5 Stories to Read This Weekend: July 26, 2014

By Karin Sun on 26 July 2014
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As we head into another weekend, let us take a look back at some of the most engaging news and features from the past week.  Here are five stories that will keep you entertained en route to your weekend getaway:

1.) The winners of the 2014 GlobeRunner Awards were announced at a ceremony in New York City on Tuesday.  This year, attendees were treated to such Viennese specialties as Wiener Schnitzel and Sacher Torte and the Vienna Philharmonic, as Jonathan Spira presented the awards to this year’s top travel companies.

2.) Shannon McClatchey enjoyed a relaxing stay at the House Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.  A quiet oasis for those who wish to get work done, the hotel offers a delicious buffet breakfast and access to various upscale shops and cafés in the charming Nisantasi neighborhood.

3.) Jonathan Spira flew in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic from New York to London.  He enjoyed every moment of the experience, from the pre-departure massage at the Virgin Clubhouse to the seats that flip over into comfortable beds.

4.) Jeremy Del Nero reviewed the SmartThings’ Know and Control Your Home Kit, a home automation starter pack that allows users to automate control of lighting, doors, appliances, and other devices in their homes.  While he was impressed with the kit’s range of abilities, he also reports that it could be a bit more user-friendly.

5.) Karin Sun takes a stroll through the picturesque but haunted city of Warsaw.  Join her as she takes in the sights of the Old Town, dines at a traditional Polish restaurant, and learns about the city’s dark and turbulent past in our guide to what’s doing in Warsaw.

Since it was another eventful week, here are a few more news stories that you might want to take a closer look at this weekend:

The Federal Aviation Administration lifted its ban on flights from the United States to Tel Aviv on Thursday.  The ban had been put into effect earlier in the week after a Hamas rocket hit a target near Ben Gurion International Airport.

Another tragic air travel-related incident occurred this week when TransAsia Airways Flight 222 crashed off the western coast of Taiwan on Wednesday.  The plane, which was carrying 54 passengers, crashed while attempting to land at Magong Airport in the Penghu Islands.

Finally, a group of regional airline pilots is calling for a sickout over Labor Day weekend.  Using the website pilotstrike.com, the organizers are encouraging regional pilots to call in sick between September 1 and 5 in order to protest their low pay and benefits.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)

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