Travel Safety And Security News
Air France Flight 447 – black box data preserved
All flight data from Air France flight 447 that crashed into the Atlantic in 2009 has been preserved in the aircraft’s black box recorders, French aviation authorities have confirmed. The announcement comes after investigators said it recovered the data from the recorders, pulled from the ocean floor after a search lasting almost two years.
Dublin on high alert for Queen’s visit
Dublin is on high alert during the Queen’s visit today after a bomb was discovered near the Irish capital and a second suspect package was found. She becomes the first British monarch to visit southern Ireland since King George V in 1911.
Cathay Pacific jet makes emergency landing in Singapore
A Cathay Pacific Airbus 330 has made an emergency landing in Singapore after one of its engines caught fire. Passengers on a flight bound for Jakarta reported hearing two sharp bangs about 20 minutes after taking off from Changi Airport.
“IRA” bomb threat in London
Irish republican dissidents have issued a bomb threat for central London, Scotland Yard has confirmed. The Mall and other central London streets were closed on Monday morning while a bag was destroyed in a controlled explosion. The roads have now reopened.
Tour operators offer bargain North Africa holidays
Tour operators are offering bargain packages to North Africa in a bid to lure holidaymakers back following the civil unrest earlier this year. Tui Travel has reduced the price of some holidays to Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco by nearly half to address the slump in visitor numbers. The travel giant has lost £29 million as a result of unrest.
Al Qaeda confirms Bin Laden’s death
Al Qaeda has confirmed the death of its leader Osama Bin Laden, according to a statement attributed to the group which was posted on jihadist internet forums. The statement said his blood would not be “wasted” and that al-Qaeda would continue attacking the US and allies.
Three arrested over tourist bombing in Marrakech
Three Moroccan men have been arrested in connection with the bombing of a popular tourist cafe in Marrakech. The suspects are reported to be “loyal” to al Qaeda, according to Moroccan police. The attack last week in the famous Djemaa el-Fna Square left 16 people dead including 11 foreigners.
Bin Laden was planning US rail attack to mark September 11 anniversary
New intelligence from Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan has revealed that Al Qaeda had considered targeting the US rail network on 11 September 2011 to mark the 10th anniversary of the original 9-11 attacks. It has also emerged that Bin Ladin continued to run Al Qaeda, and wasn’t merely the inspirational figurehead of the terror group.
Honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani told “gay escort” he wanted way out of marriage
The father of Anni Dewani, the bride who was murdered whilst on her honeymoon in South Africa, said he is shocked by reports that her husband Shrien told a gay escort that he needed to escape an arranged marriage just months before Anni was murdered on their honeymoon in Cape Town.
Global leaders react to Osama bin Laden’s death
Reactions from global leaders have flooded in following news of the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Read the thoughts of governments including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Germany, Britain, Yemen, Turkey and Israel.
Tourists killed in Morocco terrorist bomb
Morocco has launched an investigation into a suicide bomb attack that left 16 people dead including 11 foreigners in a popular tourist café in Marrakech’s famous Djemaa el-Fna Square. The foreign victims are reported to include eight French, one Briton, one Dutch and one Israeli.
Death toll 300 as deadly tornadoes hit US
A mile-wide tornado has torn through six southern US states, killing at least 297 people, with authorities warning of more to come. President Barack Obama is to visit communities in Alabama ravaged by the worst storms since 1974.Widespread devastation has also been reported in Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia and Virginia.