Travel
Italy Launches Probe After Bus With Foreign Tourists In Venice Plunges From Overpass, Killing 21
VENICE, Italy — Wednesday, Venetians paid their respects to the 21 foreign tourists murdered when an all-electric shuttle bus crashed through an overpass guardrail and fence and plunged more than 10 meters to the ground.
They had traveled this road many times and believed it to be secure, but they had now stopped to inspect the aging guardrail and rusty fence.
On Tuesday night, the one-year-old bus plummeted to the ground and landed upside down. The driver, aged 40, was one of the fatalities, and 15 persons were injured.
The driver, who had a spotless record, had just begun his shift shuttling tourists from Piazzale Roma, at the border of Venice’s renowned canals, to a four-star campground on the mainland that provided affordable lodging.
A video captures the city-owned bus leaving the frame as a larger bus continues along the elevated road behind it. Prosecutors claim the shuttle bus scraped the guardrail for at least 50 meters (yards) before its fiery collision onto a surface road opposite the train station in the Venetian borough of Mestre.
The guardrail was crushed to the pavement, and the front of the bus was entirely crushed.
“Inexplicable,” said Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who had driven over the flyover countless times. According to regional governor Luca Zaia, the circumstances indicated that the driver may have suddenly become ill.
Investigators anticipate that footage from the scene will reveal the nature of the incident.
There were five Ukrainians and one German among the fatalities. Alberto Rizzotto was identified as the Italian chauffeur. Two victims were minors. The remaining victims have not yet been identified.
At least four Ukrainians were among the casualties, along with a 3-year-old girl who suffered severe burns and tourists from Spain, Austria, France, Croatia, and Germany. Nine patients were treated for injuries in intensive care, including burns and fractures. Among the survivors were a young sibling and sister from Austria.
“They are still in what we call the shock phase, with confused memories, and in the state of agitation and confusion typical of a traumatic event,” said Rita Lorio, a psychologist at the main hospital in Mestre, one of five hospitals treating the injured. They are not yet at that stage of understanding what occurred.
The tourists are all believed to have stayed at the Hu Venezia Camping in Town, just a 15-minute drive from the shuttle bus’s pickup point at Piazzale Roma, at the edge of Venice’s renowned canals linked to the mainland by a bridge.
The collapse has shocked the two-thirds of Venetians who reside on the mainland. Wednesday morning, many paused to pay their respects while staring at the gaping guardrail and fence. A motorcyclist stopped to attach plastic blossoms to a post.
Wednesday, family members of the deceased and survivors began filtering into Venice from across Europe. Three days of mourning were proclaimed in the Veneto region, and flags were flown at half-staff during government business.
According to experts, the electric bus contributed to the massive conflagration and complicated rescue efforts.
The city of Venice is currently replacing its buses with electrified vehicles.
“I will never forget what I saw,” Brugnaro, the mayor of Mestre, told the Associated Press from his office in Mestre. “It’s impossible to convey what it’s like to see so many people crammed into a bus down there.
The city of Venice is currently replacing its buses with electrified vehicles. They were introduced several years ago on the city’s Lido island, and a limited number were added to the fleet in Mestre last year.
Brugnaro stated that the accident did not cause him to halt the city’s plan to upgrade municipal transport to less-polluting electric buses, even though it remains unclear what role the battery played in the subsequent fire.
He stated that the bus drove off the flyover. “It has nothing to do with the fact that it is electric.”
Wednesday, Gianni Amadeo, an 80-year-old retired musician, stopped in disbelief at a location he routinely passes between his home and storage garage.
“It took a scary flight,” he said of the bus’s descent before continuing, transporting supporters he will not need until next summer.
Godstime Erheneden was in his flat with a view of the bustling street when he heard a crash and ran outside. He was one of the earliest to board the bus.
Italy Launches Probe After Bus With Foreign Tourists In Venice Plunges From Overpass, Killing 21
“As soon as we walked in, we saw the chauffeur. He had died. I carried a woman out on my shoulders, and then a male,” Erheneden told il Gazzettino, a local newspaper.
