Early-bird: 4* Malta all inclusive winter escape 5nts from £275pp - incl. spa hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! Check out this rather gorgeous spa escape to Malta that we found giving you 5 nights (longer durations possible) of all inclusive bliss at the well-renowned, Travellers' Choice awarded 4* db San Antonio Hotel & Spa resort slap bang in picture pretty St. Paul's Bay. This holiday is available all season with the… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Spring into Dubrovnik: 2019 B&B week from £438pp incl. 5* hotel w/ cave bar & flights

At Pirate HQ we always get a bit excited when we find a hotel that fuses luxury with quirky styles and features. Which is why we think you should pack your bags and head out to Dubrovnik, Croatia with your favourite shipmate and stay in the 5* Hotel More. Not only does this luxurious accommodation… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Bargain Berlin: 2nt city break from just £79pp - incl. flights & well-located hotel

Party pirates, it's time to join the cool kids with a trip to Berlin! We're eyeing up a stay at Motel Plus Berlin, well situated in Neukolln - the trendiest neighbourhood of Europe's trendiest city! Book this package over at Expedia and your flights are included, along with ATOL protection. The cheapest time to getaway… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Solo autumn sunshine: 7nt Sunny Beach break from £190 - incl. 4* hotel, breakfast & flights

For true relaxation, get away from it all (and everyone else) with a solo trip! Our Holiday Finder is offering some great rates on solo getaways to gorgeous Sunny Beach. With this deal you'll be staying at the 4* Ivana Palace, with breakfast and flights also included. The cheapest options are towards the end of… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ibiza from £95pp: Escape for 4 nights - incl. flights & self catering apartment for 2-4 share

According to a recent survey, more HolidayPirates users plan to travel in off-peak months like September and October than peak summer season this year. So we know you'll love this late season break to Ibiza that comes in at under £100 per person, based on 4 people sharing. It includes 4 nights in self-catering apartments,… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

La La Land: Direct Los Angeles flights from £305rtn with British Airways/American Airlines

Pirates, join the superstars in Hollywood with these direct flights to Los Angeles that we spotted in our Flights Finder! Flights are with British Airways/American Airlines (or Thomas Cook Airlines from Manchester), so your inflight meals and drinks are included. We've seen options between September and December - plenty of chances to escape the British… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Edinburgh taxi drivers could face unemployment as council presses ahead with low emission zone

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As Edinburgh City Council presses ahead with its Low Emission Zone initiative, some of the city's taxi drivers fear it could be the end of the road for their career.

In 2020 all taxis over 10 years will have to be decommissioned as Edinburgh City Council look to comply with an EU directive, designed to improve air quality in the Scottish capital.

This, however, has angered the city's taxi drivers, as its been revealed that 616 of the 1316 vehicles operating in the area will disappear off of the road.

It is alleged that the knock on effect will be catastrophic to some drivers, who will be unable to afford to purchase newer vehicles.

A new zero emission capable taxi costs in excess of £62,000, and as yet there is no second hand market available for these vehicles.

The owners of the taxis currently in use may see the bottom fall out of the second hand market, due to the accelerated depreciation which will be attributed to the vehicles reduced, workable life-span.

With no subsidy available, nor in the pipeline, many taxi drivers may simply quit the profession rather than invest in a new vehicle.

An Edinburgh Taxi Association spokesperson explained to The Scotsman that this may be of particular concern to drivers in their mid 50s and upwards who would be unable to obtain finance for a new vehicle, as well as find it extremely difficult to embark on another profession or find a job, due to their advancing years.

At the moment there are no subsidies available to assist the city's taxi drivers. SK

July 21, 2018 at 01:07PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Dominican Republic break £730pp - incl. 7nts all inclusive resort, flights, bags & transfers

It's time to get the 5* treatment you truly deserve with a stay at the stunning Iberostar Costa Dorada in the Dominican Republic. Enjoy mountain views from the huge pool or soak up the sun on the adjoining beach - just be sure to use a great discount code (see below) to get £100 off!… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

"Where are wee going?" Video emerges of Uber driver peeing in bottle with female passenger in car

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A New York Uber driver has been recorded taking a pee into a bottle while driving a female passenger across Manhattan. The female passenger who was on an UberPool ride alone, whipped out her phone moments after the driver whipped out his manhood to take a pee into a bottle. Recording the incident in disgust, Raichelle Carter, fuming, let her driver, a Mr Avraham know that she was appalled by his actions.

