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A&K Travel Group Staffs Up For Crystal Cruises Restart and More

• November 7, 2022

A&K Travel Group Ltd., which owns Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal Cruises and Cox & Kings, is staffing up, according to a press release.

“With our acquisition of two Crystal ships, we have been hard at work sourcing some of the industry’s finest talent to bring the iconic brand back to life,” said Cristina Levis, A&K Travel Group CEO. “We are also reorganizing and promoting from within the Abercrombie & Kent organization to respond to the dramatic post-pandemic growth in the luxury travel market.”

In alphabetical order:

Fabio Agostini recently joined the A&K Travel Group as Chief Information Officer. His mission is to design and implement an innovative information management system to connect customers and suppliers. He previously played a similar role at Silversea for many years, after working in business intelligence and customer relationship management.

As previously announced, leading the team rebuilding Crystal Cruises is Jack Anderson as President, who brings over 30 years of experience in the cruise and tour industries, having served in leadership roles at Seabourn, Carnival, Holland America and Windstar.

Kim R. Berman has been named Chief Legal and People Officer for the A&K Travel Group. She spent the last four years as the General Counsel and Senior Vice President, People & Culture at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, after serving as Silversea’s Group Counsel for almost 14 years. She will oversee all aspects of the legal and human resources departments.

Andrew Burrett in his role as Group Chief Financial Officer for A&K Travel Group, will also create and lead all Finance functions for Crystal Cruises. Prior to joining A&K last year, he spent the previous 15 years in global CFO roles, most recently for the Rubbermaid division of Newell Brands, and prior to that for Cable & Wireless Communications and Electrolux businesses for North and South America.

Fernando Delgado Vintimilla will take on the newly created position of Chief Product Officer, responsible for the conceptualization of what the guest experience should be at A&K-owned camps, lodges and riverboats. His hospitality background includes experience as a hotelier managing the “Best Luxury Hotel in South America” and serving as Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations for the Silversea expedition fleet.

Camille Drevillon was promoted to A&K Travel Group Chief of Staff, responsible for the strategic direction across A&K’s divisions and products. She previously led commercial strategy and itinerary planning for Hurtigruten, as well as serving as Corporate Treasurer and Head of Corporate Finance at Silversea Cruises. Prior to joining the travel industry in 2011, she worked in Investment Banking in the U.S. and the U.K.

Martin Froggatt has been named the Chief Destination Officer and will continue to head A&K’s Destination Management Companies and Sanctuary Retreats Camps, Lodges and Riverboats. Previously, under his leadership, the expeditions portfolio at Travelopia, which included Quark Expeditions and TCS World Travel, became market leaders through an unwavering focus on delivering the best customer experience.

Kerry Golds has been promoted to Chief Tour Operating Officer for the A&K Travel Group, responsible for all facets of tour operations across the company’s U.S., U.K. and Australian source markets. She joined A&K as Managing Director in the U.K. in 2013 and led the acquisition and integration of Cox & Kings into the A&K family. Kerry’s career spans 37 years in travel and tour operations, with a strong focus on the luxury segment.

“Travel professionals will be particularly interested in learning that Fernando Barroso de Oliveira will be joining the A&K Travel Group as Chairman’s and Brands Ambassador,” said Co-Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio. “He has worked at sea since 1975, most recently as Senior Cruise Director and Chairman’s Ambassador to the Venetian Society, Silversea’s loyalty program. In his new role, he will help raise awareness of the Crystal, Abercrombie & Kent, and Cox & Kings brands around the world, reinforcing our presence in current source markets and destinations, and exploring new opportunities.”

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Moscow Vacation Packages

Moscow vacations are always a great idea when it comes to traveling in Russia. Plan your trip to Moscow with a leading tour operator for Russia and enjoy the ease and pleasure that comes from it. You will stay at the centrally-located hotels, enjoy guided tours to Moscow's best sights with charming local guides, and, most importantly, feel relaxed and immersed in the Russian culture at all times. Wondering what the ideal way to see the best of Moscow is? Well, with a private tour to Moscow, of course! We will listen to your travel preferences and prepare a custom Moscow itinerary just for you. Let's start talking about your upcoming vacation to the gorgeous capital city of Russia.

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Explore the capital of the largest country in the world, Russia.

Learn about the most visited sights in Moscow that are worth adding to your Russian itinerary. Create a fantastic tour to Moscow with a destination, choosing your wished activities.

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Tips for Moscow Travel

Take a look at the good-to-know tips before visiting Moscow and have a fantastic time in the capital.

