Author: Chukwu Godlove
Image: UKNIP London Southend Airport remains closed after a small aircraft crashed in a fireball shortly after takeoff on Sunday afternoon. The Beechcraft B200, operated by Dutch company Zeusch Aviation, went down at around 16:00 BST, prompting an emergency response and grounding of all flights. ALSO READ: Cape Town International Airport takes title of best airport globally According to BBC News, Essex Police were alerted to reports of a 12-metre plane on fire near the runway. The aircraft, flight SUZ1, had taken off en route to Lelystad in the Netherlands, having earlier flown from Athens to Pula, Croatia. Witnesses reported…
I must say, when I first saw the words “Visit Congo” I thought they were talking about the other Congo, Congo Brazzaville. I honestly couldn’t fathom that it was in reference to Felix Tshisekedi’s DR Congo. After all Congo Brazzaville isn’t wracked by self-inflicted conflicts and upheavals of the kind that have characterized its giant neighbor since its so-called independence from Belgium six and a half decades ago. (And let no Kinshasa-based propagandist ever gaslight you into believing the president of Rwanda – who was a toddler when the fellows in Kinshasa, then Leopoldville, and other major cities already were…
Image: Supplied CapeNature has confirmed the death of a young male leopard found caught in two illegal gin traps in the Heidelberg area on 2 July. ALSO READ: Kommetjie caracal killed by off-lead dogs in protected zone The six-month-old leopard, weighing just 13 kilograms, was discovered with one front paw and one hind leg trapped. Despite urgent rescue efforts, the animal unfortunately did not survive. The incident occurred near the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area, a biodiversity-rich region adjacent to the Langeberg mountains and a designated World Heritage Site. CapeNature has opened an investigation, and a case docket has been registered with…
Latin America’s landscapes are as diverse as its culture, from the salt flats to jungle waterfalls and whale-filled bays. While icons like the Amazon and Andes often steal the spotlight, the continent is brimming with lesser-known natural marvels. Here are eight underrated wonders to inspire your next off-the-beaten-path adventure. Salar de Uyuni’s mirror season – Bolivia Matan Levanon/Unsplash The world’s largest salt flat is jaw-dropping at any time of year, but visit during the wet season (November to March) and you’ll find a surreal phenomenon: a vast, shimmering mirror reflecting sky and clouds in perfect symmetry. Most travellers aim for…
There’s something deeply restorative about stepping into a garden in full bloom. Whether it’s the earthy hush of a fern forest or the explosion of wildflowers across a desert plain, these destinations promise the sort of beauty you can’t manufacture—only marvel at. South Africa is lush with floral wonders that change with the seasons, and if you’re up for a bit of globe-hopping, the world’s gardens offer equally stunning displays. These are the garden getaways where nature is the real star. Namaqualand – Northern Cape Image: Getaway Gallery For a few dazzling weeks between August and September, the semi-arid Namaqualand…
A major transformation is on the horizon for George Airport, as Acsa earmarks over R300 million to double its passenger capacity by 2028. George Airport/Getaway Gallery George Airport, one of the Western Cape’s busiest regional hubs, is getting a significant upgrade. Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has announced plans for a R310 million terminal expansion, set to begin in October 2026 and wrap up by July 2028. Once complete, the airport will be able to accommodate nearly two million passengers a year—more than double its current annual traffic of 900,000. The expansion will modernise key passenger processing areas, including the…
Image: Facebook / FlySafair South Africa’s safari tourism sector is getting a welcome boost with FlySafair’s announcement of a new direct flight route between Cape Town and Hoedspruit. ALSO READ: Two new visas could change the way you travel to South Africa The new service will officially take off on 2 October 2025, operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. As reported by Business Tech, the route aims to improve access to the central Kruger region and surrounding private game reserves in Limpopo, complementing FlySafair’s existing service to Mbombela, gateway to southern Kruger. Tickets will go on…
The British High Commission in Abuja has announced a major shift in the United Kingdom’s visa application process for Nigerians seeking study or work visas. Effective July 15, 2025, most successful applicants in these categories will begin receiving digital eVisas instead of the traditional visa stickers (vignettes) in their passports. In a statement released on Wednesday, the High Commission explained that the new policy applies only to applications submitted on or after July 15, 2025. Applicants who apply before that date will continue with the existing procedure, which includes submitting their passports at Visa Application Centres and receiving physical visa…
Japan is a country of dramatic seasonal shifts—blush-pink cherry blossoms in spring, firework-lit skies in summer, golden maple leaves in autumn, and snow-blanketed temples in winter. Tokyo, Japan/Yu Kato/ Unsplash While it’s known for impeccable trains, pristine streets, and tech-forward convenience, Japan also carries a reputation for being pricey. But with smart timing, you can explore the Land of the Rising Sun throughout the year, without your wallet waving the white flag. Here’s how to match Japan’s seasonal splendour with savvy spending. Spring: cherry blossoms on a dime Meguro River, Matsuno/Sora Sagano/Unsplash Cherry blossom season is Japan’s most iconic time…
Trump Asks Liberian President Boakai Where He Learned English President Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his command of English during a meeting at the White House with leaders from five African nations. Trump said he was impressed and asked where Boakai got his language skills. Critics said Trump displayed ignorance about basic geopolitical facts, especially concerning a country with deep historical ties to the United States. In 1822, the American Colonization Society founded Liberia to resettle enslaved people who had been freed and sent back to the continent. The country became independent in 1847, and English is…