2009 decreased by close to 11 percent compared to the previous year. Arrivals have declined every quarter since the final three months of 2007.

Tourists from the United States made up the largest proportion of air arrivals during the fourth quarter of 2009. The total count of American visitors edged down 1 percent to 33,152.

The number of visitors from Britain dropped 10 percent and from Canada 4 percent.

Overall visitor spending on the Atlantic island fell 23 percent to $266 million.

Bermuda released yearend tourism statistics Monday.

The Boeing 737-800, carrying 109 people, was roughly halfway through its flight from Miami to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia when it landed at the airport in Providenciales.

“I know that they landed because of the smell of fumes of cabin. That had to be checked out,” said Peter Forbes, deputy managing director of the British territory’s civil aviation authority.

It was unclear what released the fumes that alarmed the flight crew. Everyone aboard the plane was evacuated safely at the airport and mechanics were evaluating the aircraft, Forbes said.

American Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Left: Rio de Janeiro. Right: Hong Kong.

Here’s some good news for those dreaming of adventures: February is a great time for traveling. Whether you prefer to go off to the north, south, east or west, there are many choices of activities, exciting destinations and festivals worldwide to keep us all entertained for awhile. For those of you who are in search of the sun and sea, there is always a nice warm beach somewhere in the world that is waiting to welcome you with open arms.

That’s why winter is high season for tourism in the Caribbean and Central America, and hotel rooms are not as plentiful. If you decide to head south and not already have a reservation, you might still be able to get a last-minute deal, though. If you have no success by searching online, then a travel agency will be more than happy to help. The same principle applies for cruises, which are quite popular this time of the year.

February is also the time of the Lunar New Year in much of Asia, so if you choose to head east you’re sure to see some spectacular sights. Other places in the world host their carnival season in February, with the spectacle running up to the 16^th of the month in New Orleans, culminating with the Mardi Gras. Similar party atmospheres can be found in Trinidad, Martinique, Rio de Janeiro and even Venice, Italy, among other places.

Go far enough south and the seasons are reversed, so you’ll find summer in full bloom.  That makes February an ideal time for a safari in southern Africa, a stop for tango lessons in Buenos Aires, or even a trip to explore Antarctica.

Keep in mind that since it is summer there, children are out of school, families are traveling—and local venues such as museums and other tourist attractions tend to be packed. The airplanes that will take you on your journey going south, and eventually back home, will most likely be full as well, so don’t forget to pre-reserve your airline seats.

While traveling in February, also pay attention to whether it is the dry or wet season in your destination of choice. In tropical countries, you will experience a lot of rain and higher humidity during the wet seasons, but prices will be lower. This information can be obtained by checking the tourism web site of the country you plan to visit.

If your choice of destination of choice is to the north, you are likely you are in search of snow and winter sports. Look around and you’ll find that there is someplace out there that will be a good a match for all the snow lovers of this world and the sports they practice.

The key to enjoying winter sports with less crowded slopes is to go during the middle of the week. Hotel rates will also be lower during the week. The smaller the resort, the lower the lift ticket prices, but if you prefer a big name, popular resort then try and choose one where children can ski for free. This can be a big savings if you choose to bring the whole family along for the journey.

Photos from Wikimedia Commons.

In a statement Friday published in the state-run newspaper Granma, officials of the Cuban Olympic Committee said none of the responses from Puerto Rican sports authorities and games officials had met their demands.

The games are set for July 17-Aug. 1.

Puerto Rico is a self-governing territory of the United States and subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Cuba.

The beach resort of Labadee is just 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Port-au-Prince, but it’s a world away from the devastation of the Haitian capital, where some 200,000 people are believed dead in an earthquake.

The cruise ships that stop here have become the center of a controversy: Should vacationers relax and have fun with so much suffering elsewhere on the island? Or would it be worse to halt the port calls and deprive locals of what they earn from tourism?