“As the mother screamed,’ My daughter, my daughter,’ I returned inside. I observed a child who appeared to be two years old. My son, who is 1 year and 10 months old, is the same size as my daughter. I felt as though I were holding my firstborn. It was dreadful. I have no idea if she survived. “I believed she was still alive, but as soon as the rescuers arrived, they whisked her away,” Erheneden said.
Brugnaro stated that he had read Erhenden and his roommate’s actions. Both were identified as longtime Italian residents employed by the shipbuilding company Fincantieri. The mayor said he intended to locate them once the emergency had passed.
They sacrificed themselves to save these individuals. They are the true champions of our time,” he declared.
SOURCE – (AP)
Travel
Uncover Serene Luxury in Sälen Sweden
Sälen, nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Sweden, is a destination that blends outdoor adventure with serene luxury. Renowned for its stunning vistas and a range of activities that cater to every taste.
Sälen is the perfect getaway for those seeking a tranquil escape or an exhilarating adventure. Whether you’re swooshing down powdery ski slopes in the winter or exploring lush green trails in the summer, Sälen offers a unique experience for all.
Discover how to enjoy Sälen in style, from staying in a luxury cabin in Sälen to exploring the best activities the area has to offer.
Sälen’s Winter Appeal: A Skier’s Haven
When winter descends on Sälen, it transforms into a white wonderland that is perfect for skiing enthusiasts. The area is dotted with slopes suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. The crisp, clean air and well-maintained trails make for an unforgettable skiing experience. For those who prefer other winter activities, Sälen also offers opportunities for snowboarding, ice skating, and sleigh rides, ensuring that every winter day is packed with excitement.
Summer Adventures: Exploring Nature’s Bounty
Once the snow melts, the true diversity of Sälen’s landscape is unveiled. The lush greenery invites visitors to partake in hiking, mountain biking, and fishing. The extensive network of trails provides beautiful vistas and the perfect setting for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the natural beauty of this area. Summer in Sälen is vibrant with flora and fauna, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling city life.
Indulge in Local Flavors: Culinary Delights of Sälen
Sälen’s culinary scene is as diverse as its landscape. Featuring a mix of traditional Swedish cuisine and international dishes, the local restaurants pride themselves on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. From hearty stews to gourmet dining experiences, every meal in Sälen is a delight for the senses.
Choosing Your Perfect Stay in Sälen
Experiencing the Luxury of Sälen’s Cabins
For those who wish to immerse themselves in comfort and elegance, choosing to stay in a luxury cabin in Sälen can enhance your vacation experience. These cabins are designed to provide not just accommodation but a complete experience that blends seamlessly with the natural beauty of the surroundings. Equipped with modern amenities, these cabins offer a blend of rustic charm and contemporary luxury, making them perfect for those looking to relax in style.
Choosing the Perfect Sälen Cottage for a Genuine Local Experience
Renting a cottage in Sälen is a popular option for those looking for a more authentic experience. These cottages, ranging from quaint and rustic to modern and sophisticated, allow visitors to enjoy a more personalized and intimate connection with the natural setting of Sälen.
Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family retreat, there is a cottage to suit your needs, providing the perfect base to explore all that Sälen has to offer. For an authentic stay, consider how to hyra stuga Sälen to truly immerse yourself in the local environment.
Making the Most of Your Visit to Sälen
Activities and Entertainment
Sälen is not just about natural beauty; it also offers a variety of cultural and entertainment options. The local community hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating everything from music and art to local heritage and outdoor sports. Participating in these events can provide a deeper understanding of the local culture and add another layer of enjoyment to your visit.
Tips for a Memorable Sälen Vacation
Planning ahead can make your trip to Sälen even more enjoyable. Consider visiting during off-peak times to avoid crowds, especially if you prefer a quieter experience. Always check the weather and pack accordingly, as conditions can change rapidly in mountainous areas. Lastly, don’t forget to explore the local shops and markets for unique souvenirs to take a piece of Sälen home with you.