Manhattan has 19 relief stands set up for TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) workers, which Avraham could've used prior to any of his trips throughout the day. The New York Post has confirmed that the driver in question has been banned by Uber from working on the platform.

July 21, 2018 at 12:07PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

A funky Fuerteventura 4nt break this winter from £205pp incl. flights & chic hotel

Turn your heads towards the Canaries this June Pirates for 4 nights of (pretty much) guaranteed sunshine. The 3* Bristol Sunset Beach hotel oozes style from it's rooftop terrace to it's cosy apartments. For 4 nights you will be able to soak up the sun in 20+ degree temperatures, either by the pool or at… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

All inclusive Turkey break from £249pp - incl. 7nts hotel & flights

Book yourselves some late season sunshine with an all inclusive break to Turkey with our Holiday Finder! With a stay at Green Life Hotel you'll be just a short walk from the beach (including private beach area!). Flights are included, and all inclusive board means your meals are included! The cheapest options depart in March,… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Why not try Wales? 4* city centre Novotel stay from £32.50pp - incl. pool & spa: Kids go free

If you fancy a staycation somewhere different this summer mateys, why not try Wales? We've unearthed barrrgain rates at a stylish 4* hotel in Cardiff that starts from as little as £32.50 per person, per night, based on 2 sharing. Valid during school holidays, the best bit about this deal is that up to 2… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London Mayor set to inflict more misery on motorists as plans for world’s most walkable city begin

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If the Capital’s roads were not congested enough due to road space being lost to both pedestrianisation and cycle lane schemes the London Mayor has now announced new plans to slow down motorists further.

Londoners walking in high footfall areas will be able to see a lot more of the glowing green man at pedestrian crossings in a bid to get more people walking and out of cars.

It is proposed that those on foot are now to get a right of way over traffic and will only be asked to wait when an oncoming vehicle is sensed. The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wants to increase the proportion of people walking, cycling and taking public transport to 80 per cent of journeys by 2041, from 63 per cent now. And the Mayor is investing a record £2.2bn in streets across London to make them better for walking and cycling, and improve air quality.

Whilst that’s good news for the pedestrian it’s bad news for the motorist who will be approaching a sea of red lights in areas including the Olympic Park and London Bridge.

London’s first ever walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, unveiled the capital’s first Walking Action Plan. It sets out how London will become a city where walking, for those that can, is the most obvious, enjoyable and attractive means of travel for all short trips.

The Walking Action Plan aims to help Londoners overcome these barriers by:

Designing, building and managing streets for people walking, by delivering better public spaces, more walking routes and more numerous and wider pedestrian crossingsEnsuring that walking is prioritised in every new infrastructure scheme, through London’s first ever pedestrian design guidance and a range of other tools and analysis to support boroughs to deliver local schemesEnabling thousands more children to walk to school by doubling the number of Gold accredited STARS schools which champion healthy routes to school, and by supporting timed road closures, car free days and 20mph speed limits around schoolsRolling out innovative new traffic signal technology that makes it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross roads, while minimising congestionCreating new ‘Active Travel Hubs’ at London Underground stations, making it easier to walk as part of an onward journey

Major projects are already underway to enable more walking across London, such as Highbury Corner, where a new public space and new pedestrian crossings are being installed, and at Old Street where work will begin to transform the roundabout in 2019.

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “Walking is a fantastic way to get around and explore London, and getting more Londoners to walk regularly is essential for the health and future prosperity of our city. Whether you’re popping to the shops or heading for the local train station, we’re investing record amounts to make walking the safest, easiest and most enjoyable way of getting around. By making it easier for Londoners to leave their cars at home and walk instead, it will tackle the air pollution crisis and reduce congestion as London’s population continues to grow. It will have a truly transformational impact on our city.”