Jameson Charitable, 20, stood near the pier with a sign offering tours. “Without this,” he said, motioning toward the boat, “we don’t eat.” He said he makes $15 every time a ship comes in.

About 200 people work here, and a few hundred more vendors and service providers are allowed in whenever ships arrive. The resort enclave, which has a beach, a zipline in the mountains and other activities, is leased by the Haitian government to Royal Caribbean International, which also owns the Celebrity cruise line.

Royal Caribbean allowed a team of journalists from The Associated Press to visit Labadee on Friday, but the cruise company’s spokeswoman, Tracy Quan, would not allow them to interview or photograph cruise passengers.

Carol Myers, 53, a nurse from New Jersey, was not on the cruise ship but was enjoying the beach. She had spent an intense week tending to earthquake victims in a hospital in the nearby town of Milo, and was decompressing for a few hours before her scheduled return to the U.S. on Saturday.

“I almost feel guilty for being here after what happened,” Myers said, sitting in a beach chair in blue scrubs. “But the people need a job, the people need to eat.”

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Adam Goldstein said the decision to continue with scheduled stops in Labadee was an easy one. The site sustained no damage, and he said the Haitian government welcomed the ship. The country reaps a fixed cost per passenger, plus annual fees and the cash tourists spend on local goods at a marketplace where artisans and artists sell trinkets and crafts.

Royal Caribbean is also donating $1 million, delivering food and water on every call and pledging net revenue from Labadee to the relief effort. Maryse Kedar, president of Royal Caribbean’s Haitian subsidiary, SOLANO, said the cruise visits are “the only substantial commerce taking place in northern Haiti.”

But the cruise line found itself on the defensive after criticism spread online. Melissa Bacchus, a Brooklyn, N.Y., teacher, was among several veteran cruisers to dominate message boards on sites like Cruisecritic.com with the debate.

“I do think morally it is wrong to go (to Labadee), where less than 60 miles away people are suffering,” Bacchus said in an interview. “And because we have the resources, we have the wealth, we can frolic using the beauty of their island?”

Bacchus suggested Royal Caribbean pay Haiti its regular port fees, but not actually stop there. She said they could also give local artisans money to go back home and assist in the relief effort.

Public relations experts quoted by AdAge.com said Royal Caribbean had made a mistake by mixing leisure business with humanitarian efforts. “The brand will take a hit,” Paul Gallagher, managing director of WPP’s Burson Marsteller’s issues and advocacy practice, was quoted as saying.

Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic suffered no damage from the earthquake, but the government is clearly worried that vacationers may cancel trips there because of the disaster on the other side of the border.

The Dominican Ministry of Tourism has issued repeated statements that it was unaffected by the quake, including pointing out that Port-au-Prince is hundreds of miles (kilometers) and several mountain ranges away.

That message was lost on travelers like Debbie Ulin, a 39-year-old mother of two in Hillsdale, N.J., whose family and two others canceled a group trip planned to the Dominican beach resort of Punta Cana for February.

“With everything happening as it did, we sort of all came to the realization that it’s probably not the best time to be traveling to the Dominican right now,” Ulin said. “As selfish as I feel when I say that, it’s not so important, my vacation. We didn’t feel like it would be the safe place to go with the families this soon after the devastation has occurred.”

Arthur Applbaum, a Harvard University professor of ethics and public policy, said that while it shows “moral sensitivity to be disturbed by the thought that one is vacationing on the beach when others are suffering nearby … it also shows insufficient moral reflection to think that proximity makes a moral difference.

“The people of Haiti are suffering whether you take your beach vacation in the Dominican Republic or in Hawaii,” he said, “and it is a failure of the moral imagination not to be equally troubled in Waikiki.”

TEMPE, Arizona: US Airways is raising baggage fees by $5 each way, per bag.

The higher fees are the same as those set in recent days by Delta, Continental, and United.

US Airways said on Friday it will charge $25 each way for the first bag, and $35 for a second bag. The increase takes effect for tickets purchased Monday for travel beginning Feb. 1. Travelers who pay in advance online will get a discount of $2 for the first bag fee and $3 for the second.

