Anti-missile systems start tests next month
Anti-missile systems start tests next month — The government will begin testing anti-missile equipment on three airliners next month, a first step toward what could be the most expensive security upgrade ever ordered for the nation’s aviation system. Both Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems will rig out-of-service planes with laser defense systems designed to misdirect shoulder-fired missiles, said John Kubricky, director of the Department of Homeland Security’s systems engineering and development office. (USA Today)
For mass transit, terror fight goes to the dogs — The bombings in London showed how vulnerable public transport is to attack. Are there viable ways to reduce that risk? After 9/11, airports introduced tighter security checks and armed air marshals boarded flights. But public transport is much harder to protect. (BBC)
Ryanair bookings down 10 percent after bombing — Ryanair, the European low-cost airline, said yesterday that in the four days following last Thursday’s bombings in London, forward bookings had fallen by “just under 10 per cent” from the level of recent weeks. Michael O’Leary, chief executive, said advance bookings were down about 8,000 a day from the expected level of more than 100,000 a day. (FT)
It’s official: Emily is a hurricane — The second Atlantic hurricane of the 2005 season was born late Wednesday, when Emily gained power as it crossed the Windward Islands into the eastern Caribbean and was on course to strafe the northern coast of Venezuela and islands off its shore Thursday. (CNN)
‘Lost Liberty’ hotel idea catches fire — The e-mails arrived with spam-like ferocity, dozens, then hundreds, at a time, begging Weare’s five selectmen to seize Supreme Court Justice David Souter’s homestead and allow a California activist to replace it with a would-be tourist haunt called the Lost Liberty Hotel. (Concord Monitor)
Where are you? GPS alternates coming to the rescue — Most of us know where we are on planet Earth - or close enough to make do. But sometimes we travel on business or for pleasure and suddenly wonder: Where am I? Or maybe we might want to know the location of a spouse, teenager, or pet. More and more, GPS - the global positioning system - is coming to the rescue. (Christian Science Monitor)
Southwest profits rise 41 percent — Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines said Thursday that second-quarter profit rose 41 percent from a year ago, as fare increases helped offset a 25 percent rise in fuel costs per gallon. Its shares climbed more than 5 percent. (AP)
Senator tries to reverse new passport requirement — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said he has introduced federal identity legislation that addresses concerns he heard during tours of U.S.-Canadian border areas in northern and western New York. The bill would reverse federal plans for a passport requirement at the U.S.-Canadian border. (Biz Journal)
Flight 800 kin criticize FAA — With the ninth anniversary of the TWA Flight 800 crash looming, the Federal Aviation Administration was slammed yesterday for not taking action to prevent more fuel tank explosions. The National Transportation Safety Board blasted the FAA for doing “almost nothing” - and families of the 230 people who died when the Boeing 747 exploded joined the chorus. (Daily News)
Thailand combats ‘zero-dollar’ tours — Thailand will step up efforts to prevent Chinese tourists from being cheated by so-called “zero-dollar tours”, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced. That’s the good news. (Asia Times)
Atlanta terminal dispute simmers on — A dispute between the Atlanta airport and the team that designed a new international terminal continues this week with no apparent resolution. Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta sent notice last week to members of the design team that they were in default on their contract and had one week to respond. The deadline was Tuesday. (AJC)
Another shark attack takes bite out of beach fun — A shark attacked a 14-year-old North Carolina girl in waters off the Texas coast near Galveston on Wednesday, ripping tendons in her left foot and leaving several teeth imbedded in her tissue. (CNN)
Correspondents: Skip Bowman, Richard Wong, Carrie Charney, Leslie Friedman, John Frenaye, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra.