United States Authorities to decide who can visit Canada, Mexico and Cuba

New rules require British Airways and other airlines flying to certain airports outside America to submit passengers' personal data to US authorities.  The information is checked against a "No Fly" list containing tens of thousands of names. Even if the flight plan steers well clear of US territory, travellers whom the Americans regard as suspicious will be denied boarding. One million British travellers planning to fly to Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico this year face the risk of being turned away at the airport – at the insistence of the US Department of Homeland Security.

WHO IS AFFECTED?
Visitors to Canada. Airports affected: Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, Calgary. Visitors to Mexico. Airports affected: Mexico City and Cancun.  Visitors to Cuba. Airports affected: Havana, Varadero and Holguin

New security checks are already in place, even for flights hundreds of miles from American airspace.

"The concern by the United States for its own security is entirely understandable, but it seems to me it's a whole different issue that American wishes should determine the rights and choices of people travelling between two countries neither of which is the US."

Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats

Every US-bound passenger has had to provide Advance Passenger Information (API) before departure for several years now, but Washington has extended the obligation to air routes that over-fly US airspace, such as Heathrow to Mexico City or Gatwick to Havana. Now the US is demanding passengers' full names, dates of birth and gender from airlines, at least 72 hour before departure from the UK to Canada. 

Any passenger who refuses to comply will be denied boarding. Those who do supply details may find their trip could be abruptly cancelled by the Department of Homeland Security, which says it will "take boarding pass determinations up until the time a flight leaves the gate ... If a passenger successfully obtains a boarding pass, his/her name is not on the No Fly list." In other words, travellers cannot find out whether they will be accepted on board until they reach the airport. 

Air Canada and British Airways said they would comply with any new rules. The US will have full details of all British visitors to Cuba, including business travellers, which could potentially be used to identify people suspected of breaking America's sanctions against the Castro regime.

"This extension of the rule to include flights that never enter US airspace is scarcely credible. What on earth right does the US have to ask for passenger information if you're flying London-Havana."

Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet

The land called 'home of the free' seems to be becoming more like a tough parent than a big brother. Canada, Mexico and Cuba cannot do anything to stop this information being passed to US Authorities, acting more like a state within it. It appears to be an extension of US borders, a demonstration of a desire for control of a growing American Empire.

This could lead the way, that one day, Washington may have the authority to get Advance Passenger Information on any flight, and decide if your allowed on - or not.

Source:  Planning a trip to Canada or the Caribbean? US Immigration may have other ideas...

London Treasures - Rivoli Balloom

The Rivoli Ballroom is one of the few remaining ballrooms in London, England. Famous for its original decor and interior fittings of red velvet, flock wallpaper, chandeliers, glitter balls and over-sized Chinese lanterns. It is often used as a film location and plays host to many dance and musical events throughout the year. 

Photo by Ewan Munro

The listed grade two building by English Heritage, located at 350 Brockley Road London SE4 2BY, opposite Crofton Park overground rail station. It started life as the Crofton Park Picture Palace in July 1913 and was converted into a ballroom in 1957, reopening in 1959 with a large sprung maple dance floor.

Pop videos and style shoots at the Rivoli Ballroom include Tina Turner's "Private Dancer" video, as well as rock band Oasis, pop group S Club 7, singer Charlotte Church, fashion model Kate Moss are some to make use of the venue for shoots. It is probably most famously remembered for its use in the 1983 Elton John video for the song "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues".  Live music plays a part at the Rivoli regularly.

A Same Sex Ballroom Competition takes place here annually, as well as monthly ballroom dances on the first weekend of every month (same sex and mixed). The exterior may not be all that appealing, though inside really is a feast for the eyes, and definitely one of London's many well kept treasures.

Sources:
London Rivoli Ballroom
The Rivoli 
Wikipedia Rivoli Ballroom 

Rule Britannia - Why Britain Will Rule in 2012

Being the Olympic hosts of 2012, it also celebrates the Queens Diamond Julilee, which will make for a summer of events throughout London and the United Kingdom.

A big year for Britain, for it will showcase the world's largest sporting event in the summer, after a massive regeneration of east London, which will only mean prosperity to a nation struggling with financial difficulties. This will boost tourism now and in the coming years for a city which still remains the most visited city on earth!

The year also marks the Queens Diamond Julilee, marking 50 years after the Queen took to the throne. It means a shuffle in bank holidays, and an additional day, making for 4 days of celebration in the first weekend of June,  just 8 weeks before the Olympic opening.

So in tribute to Great Britain, a short video celebrating this nation.

Blimey Summers, Scorching Canuks

As a fellow Canadian I completely understand the hardships of weather patterns in Toronto Canada. In 2011 it's proving to be an especially scorching summer, something that can't be said about London England.

In Toronto the swings of seasons are clear, hot summers, wet autumns, freezing winters and warm springs. Though ask any Canadian and the desire for an end to winter followed by a few months of teasing warm spring days always has us praying for those hot summer days to follow. Ah, the joy of feeling the hot air, swims in outdoor pools or lakes, BBQs, camping and all outdoor sports are welcome, because we know around the corner the summer will end and soon we'll huddle inside to our 25°C (77 F) homes of winter for six months of the year.

In England scorching is defined as 23°C (73.4 F) or more, as described by broadcasters BBC, Sky News and ITV. Summer of 2011 in the month of July has been wet and grey, that burning ball of fire in the sky is rarely visible. Of the 90 days of an English summer it rains or is cloudy for 42 days, thats approximately every other day, according to weather statistics.

London is hosting the summer Olympics of 2012, and the stadium has no roof. Whoowhaa!

Summer days rarely reach beyond 25°C (77 F), on my way to work it's just short of 20°C (68 F) and soon I'll be entering into an office building where the air conditioning will be on full. I keep a jumper in my desk to layer up when the cold air blows down the vents above me, along with the black soot that marks it's passage.

England can reduce it's carbon footprint simply by turning down or off it's unnecessary air-con units, for the number of warm days that it does get, the 4 or 5 days just do not justify such utilities, unless your in Gravesend of course - which holds the record for the hottest days.

An English summer is followed by autumn/winter, which really is about the same. Warm and cool days, more wet weather. Grey. Followed by more grey days. Winter dips down, almost 0°C (32 F) sometimes, but winters here are damp and humid, sinking deeply beyond the skin and into the bones. I find this worse than the dry winters of Toronto where the wind is the worst of it, usually an outer windproof shell is enough to hold in the layered warmth.

Warm to me is defined as 25°C (77 F), hot as 30°C+ (86 F), scorching as beyond 35°C+ (95 F). Below 20°C (68 F) is cool, below 10°C (50 F) is cold, and below 0°C (32 F) is freezing.

By my definition, summers in London are cool and warm (sometimes), grey, and rarely hot. This explains why the Mediterranean is such a popular destination for Brits. Sunshine makes you happy and feel good.

Half way through summer and still no sign of it in London, I read reports from friends in Toronto complaining about the heat - at least in Canada you get a summer.