American Airlines is still charging $20 each way for a first bag, and $30 for the second.

Most of the big carriers added baggage fees in 2008. Southwest Airlines passengers can check two bags for free, and JetBlue passengers can check one for free.

The deadly attempt by 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to blow up Northwest Airline Flight 253 carrying 278 passengers over the Detroit skies with an explosive device sent shock waves to Nigerians in the Diaspora.

The story of Abdulmutallab, a staunch Muslim who was schooled in Britain and other places and the son of a wealthy Nigerian banker and politician, is not the kind of story Nigerians say their nation needs at this critical time.

“This is very reprehensible and I join all concerned Nigerians at home and abroad in condemning it. I think it is an image holocaust that could affect the country’s trade, tourism, foreign investments and economic growth,” said Nigerian-born author C. Paschal Eze whose new book, “For Blacks (And Others) Who Really Care,” discusses smart ways Americans can make their mark on the African continent from afar. “I also think it has the possibility of making life hell for law-abiding Nigerians abroad who may come under intense scrutiny, suspicion and isolation wherever they go.”

Abdulmutallab, who is being tried by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan before U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman, faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Bernard Onwuemelie, president of the Nigerian Foundation of Michigan, issued a statement Monday evening condemning the Christmas attack in Detroit.

“The Nigerian Foundation of Michigan condemns this act of terrorism, and disassociates the Nigerian community in Michigan from all acts of terrorism and wanton destruction of life and property,” Onwuemelie said. “We call on the Nigerian government, the United States of America and all well-meaning people of the world to investigate this act in all its ramifications in order to forestall such occurrences in the future.”

Onwuemelie said the group pledges its support “against terrorism and calls on all people to support efforts towards this endeavor.”

The Christmas Day incident has reignited a spirited debate on the war on terror and what policies ought to be adopted for international and domestic airlines.

But at the center of the debate is the question of why Abdulmutallab’s U.S. visa was not revoked after his own father alerted the U.S. embassy in Abuja Nigeria on Nov. 19, five weeks before the attack about his extreme religious views and possible links to terrorist groups.

Abdulmutallab boarded the inbound flight to Detroit from Amsterdam in the Netherlands and was trying to detonate the explosive as the jet approached Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Questions are also being raised about airport security in the Netherlands and why Amsterdam and Nigeria did not detect the explosives on Abdulmutallab.

Tosin Banwo, a Nigerian MBA student at Wayne State University said he received calls from his colleagues following the incident that “Nigerians have done it again.”

“This incident shows the power of how one person can damage the image of a whole country,” Banwo said. “Considering the challenges and problems we have it is going to take a while before we can redeem our image.”

For a young man like Abdulmutallab, who came from a privileged background, Banwo said he doesn’t understand what could be the motivation for the terror suspect’s actions.

Meanwhile an Al-Queda group in the Arabian Peninsula has claimed responsibility for the airliner attack, saying it was in retaliation for a U.S. military offensive against the group in Yemen where Abdulmutallab is said to have lived sometime in 2005.

Profiling is back in the spotlight with some analysts suggesting that individuals with Muslim, ethnic or foreign sounding names should be thoroughly questioned during travels, something that would be met with stiff resistance from the civil liberty community including the American Civil Liberties Union.

“We have to be vigilant and work harder to portray the good image of Nigeria,” Banwo said. “No one should label all of us as terrorists.”

In a nation where northern states like Kano are governed by Sharia Law, many fear religious extremists might be seeking sanctuary in Nigeria.

That is why Eze said the Nigerian government failed to respond appropriately to news of the Detroit incident. He said his nation dropped the ball in tackling this latest public relations disaster on the world stage.

“Silence and delay are never golden in an image crisis,” Eze said. “Imagine what could have happened if the Nigerian government had held a truly international press conference within 24 hours of the dastardly incident, condemning the wicked act in the strongest possible terms, pledging full and active cooperation with U.S. security agencies, and harping that such a wicked act is not reflective of overwhelming majority of Nigerians who are peace loving in their core.”

