California’s own museum heist. The Louvre isn’t the only museum to lose some valuable artifacts recently. The Oakland Museum of California’s storage facility had more than 1,000 items go missing in mid-October.
UK train stabbing. On November 2nd, multiple people were stabbed on a train in England. The suspect was arrested and has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder.
New Salt Lake City airport lounges. Concourse B has been expanded at Salt Lake City International Airport with 10 new gates and a new Delta Sky Club with soundproof booths and a nature room, as well as an American Express Centurion Lounge with a year-round outdoor terrace and an espresso counter.
Philippines typhoons. Two typhoons have recently hit the Philippines and killed more than 200 people between them. More than a million people were evacuated and displaced. The first typhoon also killed 5 people in Vietnam.
New U.S. Department of Transportation rules. I’m a bit stunned by these, but there are new rules that favor consumers: (1) Domestic flights require automatic refunds if delayed by 3 or more hours, and international flights require automatic refunds if delayed by 6 or more hours; (2) refunds must be processed within 7 business days; (3) extras (like seats) must be refunded if the purchased extras aren’t provided; and (4) baggage fees must be refunded if luggage is delayed for 12 hours or more on a domestic flight and 30 hours or more on an international flight.
Passengers injured at Washington Dulles Airport. Earlier this month, a shuttle or “mobile lounge” on the tarmac in Washington DC’s Dulles Airport hit a dock, and 18 people were injured. Those injuries were described as “non-life-threatening,” but apparently many required hospital care.
Maldives smoking ban. The Maldives is the first country in the world to ban smoking among an entire generation. It’s now banned for anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, and this applies to tourists in that age group. Vaping is banned for tourists of all ages.
Strikes in Italy. If you’re traveling to Italy soon, be aware that there are some strikes going on. The public transport network in Rome, the Italian employees of EasyJet, and the Italian employees of Spain’s Volotea airline are involved.
A Mexican mayor was murdered. The mayor of the state of Michoacán was fatally shot dead in front of lots of people early this month during a Day of the Dead gathering. The gunman appears to be affiliated with a crime group in the area.
Uber’s new feature for women. Uber now has its Women Preference feature available in 26 U.S. cities, which allows women to request a female driver. The cities currently included are: Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Connecticut, Dallas, Hampton Roads (Norfolk), Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Raleigh–Durham, Rhode Island, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Upstate New York. I hope they will launch it in other cities soon.
Melanie Votaw is the Publisher and Executive Travel Writer of LuxuryWeb Magazine. She has visited more than 50 countries on 6 continents and written for such magazines as Executive Travel, Just Luxe, Business Insider, South China Morning Post, Travel Mindset, and more. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, New York Travel Writers Association, and International Travel Writers Alliance. Melanie's photography has won awards, and she has also written 43 nonfiction books as either the author or ghostwriter.
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