Mexico City: One Of The Best Destinations For Celebrating Pride

As Pride Month kicks off worldwide, Mexico City stands out as a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming destination for celebrating LGBTIQ+ pride. Known for its rich cultural heritage, dynamic arts scene, and warm hospitality, Mexico City offers an unparalleled experience for all visitors, making it a perfect place to honor love, diversity, and equality.

A Hub of Inclusivity

Mexico City is celebrated for its progressive stance on LGBTIQ+ rights and its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment year-round. The city's diverse neighborhoods, from the bustling historic center to the trendy Roma and Condesa districts, are known for their acceptance and support of the LGBTIQ+ community. This inclusivity is evident in the numerous LGBTIQ+-owned businesses, inclusive nightlife, and a wide range of events and activities that celebrate diversity.

In fact, since 2019 Secretaria de Turismo CDMX, the Mexico City Secretary of Tourism, has carried out important actions and campaigns to develop, promote, and position the LGBTIQ+ segment, positioning the city as a world center for encouraging inclusivity and discrimination-free tourism.

The city obtained the Queer Destinations certification, which aims to ensure respect for people's rights in terms of accessibility, equality, inclusion, and diversity. Mexico City has also earned the Best Urban Destination Award for the second consecutive year, highlighting its commitment to LGBTIQ+ tourism.

Pride Parade 2024: A Spectacular Celebration

One of the highlights of Pride Month in Mexico City is the annual Pride Parade, which draws millions of participants and spectators from around the world. The parade is a vibrant display of unity, with colorful floats, dynamic performances, and an atmosphere of joy and solidarity. Starting at the iconic Angel of Independence and culminating at the Zócalo, the city's main square, the parade is a testament to Mexico City's dedication to LGBTIQ+ rights and its vibrant culture.

We demand to live with dignity!” is the motto of the Colectiva de Organizaciones Civiles (Civil Organizations Collective) who announced that the event will take place in Mexico City on Saturday, June 29. Let us remember that for 46 years, it has been celebrated on the last Saturday of June.

But the parade is just the beginning when it comes to the tapestry of events that take place across the city.

Starting from June 20, the city will kick off the Festival Mix Mexico. Nearly LGBTIQ+-themed films are part of the showcase that will be exhibited in the city. The opening takes place at the Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris, featuring a screening of the film, "Todo el silence," (All the Silence).

High Heel Race: This fabulous event, held June 22, invites everyone to don their best stilettos to participate in the High Heel Race, taking place from the intersection of Sonora and Durango streets in Roma to Parque Espana. A participation fee of 200 pesos is required and the proceeds will go to Inspira Cambio A.C., an organization that supports LGBTIQ+ individuals' sexual and mental health needs.

LGBT Cup 2024 in Mexico City: This year's Copa LGBT will take place from June 27 to 30 at Ciudad Deportiva de la Magdalena Mixhiuca. The competition includes tennis, soccer, basketball, diving, swimming, Olympic wrestling, and many other sports. It is expected to draw more than 2,000 athletes from different states across Mexico. There will also be a five-kilometer nighttime race on Paseo de la Reforma, which kicks off on June 28 at 6 p.m.

Latin American Pride 2024: Latin American Pride 2023 will remain in the city’s memory forever, which is why CDMX invites everyone to attend Latin American Pride 2024 on June 27. The promise is a bigger and more spectacular pride celebration than last year.

Groove City Pride: Groove City presents a night filled with music, color, and community to celebrate diversity and love in all its forms. Expect DJs from the Mexican scene playing the best of house, afro house, and tech, along with drag shows, exclusive Groove City merchandise, and local artists. It’s an inclusive and safe environment where attendees can be themselves and celebrate with pride. Get ready to dance all night on the terrace with the best view of Reforma at this dynamic PRIDE party on June 29th.The event will run from 7:00 p.m. on June 29th to 12:30 a.m. on June 30.

Sáfica Party and Lesbian Sunset: Also on June 29, in collaboration with Fiesta Sáfica and Lesbian Sunset, CDMX is offering a unique experience at one of the city’s most exclusive Polanco venues. With two stages and a variety of performances, Bian’s party promises to be the best night for women and non-binary individuals.

ELLA CONECTA SUMMIT: ELLA CONECTA is an international network of diverse professional women. Its goal is to connect, inspire each other, create business synergies, and empower LGBTQ+ women. They provide spaces to showcase women’s projects, collaborate on joint initiatives, and offer inspiration by sharing life experiences. This year's summit will be held June 27 and 28.