The relations between Washington and Nigeria, the world’s eleventh largest oil producing nation and fifth largest supplier to the U.S., is unlikely to be severed by the terrorist incident.

In responding to the crisis, President Barack Obama was determined to instill confidence in the public that the nation will utilize all of its power to fight terrorism.

Naming Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia as places the U.S. will tackle terror, as well as anyplace else, Obama never mentioned Nigeria in his speech in which he called for more airport security.

Yet, according to Eze, “Despite its poor image, the Nigerian nation has been a force for good in the world with its active participation in UN and African Union peacekeeping missions and Technical Aid Corps Scheme that has benefited many Third World nations, among others.”

Courtesy of New America Media

JAMAICA: Airport official says Islamic DVD found on plane led to delay, security check

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ A DVD with Islamic content found on a plane at a Jamaican airport led to the re-screening of dozens of passengers destined for London, an airport security official said Sunday.

John McFarlane, security chief at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, said all passengers on Thursday’s Virgin Atlantic flight to London were taken off the plane after the DVD was discovered by a crew member.

“Everyone was re-screened and the flight went off without a hitch” after a brief delay, McFarlane said Sunday.

McFarlane declined to specify exactly what the disc’s contents were, saying only that he was told it “was Islamic” and it made the flight crew “uncomfortable.”

He also did not say where it was found. None of the passengers claimed the DVD.

McFarlane called the additional security check a matter of “due diligence.”

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman did not immediately return an e-mail seeking comment.

Jamaica has increased security at its two main airports following a Christmas Day bombing attempt on a U.S. airliner.

Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old passenger, was arrested after he allegedly tried to bring down a Northwest Airlines flight bound for Detroit. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula claims it was behind the attempt.

GUANTANAMO: Some Democrats want Obama to stop transfer of detainees to Yemen

WASHINGTON _ Some Democratic lawmakers who support closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, say the U.S. should reconsider whether to repatriate suspected terrorists from Yemen, given the al-Qaida activity in the poor Arab nation.

President Barack Obama’s top counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, said Sunday the transfers will continue if the administration deems them warranted.

Six Yemenis returned last month were released after the government there determined they were not a threat, officials in Yemen told The Associated Press.

President Barack Obama has said an al-Qaida group operating in Yemen apparently was behind the plot to bring down a U.S.-bound airliner on Christmas Day. The U.S. and Britain closed their embassies in Yemen on Sunday in response to threats from al-Qaida.

Although Republicans have criticized the transfers to Yemen, some Democrats, including Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein of California also have urged a halt.

Rep. Jane Harman of California, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, said Sunday that officials should review the transfers. She does support plans to close the prison and open one in Illinois for terrorism suspects.

“I think it is a bad time to send the 90 or so Yemenis back to Yemen,” Harman said.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Connecticut independent who has opposed closing Guantanamo, said transferring any of the Yemeni detainees back home would be irresponsible.

BAHAMAS: Police: Boy, 13, fatally stabs adult cousin over use of computer

NASSAU, Bahamas _ Police in the Bahamas say a 13-year-old fatally stabbed an adult cousin after they argued over use of a computer.

The boy is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of 26-year-old Cordero Newbold in the capital of Nassau. A police statement says the man died of stab wounds and a bloody knife was recovered from the home in the Chester Close neighborhood.

The suspect was not required to enter a plea when he appeared before a judge. He was remanded to a juvenile lockup and is due in court Jan. 19.

The boy’s lawyer, Gregory Hilton, did not immediately return a call Sunday. Authorities are not releasing his name because of his age.

BAHAMAS: Coast Guard ends search for ship passenger who officials said jumped overboard

MIAMI _ The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a cruise ship passenger who government officials say jumped overboard in the Bahamas.

