Three US Students Arrested in Cairo

A fourth day of protests and violence continues in Cairo's Tahrir Square with thousand of protestors flooding into the city and being met by security forces firing tear gas and rubber bullets. During the clashes three U.S. students attending American University in Cairo were arrested for throwing fire bombs outside the interior ministry offices. The students are said to be in police custody and are being investigated for their alleged activities. No names have been released.

Source: planetdata.net

Travellers Choice 2011 - Best Food & Wine Destinations

Top 10 Food & Wine Destinations in the United States

1 New Orleans, Louisiana

Breakfast in New Orleans is relatively easy: go for beignets and chicory coffee. For lunch and dinner, though, you’ll have to choose from an almost bewildering array of options, from Cajun or Creole specialties to BBQ to some of the best French food you can find outside France.

Don't miss

• Cafe Du Monde
• Commander's Palace
• New Orleans School of Cooking
• Old New Orleans Rum Distillery

2 Napa, California

 

Everyone knows Napa as a wine destination, and it lives up to the hype. This is oenophile heaven, and you could spend days going from tasting room to tasting room. There’s a flourishing restaurant scene, too, featuring everything from Michelin-starred standouts to tiny local bistros.

Don't miss:

• Napa Valley Wine Train
• Mustards Grill
• O'Brien Estate Winery
• Vintner's Collective

3 Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has high-end, world-famous restaurants like Alinea, the temple of molecular gastronomy where you might find yourself “sucking hibiscus jelly, tapioca balls and vanilla creme fraiche out of a cigar,” as one TripAdvisor traveler wrote. But it’s also famous for hot dogs and deep-dish pizza. In short—no matter your budget, this is a perfect foodie town. 

Don't miss

• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - River North
• Portillo's Hot Dogs
• Chicago Food Planet Food Tours
• Foodie & The Feast

3 Charleston, South Carolina

 

If you’re craving homestyle Southern food, Charleston is a great place to get it. Try she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, ham biscuits and benne wafers—and be sure to leave room for dessert. Anything made with fresh local peaches is a safe bet.

Don't miss

• Muse Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Social Restaurant + Wine Bar
• Charleston Cooks! Maverick Kitchen Store
• The Original Pub Tour of Charleston

4 San Francisco, California

 

No doubt about it—San Francisco is a foodie town. Visitors can explore Chinatown, take a gourmet food–focused walking tour, splurge on the tasting menu at Restaurant Gary Danko (currently ranked #1 on TripAdvisor) or sample your way through the Ferry Building Marketplace… it doesn’t get much better than this.

Don't miss

• Restaurant Gary Danko
• Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe
• Ferry Building Marketplace
• Green Dream Tours - Wine Country Tour Specialist 

6 New York City, New York

Name a food, any food—you can get it somewhere in NYC. In fact, foodies often plan their entire NYC itinerary around eating. Dim sum in Chinatown? A neighborhood food tour? Coal-fired pizza? Dinner at the latest hot spot? The choice is yours.

Don't miss

• Chelsea Market
• Scott's Pizza Tours
• Shake Shack - Madison Square Park
• Casellula Cheese and Wine Cafe

7 Savannah, Georgia

 

Visit Savannah for amazing BBQ, shrimp and grits, shad roe, boiled peanuts, oysters and much, much more… all served up with gracious Southern hospitality. As befits a college town, there’s also a lively bar scene.

Don't miss

• The Olde Pink House
• Wiley's Championship BBQ
• 700 Kitchen Cooking School
• Creepy Crawl Haunted Pub Tour

8 Santa Fe, New Mexico

 

We hope you like chili peppers, as you’ll encounter a lot of them (of both the green and red varieties) in Santa Fe. For a taste of real New Mexican cuisine, try posole (a spicy corn stew) and sopapillas (fried pastries—they can be savory or sweet).

Don't miss

• Galisteo Bistro & Wine Bar
• Food Tour New Mexico
• Santa Fe Farmers Market
• Chocolate Smith

9 Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Think beyond cheapo all-you-can-eat buffets. Nowadays, Las Vegas’ high-end casinos feature restaurants from some of the world’s most celebrated chefs. You’ll also find plenty of old-school steakhouses and a slew of breakfast joints. After all, if you’ve stayed up all night playing blackjack, you’ve got to eat somewhere, right?

Don't miss

• La Cave
• Twin Creeks
• Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

10 Asheville, North Carolina

  

If you’re into eating locally and supporting sustainable agriculture, go to Ashville—and eat, eat, eat. This town of less than 100,000 people has 17 farmers’ markets, and the local restaurant scene is all about taking advantage of seasonal produce. And don’t miss the area’s microbreweries.

