Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN ... AGAIN! A 747 jumbo jet, on its way from the U.K. to Florida, had to be diverted to Iceland over the weekend when the crew found anti-American messages and a bomb threat written on a mirror in one of the plane's lavatories. Published reports indicate that the Virgin Atlantic Airways plane landed near the Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik about six hours after taking off from London's Gatwick Airport. Advertisement Police in Iceland confirm that one of the phrases scrawled on the mirror was: "All Americans must die." There were 322 passengers and a crew of 18 on board the flight, which was bound for Orlando. Passengers, after deplaning, were searched and put up for the night, before continuing on to Florida. FEDS ASK 'TERROR TRAINING' FOR FLIGHT CREWS Even though that incident aboard the London-Orlando plane did not end in violence, the recent concerns about safety in the air have caused some on Capitol Hill to propose a system in which flight crews would receive anti-terrorist training. Published reports indicate that in what can only be called a major departure from earlier mandates, the FAA is now planning to recommend that flight attendants receive self-defense training. Advertisement An FAA spokesman is quoted as saying that "in any hijacking attempt, the flight crew needs to get the flight on the ground as soon as possible, to minimize the opportunity for hijackers to commandeer the plane." No specifics were released, but if and when such a plan is announced, it is likely that the airlines would have 60 days to comply. By the way, because of the perceived safe atmosphere on board planes, in recent years flight attendants have been given a minimum of first aid and other such training. This is a far contrast to the first days of flight when stewardesses had to be registered nurses before being considered for airline service. AWARDS SHOW PRESENTERS GET LAVISH GIFTS You would think that being asked to hand out an Oscar or a Golden Globe would be reward enough for any personality ... the international media exposure and all that goes with it. But, according to ABC News, the already wealthy hander-outers of the awards are often given bags of expensive gifts, in addition to being given a shot in front of the cameras. At this year's Golden Globes, for example, the gift bags included nearly $2,000 worth of stuff. Among the items: His and her luxury wristwatches ($1,300); two first-class plane tickets; an ornate bottle stopper ($250); Microsoft's new X-Box game system; a certificate to a spa; a customized sculpture; restaurant meals and a host of other trinkets. Advertisement You think that's a great way to say "Thanks?" Well, at next month's Grammys presenters will receive more than $15,000 in gifts ... each! TALK ABOUT AN EVACUATION! Half a million people displaced. Sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but it's happening in the Congo. The United Nations says that lava is now flowing through the center of the once-bustling Congo city of Goma. Nearly 50 people have died, swept up in the white-hot liquid rock or the resulting fires and building collapses. The lava flow is more than 130 feet wide and has come from the eruption of Mount Myiragongo, more than 12 miles away. There have been a dozen earthquakes in the area, as the result of the eruption. More than 500,000 people have fled for their lives to neighboring regions and areas of higher ground. The eruption and ensuing panic has been one of the most dramatic in recent history.
