Travel

A Jeju Air 737-800 jetliner arriving from Bangkok crashed while landing in Muan, South Korea, on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of 179 out of the 181 people on board. The aircraft skidded off the runway, collided with a concrete fence, and subsequently caught fire. South Korean television footage showed the plane careening across the airstrip at high speed, its landing gear apparently not deployed, before impacting the wall and exploding. Thick black smoke billowed from the burning wreckage. Two crew members were pulled from the wreckage alive and were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. According to Muan fire station chief Lee Jeong-hyeon, the plane was completely destroyed, with only the tail section remaining recognizable. Investigators are exploring various potential causes, including a possible bird strike. Air traffic control had issued a bird warning to the flight crew shortly before landing […]

At age five, Oliver Bowerman was surprised when his parents announced they were moving to a cave. Rather than a Stone Age lifestyle, his family had purchased Stump Cross Caverns, a tourist attraction in Yorkshire Dales. The Bowermans acquired the cave system in 2003 after responding to a newspaper ad describing it as a "once in a generation" opportunity. Originally discovered by lead miners in the 19th century, the caverns became a tourist site in 1926 under Septimus Wray's ownership. Now, 22 years later, Oliver is taking over management from his mother Lisa. After completing his psychology degree, he joined the family business, bringing fresh ideas including plans to open a new section previously accessible only to potholers. "To be in a position to hand it over to somebody with such an amazing business brain and such a vision for […]

A small Cessna 207 aircraft crashed in a remote, densely wooded area of Jalisco, Mexico, on Sunday, tragically claiming the lives of all seven people on board. The plane was en route from La Parota in the neighboring state of Michoacán when it went down. Jalisco Civil Protection reported the incident, stating that the crash site was located in a difficult-to-access area. Rescue efforts were hampered by the remote location and dense vegetation. Authorities confirmed a preliminary death toll of seven, but the victims have yet to be formally identified. A fire that broke out after the crash was extinguished, and measures were taken to prevent further damage. Forensic specialists are expected to arrive at the scene to recover the bodies and confirm the final casualty count. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. This tragic incident adds to […]

President William Ruto, of Kenya, has announced plans to expand the busy Nairobi-Nakuru Highway into a dual carriageway, addressing recent traffic congestion issues that have plagued the vital transportation route. The project is scheduled to begin in 2024 under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The expansion project will be implemented in two phases: Phase One: Nairobi to Nakuru section Phase Two: Nakuru to Malaba section Speaking at AIC Kipkorgot church in Uasin Gishu County, Ruto explained that the project's delay was due to complications with a previous French contractor. However, the government is now in discussions with new private companies to take over the project. "We had a PPP programme with a French company, but it did not work out. However, we have alternatives that we are working on as a government," Ruto stated. He assured citizens that similar improvements […]

Italy has introduced a new nationwide ban on self check-in for short-term rentals, requiring hosts to personally identify guests before granting them access to properties. This measure, aimed at enhancing security and preventing potential risks, has implications for both tourists and property owners. The ban targets the use of lockboxes or key boxes, which allow guests to access properties without meeting the host in person. The Italian Interior Ministry has mandated that all guests must now be greeted and identified by their host before entering a short-term rental. This decision comes in response to concerns about potential security risks associated with remote verification methods. Authorities aim to prevent the accommodation of individuals with links to criminal or terrorist organizations, particularly in light of upcoming events like the 2025 Jubilee in Rome, which is expected to attract a large influx of […]