Teenagers smuggle weapons onto Qantas flight

Travelmole has today reported that two boys aged 14 and 11 were able to smuggle stolen weapons onto a Qantas flight from Karratha to Perth on Monday. The youngsters allegedly had handguns, pistols, knives, 3000 rounds of ammunition and a variety of other weapons in their checked-in luggage which the “explosive trace detection” X-ray machines failed to pick-up.
They were arrested as they attempted to board a flight to Queensland.

'Shoe-Thrower' jailed for 3 years

Muntandhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist who in December threw shoes at former US president George W. Bush, has today been jailed for three years. He was charged with ‘assaulting a foreign leader’.
In the immediate aftermath of the shoe-throwing, the reporter was detained in custody where he has since remained.
The judge rejected Zeidi’s defence lawyer’s argument that the ‘charge is invalid as Bush was not in Baghdad on an official visit’.

15 killed by teenage gunman

A 17-year–old high school graduate yesterday went back to his old school in Winnenden, Germany and, during morning class, opened fire in three classrooms. Nine female students and three female teachers were killed instantly. Three other men were killed as the teenage gunman fled the scene.
Police said there appeared to be no immediate motive of the killer, though they are suspicious of the proportion of females murdered. Ammunition was left at the school, suggesting more killings may have occurred had the police not responded so quickly.

Thailand visas temporarily free

From March 4th 2009 to June 4th 2009, travellers to Thailand will not have to pay for a visa.
In an attempt to boost tourism and in reaction to the global economic crisis and recent political protests, Thailand will not be charging visa fees for this temporary period.

Indian objection to auction of Ghandi’s possessions

The Wall Street Journal today reported that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’ s trademark round glasses, pocket watch, sandals, brass bowl and plate are due to be sold at a New York auction house tomorrow, sparking opposition from the Indian government.
Navjivan, a public trust started by Gandhi in 1992 filed a petition that made claims to his belongings enabling a New Delhi Court to yesterday issue an injunction against the sale.
Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Gandhi, has also instigated a campaign to raise funds to buy the personal items of his great-grandfather, stating that the sale of them would be “immoral” as they “belonged to India and the people of India”.
Discussions are still taking place over the future of the infamous peace-leaders belongings.

Africa Tourism Minister of the Year 2009: Kenya’s Balala

Najib Balala, Kenya’s tourism minister, has been named 2009 Africa Tourism Minister of the Year, an award which recognises his achievement in making an outstanding contribution to the growth of sustainable tourism investment in Africa. Balala was a leading figure in the implementation of government policy on promoting sustainable tourism, and led the tourism recovery programme in Kenya in 2008.
Kenya suffered greatly from the post election crisis where over 1000 people lost their lives and 350,000 found themselves without a home. Tourism dramatically declined, tourism related businesses were hit hard, many people lost their jobs and consequently Kenya’s economy and identity was negatively affected.

Balala was recognised as being successful in his efforts to assist the promotion of Kenya as an eco-friendly tourist destination, as well as the positive impact his contributions made to businesses, employment, the economic systems and, predominantly, the perception of Kenya as a tourist-friendly country once again.

Plane Stupid Airport Protest

Flights were disrupted at Aberdeen Airport today since the campaign group Plane Stupid began their protest on the tarmac at 0315 this morning. The group oppose the expansion of the airport.
BAA has reported that departures to Amsterdam, Heathrow and Paris have been delayed by the protest, and no flights have been able to arrive since it began.
Although most of the protestors voluntarily ended their protest at around 8am this morning, Grampian Police stated that two remain on the roof of the main terminal building.

Pay to pee with Ryanair

Budget air carrier Ryanair has announced that it may begin charging for the use of their on-board toilet facilities. During a BBC television interview Michael O’Leary, the airlines’ chief executive, stated “One thing we are looking at is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door so that people might actually have to spend a pound to spend-a-penny in the future.”
Ryanair has also recently said that it is to close all of the Ryanair check-in desks at airports as part of a bid to reduce customer services and promote online check-ins.

Two schoolchildren killed in Somalia

Yesterday, in Mogadishu Somalia an artillery shell landed on a school killing two students under 10 years old and injuring four others.
The tragedy occurred during the second day of warring between Islamist insurgents and AU peacekeepers

Volcano in Colombia erupts

On Saturday 14th February at 7:10pm local time, Colombia’s Galeras volcano erupted. The government immediately issued a ‘red alert’ which resulted in the evacuation of around 7,000 local residents. The quick response ensured there were no fatalities or serious injuries.
The volcano became active again in 1989, with an eruption in 1993 resulting in the deaths of nine people, all of whom were near the volcano’s crater at the onset of the hot magma surge.

Fines For Naked Hikers

A craze of naked hiking, especially popular among German tourists, has provoked offence in the small, conservative Swiss canton of Appenzell-Innerrhoden.
Last year, the local police arrested one man found hiking without his clothes on and later charged him with a public disorder offence.
The incidents of naked hiking have incited outrage in the local residents of Switzerland’s smallest community, where women only received the right to vote in 1990. The Swiss daily Tages-Anzeiger quoted the head of the canton police department as saying "We must protect our children from these immoral habits".

