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Anadolu / Newark Liberty International Airport
If you’re thinking about flying out of Newark Liberty International Airport, you should definitely reconsider and fly out of LaGuardia or JFK.
Air traffic controllers in Philadelphia had to guide planes to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey after communications crashed.
CNN reports that controllers couldn’t see planes on radar scopes and couldn’t communicate with pilots for at least 90 seconds, a source close to the matter told the news outlet. According to the website, faulty copper wiring is blamed for the outage.
The outage forced many air traffic controllers to take leave for trauma as a direct result of the incident, and on top of that shortage of air traffic controllers only made matters worse.
Current Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy claims it was only 30 seconds and blamed New York Senator Chuck Schumer for what happened at Newark Liberty.
Yeah, that makes sense.
Per CNN:
The April 28 outage impacted information coming from radars located at a Federal Aviation Administration facility in Westbury, New York, where the air traffic controllers used to manage flights heading to Newark. Control over the airspace was transferred to Philadelphia in July. The radars are now operated using a remote line the source described as “a long extension cord.”
The outage was the result of a failure of that copper wiring that transmits information to Newark approach control, a separate source tells CNN. “There was some infrastructure breakdown related to how the information is relayed right now.”
Similar outages happened twice before, the first source notes.
Those earlier incidents were reported to the FAA safety reporting system and “adjustments were made,” which kept the systems stable until the most recent loss, they say.
Newark Liberty Is Not Safe
Travelers have endured a weeklong meltdown at the airport, resulting in hundreds of delays and cancellations.
According to one air traffic controller speaking with MSNBC correspondent Tom Costello, “it is not safe” to fly out of Newark Liberty International.
“He said, ‘It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public,” Costello said, referring to his conversation with the air traffic controller, which he described as “Really an incredible statement, unsolicited. He just said that to me, and separately: ‘Don’t fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs.’”
As of right now, United Airlines is offering customers free ticket changes to “passengers with travel plans to or from Newark between May 6 to 17, 2025.”
But if you’re in the New York/New Jersey area, your best bet is to fly out of JFK or LaGuardia.
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Cruise vacations offer relaxing fun on the high seas en route to visiting exotic destinations with hopes of creating vivid memories. Until the fights break out.
It’s not like the occasional argument that escalates into fisticuffs is relegated to one particular cruise line—and there are plenty, from Disney Cruise Line to Royal Caribbean International to Norwegian Cruise Line, and so and so forth. But oftentimes, at least according to footage on the Internets, when there is momentary anarchy onboard a ship, it usually goes down during a Carnival cruise. Respectfully.
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Case in point, recently, footage made it online of passengers from a certain cruise line throwing hands and feet. Newsweek reported that “dozens” of particants in a brawl found themselves banned on a “do not sail” list with the Carnival cruise line. Apparently, the universal beatdown occurred at the disembarkation point in Galveston, Texas. A couple of men in white seem to be the main combatants but then others join in. At one point, one man hits the floor and proceeds to get stomped out while security comes in to intervene—but really, it looked like the dudes doing the kicking just got tired.
But that’s right, folk caught the beats after the trip was over and they were on their way home. Talk about a welcome back.
Where they won’t ever be back, is on a Carnival Cruise. “So many of you wrote to me about an incident in the terminal building at the Port of Galveston involving a group of despicable, deplorable people,” said Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald in a statement online. “The people involved will, like anyone who is involved in any physical altercation with other guests, or our crew, never, ever be allowed to cruise with us again.”
With this in mind, check out more infamous Carnival beatdowns in the gallery.
1. Pizza Fade
A man claims he was minding his business looking for pizza when happened upon a brawl on a Carnival Cruise to Central America. We gotta hear both sides.
2. Wigs & Weaves
This battle on the high seas, reportedly on the Carnival Sunrise, featuring wigs and weaves, was allegedly sparked over a lounge chair. It couldn’t have been that comfortable beloved. Also it looks like a dude was wailing on a woman, which is bitchasness personified.
3. Another angle…
Still all bad.
4. ?
Who reallys knows what happened, but we know the venue. Respectfully.
5. South Pacific Smoke
This classic from 2018 features “security” being way too comfortable with the free kicks.
6. Respectfully.
7. Not A Flex
If we’re keep it a been, being proud of such behavior tracks.
8. Elevator Bank Brutality
We can’t confirm if this is or is not on a Carnival Cruise ship. We can confirm that son got mollywhopped.
9. Club Carnival
If the Coast Guard is involved, you’ve lose the vacation plot.
10. Not The Kids
Man alive. Where are the adults?
