Crime

Violent Crime Causes Travel Warning for Oaxaca Mexico

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor — Fri, 19 May 2023 18:12:17 +0000

The Canadian tourist was found shot dead in a car with a bullet wound, and he was the second international tourist killed in Mexico’s southern state of Oaxaca in the past 5 days.

Three days prior to this, a tourist from Argentina – Benjamin Gamond – was attacked with a machete at another Oaxaca coastal down. He was taken to a hospital in Mexico City where he died from his injuries. Gamond was with 2 other travel companions at the time of the attack. Their injuries were non-life-threatening.

So far, prosecutors do not have any motives for the slayings.

Exercise increased caution when traveling to Oaxaca.

Due to the current situation in Mexico, it is being reported that the the US State Department has issued a travel advisory for Americans to Oaxaca, Mexico.

However, when checking the US State Department website, the latest travel advisory in place is dated October 5, 2022. It reads:

Country Summary: Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.

US citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on US government employee travel. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. US government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. U. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. US government employees may not drive from the US Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.

This has been an ongoing problem in Mexico. Earlier this year, an American tourist was shot in the leg in Puerto Morelos outside Cancun by unknown assailants in March. This person survived. Then, a Mexican tourist was shot to death in Tulum, a coastal resort in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This tragedy took place during a robbery at a US chain coffee shop in April 2023.

Huge Explosion Rocks the Center of Milan

Harry Johnson — Thu, 11 May 2023 11:30:28 +0000

eTurboNews:

Numerous cars were ablaze after massive explosion rocked the center of Milan today.

According to local media reports, the incident was caused by apparent van explosion on the street of the Italian fashion capital.

Images from the scene of the blast show parked cars burning and a pillar of thick black smoke rising high into the air above the city.

A nearby primary school and a residential building had been evacuated.

At least five cars and four mopeds were destroyed in what the local reporters called “domino explosions.”

According to the latest reports, oxygen cylinders may have exploded in a parked van, with the fire spreading to nearby vehicles and several buildings, including a pharmacy.

Thus far there has been no information about casualties. Fire brigades arrived at the scene to combat the blaze, and the evacuation of a nearby school was reportedly ordered.

The oxygen cylinders in the van were reportedly intended for the Italian Auxological Institute, which studies human growth and development.

Hotel Cyber Attacks: How to Avoid Them

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor — Tue, 09 May 2023 23:14:27 +0000

eTurboNews:

What are the ways travelers are hacked at their hotel rooms, and how can they protect themselves? Here’s what the cyber experts have to say.

Protect your Hotel Wi-Fi Connection

Every public Internet connection has an increased risk of being used by cybercriminals, and hotel Wi-Fi is no exception. Hackers can use a hotel’s Wi-Fi to steal travelers’ passwords and personal information in two ways. One is to connect to the hotel’s Wi-Fi and install malicious malware. The second is to create a so-called “evil twin” – a fake, unprotected Wi-Fi hotspot with an unsuspicious name like “Guest Wi-Fi” or “Free Hotel Wi-Fi” – and steal private information this way.

To avoid being hacked through hotel Wi-Fi, travelers must take a few steps. First, ask the person at the reception desk to give the exact name and password for the provided Wi-Fi to avoid connecting to an ‘evil twin’ network. Second, use a VPN service to encrypt your data and prevent third parties from intercepting it. Finally, it is always a good idea to enable a firewall while using public Wi-Fi.

Use a Socket Instead of a USB Charger

For the convenience of visitors, some hotels install USB charging ports in hotel rooms. This is a tempting way to charge a device, especially if the traveler is coming from a location with a different kind of plug. However, it may introduce the risk of becoming a victim of cybercriminals. Hackers can modify public places’ charging cables to install malware on phones to perform an attack called juice jacking. This type of attack allows hackers to steal users’ passwords, credit card information, address, name, and other data.

Safe device charging on your way to your vacation spot might be challenging because you must carry a power bank or USB data blocker, but hotel rooms always have a socket. Usually, it’s the safest way to charge your devices.

Don’t Let the TV Cyberstalk You

With an established connection to local Wi-Fi to allow travelers to access apps and streaming platforms, a smart TV can become a gateway for cybercriminals. Depending on the aim of intruders, a hacked smart TV could be used for a number of cybercrimes: from cyberstalking travelers with built-in microphones or cameras to stealing personal credentials used to log in to apps on smart TV and selling them on the dark web.

Cybersecurity experts advise keeping the smart TV unplugged from power sources when it’s not being used. Covering the webcam and avoiding logging in with personal credentials also mitigates cyber risks.

Disable Wi-Fi Auto Connections

Keeping the automatic connection function disabled helps to mitigate cybersecurity risks on a trip because devices may be surrounded by public and insecure Internet connections. Moreover, some travelers leave their smartphone in their hotel room and forget that even if they leave a device disconnected from Wi-Fi, it can automatically turn on, for example, after the hotel staff moves it while cleaning a room.

Disabling automatic connection is one solution to protect your device. The second is to enable auto-connection to security apps, such as firewalls or VPNs. This way, even if the device connects to Wi-Fi, it remains protected from cybercrimes.

Beware of Phishing Cyberattacks

Unfortunately, complete prevention of cyberattacks can be challenging, especially when it comes to professional hackers aiming for high-value targets. One of the best-known examples is the cyberattack group DarkHotel, which has been known to compromise the Wi-Fi of luxury hotels by combining spear phishing, dangerous malware, and botnet automation designed to capture confidential data. Because the group seeks out only high-value targets — C-level executives, politicians, representatives from military-related organizations, and pharmaceutical company representatives — phishing emails are tailored to each target and are highly convincing.

Beware of Airport Public Wi-Fi Cyber Threats

Harry Johnson — Sat, 06 May 2023 15:32:27 +0000

eTurboNews:

The data experts conducted comprehensive research on the cybersecurity risks associated with public Wi-Fi at both airports and railway stations. The findings reveal alarming statistics and insights.

Every day, millions of people use public Wi-Fi networks at airports and train stations, seeking convenience and entertainment while they travel. However, these networks often lack proper security measures, leaving users exposed to a wide range of cyber threats.

The startling statistics: Latest research shows that up to 75% of public Wi-Fi networks at airports and train stations are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, while 1 in 3 users have shared sensitive information, such as passwords and financial data, over these unsecured networks.

The various cyber threats associated with using public Wi-Fi at airports and train stations, include data interception, man-in-the-middle attacks, and malicious hotspots.

Below are some of the best practices for staying safe whilst using public Wi-Fi networks at airports or in any other public space:

Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN encrypts your data and routes it through a secure server, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to intercept or access your information.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable 2FA on your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message or authentication app, in addition to your password.