What to pack

Make sure to check the weather prognosis before your trip and pack accordingly.

When to travel

Moscow is beautiful all around the year. Choose traveling time according to preferred activities.

We suggest to always have some cash with you. You will need Rubles (RUB) for Russia.

How much to tip

Tipping is not required in Russia, but it's considered good etiquette, tip 10%-15% of your bill.

The average summer temperature is approx 18°C (64°F), and winter is around -6°C (22°F).

Some of the most popular souvenirs from Moscow are caviar, Krasnaya Moska perfume.

Best Moscow Sights

One of the highest points in Moscow and one of its most breathtaking places - the Sparrow Hills.

See the 344-feet Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the tallest Orthodox church in the world.

Enjoy masterpieces of Russian opera and ballet in Moscow's legendary Bolshoi Theater.

Being the most recognizable symbol of Russia in the world, Red Square is an absolute must see when in Moscow. 

The famous GUM is a large department store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s most famous artistic work of architecture set in the romantic Red Square.

History and luxury is revealed inside the Kremlin as the Armoury Chamber displays treasures like Faberge Eggs.

The symbol of Moscow and entire Russia, the Kremlin is often described as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Moscow Metro is like a whole underground city that holds the world's largest collection of Stalinist Art.

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I have been using the Firebirds (Travel All Russia) services for a while. I am very satisfied.

WOW. From the choice of hotels to...

WOW. From the choice of hotels, an itinerary that ran to plan, the amazing Guides and drivers, and of course the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for entry to museums, churches, and palaces.  I would gladly recommend using Firebird Tours (Travel All Russia) to anyone.

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I must say from the day I started to book my tip till the day I got home I had one GREAT trip and experience I always felt safe and cared for help was seconds away not that I needed any I will defiantly highly recommend your company to any traveler to Russia WELL DONE to the Whole team THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

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I’m most pleased with Travel All Russia in arranging our ‘Volga Dream’ Russia tour, I would recommend using your services again as every aspect of our tour went off without a hitch. The communication between our tour representative was excellent as we required additional days on both ends of our tour. The visa process and the logistics were flawlessly implemented.

We had a great time in Moscow!

Everything was perfect and we are very satisfied with services and accommodations.

Loved my time in Russia

The trip was great. Especially want to mention the guides I had on the extra days were exceptional. Both guides and drivers worked out well. Thanks again for all your help and attention. Loved my time in Russia, and still haven’t stopped talking about it.

Exploring Magnificent Russian Capitals, June 2017

Just want to say that our guide in St Petersburg was really outstanding. You really felt like someone was looking after you. Very observant - knowledgeable. We really enjoyed time spent with her.

Exploring Vibrant Moscow, June 2017

The experience was great!!! We had an excellent guide. The hotel was fabulous.

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• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

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A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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Biden to travel to North Carolina to meet with families of officers killed in deadly shooting

Police in North Carolina say a shootout that killed four law enforcement officers and wounded four others began as officers approached a home to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm.

Four officers trying to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and four other officers were wounded in a shootout in North Carolina. (April 30)

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings wipes away tears as he speaks at a press conference in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, regarding the shooting that killed four officers during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Debris surrounds a home, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, where a shootout between a suspect and officers occurred on Monday, in Charlotte, N.C. Police say a shootout that killed four law enforcement officers and wounded four others began as officers approached the home to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Debris covers the lawn of a home from Monday’s standoff with police in Charlotte, N.C. on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Police in North Carolina say a shootout that killed four law enforcement officers and wounded four others began as officers approached the home to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings pauses at a press conference in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, regarding the shooting of four officers during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings listens to a question during a press conference in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, regarding a shooting that killed four officers during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings leaves a press conference in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, regarding a shooting that killed four officers during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Rev. Raymond Johnson, of Marion, S.C., arranges flowers on the lawn of the home on Galway Drive in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 30, 2024 where a shootout between a suspect and officers occurred during an attempt to serve a warrant on April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden is expected to travel to North Carolina on Thursday to meet with the family members of four officers killed earlier this week in the deadliest attack on U.S. law enforcement since 2016.

The president is scheduled to visit Wilmington across the state that day and is planning to add a stop in Charlotte to meet with local officials and the families of officers shot Monday while serving a warrant, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The four officers were killed when a task force made up of officers from different agencies arrived in the residential neighborhood in the city of 900,000 to try to capture 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr. on warrants for possession of a firearm by an ex-felon and fleeing to elude in Lincoln County, North Carolina. Hughes was also killed.