Don't miss

• Western North Carolina Farmers Market
• Bistro at Biltmore Estate Winery
• Asheville Food Tours
• Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar

The German Government plant malware on the Laptops of Travellers at customs

In an age of austerity and eroding human rights it appears that the German Government have taken it into their own hands to deliberately plant malware onto the Laptops of unsuspecting travellers passing through German customs.

It was the well known hackers group aptly called the "Chaos Computer Club" that first uncovered this extraordinary issue. In essence the Malware is like a Spyware that can syphon away intimate data, but also offers a remote control and back door functionality for uploading and executing arbitrary other programs. Significant design and implementation flaws make all of the functionality available to literally anyone on the Internet.

One would have thought that if the German Government were going to play such games with their own citizens that at least it would be secure Spyware! The Chaos Computer Club went on to suggest that the Spyware could even be used to plant evidence, giving this matter a 1984 feel. Moreover, it could turn on Web cams record conversations and load any other software to the Users Computer.

A number of different Anti Virus Companies managed to obtain the source code and confirmed the finding. Apparently FC Secure stated that "they had no reason to doubt the Chaos Computer Clubs findings". Shockingly a number of German states have come out to admit that they used the Malware in the conduct of various investigations,

Surely the European Law of Human Rights should get involved concerning this fragrant disrespect for basic civil liberties! The average traveller and man in the street should be under no illusions that such Government led practices are taking in various countries around the world.

The Hotel Taxi Scam

This scam in essence is a common play conducted by Hotels across the world that do not value their clients best financial interests. In its simplest form, whenever a Hotel Guest requests to the Concierge or Reception for a Taxi to the airport or wherever, the Hotel calls a Taxi Company or worse still a friend of someone with whom they have crafted a commission based deal.

Essentially the commission becomes a kind of surcharge and the Hotel Guest will end up paying significantly more for the ride. The minimum mark up is around 5 euro and the maximum can even go up to 50 euro in extreme cases for longer rides. This scam manifests its way in various forms around the world. At London Heathrow Airport Hotels for example, commonly private cars are used (even unofficial on occasions). Some 5 star Hotels justify the unofficial surcharge by arranging for a Limousine or Luxury car, even if you just asked for a mere Cab.

SOLUTION
The first rule of the thumb is to simply never blindly trust a Hotel Concierge or Reception again to organise your Taxi trip to the airport or elsewhere. A good tactic in city Hotels is to locate a nearby rank and walk there each time. You will notice a significant difference in cost.

Failing that, go onto the Internet and look for a Taxi Company. Call them yourself. If possible meet the Cab just outside the Hotel so that the Concierge or Reception don't try to get a piece of the action. Each time you use a Taxi that offers a good service at a reasonable price, remember to ask for the number. In this way you can build your own Global Portfolio. This comes in very useful when you need to find a Cab and you find yourself exposed. In the case you have no other option but to use Reception, ask for the price beforehand and judge with common sense.

The European economic reality Poem

As a historical European economic crisis unfolds before our very eyes and we see a shift of real power move to Asia, here is a fitting poem that I wrote to capture the light side of this new sickening reality:

Who will tell the Greeks that they have to go Bust?
Seems that the euro is no longer a Must!
Its the EU's austerity answer to the economic disaster,
Tax more of the same and don't care about the Trust.
---
How to inform the Italians they are beginning to Shrink?
And who will tell the Swiss they are no longer in Sync?
Regardless of desires it all bitterly transpires,
That the once ice cool didn't take long to melt and Sink!
---
There's nothing like the sound of the shallow jumping in at the Deep!
As the countries on the edge are beginning to Weep!
Seeking a Political womb or a European counselling room,
In the end they will give more than they get to keep!
---
Who will advise the non-elected they were never in Demand?
And that the power of the vote should be the only Command,
Highly creative expenses and commissions that were senseless,
Yet the public never really had the stomach to Stand.
---
German and French leaders collude as the voice of Big Brother,
Preaching to the sick, mortally ill and the multiple Other.
As the British get to escape the euro's inevitable economical rape,
Once again they will nag just like an "I told you so" Mother.
----
So how will the mighty Europe eventually End?
Perhaps begging to Chinese with an extended Bend!
The concept of bail-out is no longer a lingering doubt,
It boils down to the message they will finally forge to Send.

