Extract from The Star (Johannesburg): “The situation is absolutely under control,” Transport Minister Ephraem Magagula told the Swaziland parliament in Mbabane. “Our nation's merchant navy is perfectly safe. We just don't know where it is, that's all.” Replying to an MP's question, Minister Magagula admitted that the landlocked country had completely lost track of its…

Some information on one of the best accommodation bargains in Spain if not Europe via Membership of The European Alpine Federation. British residents can join through the Austrian Alpine Club-UK Section PO Box 43, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 6PA, Tel 01707-386740. Or e-mail: e-mail: manager@aacuk.uk.com website: www.aacuk.demon.co.uk/ Membership costs £30 per year and entitles…

If you have a travellers tale that your aching to tell. Then why not visit the “Travel Sized Bites” section of the Website and share it with the world. Travel Sized Bites

The Malaysian prime minister condemned the new security checks on Muslim and Arab visitors introduced at US airports in October 2002. Mahathir Mohamad labelled the new immigration rules as “anti-Muslim” and said America's stance was unfortunate. Passengers arriving in the US from Muslim and Middle East countries are now photographed and fingerprinted by the immigration…

Flight Log Never let it be said that ground crews and engineers lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual logged maintenance complaints by QANTAS pilots and the corrective action recorded by mechanics. By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident. P – stands for the problem…

We've all seen those wispy white trails that aircraft leave in the skies. Until now, scientists have been unable to calculate the impact on weather of these vapour trails. That is until post 9/11. The grounding of flights for three days after the 11 September attacks gave scientists in the US a unique opportunity to…

They have got to be the most annoying junk mail that the Beetle receives….ever! You must have received one at least: you know, it's a long e-mail bemoaning the death of a supposed husband, father, uncle etc. who has millions of $ trapped in a bank account. In exchange for a small investment – and…

The Beetle knows that a lot of readers are interested in tracing their ancestors, and come to the UK and Ireland to do just that, so this piece in BritainExpress.com caught her little Beetle eye. Everyone from amateur historians, genealogists, students and teachers through to tourists and parents will be able to gain something a…

The US carrier Horizon Air, based in Seattle, is set to equip its entire fleet of 60 regional aircraft with defibrillators and medical kits to deal with in-flight heart attack emergencies. Horizon is making the move two years ahead of a US Federal Aviation Administration deadline requiring any US commercial plane of at least 7,500…

Under 30? A member of Globetrotters Club? Interested in a £1,000 travel award? Know someone who is? We have £1,000 to award each year for five years for the best submitted independent travel plan. Interested? Then see our legacy page on our Website, where you can apply with your plans for a totally independent travel…