Four other officers were wounded in the shootout, and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a 40-caliber handgun and ammunition were found at the scene. Those killed were identified as Sam Poloche and William Elliott of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Officer Joshua Eyer; and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks.

After the attack, Biden expressed his condolences and support for the community, calling the slain officers “heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us.”

“We must do more to protect our law enforcement officers. That means funding them – so they have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep us safe. And it means taking additional action to combat the scourge of gun violence. Now,” Biden said in a statement, calling on leaders in Congress to pass a ban on assault weapons, among other gun control measures.

Outside the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s North Tryon Division on Wednesday, Eyer’s patrol car was draped with an American flag and covered with flower bouquets from community members who stopped to pay their respects.

The department called the vehicle a “solemn tribute” and “visible reminder of Officer Eyer’s sacrifice and service,” in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Eyer’s memorial service is scheduled for Friday at a Charlotte Baptist church.

Also on Wednesday, a local police chief said that an officer from his force who was shot Monday underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. David W. Onley, the police chief of Statesville in the Charlotte metropolitan area, expressed condolences Wednesday and “unwavering solidarity with our law enforcement brethren during this difficult time,” according to a statement released by his office.

One of the four officers injured in the attack was Cpl. Casey Hoover of the Statesville Police Department, who served on the task force. He was shot in his upper torso — an area unprotected by his bulletproof vest.

Hoover was taken by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to a Charlotte hospital, where he underwent surgery. Onley said the officer, who has worked for the Statesville police for eight years, is now stable and is expected to make a full recovery and “exemplifies the bravery and resilience of our law enforcement community.”

Law enforcement officers were still investigating Wednesday, attempting to determine a precise timeline of events and whether Hughes acted alone or with a second shooter.

Hughes’ criminal record in North Carolina goes back more than a decade. It includes prison time and convictions for breaking and entering, reckless driving, eluding arrest and illegally possessing a gun as a former felon, according to state records.

The attack was the deadliest day for U.S. law enforcement in one incident since five officers were killed by a sniper during a protest in Dallas in 2016.

___ Miller reported from Washington.

CIA director may travel to Israel for more cease-fire and hostage negotiations

CIA Director William Burns may travel to Israel for more cease-fire and hostage release talks after holding discussions on Sunday in the Qatari capital, Doha, a source with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

Burns, whose schedule remained fluid amid uncertainty over the outcome of the talks, has emerged as a key figure in the negotiations. The CIA director had previously been in Cairo, where Hamas stated that cease-fire discussions concluded Sunday following “in-depth and serious discussions.”

The militant group reiterated key demands that Israel again rejected. After earlier signs of progress, the outlook appeared to dim as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  vowed to resist international pressure to halt the war.

Israel closed its main crossing point for  delivering badly needed humanitarian aid for Gaza  after Hamas attacked it. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed Hamas wasn’t serious about a deal and warned of “a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of  Gaza .”

Early Monday, the Israeli military urged civilians in eastern Rafah to evacuate. The southernmost Gaza city, on the border with Egypt, is where more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents now seek shelter from Israeli attacks.

Follow live updates here.

Israel didn’t send a delegation to the talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar. Egyptian state media reported that the Hamas delegation went for discussions in Qatar, where the group has a political office, and will return to Cairo for further negotiations on Tuesday.

A senior Arab negotiator directly involved in the talks with Israel and the United States said that the negotiations are not over and have not collapsed.

Separately, an Israeli official said that Burns' presence in the region was an indication that there are still ongoing discussions. Burns was in the Qatari capital Doha for talks on the subject yesterday.

However, another threat to talks came as Israel ordered the local offices of Qatar’s  Al Jazeera satellite news network to close , accusing it of broadcasting anti-Israel incitement. The ban did not appear to affect the channel’s operations in Gaza or the West Bank.

Netanyahu, under pressure from hard-liners in his government, continued to lower expectations for a cease-fire deal, calling the key Hamas demands “extreme” — including the withdrawal of Israel forces from Gaza and an end to the war. That would equal surrender after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that triggered the fighting, he said.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement earlier that the militant group was serious and positive about the negotiations and that stopping Israeli aggression in Gaza is the main priority.

But Israel’s government again vowed to press on with a military operation in Rafah, a key entry point for aid.

Kerem Shalom , now closed, is another. The Israeli military reported 10 projectiles were launched at the crossing in southern Israel and said its fighter jets later struck the source. Hamas said it had been targeting Israeli soldiers in the area. Israel’s Channel 12 TV channel said 10 people were wounded, three seriously. It was unclear how long the crossing would be closed.

