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Washington, D.C. (AHN) – The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel warning for Sudan, citing a “continued threat of terrorism” as the main reasons Americans should steer clear of the country.

According to the warning, Americans should cancel all travel to Sudan “particularly in the Darfur area where there is a continuing buildup of Government and rebel military forces and where violence has increased significantly.”

“The U.S. Government has received indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests in Sudan. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, or kidnappings.”

The State Department explains, “sporadic fighting instigated by militias is often reported in the southern parts of the country. Travel outside of the capital city of Khartoum is potentially dangerous. Threats have been made against foreigners working in the oil industry in Upper Nile state.”

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A scheme under which gunmen in the Democratic Republic of Congo are given bicycles in exchange for their weapons is being extended due to its success. Ngoy Mulunda, a pastor in the south-eastern Katanga region, says he has been given some 6,500 weapons in the past year, which he has destroyed. A BBC correspondent says it has proved more successful than the UN disarmament exercise, following a five-year war. The BBC's Jonathan Kacelewa in Bukavu says a bicycle, worth about $50, makes a big difference to the lives of local people.

Recent news comes from Iraqi Olympic officials that the coach of Iraq's tennis team, Ahmed Rashid and two players Ali Hatem and Wissam Adel Auda were shot dead in Baghdad.

Witnesses said the three were dressed in shorts and were killed days after militants issued a warning forbidding the wearing of shorts. Other Iraqi athletes have been targeted in recent incidents.

After years of allegations of corruption, political interference and cost overruns, a new international airport is due to finally open in Bangkok in September 2006. The new Suvarnabhumi Airport is 30km to the east of Bangkok, whereas the old and dark Don Muang is 25km north of the city. Confused? You will be, especially when Don Mang is planned to be designated for domestic flights, so you will have to make the journey across to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. If you are flying into Bangkok, either internationally or domestically, it is wise to check and double check your place of arrival and departure.

Going to Beijing? Poor farming practices and drought in the expanding desert, which now covers a third of China are believed to be the causes for Beijing's eight sand storm this year. Millions of residents woke to find their city covered in a thin film of yellow dust after the storm blew in from the border of China and Mongolia. Some locals are wearing face masks and hospitals reported increased numbers of patients with breathing problems.

An eight-year-old girl is feared dead in the Northern Territory, in northern Australia after being attacked by a saltwater crocodile. Saltwater crocodiles are the world's largest reptiles, and can be aggressive and dangerous. Police said the aboriginal girl was fishing with her parents when she was snatched from a remote riverbank of the Blyth River, east of Darwin. Saltwater crocodiles are a protected species in Australia, and since hunting was outlawed in the 1970s their numbers have grown: it is estimated there are 70,000 saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory. Fatal attacks are rare, though – only six people are believed to have been killed by saltwater crocodiles in the region since 2002.

Going on a cruise around Africa? Maybe just check you are not going too close to Somalia. The Somali coast is considered to be the world's most dangerous waters. The International Maritime Bureau has recorded 41 attacks since mid-March last year. Luxury cruise liners and ships carrying food aid are among those targeted off Somalia in the past year. Hijackings and piracy off have increased in the past year as armed groups take advantage of a lack of law and order in Somalia, which has been without an effective central government since 1991. US Navy vessels have been granted permission to patrol Somali waters to fight piracy. Under the agreement, the US Navy would also develop Somalia's rudimentary coastguard service.

Whilst any help in this troubled region has to be good news for all concerned, the ever cynical Beetle wants to know why the US are doing this – out of the kindness of their heart, or does their presence fit with some other greater plan?

Virgin Galactic has announced that it has signed up more than 150 prospective space tourists, including Dallas star Victoria Principal and Alien actress Sigourney Weaver who have already signed up plus William Shatner who is said to be keen. Five minutes of weightlessness will set you back £114,000.