Keep software and apps updated: Regularly update your operating system, web browsers, and apps to ensure you have the latest security patches.

Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities: Refrain from accessing or sharing sensitive information, such as online banking or personal identification, when connected to public Wi-Fi networks.

Use HTTPS websites: Make sure the websites you visit use HTTPS, which indicates that the data exchanged between your device and the website is encrypted.

Turn off file sharing and Wi-Fi when not in use: Disable file-sharing options on your device and turn off Wi-Fi when you’re not using it to prevent unauthorized access to your files or device.

Use antivirus and firewall software: Install reliable antivirus software and enable a firewall on your device to protect against malware and other threats.

Be cautious of public charging stations: Cybercriminals can exploit public charging stations to install malware or steal data from your device. Use your own charger and plug it into a wall outlet or use a portable power bank.

Beware of fake Wi-Fi hotspots: Verify the legitimacy of a public Wi-Fi network before connecting to it. Cybercriminals often create fake hotspots with similar names to trick users into connecting.

Use strong, unique passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms.

By following these best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of cyber-attacks whilst using public Wi-Fi networks.

Enough Already: Bali to Start Capping Number of Tourists

Harry Johnson — Fri, 05 May 2023 19:59:53 +0000

eTurboNews:

The governor of Indonesian tourist island of Bali, Wayan Koster, is apparently quite unhappy with the rising number of foreign visitors, who break the law and have no regard for local culture, as the island continues its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

If the issue of visitors breaking the law wasn’t addressed, “we will only attract cheap tourists who maybe just eat nasi bungkus [rice dish wrapped in banana leaves or paper], rent motorbikes, and break [traffic laws], and, lastly, steal from ATMs,” the governor said.

As the result of his displeasure with misbehaving visitors from overseas, the governor has proposed instituting a quota system, that would require foreign holidaymakers, hoping to vacation on Bali, to register for their trip one year in advance.

New long-term system would require foreign travelers to register one year before their planned visit to Bali and to wait their turn to visit.

“We will no longer welcome mass tourism. We will restrict tourist numbers by implementing a quota system. If there is a quota, then people will have to queue. Those who want to come next year, can sign up from now. That’s the system we want to apply,” Koster said.

Bali governor already announced plans in March to prohibit foreign tourists from renting motorbikes on the island following a series of incidents in which foreigners violated traffic rules. He suggested that under new rules that are set to come into force this year, tourists would only be allowed to drive cars rented from travel agents.

Koster has also asked the Indonesian government to cancel a visa-on-arrival policy for Ukrainians and Russians, who flocked to Bali for most of last year to escape Russia’ war of aggression against Ukraine, citing concerns that citizens from the two countries were violating local laws, overstaying their visas, and illegally working as hairdressers, tour guides, and taxi drivers.

Bali, once known as a laid-back surfing destination, has recently experienced a sharp spike in tourism, with numbers surging to over 300,000 visitors a month since the beginning of this year.

The island has particularly attracted a vast number of lifestyle bloggers, yoga instructors, and other online content creators from overseas.

The sudden surge in visitors has led to tensions with locals, who have complained of increased traffic, pollution, and an apparent lack of respect for local Hindu traditions and culture.

Epstein’s Infamous Private Islands Will Become Luxury Resort

Harry Johnson — Thu, 04 May 2023 16:09:32 +0000

eTurboNews:

SD Investments LLC, an investment firm led by a prominent billionaire private equity executive Stephen Deckoff, announced on its website the acquisition of the islands of Great St. James and Little St. James in the United States Virgin Islands.

Two private Caribbean islands once belonged to a notorious American sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein who allegedly used them to sexually abuse young women and traffic children for years.

Epstein died in a Manhattan federal prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. A decade earlier he was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a minor, for which he was registered as a sex offender. According to the prosecution, among his victims were girls possibly as young as 11 years of age.

Great St. James and Little St. James were on the market for over a year. They were sold for a combined total of $60 million, less than half of the original asking price of $125 million. The property boasts a mansion, several guest villas, a helipad, and numerous pools.

The islands now have been purchased by a prominent entrepreneur and investor who is planning to develop them into a luxury resort.

Stephen Deckoff, a resident of the US Virgin Islands, is worth $3 billion. He is a co-founder of private equity firm Black Diamond Capital Management, which manages $9 billion in assets.

“Mr. Deckoff plans to develop a state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort that will help bolster tourism, create jobs, and spur economic development in the region, while respecting and preserving the important environment of the islands.” SD Investments announced in a statement.

Apparently acknowledging the islands’ loathsome past, SD Investment’s statement adds that “a significant portion of the sale proceeds” were to be paid to the government of the Virgin Islands under a previous settlement agreement between the government and Epstein’s estate.

Beware of Common Travel Scams Abroad This Summer

Harry Johnson — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 19:01:31 +0000

eTurboNews:

Travelers are being warned to avoid falling victim to common travel scams when vacationing abroad this summer.

Travel experts have outlined eight prolific travel scams and have provided tips on how tourists can protect themselves.

Traveling is a great way to explore new places and experience different cultures, but it can also make unprepared tourists vulnerable to scams and frauds.

To stay safe in a new country it’s important to keep valuables secure, be cautious with strangers, use official transportation and not fall for “too good to be true” offers.

Before the trip it’s useful to do some research on common scams in the area, as knowing what to expect is the best way to avoid getting duped.

Some people believe that only naive tourists are taken advantage of when travelling, but as con artists get more cunning, even the most experienced travelers can become victims of their schemes.

It’s important to familiarize yourself with some of the most universal travel scams so you can learn from other people’s mistakes and recognize when you’re being conned.

Besides doing research before the trip, you should always make sure to keep your valuables close to your body and be cautious with overly friendly locals who are trying to gain your trust to lure you into a scam.

If anything seems suspicious and too good to be true, then trust your instincts because it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Here are eight common travel scams that holidaymakers should look out for:

Taxi overcharging

Never agree to start a ride if the driver tells you that the meter is broken, as you’ll just end up getting wildly overcharged. Also make sure to keep an eye on the meter while you’re driving and if you suspect it is going up faster than usual then just ask them to pull over and get out.

It’s useful to ask about the average taxi fares from the hotel, use an official taxi provider and if they’re not using a meter then make sure to agree on a fare before hiring the driver.

Bump and grab

The easiest way to steal someone’s valuables is to create a diversion so they can be caught off guard. One of the most common pickpocketing tactics is the ‘bump and go’ method, where one of the thieves pretends to accidentally bump into you while the accomplice picks your pocket when you’re distracted.

This is especially likely to happen in busy, bustling areas like tourist attractions and train stations, so be especially mindful in those locations. Try not to carry all your valuables with you, make sure you have copies of important travel documents and opt for a discreet money belt worn underneath your clothes.

