Europe calls summit on bird flu crisis
Europe calls summit on bird flu crisis — The European Commission is holding an emergency meeting of veterinary experts after it confirmed that the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu has been found in Turkish poultry, and is suspected of being present in Romania. (CNN)
Northeast suffers 8th day of flooding — Much of the waterlogged Northeast entered its eighth straight day of rain Friday, a deluge that has trapped motorists, delayed airline flights and sent streams surging over their banks. At least 10 people have died in the region since last weekend because of the downpours, and four others were missing in New Hampshire. (AP)
British, U.S. Hiltons in talks to reunite hotels — Hilton Group, which operates Hilton hotels outside the United States and gambling shops in Britain, said Friday it is negotiating to sell its hotels business to U.S.-based Hilton Hotels. (AP)
Skies are unfriendlier, but the smiles remain — When Laura Brandle dropped out of Oklahoma State University to fly with United Airlines in 1967, the job of stewardess was the carefree, glamorous career that girls dreamed about. Today, the job of flight attendants is far grimmer because of security checks, airline budget cuts, bankruptcies and packed cattle-car economy cabins.
Nudity! There, I said it. If the thought of going au naturel on holiday makes you uncomfortable, please don’t read on. You’ll probably be offended. Still with me? OK, here are the five leading myths about nude vacations. (Been There on Tripso)
Blame game as ‘Misery Line’ lives up to its name — The Northern line, one of London Underground’s busiest routes, is expected to remain closed today after drivers refused to take trains out over safety concerns. (The Independent)
Delta reneges on bonds for LAX — In what may be a preview of coming troubles for Logan’s new flagship terminal, Delta Air Lines is seeking to bail out of payments on facilities it uses at Los Angeles International Airport. (The Boston Herald)
Gas prices end week lower — Gasoline prices ended the week more than two cents lower, marking the third straight decline in prices at the pump, while diesel prices barely moved, according to a daily report issued by travel club AAA. (CNN/Money)
Gas prices dampen Michigan summer travel — High gasoline prices and a poor state economy put a drag on Michigan’s summer travel season, state officials reported Thursday. Great weather kept the picture from being worse this summer. (Detroit Free Press)
Florida man charged with punching out window — A passenger accused of punching out an airplane window during a flight from Las Vegas to Florida could face 20 years in federal prison if convicted of damaging an aircraft while it was operating, authorities said. (AP)
ATA eliminates routes, cuts more jobs — Discount carrier ATA Airlines will discontinue service between Chicago and Boston, and between Minneapolis and Newark, N.J., as it strives to emerge from federal bankruptcy protection. (AP)
Landslide strands tourists at Machu Picchu — About 1,400 tourists and local residents were stranded Thursday near Peru’s famed Inca ruins of Machu Picchu after an overnight landslide knocked out about 1,300 feet of track, blocking the train route to and from the mountainous area, authorities said. (AP)
Corporate sponsors for Mardi Gras? — City officials, intent on staging Mardi Gras as scheduled next year in hurricane-scarred New Orleans, said Friday they might have to accept corporate sponsorships for the first time to cover the city’s expenses. (Reuters)
Carrie Charney, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.