In a speech at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station on Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden proposed to spend $53 billion over the next six years to help promote the construction of a national high-speed, intercity passenger rail network. The proposal expands the $10.5 billion already spent on high-speed rail expansion since President Obama entered offic.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica has received the coveted 2011 Five Diamond award from the American Automobile Association (AAA), an honor the resort has carried for a decade. The colonial-designed resort remains the only property in Jamaica to receive this accolade, which recognizes the world's most elite hotels and restaurants.

British Airways has increased its fuel surcharge on long-haul services. There will be no fuel surcharge increase to any British Airways’ short-haul services. World Traveller and World Traveller Plus tickets will increase by £12 per sector (£24 return), and First and Club World tickets will increase by £17 per sector (£34 return).  The move reflects the continuing substantial increase in the price of oil and a 14 percent rise in the spot price of jet fuel since the airlines’ last fuel surcharge increase in December 2010.

Hilton Worldwide named Lee Chipman managing director of two Panama properties -- the 351-room Hilton Panama and the 220-room The Panamera, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The latter is scheduled to open in late 2011 as Latin America’s first Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Chipman will report to Tom Potter, area vice president, South America for Hilton Worldwide, with responsibility for the two hotels.

A judge ordered a Canadian and an Algerian tourist detained Monday in the death of another Canadian following a fight outside a beach resort bar. The judge in the eastern city of Higuey ruled there was enough evidence to hold Canadian citizen Dmytro Aref Yev and Algerian national Bouzid Redha for at least three months on suspicion of voluntary homicide.

While foul play has not been ruled out, the drowning death of a Royal Caribbean crew member in Cozumel brings the safety of Mexican ports of call back into focus along with the broader issue of cruise passenger safety in general.