Vehicle hire scams

Be careful when renting a car, motorcycle or a jet ski, as the owners can blame you for damage you didn’t cause. They may even take your passport for guarantee and threaten to keep it if you don’t pay for expensive repairs.

Before taking the vehicle for a drive make sure to take photos and videos to document its condition to avoid being blamed for something you didn’t do.

Wrong change

If you’re in a country where you’re not familiar with the currency, then watch out for vendors who try to trick their customers by returning less change than they were due.

Before any transaction, make sure to calculate how much money you should get back and take the time to count the change.

Closed hotel or attraction

Some trustworthy taxi drivers make their money by earning commission from bringing customers to local businesses. They’ll tell you the hotel, tourist attraction or restaurant where you’re heading to is temporarily closed for a local holiday or fully booked and recommend taking you to a better alternative which is usually overpriced and low in quality.

If this happens then just insist on going to the place you had originally booked because if it was really closed or at capacity, then you wouldn’t have been able to book it in the first place.

Bartlett Reinforces Tough Stance Against Public Disorder

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 19:41:38 +0000

eTurboNews:

The need for order was central to a meeting with stakeholders and a town hall meeting hosted by the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism recently as it took its National Consultation on the Destination Assurance Framework and Strategy (DAFS) to the people of Ocho Rios and St. Mary.

The meetings were part of an extensive tour that started with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Mammee Bay Waterwheel ruin, followed by the Ocho Rios Cruise Terminal, Blue Hole and both the Pineapple Craft Market and the stakeholders meeting. The popular spot for White River Rafting is to be visited at a later date.

Espousing a tough stance, the Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Minister Bartlett, told his audience during the town hall meeting held at the Ocho Rios Baptist Church that while the tourism industry had bounced back and was exceeding projections with record levels of growth, disorder was a real threat that would not be tolerated.

He reiterated that tourism had become the driver of Jamaica’s economic development and belonged to everyone deserving of having the opportunity to earn from it but:

“They can’t get a slice of the pie if there’s disorder.”

Mr. Bartlett said all the components that make up tourism were owned by other sectors but that the industry gave visitors an assurance of safety and security that must be protected. Destination Assurance should therefore be seen in the context of creating a framework which will guide all players in the industry and bring about harmony among them to operate seamlessly.

He suggested however that it was hard to do that with so many parts to the equation and each going in their own direction so the DAFS was attempting to “pull it all together” under one umbrella that provides the framework and strategy on how to operate with confidence.

Underscoring that tourism belonged to everyone, regardless of social status, Minister Bartlett stressed that “tourism can only operate in a space of order; if there is no order there can be no tourism and so this Destination Assurance Framework and Strategy is designed to enable order.”

He said, when in place, Jamaica will be the only country in the world to have a Destination Assurance Framework and Strategy.

The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) has been charged as the guardian of Destination Assurance with the primary responsibility of monitoring, managing and providing the framework within which players in the industry operate.

The Minister noted that as the regulators, TPDCo will be monitoring areas where tourism assets exist with everyone given a chance to benefit. He stated:

“Where we are giving service to Jamaicans and foreigners, we are going to ensure that public order is maintained.”

Mr. Bartlett also disclosed that there will be extensive training and: “In short order we are going to look at those in the informal space and bring them into the formal system,” stressing that “we not throwing out anybody.”

While expressions of important developments in tourism were made along the tour and during the meetings, several issues of concern to industry stakeholders in both St Ann and St Mary were pointed out and are to receive the requisite attention.

More news about Jamaica

TSA: Do Not Bring Guns to Airport Security Checkpoints!

Harry Johnson — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 18:48:24 +0000

eTurboNews:

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted 1,508 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first quarter of 2023, which ended March 31, averaging 16.8 firearms caught per day. More than 93% of the firearms were loaded.

The number of firearm catches during the first quarter represents a 10.3% increase over the same period in 2022; however, the number of passengers from 2022 to 2023 has also increased. In the first quarter of 2022, TSA officers stopped 1,367 firearms at airport security checkpoints, which averaged 15.2 firearm catches per day. More than 86% of those firearms were loaded.

During the first quarter of 2023, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) screened over 191 million passengers, compared to about 158 million passengers in the first quarter of 2022, representing an increase of 20.4%. The rate of passengers with firearms during the most recent quarter was 7.9 firearms per one million passengers, decreasing slightly from the same period in 2022, when the rate of discovery was 8.6 firearms per one million passengers.

A record 6,542 guns were intercepted at U.S. airport security in 2022. With the exception of pandemic-disrupted 2020, the number of weapons intercepted at US airport checkpoints has climbed every year since 2010.

“Firearms at TSA security checkpoints present an unacceptable safety and security risk to other passengers, and I am deeply concerned that the majority of these firearms our TSOs catch are loaded,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.

“If you carry a firearm to the checkpoint, our TSOs will see it and there will be significant penalties, to include federal penalties and additional screening, which may prolong the security screening process. You may still travel with a firearm – it just must be properly packed in your checked baggage, and you must declare it to the airline.”

Firearm possession laws vary by state and local government, but firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags, at TSA security checkpoints and on board aircraft, even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit.

When passengers bring firearms to the TSA security checkpoint, TSA suspends their TSA PreCheck eligibility for five years, which includes current TSA PreCheck members.

Additionally, TSA may conduct additional screening for those passengers to ensure no other threats are present. Late last year, TSA increased the maximum civil penalty for a firearms violation to $14,950.

Passengers with firearms found in a carry-on bag at a TSA checkpoint are also subject to applicable city or state laws at that airport that may include citation or arrest.

Passengers may travel with a firearm if they properly pack the firearm in checked baggage and declare it with the airline at check-in.

Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so travelers must also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.

Playful Chicago Kids Chase Tourists at Gunpoint

Juergen T Steinmetz — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:42:39 +0000

eTurboNews:

The next trend in social media terror is for 16 or 17-year-old teens to organize online to create chaos.

This happened for the second night in a row in Chicago. It happened in a part of the city that is off-limit to teens under 21 years young.

It happened in the heart of the US City of Chicago, Illinois, which is also the center of tourism in the city.

A “Teen Takeover’ terrorizes Chicago as hundreds of children destroy property and attack tourists.

FOX News

Hundreds of teens took over a prominent stretch of Michigan Ave Saturday and tried to access the Millennium Park area of Chicago.

Loud music, jumping on top of cars, and, to top it off, gunshots were heard in the city that is known to the world as the murder city.

Tourists were fleeing the scene, and police escorted some visitors back into their hotels.

Police showed up in overwhelming strength and were controlling the situation without adding to the violence.

The power and misuse of social media have become an urgent matter of necessary inclusion in the educational process for American youth.

