Wave Of Protests Over World Cup In Brazil (PHOTOS)

by Libby Zay on

A wave of protests is cascading through cities in Brazil, including in Brasilia, where demonstrators stormed the country’s National Congress building, Reuters is reporting. The protests, which are the largest seen in Brazil for more than 20 years, come just in time for the Confederation’s Cup, a dress rehearsal of sorts for next year’s 2014 World Cup. The event has become a symbol of corruption and overspending in the country, and activists believe the money would be better spent on efforts to help Brazilians.

“We do not need stadiums, we need education,” said Brazilian Carla Dauden in a video that spells out why Brazilians are outraged over the upcoming games. “We do not need Brazil to look better for the world, we need our people to have food and health. We do not need more parties, we need people with jobs and a sustainable way of living.”

The protests have so far been overwhelmingly peaceful, meaning nobody should cancel their travel plans to Brazil just yet. Hopefully things will be smoothed over soon; the government hopes the World Cup, along with the 2016 Summer Olympics, will bring an influx of tourists and showcase Brazil as an emerging global power player.

See more pictures from the protests after the jump.%Gallery-191716%

United’s New Mileage Program Cuts Out Budget Travelers

by Libby Zay on

United Airlines’ new mileage program is set to include a minimum annual spending level, essentially cutting budget travelers out of the perk-earning picture. The new plan forces travelers to spend a set amount of money to get benefits, meaning those who smartly snag deals and rack up miles will no longer garner elite status.

Starting January 2014, those enrolled in United MileagePlus will need to earn a combination of either miles or segments, plus dollars, to get rewards. For example, to reach the first tier, a frequent flier must earn either 25,000 miles or 30 qualifying segments, plus a minimum of $2,500 qualifying dollars. So now, two round-trip flights from the United States to Europe that could have otherwise landed a traveler an upgrade might not qualify any longer, especially if a traveler found a great deal on airfare before booking.

As outlined above, travelers who only hit the road when they find a can’t-miss deal will be hurt most by the new qualifications, leading us to believe that the airline might want to reconsider the MileagePlus program tagline: “the world’s most rewarding loyalty program.”

Man Says He Poisoned All Passengers Aboard Hong Kong To New Jersey Flight

by Reena Ganga on

A man is being questioned by authorities after he claimed to have poisoned everyone traveling on United Flight 116. The flight, which was making its way from Hong Kong to Newark’s Liberty Airport, landed at 1:34 p.m. today, several hours after a male passenger made the frightening declaration.

According to news reports, the passenger was in an emotionally disturbed state. He made the announcement about having poisoned everyone on board several hours before the flight was due to arrive in New Jersey.Despite this, the FBI said the decision was made not to divert the plane to a closer airport. Instead, flight attendants surrounded the man along with a number of other passengers who volunteered to help restrain him for the duration of the flight.

Both local police and FBI agents were notified and were ready to meet the plane as soon as it landed. According to an FBI spokesman, there is no evidence that any passengers were actually poisoned.

UNESCO Considering Adding Great Barrier Reef To List Of Endangered Sites

by Kraig Becker on

This past Sunday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) kicked off its annual conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Over the next ten days, the 1300 delegates in attendance will discuss which new locations from around the globe deserve possible inclusion on its exclusive list of World Heritage Sites. Some of the candidates include Japan’s Mt. Fuji, the Namib Desert in southern Africa and a series of wooden Orthodox churches located in the Carpathian mountains of Poland and the Ukraine.

Attendees at the conference will also consider adding the Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Australia, to its list of endangered places. The organization routinely reviews the World Heritage Sites and will sometimes call attention to those that it sees as being under threat. This is done in an effort to raise awareness of the possible issues facing those place in the hopes that something will be done to preserve the site before it suffer irreparable damage. Studies have shown that tropical storms, climate change and increased shipping traffic have all had an impact on the health of the reef, bring its future into question. UNESCO is hoping that their discussion of those threats will send a message to Australians that they need to take action to preserve this amazing place.Having visited the GBR myself a few years back, I can tell you that it lives up to is reputation as a spectacular ocean setting. It is amongst the most beautiful places that I have ever seen and the snorkeling and scuba diving there are second to none. During my time there, it was clear that Australians understood that it is a very special place and that they are taking steps to ensure that it stays protected, healthy and vibrant for future generations to enjoy as well. That was something that was underscored in the recent “Reef Live” event, which took place in celebration of World Oceans Day. During that event, thousands of people from around the globe were able to catch a glimpse of the reef through a live tour that was broadcast over the Internet.

Immediately following “Reef Live,” Qantas Airlines announced discounted airfares to Queensland, making it more affordable than ever to head Down Under. Additionally, About Australia is offering some excellent discounted adventure travel package for those looking to visit Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef region. For instance, they are currently offering a seven-day/five-night package that includes airfare from Lost Angles and accommodations at the Pacific International Hotel for just $2145/person. Amongst the included activities are a cruise on the GBR, snorkeling tours, a visit to the nearby rainforest and much more. They even have some great opportunities for scuba divers too. These discounted tours are available for travel in November of this year and February of next. Booking must be made by June 24 to take advantage of these savings.

This is an opportunity to visit one of the most spectacular places on the planet at an unbelievable savings. The Great Barrier Reef is a destination that all travelers should have on their list with the understanding that travel there is handled safely and sustainably so as to protect this fragile, yet incredibly beautiful ecosystem.

Amazing Underground Scenes From NYC Subway Project (PHOTOS)

by Libby Zay on

New York City hasn’t built a new line since 1932, and after seeing these pictures one can begin to understand why. The $17 billion project to create the Second Avenue Subway is a massive undertaking – and that’s an understatement.

Sometimes referred to as “The Line That Time Forgot,” the Second Avenue Subway has been planned and occasionally worked on since the 1920s. The many delays are due to numerous reasons, but if things keep moving along a new 8.5-mile tunnel will stretch from Hanover Square at the tip of Manhattan up to 125th Street in Harlem. On all those transit maps around New York, the new line will be known as the T service.

Get an idea of just how much goes into unearthing a new line in the pictures below.

mtaphotos, Flickr

mtaphotos, Flickr

mtaphotos, Flickr

mtaphotos, Flickr

mtaphotos, Flickr

mtaphotos, Flickr

[via Jalopnik]