The Coast Guard stopped searching Saturday afternoon for 23-year-old Neha Chhikara. She was reported missing Thursday afternoon from Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas as the ship headed from Nassau to CocoCay.

Security camera footage showed the woman going overboard from the 11th deck early Thursday.

According to the cruise line, Bahamian government officials reviewed the security footage and determined that the woman jumped overboard.

The ship returned to Port Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday after a five-day cruise through the Bahamas.

Coast Guard crews searched a total of 3,725 square miles (9,650 square kilometers

GUYANA: Main opposition party settles tax debt with Georgetown council

GEORGETOWN, Guyana _ Guyana’s main opposition party has paid more than a decade’s worth of delinquent property taxes to the capital’s cash-strapped government.

Party spokesman Aubrey Norton said Sunday that the People’s National Congress has has paid $110,000 to Georgetown’s city council.

The council has sparred with the party over the outstanding tax bills for years.

The city originally said the party owed $550,000, but accepted the lower payment after PNC officials disputed the bill, arguing the city’s treasury system was deficient.

Georgetown is pursuing overdue taxes so it can pay $3 million in debts to the state-run Guyana Power and Light Company.

Is it going to be a fun one? Possibly off to the ski slopes to enjoy the snow, or off to the beach to frolic in the surf and enjoy the sun and sand.  Could be the boss thinks you should be on a business trip somewhere else. Whatever the decision, here are a few traveling tips to get you through 2010 and the years to come.

If you are heading to the mountains for some fun on the ski slopes, you want to be prepared and equipped with the right gear.  Proper ski attire and gear are important.  One item you should not forget is the ski helmet. This is the best protection from possible head injury. It has become more readily available in stores over the last few years. The nice pretty woolen ski hats do not protect your head when you fall. You might be thinking that you are an expert skier and never fall. However, what if a novice skier runs into you and knocks you over? If you notice, all the professional skiers that are on television always wear a helmet.

Every ski resort has rental gear available, so no worries if you do not have your own gear.  Sometimes it is best not to own your own stuff, because your ski level might change from year to year. As your level of skiing changes, you will need to change the type of skis you use. Besides, the ski makers are always coming out with newer improved version of skis every year.  So if you are renting, you have the advantage of skiing on newer equipment.

For you ladies out there who might be shopping for a ski suit, the jump suit can look cute and fancy.  But comfort and fit matter, so it’s best to choose something for convenience and warmth.  A ski suit with many zipper pockets is important, since there is no chance of carrying a purse down the slopes.

Maybe the snow is not your thing and you prefer the sun and sand.  A beach holiday is more up your alley. At the top of your list should be sun screen.  Regardless of your skin tone, you still need protection from the direct rays of continuous exposure to the sun. Sun glasses are a must, of course. There is no need to drag beach towels from home. All beach resorts are happy to provide you with beach towels for your use.

It might be a business trip that you might need to take.  The rule of thumb is to wear your bulky clothing. For example, your big overcoat and your boots should be worn as they take up a lot of room in suitcases.  And do not forget your list of useful carry on items for use in flight as well as in the airport or hotel room.

Whatever the winter destination of choice, you will probably be staying in a hotel, or renting a car. With a little research good deals can be obtained for luxury hotels. At ski resorts, beach resorts and popular destinations, good deals on room rates are more likely on weekdays than weekends.

Upon check in at your hotel, you will be required to present a credit card. A debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo will also be accepted.  However, keep in mind that if you choose to present a debit card to the front desk at check in, the funds for the length of your stay will be held (taken from your bank account) and not replaced until a few days after you have checked out. That might put a dent in your spending money, because you will not have the money available to spend while on your vacation or business trip.

Hotel rooms are sometimes colder than we would like. So, a hot water bottle might come in handy. Be sure to bring along your antibiotic wet wipes to wipe down the germ infected objects in the room, like the phone and the remote control. The maid never cleans these things. You never know who was handling them before you came along.  Be careful about using the mugs and glasses as well before thoroughly washing them yourself.  The maids do not carry around dishwashing liquid or washing sponges on their carts. You get my drift…..