The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, called for an independent investigation and “accountability for the blatant disregard of humanitarian workers.” He also said Israel this week denied him entry to Gaza for a second time.

The closing of Kerem Shalom came shortly after the head of the U.N. World Food Program asserted there was a  “full-blown famine”  in devastated northern Gaza, one of the most prominent warnings yet about the toll of restrictions on food and other aid entering the territory. The comments were not a formal famine declaration.

In expanded remarks as the full NBC News interview was released Sunday, WFP chief Cindy McCain said famine was “moving its way south” in Gaza and that Israel’s efforts to allow in more aid were not enough. “We need more ability to be able to get more trucks in,” she said. “We have right now a mass on the outside border, about enough trucks and enough food for 1.1 million people for about three months. We need to get that in.”

Gaza’s vast humanitarian needs put further pressure on the pursuit of a  cease-fire . The proposal that Egyptian mediators had put to Hamas sets out a three-stage process that would bring an immediate six-week cease-fire and partial release of Israeli hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack, and it would include some sort of Israeli pullout. The initial stage would last for 40 days. Hamas would start by releasing female civilian hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Netanyahu claimed that Israel has shown willingness to make concessions but said it “will continue fighting until all of its objectives are achieved.” That includes the stated aim of crushing Hamas. Israel says it must target Rafah to strike remaining fighters there despite  warnings from the U.S.  and others about the danger to civilians.

An Israeli strike Sunday on the al-Attar family house in an urban refugee camp near Rafah killed four children, including a baby, and two adults, according to Abu Youssef al-Najjar Hospital.

In a fiery speech for Israel’s annual  Holocaust memorial day , Netanyahu added: “I say to the leaders of the world, no amount of pressure, no decision by any international forum will stop Israel from defending itself. If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.”

The Hamas cross-border attack on Oct. 7 killed 1,200 people, and 250 others were taken hostage. Israel says militants  still hold around 100 hostages  and the remains of more than 30 others. Netanyahu is under growing pressure from some hostages’ families to make a deal to end the war and get hostages freed.

Israeli’s air and ground offensive has killed over 34,500 people, according to Palestinian health officials, who don’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but say women and children make up a majority of those killed.

Israel blames Hamas for civilian deaths, accusing it of embedding in residential and public areas. The Israeli military says it has killed 13,000 militants, without providing evidence to back up the claim.

Dan De Luce is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. 

Courtney Kube is a correspondent covering national security and the military for the NBC News Investigative Unit.

The Associated Press

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Everything You Need to Know About Stray Kids, the South Korean Boy Band Selling Out Tours Around the World

The Met Gala can always be relied upon to bring myriad musical favorites together on the red carpet (or, in this year’s case, the pre-Raphaelite-inspired green carpet ), but K-pop fans got an extra special treat this year with the debut attendance of popular South Korean boy band Stray Kids . Below, find everything you need to know about the group that scored a place on Time 's 2023 Next Generation Leaders list.

Who are the members of Stray Kids?

Stray Kids is composed of eight members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. (There was originally a ninth member of the group, Woojin, but he left Stray Kids in 2019 for undisclosed personal reasons.)

How did Stray Kids get their start?

Stray Kids has a very specific origin story: The group’s eight members were originally brought together through a South Korean reality survival show, also called Stray Kids , that aired in 2017. It followed the band’s members as they attempted to rise through the ranks of the now-saturated K-pop industry. They have come a long way since then; in 2023, they won the Best K-Pop Award at the MTV Music Video Awards, propelled in part by their avid fanbase, that goes by the name “ Stay .”

What is Stray Kids’ best-known song?

The now-internationally famous boy band’s most-streamed song (in the U.S., at least) is “God’s Menu,” which member Bang Chan described thusly to Billboard : “It wasn’t originally ‘God’s Menu’ that was supposed to come out [as a single], but we made the demo, and I remember Hyunjin’s reaction to it was like, ‘We should go with this one! Everyone listen to this!’ So we went with it, and then, bang! It exploded.”

By Hannah Coates

By Kui Mwai

By Nicole Kliest

How many albums does Stray Kids have out?

Stray Kids has released four studio albums (three Korean and one Japanese), four compilation albums, one reissue, 13 extended plays (10 Korean and three Japanese), two single albums, and thirty singles…all since officially forming a mere seven years ago. Generally, they are regarded as having a grungier, more rock-influenced sound than some of their K-Pop contemporaries.