IBM Announces Mobile Security Service

 IBM recently announced a new mobile security service to protect sensitive corporate data. IBM says, "The service helps organizations protect against data loss and other risks caused by device theft, unauthorized access, malware, spyware, and inappropriate applications. It is designed to help mitigate security risks associated with the increasing number of employee-owned and corporate-liable mobile devices accessing sensitive business data."

Source: planetdata.net

Floods Close Second Bangkok Airport

 Historic floods in Thailand, which have left more than 360 people dead, have forced the closing of a second airport in Bangkok. Don Muang airport in the northern part of that city, which is being used to house evacuees from the floods is not expected to re-open for a week.

Source: planetdata.net

Ruling Party Official Says Putin to be Presidential Candidate

An official from Russia's ruling United Russia party told state-owned RIA Novosti on Saturday that party members are going to nominate former president and current prime minister Vladimir Putin to be its presidential candidate in next March's election.
Of course there is very little chance of Putin not winning his third (non-consecutive) term as Russia's president.

Source: planetdata.net

Trip Advisor, Sleep in a tree-house

 

Sleep in a treehouse!
Or maybe you'd prefer a houseboat or a windmill. These 10 quirky vacation rentals are incredibly creative and ready for your next vacation.

1. Unique Hilltop Windmill
Odemira, Portugal
From this hilltop haven you can enjoy the Alentejo, Portugal's best kept secret, at its best. Situated in an ecological reserve, the mill stands on a hill overlooking the plains that roll their way from the Atlantic coast to the Spanish border.

2. Exotic Treehouse at Kilauea Volcano
Volcano, Hawaii, US
While this vacation rental may stir up fond memories from childhood, the Exotic Treehouse at Kailauea Volcano is a fantastic choice for a romantic escape, nestled in the canopy level of a forest just minutes from the gate to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

3. Orchard Lodge Cabin
Lincoln, England
Located in rural surroundings on an 800 acre farm and close to the great Lincolnshire coast line. The two bathrooms feature a Swedish Sauna, a large spa bath, and a steam massage shower with mood lighting and radio.

4. The Barbecue Hut
Ockelbo, Sweden
Located in a tranquil and secluded village, these two cottages offer a beautiful child-friendly beach, an outdoor wood-heated sauna, hot-tub bathing barrel, and a wonderful barbecue hut with real reindeer skins.

5. The White Elephant Floating Inn
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Located near the USS Constitution in Boston Harbor, The White Elephant Floating Inn offers guests a whole different view of the city. With hardwood floors, beautifully furnished rooms and enough room to sleep ten, travelers may forget they're on the water in this vacation rental.

6. Clifftop Cottage
Glossa, Greece
As one TripAdvisor traveler put it, "What a place! The location on the cliff is spectacular, with stunning views over the Aegean Sea. The house is very spacious and offers wonderful views of the most fascinating sunsets."

7. The Mill of the Balsina
Vila de Cruces, Spain
El Molino de la Balsiña is an ancient watermill nestled in a valley on the banks of the Rio Arnego. It has terraced gardens, mile after mile of countryside, and consists of two stone houses: the Miller's house and the Weaver's cottage.

8. Little Red Caboose
Oakhurst, California, US
Train-loving travelers will love this property located just twenty minutes away from Yosemite National Park in California. This little caboose packs appealing amenities including Jacuzzi tub, barbecue grill, hardwood floors and a kitchenette with granite countertops.

9. Mijaran III House
Vielha, Spain
Casa Mijaran III is a traditional Aran-style two-story house with garden. With fantastic views of the River Nere and surrounding mountains, the house is the perfect place to enjoy the Aran Valley from the old quarter of Vielha.

10. At Home in the Dome
Sedona, Arizona, US
For travelers looking for their own "dome on the range," My Sedona Place is a dome-shaped property that offers all the comforts of home, including a full kitchen, three bedrooms, an outdoor patio and a big-screen high definition TV. It also boasts stunning views of the famous Sedona red rocks.

Floods Close Second Bangkok Airport

Historic floods in Thailand, which have left more than 360 people dead, have forced the closing of a second airport in Bangkok. Don Muang airport in the northern part of that city, which is being used to house evacuees from the floods is not expected to re-open for a week.

Source: planetdata.net

Palestine Accepted into UN's Cultural Agency

The UN's cultural agency voted to accept Palestine as a full member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The vote was 107 to 14 with 52 abstentions. While the U.S. currently provides 22 percent of UNESCO's funding, laws passed in the 1990's prohibit the U.S. from financing any UN organization that allows Palestine as a full member. That means UNESCO could lose some $70 million annually as the U.S. laws come into play.

Source: planetdata.net