FCO review
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is planning to tone down its travel advice, to make it less prescriptive and more consistent. In a statement to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw announced that the FCO will continue to warn British nationals against travel where there is "specific evidence of extreme and imminent danger from terrorism abroad." But, he added, "in the case of a general potential threat, issuing a prescription against travel will I believe only achieve widespread disruption - which is exactly what the terrorists want."

Last year 2,300 changes were made to FCO travel advice; the aim of the review is to reduce the number of changes made and give the FCO advice more credibility.

Taking Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is reopening after a $20million renovation to improve facilities and security in the wake of the September 11 terrorists attacks on New York. From this summer, visitors will be able to look inside the statue through a glass ceiling, visit the museum and go on the observation deck.

Early check-in
British Airways has introduced early check-in at Gatwick, allowing passengers to check in, drop off their bags and collect their boarding cards between 6pm and 11pm the night before departure. The service is available to all customers travelling on any intercontinental flight. Customers on European or domestic flights can use the service if their flight is before 9.55am the following day.

Drag act
One pub in Ireland has found an innovative way round the smoking ban introduced this week. Taylors Three Rock in Dublin has replaced a window with a head-sized hole so drinkers can stand in the pub but smoke outside.