A Year-Round Inclusive Destination

While Pride Month is a special time, Mexico City's commitment to inclusivity extends throughout the year. The city hosts a variety of LGBTQ+ events, including film festivals, art exhibitions, and cultural festivals, ensuring that there is always something exciting happening. Additionally, the city's progressive policies and strong support networks make it a safe and welcoming place for LGBTIQ+ travelers at any time.

Join Us in Celebrating Pride

Mexico City invites everyone to join in celebrating Pride and experience the warmth, diversity, and vibrancy that makes it a standout destination. Whether you are marching in the parade, exploring cultural landmarks, or enjoying the lively nightlife, Mexico City offers an unforgettable Pride celebration that reflects its spirit of inclusivity and love.

For additional information, please visit https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/

Southwest Named The Leader In Economy Class Customer Satisfaction By J.D. Power For Third Year In A Row

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) has been recognized for its unwavering commitment to Customers by receiving top honors and the leading Economy Class Customer Satisfaction distinction in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airline Satisfaction Study1 for a third consecutive year. This study measures passenger satisfaction among North American carriers based on performance across seven core dimensions of customer experience.

"Our Customer-friendly and industry-leading policies allow our People to deliver the Legendary Customer Service and warm Hospitality they're famous for," said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. "It's a true testament to our Employees, and an honor, to be recognized three times in a row as the Leader in Economy Class Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power."

Southwest Airlines® scored the highest in all seven study dimensions including Day of Travel Pre/Post-Flight Experience, On-Board Experience, Ease of Travel with Airline, Digital Tools, Value for Price Paid, Level of Trust with Airline, and Airline Staff. The 2024 study is based on responses from 9,582 passengers who have flown on a major North American airline within the past month of completing a survey. The study was fielded between March 2023 and March 2024.

"This recognition underscores our commitment to our Customers," said Tony Roach, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President & Chief Customer Officer. "Our product offerings, unrivaled flexibility, and world-class Hospitality give Customers more value for their money and drive industry-leading loyalty."

This distinguished honor comes on the heels of Southwest® being recognized with a No. 1 ranking on Newsweek's 2024 America's Best Customer Service list in the Airlines and Low-Cost Airlines subcategories; being named to Newsweek's America's Most Responsible Companies list for the second year in a row; and listed on Fortune World's Most Admired Companies™ 2024 list2.

Southwest offers Customer-friendly policies with no bag fees3, no change or cancel fees4 on any fare, and travel funds that never expire. The carrier's plans to improve the Southwest Customer Experience continue with several modernization efforts already implemented, and many more on the horizon. In 2022, Southwest announced its two billion dollar plan to modernize the Customer Experience with upgrades on everything from improved self-service options; to onboard enhancements; and the carrier's award-winning Rapid Rewards®5 program and since then have:

New Digital Features: Delivered a robust portfolio of easy-to-use digital features with real-time information for Customers including Digital Bag Tracking and Online Baggage Check-In; Same-Day Standby6, as well as new internal tools enabling Employees to better serve Customers more efficiently.

Upgraded WiFi7: Completed upgrades of WiFi equipment fleetwide at the end of 2023 to offer an enhanced inflight internet browsing experience with more bandwidth and faster data, keeping Customers connected to what's important to them.

In-seat power ports & larger overhead bins: Outfitted USB-A and USB-C power ports and larger overhead bins on all new 737 MAX 8 (MAX 8) aircraft delivered to Southwest. Additionally, these features will be added to existing MAX 8 and 737-800 aircraft, a process that is anticipated to be completed over the next several years.

Rapid Rewards: Announced enhancements to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® program designed to make it easier for Customers to earn tier status; added new premium drink benefits for A-List Preferred Members8; launched Cash + Points9, allowing Customers to redeem a combination of points and eligible forms of payment for flights; and now Customers can redeem Rapid Rewards points, or use a combination of cash and points, on hotel bookings.

For more information on the carrier's modernization efforts, visit Southwest.com/experience.

United Airlines Resumes Flights To Israel, Delta Follows Suit For First Time Since Oct 7

Delta Airlines and United Airlines have resumed flights to and from Israel for the first time since the October 7 Hamas terror assault and subsequent war in Gaza.

United Airlines resumed its Newark-Tel Aviv service on Thursday, with daily flights that, according to reports, it hopes to increase to twice-daily later in the month.

The airline briefly renewed flights in March, only to suspend them again a month later due to Iran’s unprecedented direct attack on Israel.

Following suit a day later, Delta Airlines has now resumed its direct flights to Israel, which will depart once a day from New York’s JFK airport.