The access and use of firearms remains a dire threat in the United States. No country makes it so easy for anyone to obtain deadly weapons. Access to guns is in the out-of-time constitution and supported by the profitable and powerful gun industry.

There are certain checks when buying guns in the U.S., but it’s easy to obtain weapons for anyone, with or without checks, legal or illegal.

As threatening as this night was for many in downtown Chicago, it should repeat the call to ban weapons out of the hand of ordinary citizens.

Tourists Beware: Phone Theft Epidemic Engulfs London

Harry Johnson — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 18:47:01 +0000

eTurboNews:

Accordig to the latest data, more than 91,000 mobile phone thefts have been formally reported stolen in London in 2022 – adding to an average of one device stolen every six minutes.

The real number of the stolen phones is most likely quite higher, since not all crime victims file a formal report with the Met Police.

Minister for Policing of the United Kingdom, Chris Philp, said he was ‘deeply concerned by those figures as a Londoner.’

Commenting on the released data, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMCIFRS), the UK police watchdog, stated that the current mobile phone theft statistics are “unacceptable and unsustainable,” and that they play a significant factor in the public’s perception of the efficacy of London’s police force.

Out of 248 cell phones stolen on average each day in London, the Met Police recovered just 1,915 or approximately 2% of the devices reported as stolen last year. According to the Met Police statement, combating mobile phone robberies is ‘difficult’ but ‘daily operations’ are continuing in an effort to ‘address the issue.’

London boroughs of Westminster (25,899), Camden (7,892) and Southwark (5,690) recorded the highest number of cell phone thefts in 2022 – with the police recovery rates in all three below even the 2% average for the entire city.

Many of the latest models of mobile phones, such as Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, on the market can cost well over £1,000 ($1,240) when purchased in the UK legally. Phone theft could also lead to an identity theft, given the huge amounts of personal data stored on the electronic devices – including credit card and banking information.

“Phone theft is not a minor crime,” His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Chief Inspector Andy Cooke said.

“It strikes at the heart of how safe people feel in their own communities. There needs to be a concerted drive to address this because it directly affects the public’s confidence in the police’s ability to keep them safe.”

Data Breach at Crystal Bay Casino

Harry Johnson — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 15:11:08 +0000

eTurboNews:

Crystal Bay Casino is providing notice of a recent incident that may affect some customer information. This notice includes information about the incident, Crystal Bay Casino’s response, and resources potentially affected individuals may use to help protect information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened?

In November 2022, Crystal Bay Casino identified unusual activity on certain systems within its network. Upon learning of this activity, Crystal Bay Casino took prompt steps to confirm the security of its systems and initiated a comprehensive investigation into the issue. The investigation determined that certain files may have been copied from the system on or around November 27, 2022 as part of the incident. As such, Crystal Bay Casino undertook a diligent review of the relevant files to determine what information was present and to whom it relates. On January 25, 2023, the investigation further determined some database information may have been copied from the system as part of the incident. Based on these findings, Crystal Bay Casino promptly reviewed the relevant database to identify what information was present, to whom that information related, and contact information for those individuals.

What Information Was Involved?

The investigation determined the potentially affected information related to the database files includes name, driver’s license number, and passport number.

What Crystal Bay Casino Is Doing.

Upon becoming aware of this incident, Crystal Bay Casino promptly initiated a comprehensive investigation. Crystal Bay Casino also reported the activity to the FBI and continues to assess its network security, including reviewing and enhancing policies and procedures as appropriate. As an added precaution, Crystal Bay Casino is offering potentially affected individuals access to 12 months of complimentary credit monitoring services.

What You Can Do.

Crystal Bay Casino encourages those who may be affected to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing account statements and monitoring free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Crystal Bay Casino also encourages individuals to review the information contained in the Steps You Can Take To Help Protect Information it is providing on its website.

Tourist Scam! Planning to take a bus in Italy? Think again!

eTN Managing Editor — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 22:05:12 +0000

eTurboNews:

Livorno is a port city on the Ligurian Sea on the western coast of Tuscany, Italy.

Livorno makes a great oceanfront base to visit one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Pisa, and its famed tower, is just a 17-minute train ride from Livorno. The Baptistry, Duomo (cathedral), and the Leaning Tower—an iconic symbol of Italy — are located in Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli . The city has 158,000 residents.

eTN was contacted by Australian journalist Ian Mcintosh who shared his experience. Ian is the former publisher at McIntosh Communications Pty Ltd.

According to Ian a group of Australian tourists that had been hijacked by transport authority thugs in Livorno Italy and ripped off for 40 Euros each.

They were on a day trip from a cruise ship to the Livorno railway station, which cost one euro fifty.

All purchased tickets. In Italy, tickets need to be validated before boarding a train. Stamp machines are positioned usually at the beginning of a bus station platform.

Italy is known for not everything functioning all the time. This is what happened when the group tried to validate purchased tickets. The machine did not work.

A local told them in broken English one had to know precisely how to manipulate the machine to get validation.

When they stepped onto the bus, the bus driver was informed but waved them through with other groups from the ship who also found it impossible to validate their tickets.

Shortly after commencing the journey, the driver pointed out the Australian group of five to uniformed thugs who got on the bus and demanded to see passports and then imposed a fine of 17 Euros for each person for not validating their bus ticket.

As the group was in a hurry to get to the railway station and visit Florence, they agreed to pay a curious fine by credit card.

However, a close examination of the credit card slip showed that each person had actually been charged 40 euros.

According to one of the Australians, the so-called officials were intimidating, demanding to see passports, which were photographed.

“We were treated like criminals,” she said.

“Anywhere else in the world, visitors would be treated with understanding and guided in local rules – but not in Livorno.”

Looking at similar incidents on Facebook, it seems this racket has been happening for some time.

Why did the bus driver select the Australian group?

Was he part of the scam?

It is easy to believe the answer is yes.

According to the group leader: “We have contacted our credit card company and had the charge challenged – and look forward to the authorities in Livorno taking the right attitude and protecting visitors from this sort of humiliation and theft.

Top 10 safest European travel destinations

Harry Johnson — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 15:41:00 +0000

eTurboNews:

The results of a new study, revealing the safest places in Europe to travel to, were released today.
  
The study analyzed 9 metrics that contribute towards how safe an area may be such as homicides, assaults, road fatalities, natural disaster risk, and global peace index, to find which European country is the safest.

Each country was given a score out of 10 for each factor, which was then totaled to provide a score on the safety index. The lower the score, the safer the country is.  
  
1 – Switzerland

Switzerland ranks as the safest place in Europe. With very low homicide, assault and road fatalities, travelers are likely to be very safe in this country. Switzerland also has a very low risk of natural disasters and one of the lowest levels of corruption perception in Europe. With stunning ski slopes and scenic hiking trails, this is a must-visit for travelers who want to see the beauty Europe has to offer.