Is this the first time a K-pop group has attended the Met Gala?

Far from it! While Stray Kids were first-timers in custom Tommy Hilfiger at the 2024 Met Gala, there’s plenty of K-pop precedent around their attendance; members of Blackpink attended the legendary fashion fete in 2021 and 2023 , and NCT star Johnny wore Peter Do to 2022’s Met Gala. It is, however, the first time that all members of a K-Pop group have showed up together wearing the same designer —in this case Tommy Hilfiger.

See All the Celebrity Looks From the Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet:

Met Gala 2024 : See Every Celebrity Arrival, Read the Latest Stories, and Get Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access Here

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Expedia Group Brands Back Online After Widespread Outages, Blames Maintenance Issues

Dennis Schaal , Skift

May 5th, 2024 at 3:07 PM EDT

Expedia Group websites from the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico, India and Dubai were experiencing outages.

Dennis Schaal

Many Expedia Group websites in the U.S. and other locations around the world were down Sunday afternoon Eastern Daylight Time for at least several hours.

In a statement to Skift late Sunday afternoon, Expedia Group tied the outages to site maintenance it conducted.

“We experienced technical issues on some of our sites over the weekend due to maintenance,” an Expedia Group spokesperson said. “Our teams quickly addressed the situation to bring our services back online.”

The company declined to provide further detail about the statement or to respond to additional questions.

Searches conducted early afternoon from New York, Puerto Rico and Dubai, for example, found Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Vrbo, Travelocity, Orbitz, Wotif, and eBookers — all Expedia Group brands—with notices on their desktop websites that the sites were unavailable.

Expedia.ca was down in Canada. Expedia and Wotif were not functioning in searches conducted from Portugal.

The outages were sporadic.

Vrbo, Hotels.com, Orbitz, Wotif and eBookers were down in India, but Expedia and Travelocity were up and running.

The outages began to be reported on social media at least as early as 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

The Expedia.com homepage message advised users to try use the app, “which may be available when the site is not.”

Here are some of the messages we saw on Expedia Group websites:

Expedia.com

The Expedia.com homepage stated: “Sorry! Our site is currently unavailable. We are working hard to fix the as soon as possible. In the meantime, try using our app; it may be available when the site is not.”

The Vrbo homepage stated: “Something went wrong on our end. We’re working to get things up and running soon. Check back shortly!”

As of late afternoon Sunday, several of Expedia’s X accounts had not given any indication of anything wrong to its customers.

Unanswered Questions

There are several unanswered questions about the outages. Why did maintenance take down so many websites?

Expedia Group last year completed a multiyear project to transition both Hotels.com and Vrbo onto the Expedia.com tech stack. There was no mention in the statement whether out outage was related to that platform migration.

Did the layoffs of so many of the employees who worked on the tech stack migration have a role in the outages?

Why did the outages affect so many of Expedia Group’s websites but not others such as Hotwire?

Were the outages global?

SEO consultant Michael Cottam tweeted about the outages early Sunday afternoon: “Wow, a bad day for OTAs! Both Expedia AND http://Hotels.com websites are totally down, and with different errors. At least http://Hotels.com has a “down for maintenance” message.”

Wow, a bad day for OTAs! Both Expedia AND https://t.co/8KHhbWDktx websites are totally down, and with different errors. At least https://t.co/8KHhbWDktx has a “down for maintenance” message. — Michael Cottam (@Michael512) May 5, 2024

Note: This story was updated to reflect an Expedia statement on the outages.

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Tags: ebookers , expedia , expedia group , hotels.com , hotwire , online travel newsletter , orbitz , outages , travelocity , vrbo , wotif

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The Strategist Guide to Making a Bed

The writers and editors at the Strategist spend a lot of their working hours thinking about bedding (testing mattresses , studying the difference between percale and sateen ). So it’s not terribly surprising that when it comes to their own beds, they’re a bit obsessive. Here’s how they style their duvets , quilts , shams , and unattractive orthopedic pillows.

Okay, if I were to walk into your bedrooms right now, what would I see?

Lauren Ro, writer: We have a king-size bed, and I top it with Company Store’s Premium Alberta Down Light Warmth Comforter . I change up the cover depending on my mood — I use a linen one from Parachute in dusk for a casual, lived-in look, and Snowe’s Percale Duvet Cover for a polished vibe. It has a border trim that makes it look a bit formal without appearing too fancy. For every setup, I use a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, two standard pillows, two king pillows, and two mini-shams with scalloped flanges.

