| Tourists urged to avoid travel to Japan after quake and Don't blame fuel prices solely for rising airfares |
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The U.S. State Department is urging tourists to avoid travel to Japan after a massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake slammed the country on Friday. The quake and a tsunami that followed has prompted U.S. airlines to cancel most flights to and from Japan."The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid tourism and non-essential travel to Japan at this time," the agency said on its website.American citizens currently in Japan should contact family and friends in the U.S. "to confirm their well-being at the earliest opportunity," the State Department suggested. Citizens who don't have access to Internet or telephones are urged to use text messaging or social media avenues, such as Twitter or Facebook.Additionally, the State Department is encouraging U.S. citizens in Japan to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Those without Internet access can walk into a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and enroll directly. [Read the full article] ORLANDO, Fla. — SeaWorld's three theme parks are slowly working to get trainers back in the water with killer whales, one year after a 6-ton orca named Tilikum suddenly dragged a trainer off a platform by her hair and drowned her.There is no timetable for getting trainers back to "water work," and it may not happen at all, said Chuck Tompkins, curator of zoological operations for the SeaWorld parks. But the first new whale show in five years, which debuts in April, is being planned to incorporate the interaction and play in the water that had become a staple of the iconic Shamu shows at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment attractions in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio.And SeaWorld is spending tens of millions of dollars on new safety equipment, including rising pool floors that can quickly lift people and whales from the water, underwater vehicles to distract the animals in emergencies and portable oxygen bottles for trainers. [Read the full article] LOS ANGELES — Pilots on an Alaska Airlines flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles locked down the cockpit and alerted authorities Sunday when a flight crew grew alarmed at the behavior of three men who turned out to be conducting an elaborate orthodox Jewish prayer ritual, officials said.More parents want to meet people with kids when they travel, and they(TM)re connecting with locals using sites like Tripping.com, Couchsurfing.org, BeWelcome.com and Servas.org. Full storyThe men, all Mexican nationals, began the ritual that involves tying leather straps and small wooden boxes to the body, and the crew of Flight 241 alerted the cockpit, airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan said."Shortly after takeoff, a flight attendant saw what she believed was unusual behavior from three passengers on board," Egan said in a statement. [Read the full article] 
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