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If you’re itching for live music, there’s no place better than Las Vegas. From iconic residencies to revolutionary acts at the Sphere, concerts in Sin City have never been more exciting. If you’re looking for even more shows, the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton offers great opportunities to see your favorite artists without leaving the resort. With its acclaimed 4,500-person theater, a more intimate 24 Oxford venue and an outdoor Event Lawn, Virgin Hotel is staking its claim as the best stay for music fans in Las Vegas.
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First up, the Theater is a large 4,500-person venue that has been updated with bars, luxury suites and multiple VIP lounges for a more upscale feel. Shows can range from big country acts such as Grammy Award-winning artist Sturgil Simpson, to electrifying EDM shows from LSD DREAM and CloZee, to an Australian Pink Floyd cover band. There’s plenty of both legendary and groundbreaking artists gracing the hotel stage giving customers a deep list of shows to choose from.
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For a more intimate feeling, the 24 Oxford venue is another great option. Paying homage to Virgin Records’ humble beginnings on Oxford Street, this smaller venue spotlights artists on the rise. Dance the night away with DJ Prince and a slew of Afrobeats shows, relive your Hot Topic era with Emo Night, or slow things down with indie rock band Late Night Drive Home. If you’re looking to experience and discover more cutting-edge music, the 24 Oxford is for you.
Lastly, there’s the Event Lawn. Partly like you’re at Coachella at this outdoor 1,800-person venue that features firepits, birdcage seating, shrubbery and block walls that separate the space from the pool and restaurant area. On par with the other venues, the Event Lawn features a versatile lineup of musical acts including many early 2000s pop acts including Sugar Ray, LFO and Chris Kirkpatrick from *NSYNC. There’s also an electrifying Broadway show for Rock of Ages, performing covers of many hits that helped define the ‘80s.
At Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton, there’s something for every kind of music lover, and if that weren’t enough, the hotel is just a mile from The Strip for even more “what happens in Vegas” moments. On top of that, the hotel showers guests with many amenities, including a spa, outdoor pools, 24-hour gaming and a foodie’s paradise of restaurants. If you’re planning your next desert getaway, book a room at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton here.
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Seeing your favorite artist live can be a euphoric experience, but it also comes with high noise levels that are damaging to your ears. Exposure to loud environments can cause temporary to permanent ear damage, like tinnitus — even if it’s just a one time occurrence. Rather than succumb to prolonged ringing in your ears, concert earplugs brand Loop has released a sleek and luxurious pair of adjustable earplugs that let you control exactly how much noise reduction you want.
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Hearing is measured in decibels (dB) with anything above 85dB being the point of ear damage range, according to Chicago Hearing Services. Most concerts tend to range from 90dB to more than 120 dB the site reports, which means whether or not you regularly attend festivals and tours, your ears (if unprotected) can become overwhelmed and suffer some major damage.
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Loop’s Switch 2 lets you adjust the volume level between three settings depending on your desired noise level or type of environment you’re in. There are four metallic shades to choose from — black, green, gold or silver — offering an elevated take on the classic foam earplugs you have to twist and finagle into your ears. Plus, they’re reusable, meaning you don’t have to constantly invest in a new pack of concert earplugs, which will save you money over time.
Loop
Switch 2
With a pair of Switch 2, all that you need to do is take each earplug out of the included compact carrying case, choose what size earbud you need and place them in your ears. There are three modes you can pick from, including Engage for chatting with friends while reducing background noise; Experience, which will protect ears during concerts and gigs without sacrificing sound quality; and Quiet mode, which offers the most noise reduction for a more calming environment whether you’re commuting or sleeping.
Even professional DJs have given Loop their stamp of approval, with DJs Nostalgix and Oguz having used the brand at Tomorrowland 2024. ShopBillboard had the opportunity to review Loop’s Experience earplugs for the brand’s Tomorrowland collaboration and can attest that they’re not only effective at blocking out noise while maintaining crisp sound quality, but are also comfy for long time wear.
Reviewers also can’t stop raving over the Switch 2 claiming they’re “the most comfortable earplugs I’ve worn.” Having the ability to switch volume levels have been a game changer for shoppers who say, “I love being able to adjust the sound quality and volume for different circumstances without having to keep taking out and putting in earplugs constantly.”
For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best venue-approved bags, travel necessities and commuter gadgets.
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Desus Nice is taking his Bronx energy on the road. The media personality is working on a travel show for Amazon.
As spotted on Deadline, the New York City native is reportedly shooting a pilot for the streaming platform. The industry magazine says that the writer-comedian is working with Story Syndicate and Amazon MGM Studios on the project; if picked up, the series will run on Prime Video. On Wednesday (Oct. 9), he took to Instagram and made a nod to the project writing “New job alert.” While no other details about the show have been made available the travel format should be familiar territory to Desus Nice. Back in 2014, he appeared on Parts Unknown and gave the late great Anthony Bourdain a tour of the Bronx. The episode not only allowed him to shine a light on his hometown but gave many their first introduction to Desus Nice.