Safety index: 45
 
2 – Iceland

Iceland is a Nordic volcanic island defined by dramatic landscapes, gorgeous glaciers and cascading waterfalls. Not only is it incredibly beautiful but ranks as the second safest country in Europe. With very low numbers of robberies (14.6) and homicides (0.89) per 100,000 people and also ranking as one of the most peaceful nations as well, Iceland should be on any traveler’s bucket list.
 
 Safety index: 47.4

3 – Norway
 
Norway is a Scandinavian country encompassing mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords. Norway also ranks as a very peaceful nation, with a very low rate of robberies and homicide as well as only 2 traffic accidents per 100,000 people, these metrics make Norway a safe travel destination.

Safety index: 47.9

4 – Denmark

Denmark has been reported to be one of the happiest countries in the world, and this study has the country as the fourth safest in Europe. This country has lower levels of assault and road fatalities than most and there is a high chance your trip to Denmark will be a pleasant one.

Safety index: 49.4

5 – Luxembourg
 
Luxembourg is a small landlocked European country known for the dense Ardennes forest, nature parks in the north, the rocky gorges of the Mullerthal region in the east and the Moselle river valley in the southeast. Not only is the country doused in beauty, but it has a very low risk of natural disaster, residents and visitors have great personal freedom, and the country has the lowest homicide rates in Europe.
 
Safety index: 50

6 – Finland

Finland has many elements that make it such a great travel destination. The Northern Lights can be seen from the country’s Arctic Lapland province, a vast wilderness with national parks and ski resorts. Tourists can also be sure that they will be safe in Finland as they have very few assaults and robberies per 100,000 people as well as being ranked as a very peaceful nation. This is why Finland ranks as the sixth safest country.

 Safety index: 51.2

7 – Ireland
 
Ireland is a nation filled with natural beauty and enveloped in history, culture and tradition. The capital Dublin is a touristy hot spot with the famous Temple Bar, Guinness factory as well as various museums and castles that make it a great place to travel to. On top of this, travelers can ensure their safety as there are a low number of homicides (0.87 per 100,000) and sexual violence (60.9 per 100,000) in comparison to most of Europe.
 
Safety index: 51.5

8 – Netherlands
 
The Netherlands is known for its flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. The capital Amsterdam has a rich history, including the Van Gogh Museum and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during WWII. The Netherlands has low assault and sexual violence rates with a very low perception of corruption and is ranked as a very peaceful nation. This ensures its place in the top 10 safest countries in Europe.
 
Safety index: 52

9 – Austria
 
Austria is famous for its castles, palaces and buildings, among other architectural works, as well as its alpine summits and deeply carved valleys. Austria has very few robberies and homicides per 100,000 people and ranks highly on the peace index, making Austria a great travel destination for safety, in which it ranks ninth in Europe, and scenery.

Safety index: 52.1

10 – Sweden

Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes, along with vast boreal forests and glaciated mountains. Sweden is well known for its high quality of life and its welcoming of visitors. Coupled with lower crime stats than most of Europe as well as a high rating on the global peace index, Sweden is a great destination for safe travel.

TSA agents seized 6,542 guns at US airports last year

Harry Johnson — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:25:31 +0000

eTurboNews:

The number of firearms seized by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at US airports has steadily risen each year since 2010, with the exception of pandemic-interrupted 2020.

And, according to TSA, last year was not an exception. A record 6,542 weapons were confiscated at American air hubs in 2022 – about 18 guns each and every day of the year.

The majority of the gun interceptions at US airports last year happened in states with loose firearm laws. Three airports in both Texas and Florida accounted for six of the ten airports which saw most guns interceptions last year.

“What we see in our checkpoints really reflects what we’re seeing in society, and in society there are more people carrying firearms nowadays,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.

While illicit intentions were certainly the case out in some instances, analysis of the firearms interception spike shows that in most instances travelers simply forgot that they had a gun on their person or in their luggage when flagged by security.

Nonetheless, the discovery of an unreported gun on an airport checkpoint X-ray machine can greatly delay other passengers while the problem is being dealt with by TSA agents.

“It’s disruptive no matter what,” flatly stated former TSA official. “It’s a dangerous, prohibited item and… you should know where your gun is at, for crying out loud.”

The potential consequences for a passenger trying to smuggle a firearm past airport security, whether they know it’s in their possession or not, vary depending on state or local laws. Some perpetrators can be arrested and have their gun seized, while others are permitted to pass a weapon to an acquaintance not accompanying them on the flight.

TSA Federal Security Director Arden Hudson warned American travelers if they are going to travel with a firearm, it must be secured in a checked bag, and they must be certain they know “exactly what the gun laws are on each side of your trip.”

According to the latest study, 46% of US households own at least one firearm. The number of privately-owned guns in the United States of America is currently estimated to be around 466 million.

Amsterdam: Marijuana, booze and Red Light District don’t mix

Harry Johnson — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 00:20:43 +0000

eTurboNews:

Amsterdam officials have announced new rules for the city’s world-famous De Wallen – Red Light District, that will take effect in the middle of May, 2023.

In an effort to improve safety conditions in the area and decrease the number of problems caused by rowdy tourists, new law will completely ban smoking cannabis in public spaces in the district between 4pm and 1am, Thursday to Sunday.

Additionally, no new visitors will be allowed into the old city district after 1am, according to the city council.

According to the Dutch capital officials, the restrictions could later be extended to include a ban on smoking marijuana outside coffee shops as well.

Amsterdam officials are also planning to launch a “stay away” campaign in the spring, to discourage visitors from traveling to the city purely for drug, alcohol, and sex purposes.

New laws are set to have a large impact on businesses, since entertainment establishments will now have to limit their operating hours, while sex workers will have to shut up shop by 3am. Restaurants and bars will have to close by 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Liquor stores and cafes, located in the Red Light District, which are currently banned from selling alcohol from Thursday to Sunday after 4pm, will have to completely remove all alcohol from their storefronts during that time, or hide them from view.

In a press release announcing the legislation, a spokesperson for the city council stated that the new laws will hopefully give the city residents more “peace late at night.”

The atmosphere in the district becomes “dire, particularly at night” as there are large numbers of people “under the influence that hang around for a long time,” the statement added.

Local Christian Democrat leader Diederik Boomsma declared that he was delighted with the new legislation, saying that Amsterdam needs to “finally get rid of its image as a Walhalla for paid sex and drugs.”

“Some days you can’t even walk around the center without breathing in the persistent stench of cannabis fumes, with glassy-eyed tourist zombies staggering about. That has to stop,” he said.

Amsterdam is notorious for its marijuana and hashish cafes and Red Light District, which attract millions of tourists every year. But the city residents have long complained that these venues attract street dealers, and that the rampant drug and alcohol use drive up crime rates in the capital.