Rain Refreshes China

Rain finally fell over the dry landscapes of China this week. According to Chinese officials, China has been experiencing one of the worst droughts for over 50 years.
Many regions in northern and central China have not seen rainfall for over 3 months, leaving over 4 million citizens facing a shortage of drinking water and millions of wildlife affected.
The dry-heat has also ignited much concern for the countries wheat-producing areas as, due to poor irrigation, many agricultural regions rely on rainfall.
Thus, in an attempt to encourage precipitation, last weekend Chinese soldiers fired cloud-seeding chemicals into the skies over the worst drought-striken areas.
Today's rains may have brought light refreshment, though more will have to follow in order to quench China's present thirst for water.

Israel Elections Today

Despite bad weather, at 0700 local time today, the people of Israel began voting to decide upon a new government. The early election was called by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert who is stepping down. The Israeli proportional representation system enables the leader of the largest party in the Knesset to form a government, with the Likud leader, Binyamin Netanyahu predicted to return to power.

Australian BushFires

Southern Australia continues to experience catastrophic devastation from the ferocious bush fires sweeping the land. The death toll in Victoria has today reached over 180 though is expected to rise as fire-fighters continue to uncover the charred ruins of more rural homesteads and communities, and, as the fires remain out of control.
The main fire in Victoria is thought to have so far destroyed over 750 homes, with fears for today focused on a fire in the wine region of the Yarra Valley.
The world has been watching in horror at the vast scale of destruction left by the weekend bushfires that have arisen within one of the hottest summers Australia has experienced for over 100 years.
As new strategies are being reviewed for how to control the infernos, Quantas Airlines have donated $100,000 to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund to support the people and communities affected. Others can donate directly to the appeal at the Quantas and Jetstar main websites.

New US Visa Rules

Are you planning a trip to the US? Do you know about the new online US visa waiver requirement? If not, then read on.

On Monday (12 January), a new system came into force that requires travellers to the US fill out a form online and receive authorisation to travel from US border officials before stepping onto a plane.

The Visa Waiver Program consists of 34 countries including the UK, and enables qualifying citizens with a machine readable passport to visit the US for up to 90 days without applying for a visa.

The US is replacing the paper forms (that you fill on the plane) with ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Please note that ESTA is a compulsory online travel permit and travellers must pre-register online at least 72 hours prior to travel to obtain an authorisation. Once obtained, visa waivers are valid for two years, or until your passport expires. Fail to do this, and you will not be allowed into the country. Period.

The official ESTA website is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, and all visa waiver applicants should submit their information through this site alone.

Bristol: A Green City

Bristol has recently been chosen as the only city in the UK to be shortlisted for the European Green Capital Award.

The European Green Capital Award was conceived to recognise the important role played by the local authorities in improving the environment. The idea was originally conceived at a meeting in Tallinn, Estonia on the initiative of the former City Mayor, Jüri Ratas.
Starting in 2010, one European city will be selected each year as the European Green Capital of the year. Of the 35 applicants, the evaluation panel has shortlisted eight cities, including Bristol, for the title as European Green Capital 2010 and 2011. The city was recently appointed by the UK government as Britain’s first ‘cycling city’.
Shortlisted cities are:
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Bristol, United Kingdom
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Freiburg, Germany
• Hamburg, Germany
• Münster, Germany
• Oslo, Norway
• Stockholm, Sweden

Check for eco-friendly holidays at Adventure holidays Worldwide

Airline strike action

TAP Portugal is warning passengers of a possible disruption this weekend due to industrial action.

The union representing cabin crew at TAP Portugal is calling for a one-day strike this Saturday (December 20) over a pay dispute.

The airline said this would result in severe delays and/or flight cancellations to the airline’s operations across the system.

It is strongly advising customers to consider other travel dates.

Customers with existing and ticketed bookings for Saturday who wish to change may do so free of charge.

Date changes are subject to availability on passenger’s chosen flights.

Alternately, passengers wishing to cancel their travel plans can opt for a full refund by contacting either their agent or TAP.

“TAP senior management is doing all possible to avoid work stoppage by working with the trade union authorities. They are optimistic that the issues between the two parties can be resolved without the need for a strike,” said a spokesman for the airline.
See the TAP website www.flytap.com/UK/en or call TAP Portugal at 0845 601 0932.
Check for your holidays at Adventure holidays - Adventure Travel Worldwide - AwimAway

Woman smuggles monkey

A Washington woman successfully managed to smuggle a monkey hidden under her blouse out of Thailand only to be caught on arrival in the United States.
CNN reports that Gypsy Lawson 28, aided by her mother Fran Ogren, 56, was carrying a sedated rhesus monkey and pretending to be pregnant. Authorities in Los Angeles, California, rescued the monkey from under Lawson’s loose fitting blouse and convicted the two on smuggling charges.

Rhesus Macaque monkeys, native to Asia, are most commonly used in medical research.
Though cute they do not make for desirable pets as they grow to become quite aggressive animals and are known to carry disease and virus harmful to human beings. This Rhesus Macaque monkey in question has since been placed into a center for abandoned primates.

RUNWAY CLOSED AT LONDON GATWICK

Due to ice on the runway, Gatwick Airport was shut this morning meaning delays for more than sixty flights. All passengers were told to continue their check in as normal even though many of their flights were either diverted to other airports or cancelled. For those passengers whose flights were delayed there was a long wait whilst efforts were being made to remove the ice. The runways were not expected to be open until ten thirty this morning but most passengers experienced delays for at least four hours. A spokesperson for London Gatwick explained that the extreme weather conditions were not forecast.