BEIJING, August 6, 2008 (AFP) - China is likely to remove next year a ban blocking HIV/AIDS carriers from entering the country, state media reported Wednesday, citing a top health official.

'HIV/AIDS restrictions will be lifted in 2009,' the China Daily said, citing Hao Yang, deputy director of the health ministry's disease control and prevention bureau.

ATHENS, August 5, 2008 (AFP) - A Greek ferry had to sail back to the holiday island of Santorini after leaving its second mate on shore, the merchant marine ministry said on Tuesday.

'The second mate had disembarked to deliver the ferry's papers to the port authority and the ship left without him,' a ministry press officer told AFP.

BRUSSELS, August 4, 2008 (AFP) - EU regulators on Monday approved Europe's second largest travel firm Thomas Cook's takeover of smaller French rival Jet Tours.

The European Commission announced that it had given the deal its blessing via a 'simplified' vetting process used for acquisitions not seen as posing any competition problems.

GENEVA, August 4, 2008 (AFP) - The number of people travelling by air grew at the lowest rate for five years in June as the global economic slowdown takes its toll on demand, the air travel industry body IATA said Monday.

BORDEAUX, August 3, 2008 (AFP) - Known for its high-end wines, sumptuous chateaux and aristocrat vineyard-owners, Bordeaux has been strangely short of luxury tourist activities, but times finally are a-changing.

MADRID, July 29, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish national carrier Iberia and British Airways said Tuesday they were holding merger talks as the aviation sector battles soaring fuel prices that are hitting its bottom line.

LONDON, July 29, 2008 (AFP) - British Airways and Spanish national carrier Iberia said Tuesday they are holding talks on a multi-billion-dollar merger as the aviation sector battles soaring fuel prices.

LONDON, July 29, 2008 (AFP) - British Airways and Spanish national carrier Iberia are holding friendly talks about a possible tie-up as the aviation sector battles soaring fuel prices, the two companies announced on Tuesday.

LONDON, July 29, 2008 (AFP) - British Airways and Spanish national airline Iberia are in talks about a possible merger, the two companies announced on Tuesday.

'British Airways and Iberia are holding talks with a view to an all-share merger between the two companies. The negotiations are supported unanimously by the boards of both companies,' the pair said in a statement.

BRUSSELS, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - People who do not need a visa to fly to the United States will have to answer questions about their health and past crimes under a new electronic system unveiled in Brussels Monday.