Ask for Angela: Argentina nightlife fights sexual assault

Harry Johnson — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 21:17:41 +0000

eTurboNews:

The Argentinian Nightlife Federation (Federación de Entidades de Discotecas de la República de Argentina FEDRA) announced that Argentinian nightlife venues will start implementing Ask for Angela protocol against sexual assault.

The announcement made public amid Argentinian nightlife joining the International Nightlife Association (INA) with nightlife venues in Argentina now adhering to FEDRA and implementing safety and quality nightlife seals.

This announcement was made by the President of the FEDRA Rodolfo Roque Di Pinto who stated, “The nightlife companies that are a part of our national federation will be able to implement international safety and quality distinctions and be directly linked to the INA. We consider becoming a member of the INA a great opportunity and allows for our venues to exchange experiences and share formulas that allow addressing the problems of the sector and stimulate its prioritization through networking on; the professionalization of tourist leisure, business responsibilities in the face of legal obligations, tariffs and copyrights and artists, innovation and new trends.”

Ask for Angela was born in the UK in 2016 and was adopted by the INA in 2017

Ask for Angela is a campaign that originated in 2016 in Lincolnshire (England) used by nightlife venues to keep people safe from sexual assault by using a codeword to identify when they are in danger or are in an uncomfortable situation. The “Ask Angela” campaign is named in remembrance of Angela Crompton, a woman who was abused and killed in 2012 and also inspired by the meaning of the name which is “messenger of God” or “angel” (guardian or protector).

In 2017, the International Nightlife Association decided to adopt the campaign and included it as one of the current requirements to achieve the International Nightlife Safety Checked seal. The protocol has been evolved since then by the International Nightlife Association introducing all kinds of sexual harassment and assault prevention measures to fight drink spiking and injection spiking among other threats. Additionally, the venues’ demands to implement such protocols are increasing more and more daily.

José Luis Benitez, President of the International Nightlife Association and spokesperson for the Ibiza Nightlife Association (Ocio de Ibiza) said, “We have been working very hard these last years and we are very proud of it. More clubs and countries are increasingly interested in implementing this protocol. In Ibiza, we train an average of 300 nightlife workers every year and also introduce all kinds of new material. All members of staff are fundamental to fighting this threat, and our sector is very committed to eradicating it from our spaces.”

Ask for Angela has since expanded to many different countries such as Spain, Colombia, Belgium, Australia, South Africa, the USA, and now also Argentina.

Nightclubs in Argentina will implement safety and quality seals

FEDRA has also expressed its total adherence to INA’s hallmarks and safety and quality protocols; in particular, the International Nightlife Safety Checked (INSC) seal which includes the Ask for Angela protocol but also the main existing distinction of quality and excellence in the nightlife sector, the Triple Excellence in Nightlife, which will be at the disposal of the Argentinian clubs who want to implement it.

FEDRA was established in 1995 with the main goal of putting Argentina’s nightlife industry’s ideas in common and joining forces to fight for their rights and make their voices heard.

Camilo Ospina Guzmán, Vice President of the International Nightlife Association for LATAM and President of the Colombian Nightlife Association (Asobares) has celebrated the adherence of FEDRA to the International Nightlife Association and its safety and quality protocols stating that “We are proud to have the FEDRA among us, since the bigger we are and the more countries we have a presence in LATAM and the rest of the world, the stronger our industry will be. We introduced the Ask for Angela campaign in Colombia a few years ago through the INA and believe that the more countries that adhere to it, the more unified and worldwide the code will be recognized and applied.”

No more passenger extortion at Entebbe International Airport

Tony Ofungi - eTN Uganda — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 17:37:29 +0000

eTurboNews:

Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued fresh guidelines for travelers following a spate of complaints from departing passengers that have surfaced on social media.

TikTok, Facebook and WhatsApp were awash with videos of airport staff extorting money from passengers, the majority of whom are migrant workers and first-time travelers, intimidated by the whole experience.

Several airport staff who were caught on camera have since been terminated including 24 who are currently under investigation.

According to the Director General of Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority, Fred Bamwesigye, operational airport staff, many of whom are seconded from other agencies, including Department of Immigrations and Citizenship, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor, Airport Security, etc. henceforth shall be required to wear uniforms at their desks or stations with tags bearing their names and will not be allowed to have their mobile phones at their desks, with a senior supervisor available and under extra CCTV monitoring in a bid to harmonize the handling processes.

A directive issued on 30th January, 2023 outlines the basic travel requirements for departing passengers travelling through Entebbe International Airport as follows:

A valid passport
A valid visa for countries where this is required
An airline ticket (hard copy or e-ticket)
Valid Yellow fever vaccination card in case the destination country requires it; otherwise, passengers must seek for additional information from their respective airlines regarding destination travel requirements (as some of these keep changing from time to time or may be beyond what is stated above).
Travel process for departing Passengers through Entebbe International Airport
First Security Checkpoint at the gate/entrance of Entebbe International Airport: The driver and occupants of the vehicle are required to undergo security screening and the motor vehicle is physically inspected.
Car park access: The cars are to be parked in the public car park and the passenger accesses the departure level to start on the travel process.
Second Security point on departure level: Travelling passengers are separated from non travellers. The passenger should show their passport and ticket so as to proceed to the restricted area.
Hold Baggage Check point: Passengers’ bags are screened through the screening machine by Aviation Security staff.
Documents Verification: At this point, a passenger is required to show their passport as their legal identity and the ticket showing their destination of travel to the Airline staff or their representatives, the Ground Handling Staff who after verification will stamp either the visa (if paper visa) or the ticket for the next step of check-in. A valid yellow fever vaccination card should be presented (in case the destination country requires).
it). Any non- compliances will be communicated to the passenger and if they cannot be fulfilled, the passenger may be denied travel.
Check in Counters and Baggage drop: After meeting the destination requirements, the passenger presents the passport, ticket, or visa with stamp for check in.

Baggage weight is measured in accordance with the required weight as indicated on the passenger ticket.

In case of any excess baggage, ticket changes or upgrades, the passenger is advised on the cost and is referred to the relevant airline for payment. Physical or electronic receipts will be issued for such payments.

The passenger is then issued with a boarding pass and baggage claim tags. It is noted that there are two types of check- in for passengers i.e.:

• Online checked -in passengers who do not need to go through the check-in counters, if they do not have baggage to check- in.

• Non-online checked in passengers who have to follow all the processes of check-in as follows:

For the Immigration desk responsible for boarder management and detection of human and child trafficking:

1. The passenger will be required to present their passport for exit visa/ stamp, boarding passes and hotel booking after which immigration officers shall permit the passenger to proceed for travel if they meet the destination requirements and have complied with Uganda’s rules and regulations. In case the departing passenger had visited Uganda, they shouldn’t have exceeded the issued visa period.