If you are renting a car, a good thing to think about having is a GPS unit. You can rent one from the car rental company, or if you have your own you can bring it along with you. With a more advanced version, you can download maps of international destinations and your unit will work in other parts of the world, getting you from point A to point B without a worry of getting lost.

Where ever your destination, or no matter how much fun you are planning on having, don’t forget to bring along you umbrella.

CARACAS, Venezuela _ A Venezuelan navy official says a fire on a Greek-owned cargo ship in the Caribbean has killed nine crew members and injured five.

Adm. Carlos Maximo Aniasi Turchio tells Venezuelan state television that six of the dead crew members were from the Philippines and three from Greece. They had initially been listed as unaccounted for.

He says five injured crew members were taken by helicopter to Margarita Island and were to be transferred later to a military hospital in the capital, Caracas. The fire has been extinguished.

The Aegean Wind was carrying more than 37,000 tons of iron ore from Brazil to Houston when a blaze broke out in the mess hall before dawn Friday. The ship was about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Venezuela.

JAMAICA: Airport says approach lights knocked out as AA jet landed, overshot runway

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ Offshore lights that guide pilots into Jamaica’s main airport had been knocked out for more than a month when an American Airlines jet landed in driving rain and overshot the runway, injuring most of the 154 people on board, officials said Friday.

An underwater electrical fault in November disrupted the 1,300-foot (400-meter) stretch of white lights on a sandbar stretching into the Caribbean Sea, according to Norman Manley International Airport operations director Stanley Smith. Pilots have been regularly advised about the outage, and the runway itself was fully lit, he said.

“The airport has been fully operational since (the outage) … so we wouldn’t presume that would be a cause. But clearly the investigation is still preliminary,” airport vice president Mark Williams told The Associated Press.

American Airlines Flight 331 skidded off the runway as it landed in heavy rain Tuesday night, arriving from Washington’s Reagan National Airport by way of Miami. The Boeing 737-800’s fuselage cracked open, the left main landing gear collapsed and the nose was crushed as the plane lurched to a halt at the ocean’s edge.

All 154 people aboard survived. Ninety-two were taken to hospitals, with no injuries considered life-threatening.

GUANTANAMO: Rather than shutting down, Guantanamo gears up for more detainee trials in 2010

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico _ Rather than shutting Guantanamo, the U.S. military is gearing up for the war-crimes trial of a former child soldier at the navy base on southeastern Cuba this summer.

The case of detainee Omar Khadr highlights how President Barack Obama has struggled to carry out a pledge he made immediately after taking office to close the globally unpopular military prison, which he called a recruiting tool for terrorists.

But if some trials are to proceed without delay, there is no other viable location, thanks to congressional opposition to moving terror detainees to U.S. soil, plus the time required to buy and renovate an Illinois prison _ the one place where they would be welcome.

“The prosecutors in Khadr’s case have informed us that if the trial takes place in July 2010, it will be held at Guantanamo,” said Army Maj. Jon Jackson, one of the detainee’s Pentagon-appointed attorneys.

Court proceedings against Khadr, who is accused of killing an American soldier in Afghanistan, are farthest along. But pretrial hearings are anticipated for several other detainees at Guantanamo this year.

GUYANA: Guyana president orders investigation into Cabinet minister’s death

GEORGETOWN, Guyana _ Guyana’s president is ordering an investigation into whether hospital negligence caused the recent death of an education minister.

Desrey Fox was one of three Amerindians in the president’s Cabinet and an icon in native minority communities. She died Dec. 11 after two days in the hospital following a car crash.

President Bharrat Jagdeo said Thursday that he was told the 54-year-old minister had suffered only fractures and was stunned when she died.

The health minister defended the hospital and said Fox received its best possible care.

Fox led an Amerindian affairs unit at the University of Guyana and held a linguistics doctorate from Texas’ Rice University. She translated the national anthem into six native languages.