Simone Kitchens, senior editor: I don’t like a sad-looking low duvet. Aesthetically, my bed needs to be pillowy, so I top mine with a Parachute Down Duvet that’s super-fluffy or Quince’s Premium Down Comforter . When either one is paired with my mauve percale duvet cover from Parachute , it stays lofty.

Liza Corsillo, writer: Contrary to almost everyone in this group, I’m not trying to create the perfect marshmallowy bed. I basically want it to look like a more modern take on a cozy spare bed in a grandma’s summer cottage. I prefer a flat and neat surface. I use linen fitted and flat sheets from MagicLinen with a coverlet or quilt on top. I rotate between two quilts from Schoolhouse, then sometimes in the summer I’ll use a linen duvet cover, also from MagicLinen , without anything in it.

Crystal Martin, senior editor: That’s what I do too. My apartment is too hot for a duvet, but I like buying duvet covers for styling purposes. I use them like blankets. I make up for the flat look with a ton of pillows . There are six on my queen bed. I have two Euro shams from Piglet in Bed and two muslin standards from Bluebell that are just decorative, and then the two that I sleep on.

Amelia Jerden, sleep writer: My bed might be the simplest. Fully made, it consists of either bamboo sheets by Ettitude or linen sheets by Parachute or sateen sheets by California Design Den ; an old quilt; and usually an extra-fuzzy blanket from Target, which I fold into quarters and lay at the end of the bed. I just have two pillows, one for me and one for my partner.

Are you partial to white bedding?

S.K.: I’ve moved away from it. It’s not easy to keep looking good, so my sheets are this beautiful olive, almost moss green. We just covered this brand in the Secret Strategist newsletter called Studio Sutram . It has beautiful pigmented sheets and duvets in solids, and you can build a tonal mono-color look with them.

L.R.: I’ve been liking the Bria sheets by Bella Notte . They’re sateen and supersoft. I have them in a deep purple called fig.

A.J.: My paisley quilt serves as a statement for the entire setup, so I keep the rest of it pretty simple. My sheets are either white or a sage green that matches the green in my quilt.

C.M.: I’m not afraid of patterns either. The Euro shams I mentioned are gingham, and the standards have an allover petite floral pattern.

Are your sheets tucked or untucked?

A.J.: I do know how to do hospital corners, but I am too lazy to do that on a regular basis. I usually just fold the top sheet over the quilt or hide it underneath.

L.C.: My sheets stay hidden too. I don’t tuck anything in. I really hate when the top sheet is tucked in and my feet feel trapped.

We have some orthopedic-pillow fans in the group. Do you display those on the bed?

S.K.: This is such a problem for me. I have two super-sculpted Tempur-Pedic pillows that are on the smaller side, but they look so bad in a regular pillowcase, so I hide them underneath king-size pillows. They sort of meet the flap of the duvet in a nice way. Nobody makes good Tempur-Pedic pillowcases.

C.M.: I also have embarrassing orthopedic pillows : There’s a cutout for my head.

L.C.: I have been getting really into quilted pillow shams. I have some vintage ones from Pottery Barn in navy blue with little ties, but the Pick-Stitch Handcrafted Cotton-Linen Quilted Shams it currently sells are similar and they camouflage any mess underneath. I also take a minute to throw on a tiny pillow with an embroidered sleeping cat on it at the very end.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments , rolling luggage , pillows for side sleepers , natural anxiety remedies , and bath towels . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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Arabian Travel Market 2024: Emirates receives Official Royal visit at its stand

Dubai, UAE, 6 May 2024:  Emirates, the Official Airline of the 2024 Arabian Travel Market (ATM), received His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group at its stand during the opening of the region’s largest travel and trade event.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed was officially welcomed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, who gave a tour of the airline’s latest products, including its popular Premium Economy seat.

Emirates’ full Premium Economy cabin experience was unveiled during the 2022 edition of the Arabian Travel Market, and is currently available on routes to 15 cities. This will expand to 16 cities in June, as a four-class Emirates A380 is deployed on flights to Osaka, and to 9 more cities by January 2025, as Emirates today announced the first destinations to be served with its new A350 aircraft which will also offer Premium Economy cabins.

Located in Sheikh Saeed Hall at ATM, Emirates' spacious stand accommodates up to 130 visitors. This year also marks the airline’s largest presence ever at a global travel exhibition.

More Information

About emirates.

The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.

We inspire travelers around the world with our growing network of worldwide destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service.

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