-
The Beetle
·
Which Countries Permit the Death Penalty
Ever wondered which countries still enforce the death penalty? The United States, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore are said to be the only developed nations to use capital punishment in practice. According to Amnesty International, during 2005 at least 2,148 people were executed in 22 countries, 94% in China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United…
-
The Beetle
·
Our Friends Ryanair
Ryanair recently lost its claim against the website www.ryanaircampaign.org which allows users of Ryanair complain about the service they receive. The airline took its case to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Centre which sorts out disputed internet domains. Ryanair claimed that the website was misleading and claimed that it infringed on…
-
The Beetle
·
Being Careful: Azerbaijan
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has this advice to visitors: Around 5,000-7,000 British nationals visit Azerbaijan every year, mainly on business. Azerbaijan has a large expat population who work mostly in the oil and gas sector. Visitors are generally welcomed. Crime against foreigners is generally low, but does occur. Corruption is an every day…
-
The Beetle
·
Naturism at the Gym
A gym in Amsterdam is offering “Nudfit” training sessions for nudists. The Sunday morning sessions were added by popular demand and “anyone who shows up just to ogle will be thrown out,” said the gym manager. So, if you find yourself in Amsterdam feeling the need for exercise and don’t mind baring all, sessions start…
-
The Beetle
·
Do Not Try This on Holiday
A group of U.S. tourists, including a former Marine from a cruise ship got into a bit of trouble whilst ashore at the Caribbean port of Limon. ON being held up at gun point by one Wagner Segura, 20, the cruise ship passengers somehow snapped the neck of one of their attackers. Regional police director…
-
The Beetle
·
Plane Crash Numbers Down
Fewer planes crashed worldwide in 2006 than in any year since 1963, but the 1,292 death toll was in line with the average of the past 10 years, reported a Geneva-based monitoring agency. In 2006, there were 156 plane crashes, 22 fewer than in 2005, while the number of people killed in accidents fell 11…
-
The Beetle
·
Highest Standard of Living
For the fourth year in a row, the United Nations has ranked Norway as having the highest standard of living in the world. Sweden, Australia and Canada are next in line, while the United States is further down the scale. The annual ranking is based largely on average levels of education and income, combined with…
-
The Beetle
·
Year of the Pig
Did you know that it is the Chinese year of the pig which is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity. But this time it is a golden pig year, which happens once every 60 years. Some soothsayers warn that the pig can bring turbulence, and warn of a rise in natural disasters and conflict…
-
The Beetle
·
Fave Website
Ivad, a small village in the north east of Hungary is offering people – anyone – the opportunity to have a street named after them. If you are interested, the cost is 100,000 forints ($511) per metre. The eight streets of Ivad are up for grabs. And the village’s website says that the name will…
-
The Beetle
·
Northern Ireland Tipped as Holiday Hot Spot
Northern Ireland has been tipped by a top travel guide as one of the “must-see” countries to visit in 2007. The Lonely Planet Bluelist featured NI in the “Go List” section of its guide – a chapter dedicated to detailing the hot destinations for the coming year. In another section of the book, Belfast was…
The Globetrotters Club
The travel club for independent travellers.