The man born Daniel Baker rose to fame during his Bodega Boys podcast run with his former partner The Kid Mero. From there Desus & Mero gained national popularity with their talk show on Viceland. In 2019, the series would transition to the Showtime network, which meant a bigger budget for production, but fans felt that there was something missing from the new iteration of the show. Desus & Mero would unfortunately part ways in July 2022. In an episode of 7PM In Brooklyn Mero explained a Draft Kings offer made him realized that their partnership wasn’t in a good place.
You can see Mero discuss their split below.
There was one extra Madonna in the Vatican recently.
One week after turning 66, Madonna gave fans a peek at her family trip to the Catholic Church headquarters via Instagram on Friday (Aug. 23). While in Rome, she snapped glamorous photos showing off a chic floral dress, hat and gloves, posing in front of the ancient Vatican City architecture and admiring some of the gorgeous marble statues and religious paintings immortalized on the walls inside the holy buildings.
“Arrivederci Roma!!!” she captioned the post. “a perfect ending to a Glorious Birthday Celebration with friends and family! … Ciao Italia!!!!”
The “Material Girl” singer also included a snap of her 11-year-old twins Estere and Stella wearing matching polka-dot dresses on the outing, as well as a photo in which she stands next to her rumored boyfriend, Akeem Morris. In the latter, Madge cools herself off with a delicate fan while the soccer player sports a white scarf as a veil over his head.
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The post comes nearly four months after Madonna wrapped up her Celebration Tour in early May, closing out a career-spanning showcase that kicked off later than expected due to the superstar being hospitalized in June 2023 for a bacterial infection. On the Fourth of July this year, the Queen of Pop reflected on her recovery in a heartfelt Instagram post, writing, ”A year ago today, I had just come home from the hospital after surviving a life threatening illness, I could barely stand in my backyard holding one sparkler.”
“I made a miraculous recovery and had an amazing year,” she added at the time. “Thank you God. Life is beautiful!”
Later that month, Madonna and her twin daughters walked the red carpet at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere in celebration of the icon’s 1989 hit “Like a Prayer” being used in the superhero film. In an interview with SiriusXM shortly before the premiere, the film’s star Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy opened up about the process of getting the song cleared for the project, which apparently involved a personal visit to Madge’s house.
“It was a big deal to ask for it and certainly a bigger deal to use it,” Levy recalled. “We went over and met with her and and sort of showed her how it was being used, and where, and why.”
“She gave a great note,” Reynolds added. “She watched it, and I’m not kidding, [she said], ‘You need to do this.’ And damn it, if she wasn’t like spot on.”
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Labor Day is right around the corner—mark your calendars for Monday (Sept. 2). If you’re traveling that weekend and need a new luggage set, consider adding this stylish pink Tripcomp two-piece luggage set to your cart. Originally priced at $199.99, you can now snag it for just $69.99. This set features a 14-inch carry-on and a 20-inch suitcase, both designed with a sleek hard shell exterior. According to the brand, this enhances durability, reduces weight, and helps endure rough handling during travel without significant damage. If that’s not enough, it’s also designed with multidirectional wheels for easy maneuverability in any direction. This makes navigating through the crowded airports a breeze without any effort needed.
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Whether you’re heading out for a quick trip or a longer adventure, this lightweight yet durable suitcase set makes it easy to get from one place to another. According to the brand, the handle is smooth and comfortable, so you can effortlessly roll your suitcase with ease wherever you go. You can get this luggage set in seven different colors: Black, Blue, Green, Light Blue, Olive Green, Orange, and Pink.
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Want free shipping on Walmart items? Join Walmart+ for free for the first 30 days. The membership includes free shipping and free delivery from your local store, free Paramount+ and so much more!
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Tripcomp Luggage Set 2-Piece Suitcase Set
If you’re still indecisive, check out the reviews. One Walmart customer said, “Needed a carry-on for a recent flight, and this set was perfect. Good storage capacity in the rolling case (including a zippered side and bungie straps), and the smaller case was perfect for holding all the little extras as a personal item. Color is also very nice.”
Another Walmart customer described this luggage set as “very light, easy to handle, and roomy.”
For more product recommendations, check out these travel-friendly Olay Face Cleansing Melts, the best makeup bags, and this CalPak Stevyn Duffel Bag to keep you organized.
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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Are you traveling this summer? Mini makeup is a travel essential for all beauty enthusiasts, offering ultimate convenience in size, easy […]