Conclusion: Discover the Unique Charms of Sälen
Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures or peaceful moments in nature, Sälen offers a diverse range of experiences that make it a top destination in Sweden. With luxurious accommodations like the luxury cabin in Sälen and authentic local cottages, every visit is sure to be as comfortable as it is exciting. Immerse yourself in the beauty and adventure of Sälen for a truly unforgettable escape.
FAQs About Visiting Sälen
Q1: What is the best time to visit Sälen for skiing?
The best skiing conditions in Sälen are typically from late November to early April, when the snow is plentiful and the slopes are in prime condition.
Q2: Are there pet-friendly accommodation options in Sälen?
Yes, many accommodations in Sälen, including some cottages and cabins, welcome pets. It’s always best to check with the accommodation provider beforehand.
Q3: What should I pack for a summer visit to Sälen?
For summer, pack light breathable clothing for daytime, a sturdy pair of hiking boots, and don’t forget a jacket for cooler evenings.
Q4: Can I find vegetarian or vegan food options in Sälen?
Yes, Sälen’s restaurants often cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Q5: How do I reach Sälen from Stockholm?
Sälen is approximately a 5-hour drive from Stockholm. You can also take a train or bus to the nearby cities and then a local bus or rent a car to reach Sälen.
Travel
Hyundai Has Begun Producing Electric SUVs At Its $7.6 Billion Plant In Georgia
Savannah, Georgia – Hyundai has begun building electric SUVs in Georgia, less than two years after breaking construction on its huge $7.6 billion manufacturing facility west of Savannah.
Hyundai’s Georgia factory enjoyed an “employee-focused celebration” Thursday when its first commercial EV rolled off the assembly line, according to Bianca Johnson, spokesperson for Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday.
“After validating its production processes to ensure its vehicles meet Hyundai Motor Group’s high quality standards, HMGMA has started initial production of customer vehicles ahead of schedule,” Johnson announced.
Hyundai Has Begun Producing Electric SUVs At Its $7.6 Billion Plant In Georgia
She stated that the Georgia facility will celebrate its grand inauguration in the first quarter of 2025.
Once the facility is fully operating, the South Korean automaker and battery partner LG Energy Solution intend to employ 8,500 people at the Bryan County location, which is located approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers west of Savannah). Hyundai has stated that it will make up to 300,000 EVs and battery packs in Georgia per year.
Johnson stated that the plant’s car manufacturing facilities have been completed and are staffed by about 1,000 workers. Its battery-making facilities are still under construction.
Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric SUVs will be manufactured in the Georgia plant for the first time in 2025. Johnson stated that the American-made EVs will arrive at dealerships in the United States before the end of the year.
Hyundai broke ground for their Georgia factory in late October 2022. It is the state’s largest economic development initiative to date, with the state and municipal governments providing a total of $2.1 billion in tax exemptions and incentives.
Hyundai Has Begun Producing Electric SUVs At Its $7.6 Billion Plant In Georgia
The Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed in 2022 with features aimed at combating climate change, contains a tax credit of up to $7,500 for EV customers, but only on cars manufactured in North America with domestic batteries. Though Hyundai executives argued that the law was unjust, Hyundai President and Global Chief Operating Officer Jose Munoz said it prompted the carmaker to push for an earlier opening in Georgia.
SOURCE | AP
Travel
After Reshaping Las Vegas, The Mirage To Be Reinvented As Part Of A Massive Hard Rock Makeover
LAS VEGAS — The Mirage will disappear from the Las Vegas Strip.
The famed tropical island-themed hotel-casino opened in 1989 with a fire-spewing volcano outside and Siegfried & Roy’s lions and dolphins within, will close its doors on Wednesday.
Frenzied final days have seen standing-room crowds wagering to win $1.6 million in slot machine progressive jackpot winnings that state regulations need to be distributed before the lights go off and the site is transformed completely.
The guest rooms are already unoccupied. The Beatles-themed Cirque du Soleil show “Love” ended its 18-year run earlier this month. When the gamblers go, only memories of former casino mogul Steve Wynn’s hotel, which revolutionized the casino resort sector, will remain.