If there are any pertinent reasons (non compliance with any of the requirements), the passenger may be denied exit by immigration, and in that case the airline or Ground handling agent is informed.

2. At the last Security check:

The passenger will be required to go through this security point before entering the boarding gate and any prohibited item will be withdrawn from the passenger. The items may be handed over to the passenger’s family, if they are still available at the Airport or may be disposed- off by security through a court order.

Baggage weight is measured in accordance with the required weight as indicated on the passenger ticket.

The passenger is then issued with a boarding pass and baggage claim tags.

Hotlines:

General Manager, Entebbe International Airport – +256(0)702055158

Lunar New Year turned into a night of death and terror in California

Juergen T Steinmetz — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 11:05:16 +0000

eTurboNews:

Monterrey Park is known as a safe community in Los Angeles County, but Lunar New Year Saturday night turned into a mass shooting.

Partygoers were attacked by a man with a semi-automatic weapon shooting randomly at people, killing 9 and injuring 6 according to a Gunviolence Archive just published. This number is not confirmed by authorities yet.

According to a report in the LA Times, new details were available, including the number of people shot. Internal police communications said there had been some fatalities. One law enforcement source told the Los Angles Times, the causality count totaled more than a dozen people.

It happened near the intersection of Garvey and Garfield avenues at a Lunar New Year’s party at Star Ballroom Dance Studio.

The Studio was founded in Los Angeles 30 years ago and has 10,000 square feet of floor space. It is one of the largest dance studios in Monterrey Park.

A restaurant owner with a business on this intersection told the media that people were running into his restaurant wanting him to lock doors and shut windows.

Centrally located within the San Gabriel Valley, Monterey Park offers a number of opportunities to experience unique dining fare, great shopping, and patronage of numerous special events.

The cities tourism website says: For a small city, Monterey Park is proud to annually host a Lunar New Year Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Play Days (city birthday) parade and carnival, Fourth of July event, Artisan Faire and the Harmony Festival Auto Show.

I got an alert for it around 11:30 and was around 15 miles away from Monterey park, the app itself was going crazy. It’s unfortunate how unreliable these apps can be when their selling point is keeping people informed, a person tweeted.

Criminal Charges against Boeing: B737 MAX Justice for victims?

Juergen T Steinmetz — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 04:48:52 +0000

eTurboNews:

In September Boeing was forced to pay a fine of US$200 Million to the 346 victims of two Boeing MAX 737 crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Altogether the two crashes cost Boeing more than $20 Billion so far.

Grieving families of victims all over the globe did not give up. They finally had a real success today in a United States Courtroom in Texas.

The case now goes from civil litigation into the unforgive criminal court arena. It is rare in U.S. aviation law history that a corporation is arraigned on criminal charges regarding the deaths of plane crash victims.

A Texas federal judge ruled today that Boeing must report next Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in a Texas courtroom to be arraigned on federal criminal charges. They will be charged in the deaths of the 346 passengers and crew that were killed in two Boeing MAX 737 airplane crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Initially, Boeing was granted immunity from the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a $2.5 billion deferred prosecution agreement entered into in January 2021 regarding fraud involving the flawed design of the MAX aircraft that was never revealed to the proper authorities and officials before it was allowed to fly in the skies.

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of the US Federal Court in the Northern District of Texas located in Fort Worth rescinded Boeing’s immunity in that deferred prosecution agreement because the victims’ families were not a part of the process, and he ruled under the Crime Victims’ Act, they should have been.

The attorney who has been successfully handling this criminal matter on behalf of the plaintiffs on a pro bono basis is Paul G. Cassell, a Distinguished Professor of Law at the S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah, and a former federal judge and a nationally recognized expert in crime victims’ rights.

He said, “The families appreciate the judge’s ruling that Boeing will be treated like every other defendant in federal criminal cases and arraigned. Some family members are making plans to travel to Texas next week to address the company criminally responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.”

O’Connor directed any lawful representatives of those that identified as “crime victims” who intend to appear to be heard at the proceedings must provide notice.

The crashes in 2018 and 2019 in Indonesia and Ethiopia, led to a 20-month grounding for the best-selling plane and prompted the U.S. Congress to pass legislation reforming airplane certification.

SOURCE: Clifford Law Firm

China vows crackdown on Chinese New Year price gouging

Harry Johnson — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 20:54:18 +0000

eTurboNews:

The State Administration for Market Regulation of the People’s Republic of China has issued a warning to the country’s merchants and vendors today that it will intensify the clampdown on excessive price gouging on consumer goods during the approaching Spring Festival holiday.

According to a high-ranking official with the country’s top market regulator, the Administration will prioritize stabilizing prices and boosting consumption during the holiday with a zero-tolerance toward any form of overpricing.

To better protect consumers’ interests, the regulator will focus on consumption related to people’s livelihoods, with more attention to the price fluctuations in foods and specialty products.

Any act of fraudulent pricing will face strict punishment, said the official, adding that the regulator will cooperate with relevant authorities to stabilize the prices of grain, pork, and other key necessities and keep a closer eye on coal and natural gas prices.

Amid efforts to ensure price stability for tourism-related consumption, the regulator has urged public transport operators to carry out national policies regarding pricing.

The country’s State Administration for Market Regulation is also taking steps to guarantee orderly pricing in tourist attractions, car parks, and venues for catering, accommodation, entertainment, and shopping.

The Spring Festival holiday is the season when Chinese people traditionally travel home for family reunions.

‘Spring Festival’ refers to the same festival more commonly known in English as the ‘Chinese New Year‘. It is the biggest festival in China.

Spring Festival 2023 falls on Tuesday, January 22, 2023, beginning a year of the Tiger, and ends on Friday, January 27, 2023.

In China, Spring Festival is the common name for Chinese Lunar New Year.

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is responsible for drug administration, food safety, trademarks, and patents, as well as anti-monopoly policies.

SAMR website offers market data, information on government affairs, and services such as business registration and a small business directory.

International tribunal to investigate Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine

Harry Johnson — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:27:40 +0000

eTurboNews:

The European Parliament voted today in favor of establishing an international tribunal to investigate Russia’s war crimes in its war of aggression waged in Ukraine.

In a resolution, the Members of European Parliament asked the bloc and its individual member states to create a “special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine,” accusing Putin’s regime of violating international law.

The MEPs added that the court would “focus on alleged genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine.”

“The EU’s preparatory work on the special tribunal should begin without delay,” the resolution said.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky thanked the European Parliament members for the resolution.

“Russia must be held accountable,” Zelensky tweeted.