July 21, 2018 at 03:00AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cocaine snorting Private Hire Driver jailed for the death of 89 year old pensioner

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A minicab driver from Liverpool who was still high on cocaine when he knocked over and killed 89-year-old pensioner Andrew Oakden has been jailed for four-years and four-months. Paul Morrison, 43, had claimed that the victim had stepped out in front of his vehicle leaving him no time to avoid the collision, but CCTV footage revealed that Oakden was within steps of completing his crossing. Evidence that was revealed in court suggested that Morrison was also speeding, driving at a speed of approximately 37mph in a 30mph zone. Oakden was unable to recover from his injuries and died the following day. Tests taken after the collision found that Morrison was three times over the legal limit for the main metabolite of cocaine, Benzoylecgonine. Morrison had originally denied the charge of causing death by careless driving, but changed his plea to guilty once he was told that his failed drugs test would be brought up in court.

(Image;Handout-Paul Morrison)

As reported in the Liverpool Echo, Oakden's sister, Mrs Dickinson, who said her older brother was more like a father to her, had to make the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support machine. Judge Conrad, sentencing said;

“Had you been driving carefully you would have seen him from some way away. It is clear that your concentration lapsed for more than a short amount of time. You did not see Mr Oakden or apply your brakes until it was far too late. You were, on the evidence and on your own admission, exceeding the speed limit at the time.

“You were found to have drugs in your system. The level of BZE, the metabolite of cocaine, was three times the prescribed limit. The taking of controlled drugs - whether by way of their direct effects or by way of their side effects later on, compromises the ability of a driver to drive safely - in particularly adversely affecting one’s awareness and one’s alertness.“Anne Dickinson, the sister of Mr Oakden, sums it up in words upon which I cannot improve: ‘I just feel that anyone who gets behind a wheel of a car having taken drink or drugs should realise that they are more likely to cause serious accidents with serious consequences. Their ability is impaired by the drink or drugs.’"Of all people you - a taxi driver entrusted with the safety of the public - should know that.”

July 20, 2018 at 10:57PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

2 week summer holiday in Corfu from only £213pp - hotel, flights, luggage & transfers

Pirates, check this out, we have found this mega bargain holiday in Corfu for 2 weeks departing this August. The Greek getaway is based on 2 sharing and is under £215 per person - which is an awesome price for the summer season. Holiday details Travel duration: 14 nights Example date: 27/08 - 10/09 Flights… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Amsterdam city break this winter from £121pp - 2nts 4* hotel with spa & flights

Ahoy, how about heading to Amsterdam this winter and staying in a really lush 4* spa hotel. The Amsterdam getaway is based on 2 sharing with flights included. Amsterdam's famous Light Festival will be on while you're there so that is something not to be missed. Holiday details Travel duration: 2 nights (longer stays possible)… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Fantastic Florida flights from £280 return: Tampa, Daytona Beach, Miami & Jacksonville

Mateys, check out our flights finder for cheap flights to the USA -- and in particular Florida in 2019. Our bargain hunting pirates discovered flights to a range of cities in the Sunshine State starting from just £280 return. Options include Tampa, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville and Miami, with flights available from Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester,… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

9 night cruise to France, Portugal, Spain & Italy from £543pp - incl. full board

Ahoy pirates, cruising is getting more and more popular and are a great way to see many places in one go and all meals are included throughout your trip. This 9 night cruise departs from Southampton and visits Paris, Porto, Lisbon, Cadiz, Barcelona, Marseille and finishes off in Genoa in Italy. Cruise details: Travel duration:… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Day trips to Dublin: Ferry crossings from just £5.50 return

Ryanair cancellations getting you down? Then take to the seas like a true pirate and catch a ferry to Ireland for a bargain price! Stenaline are offering day trips to Ireland this summer, with prices at just £5.50 return. To secure these prices, you must travel on a Tuesday. Day trips other days of the… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Rhodes group getaway from £118pp - 7nts hotel, flights, luggage & transfers (2 share £152pp)

Ahoy pirates, check out this bargain break in stunning Rhodes we have come across on our package holiday finder. The Greek getaway is based on 4 sharing and it is still a great price if you want to travel as a couple. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights Example date: 3rd - 10th October Departure… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT