If you a planning an overland trip in west Africa, then please note that the Nigerian Government has announced that it is closing its borders with the Benin Republic with immediate effect due to an increase in cross-border crime such as smuggling and human trafficking. The main border crossing into Benin is not far from Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos and it normally carries travellers and traders from Benin, Togo, Ghana and beyond.

A woman was killed by a great white shark while swimming with sea lions at Avala Beach, between Los Angeles and San Francisco in California. This is the first attack in almost ten years. Four lifeguards tried to save her life, but the 50-year-old was declared dead upon reaching the shore. The shark had bitten her left leg, severing her femoral artery. The area is known to be populated by sharks but they usually only attack humans if confused, said a shark specialist interviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle. 'If you are wearing a wetsuit and fins and you are swimming with sea lions you are doing a clumsy job of imitating shark food,' he said.

Travel Photographer of the Year is a new annual competition, supported by major names in the photographic and travel industries, that recognises and celebrates the very best travel photography.

Any photographer – amateur or professional – can enter TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR (TPOTY) by submitting a portfolio of four images in one, two or all three of the portfolio categories. There’s an Image of the Year category as well and even a special award for those aged 16 and under – the YOUNG TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR. Entries close on September 14th 2003.

Here’s a little Beetle quiz based on capital cities. See how many you get right! Go on, have a guess!

What is the capital city of the following countries:

1. Angola
2. Cyprus
3. Laos
4. Nepal
5. South Korea

For the answers, see at the end of the e-newsletter.

Under 30? A member of Globetrotters Club? Interested in a £1,000 travel award?

Know someone who is? We have £1,000 to award each year for five years for the best submitted independent travel plan. Interested?

Then see our legacy page on our Website, where you can apply with your plans for a totally independent travel trip and we'll take a look at it. Get those plans in!!

If you have a travellers tale that your aching to tell. Then why not visit the “Travel Sized Bites” section of the Website and share it with the world. Travel Sized Bites

We reported a while back about Dubai’s Palm, an ambitious hotel and resort development off the coast. Now, tourism and government authorities have gone one step further, or should we say under. A 220 suite hotel is planned to open in three years’ time off Dubai in the Persian Gulf. The Hydropolis Hotel will be made from strengthened plexiglass, concrete and steel able to withstand being placed at around 30 metres below the surface of the sea. The route to the hotel will be through a 1,700 ft transparent tunnel on a shuttle train.

This will be the world’s second under water hotel. The first, the Jules Verne Underwater Lodge can be found in Florida.

Win a Frommer’s guidebook on Amsterdam 2003. See www.frommers.com for info on Frommer’s guidebooks.

Some people have said the quiz is difficult, we say do some research; try google.com or Ask Jeeves, if you need help with the answers.

The winner of last month's Moon Guide on Fiji is Eileen Hobson.

Fourteen of the European hostages, missing in the Sahara for over five months have been released by suspected Islamic extremist kidnappers. One woman hostage died whilst held captive in Mali. The tourists – nine Germans, four Swiss and a Dutchman are reported to be well, but exhausted. A political row has erupted over speculation that a ransom was paid. The German press has reported that the kidnappers wanted $5m for each hostage as well as security guarantees. The German press believe that the German government has paid a ransom, although others believe that Mali has put forward the money, and that Germany will then provide it with foreign aid. Also at issue is how far Germany – or indeed any country – should be responsible for its citizens when they knowingly travel to dangerous parts of the world.

1. Angola: Luanda

2. Cyprus: Nicosia

3. Laos: Vientiane

4. Nepal: Kathmandu

5. South Korea: Seoul

· 0 out of 5 – you need to get out more!

· 1-3 – not bad

· 4 – very good! You are a Globetrotter!

· 5 – are you sure you didn’t sneak a look?