The route will be flown on an Airbus A330-900neo, allowing for close to 2,000 people to travel with the airline to Israel each week.

“The decision to resume the route on June 7, 2024, which was temporarily suspended in October 2023, follows an extensive security risk assessment by the airline,” the airline says. “Delta continues to closely monitor the situation in Israel in conjunction with government and private-sector partners.”

https://www.timesofisrael.com/

Travelore News: German Tour Operator FTI Is Filing For Insolvency And Canceling Future Trips

German tour operator FTI said Monday that it is filing for insolvency protection from creditors, and trips that haven’t yet started will be canceled or scaled back.

FTI Group, which describes itself as Europe’s third-biggest tour operator, said parent company FTI Touristik GmbH, was filing an application for the opening of insolvency proceedings at a Munich court.

Since an announcement in April that a consortium of investors would come on board, “booking figures have fallen well short of expectations despite the positive news,” the company said in a statement.

“In addition, numerous suppliers have insisted on advance payment,” it added. “As a result, there was an increased need for liquidity, which could no longer be bridged until the closing of the investor process,” making the insolvency filing a legal necessity.

The operator said it is working to ensure that trips that have already started can be completed as planned, but “trips that have not yet begun will probably no longer be possible or only partially possible from Tuesday.”

A support website and hotline were set up for customers affected.

The Munich-based FTI Group has over 11,000 employees.

AP

Lufthansa Announces Year-Round Flights From Munich To Vancouver Beginning With Upcoming Winter Schedule

Various enhancements and exciting changes will occur during Lufthansa’s upcoming 2024 winter flight schedule. Increased capacity will be brought to Canada’s west coast in the winter season with new, year-round service between Munich and Vancouver. Flight LH476 will depart Vancouver at 12:20pm and land in Munich at 1:50pm, the following day. All times are local. This route will be served with an Airbus A350 on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Canadians on the west coast will now be connected to the heart of Bavaria on a year-round basis.

Enhanced routes around the world

In the upcoming winter flight schedule, Lufthansa will also be flying to further destinations with its new premium Allegris cabin product. In addition to Shanghai and San Francisco, which will already offer the new product this summer, Lufthansa will introduce Allegris service on flights to and from Bangalore, India and Cape Town, South Africa.

Furthermore, the largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, continues to thrill fans all over the world while increasing capacity on popular routes. Lufthansa guests will be able to experience the double-decker aircraft at three destinations this coming winter: From Munich, it will fly to Los Angeles, Bangkok, and Delhi.

Back to Brazil

Lufthansa passengers can once again travel non-stop from Munich to South America. Beginning December 9, an Airbus A350 will fly to Sao Paulo, Brazil on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. LH504 will depart from Munich at 11:45 a.m. and arrive in the Brazilian metropolis at 8:15 p.m. local time.

Cunard Names City Of Liverpool as Godparent Of Queen Anne With Five Liverpudlian Icons

Cunard is excited to announce the City of Liverpool as Godparent of its newest ship Queen Anne in recognition of the long-lasting bond with its spiritual home.

Liverpool was the birthplace of Cunard with its first transatlantic crossing departing 184 years ago in July 1840, and it was the company's headquarters for 128 years. The love and affection the people of Liverpool still have for all things Cunard is clear – never more so than when a Cunard ship arrives on the Mersey.

This is highlighted by two of the largest crowds ever to gather for a maritime event – a million people for QE2 in 1990 and over a million for the Three Queens Salute in 2015. This was also the year when Cunard was awarded the honor of The Freedom of the City.

On behalf of the City of Liverpool, the luxury cruise line has selected five distinguished Liverpool icons* to represent the city and officially name Queen Anne.

These distinguished women, who embody the heart and future of Liverpool, just as Queen Anne does for Cunard, have been chosen for their significant contributions to culture at a local, national or international level.

All proud Liverpudlians, they are Spice Girl and author Melanie C, broadcaster and community leader Ngunan Adamu, local restaurant entrepreneur Natalie Haywood, Liverpool music and cultural legend Jayne Casey, and British Olympian heptathlon athlete Katarina Johnson-Thomson.

Queen Anne Naming Ceremony

Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather along the waterfront to witness the time-honored naming ceremony, a tradition believed to bestow good fortune upon the new vessel.

The proceedings will open with a performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra before event hosts, Matt and Emma Willis, take to the stage to oversee the ceremony.