After Reshaping Las Vegas, The Mirage To Be Reinvented As Part Of A Massive Hard Rock Makeover
“Las Vegas always reinvents itself,” said Michael Green, a history professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, whose father dealt blackjack for decades at casinos such as the now-demolished Stardust and Showboat. “The Mirage is no longer state-of-the-art.”
New Operators Hard Rock International and Florida-based Seminole Gaming intend to add 600 rooms to 3,044 in a bright new guitar-shaped hotel where the sidewalk volcano rumbles and gushes nightly. Renderings show guitar string-like beams rising from a purple 660-foot (201-meter) tower into the night sky.
“The Mirage was a transcendent property, changing the landscape of Las Vegas,” said Joe Lupo, The Mirage’s president, who will remain at the new resort. “We are confident that Hard Rock Las Vegas will do the same in 2027.”
There won’t be a demolition show like the now-demolished Tropicana casino hotel several blocks down the Strip. That 22-story building will be demolished later this year and replaced before 2028 by a baseball stadium that will serve as the home field for the relocated MLB Oakland A’s.
Some of the 127 employees who have worked at The Mirage since its inception planned to mark its end with Lupo; Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming; and Alan Feldman, a longtime MGM Resorts casino executive who is now a fellow at the gambling institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Feldman was Wynn’s initial spokesperson for the new resort.
“The doors opened to a crush of humanity, and it stayed like that for days,” Feldman recalled in an interview. “It’s difficult to describe how The Mirage transformed. One of the things was that Las Vegas expanded beyond Elvis, showgirls, round beds, and gambling.
It was more than just a gambling hall; it cost $630 million. It was the world’s biggest hotel at the time. Guests were greeted with a piña colada smell and two bronze mermaid statues on their way to the check-in desk, which featured a large shark and reef fish tank.
It boasted glamorous boutiques, celebrity-chef restaurants, and theater-sized showrooms featuring performers such as Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers, and Dolly Parton.
“Instead of neon, a garden of dozens of rich Canary Island palm trees and a cool refreshing waterfall,” Wynn said in a statement posted on Monday by his Las Vegas attorney, Donald Campbell. Wynn entitled it “An Homage to Lady Mirage.”
Despite competition from casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and the expansion of tribal gaming in California, Wynn stated that The Mirage was the first new hotel built in Las Vegas in years. Its completion resulted in a virtual doubling of resort capacity over the next decade, with more than 30,000 hotel rooms, making Las Vegas one of the fastest-expanding towns in America.
“To call The Mirage a catalyst would be an understatement,” Wynn said.
New resorts 2000 included Excalibur, Luxor, Treasure Island, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Venetian, and Paris Las Vegas. Many were funded using Wall Street bonds. Wynn purchased and demolished the 50-year-old Desert Inn to construct and operate his eponymous Wynn Resort in 2005.
Wynn, now 82 and residing in Florida, paid a $10 million punishment to Nevada casino authorities last year and severed connections with the business he helped define to resolve a years-long legal battle sparked by newspaper revelations in 2018 that he sexually harassed or abused several women at his hotels. He has consistently refuted the claims against him.
After Reshaping Las Vegas, The Mirage To Be Reinvented As Part Of A Massive Hard Rock Makeover
Feldman described The Mirage’s architecture as “an unusual and unexpected place, where people wondered, ‘How do you have all this in the middle of the desert?'”
Bo Bernhard, head of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute, investigates the emergence of the “fun economy” worldwide. He claimed that the Mirage provided Las Vegas with an exportable commodity, similar to Detroit automobiles, and established a precedent for resort building in Singapore and Sydney.
The Seminole Tribe purchased the Hard Rock brand in 2007, becoming the first Native American operator in the lucrative and competitive Las Vegas Boulevard sector. The tribe also runs seven casinos in Florida and controls the Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos chain, which has locations in 76 countries. 2016, it obtained the naming rights for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
An off-strip former Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas was owned independently. In 2018, a company led by billionaire Richard Branson, creator of the Virgin Company, paid approximately $500 million to buy the hotel-casino from a Toronto investment behemoth. It underwent renovations and reopened in 2021 as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
SOURCE – (AP)
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