The icons will join Cunard President, Katie McAlister, and Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge for a special naming ceremony, where they will officially introduce the most beautiful ship at sea to its spiritual home, continuing the seafaring tradition by smashing a bottle of champagne against the 249th ship to carry the Cunard name.

Formal proceedings will conclude with a stunning performance by operatic superstar Andrea Bocelli, including his iconic song 'Time to Say Goodbye'.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: "Liverpool is the spiritual home of Cunard, and we are therefore delighted and feel it very fitting that the City of Liverpool is the godparent to Queen Anne. It is a testament to the enduring relationship that connects Cunard and the city in which it was founded to the present day when we officially named our new ship on the Liverpool Waterfront, in front of the Cunard Building. We are equally delighted to have our five chosen Liverpool icons represent the city in the ceremony. All remarkable in their own right, they have inspired generations and collectively capture the essence of the city that has shaped global culture."

Andrew Lewis, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council said: "It's an incredible honour for the City of Liverpool to be chosen as the Godparent of Queen Anne. This city shares a treasured bond with Cunard dating back to 1839 when we were the original home of the world-famous line. The naming ceremony was a magnificent showpiece that once again cast Liverpool into the limelight, and we are so proud to be forever entwined with Queen Anne as she sails the world. We will always cherish our long-standing relationship with Cunard."

For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Advisor, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com.

NYC Congestion Pricing Start Date Postponed Indefinitely, Sources Say. Here's Why.

New York City's congestion pricing start date is postponed indefinitely due to concerns from Gov. Kathy Hochul, sources tell CBS New York.

The new tolls were scheduled to start on June 30 -- less than a month away.

Sources tell CBS New York the governor is concerned about how the toll will impact economic recovery in Midtown, Manhattan, as inflation remains high in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Eric Adams was asked about the delay at an unrelated event Wednesday morning.

"We have to get it right, we have to make sure that it's not an undue burden on everyday New Yorkers, we have to make sure that it's not going to impact our recovery," he said. "If she's looking at analyzing what other ways we can do it and how we do it correctly, I'm all for it. We have to get it right. This is a major shift in our city and it must be done correctly."

The governor's office did not respond to CBS New York's request for a comment. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it has no comment at this time and directed us to reach out to the governor's office.

It's unclear if the state Legislature will be able to come up with another source of funding for the billions of dollars the MTA hopes to receive from the tolls. There's also the question of whether federal approvals will run out, if the plan doesn't start on time.

The Riders Alliance released a statement earlier Wednesday morning, calling a delay an "outrageous betrayal of our trust."

"New York City public transit riders gave Governor Hochul her margin of victory in the 2022 election. Stopping congestion pricing before it even starts would be an outrageous betrayal of our trust," the statement read. "Congestion pricing is the only public policy that can make our subway more reliable and accessible, speed up slow bus service, and help clear the air as wildfire smoke thickens. Governor Hochul must turn it on June 30 as planned."

Hochul previously voiced her support for congestion pricing, saying it's expected to result in less air pollution, lower carbon emissions and fewer crashes. She also said the money would be "transformative" for the MTA.

NYC congestion pricing map shows the zone

Manhattan's Congestion Relief Zone starts at 60th Street and heads south to include the Lincoln, Holland and Hugh L. Carey tunnels on the Hudson River side, and the Queensboro Bridge, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge on the East Side.

People who live within the zone will only be charged if they leave and come back, and some roadways, like the FDR Drive and West Side Highway, will be excluded, as long as vehicles stay off the city street grid.

The MTA was scheduled to hold a series of congestion pricing webinars starting Wednesday morning, but it appears those have been postponed, as well.

So now when does congestion pricing start?

Congestion pricing was supposed to start at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 30.

New York City would be the first in the nation to implement such a toll. It's now unclear when it will take effect.

June 30 also happens to be the annual Pride March in Manhattan and leads into the Fourth of July holiday week.

How will congestion pricing work in NYC?

Under the plan, drivers will be charged to enter Manhattan at or below 60th Street. Fees will be highest during peak hours, which are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

For drivers using E-ZPass, passenger and small commercial vehicles will pay $15 during peak hours, motorcycles will pay $7.50, and trucks and buses will pay $24 or $36 depending on size.

Some discounts and exemptions will be available, including the Individual Disability Exemption Plan for those who are unable to use mass transit due to medical conditions.

Officials say the goal of congestion pricing is to reduce traffic and improve air quality in Manhattan. The money raised from the plan will be used for mass transit projects and upgrades.

However, the plan has faced significant pushback, including multiple lawsuits in New Jersey and New York.

https://www.cbsnews.com/team/katie-houlis/