Some media reports from a few months ago suggested that the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) could start reviewing cases of alleged Russian crimes in Ukraine in late 2022 or early 2023.

A creation of a special UN-backed court to probe Russia’s “horrific crimes” in Ukraine was also suggested by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Russia has vehemently denied allegations of war crimes committed in Ukraine in the past and has also claimed that any international court would have no legal power over it.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry declared that “the current attempt by Western countries to whip up a quasi-judicial mechanism is unprecedented in its legal nihilism and is yet another example of the West’s practice of double standards.”

According to Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, an international tribunal tasked with prosecuting Russia would be rejected by Moscow as “illegitimate” and that the West has no legal right to establish it.

Ukraine said in the past that peace can only be achieved if Russia faces an international court. Moscow has rejected this demand as “unacceptable.”

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last February, and Russian troops and para-military gangs have since been accused of killing civilians in Bucha, near Kiev, and other areas.

Putin’s regime claims that its forces only strike “military targets” and has insisted that “allegations of atrocities” were fabricated.

Frontex: 330,000 illegal migrants swarmed EU in 2022

Harry Johnson — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 21:16:17 +0000

eTurboNews:

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, also known as Frontex, today released its annual data on illegal migration to the European Union in 2022.

According to Frontex, 330,000 attempts were made to enter the European bloc illegally during the past year, and that figure does not include migrants who applied for asylum legally or refugees who came from Ukraine.

Nearly half of the 330,000 illegal crossings into EU were made by Afghans, Syrians, and Tunisians, comprising 47% of all unlawful crossing attempts.

More than 80% of the attempts were made by adult men, with women accounting for fewer than one in ten detections and children accounting for 9%.

More attempts to enter the EU illegally were made in 2022 than in any year since 2016, Warsaw-based agency added.

In 2016, Frontex counted almost 2 million illegal crossing attempts.

With the Syrian Civil War raging at that time, the European Union saw a massive influx of mostly Middle Eastern illegal migrants. EU member states are still struggling to accommodate and integrate those arrivals to this day.

Aside from creating huge problems for the Europeans with housing and policing the hordes of the illicit arrivals, the 2015-2016 surge established a regular passage for future illegal migrants, giving a massive boost to human trafficking industry and forcing Brussels to consider strengthening the bloc’s external borders.

Frontex’s numbers do not include those who legally sought asylum in the European Union in 2022. While the bloc has not yet published its annual asylum application figures, almost 790,000 applications were made in the first ten months of 2022, EU Asylum Agency chief Nina Gregori said in December. Around 37% of these applications were accepted, based on October data.

Also, almost eight million Ukrainian refugees, escaping the brutal and unprovoked war of aggression launched by Russia against Ukraine, have fled to the EU and other European states since February, when Russia invaded the neighbor country.

About five million Ukrainian refugees have been granted temporary or permanent protection, according to United Nations (UN) data.

Uranium shipment intercepted at Heathrow Airport

Harry Johnson — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:17:52 +0000

eTurboNews:

A uranium-contaminated shipment was reportedly intercepted at London’s Heathrow Airport.

According to London’s Metropolitan Police, “a very small amount of contaminated material” was identified by Border Force officers during a routine screening.

The interception was first reported by British tabloid The Sun. The Sun claims that the seizure of the “deadly shipment” originating in Pakistan and sent via Oman to an Iranian national in the UK, was as a foiled “nuke plot,” that prompted an investigation by the British counterterrorism police.

It is not clear however, whether the package was destined for a “dirty bomb” or simply the scrap heap.

The initial tabloid report set off a media frenzy in the United Kingdom, with a “former nuclear defense commander” quoted as saying that the material could have been “used in a dirty bomb,” and another “former army chief” as saying it could have been intended for use in an “assassination plot.”

The Daily Mail claimed that investigators are following the “dirty bomb” version, while the Daily Express described the incident as “a dry run” for an actual bomb plot, citing an anonymous “security expert.”

However, the BBC reported that the uranium was found in a shipment of “scrap metal,” and that it could have ended up there as a result of “poor handling.”

Commander Richard Smith of the Met’s counterterrorism department said that the package “does not appear to be linked to any direct threat,” and “has been assessed by experts as posing no threat to the public.”

According to Smith, there is no evidence to any of the wild claims by the national tabloids, and that the only thing the incident proved is that the screening process at London’s Heathrow airport worked exactly as it should.

6 people wounded in Paris Gare du Nord train station terror attack

Harry Johnson — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 12:01:01 +0000

eTurboNews:

Six people were wounded, with one in a critical condition, in a stabbing terror attack at Paris railway station today.

According to French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the attack took place at the Gare du Nord train station in central Paris, one of the busiest rail hubs in the world, when the suspect, who reportedly spoke Arabic, began indiscriminately stabbing passersby during early-morning rush-hour.

The terrorist then entered the station and targeted other passersby.

The attacker was “quickly neutralized” by police, Darmanin said, while praising the officers for their “effective and courageous response.”

“An individual injured several people this morning at the Gare du Nord,” Darmanin, wrote on Twitter earlier this morning. “He was quickly neutralised. Thank you to the police for their effective and courageous response.”

Police quickly arrived at the scene, and shots were fired after the man tried to assault one of the officers. The attacker was wounded and hospitalized in critical condition, according to the local media reports.

The attacker was not carrying identity papers.

Local TV station reported that people injured in the attack were provided medical care on site.

According to the railway operator TER Hauts-de-France, the attack at Gare du Nord has led to disruptions in regular train schedules.

Hard Rock International fights human trafficking

Harry Johnson — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:01:47 +0000

eTurboNews:

Human trafficking, which includes commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor, is a complex challenge for the entire global hospitality industry because it intersects a range of organized criminal activities.

Hard Rock International is marking National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, tomorrow January 11, by expanding action to strengthen the industry’s role in combatting and preventing human trafficking.

For several years, Hard Rock has implemented comprehensive protocols to increase awareness of and prevent human trafficking, including training over 27,000 hotel and casino team members globally and collaborating with community partners and advocacy groups. In May 2022, the company signed the ECPAT Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct, the world’s first and only voluntary set of business principles travel and tourism companies can implement to prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking of children.

“Hard Rock is committed to working with our community partners across the country and the world to innovate solutions that help prevent human trafficking,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International.

This January, Hard Rock is expanding and innovating its direct support for victims, survivors, and at-risk youth, through partnership programs.

Youth Employment Program with Covenant House New York

To help vulnerable youth avoid risks or escape a life of trafficking, Hard Rock is providing access to careers in hospitality. Through a partnership with Covenant House New York, the largest provider of runaway and homeless youth services in New York City, the program aims to enable youth to overcome systemic barriers, achieve sustainable independence, and break free from cycles of poverty and homelessness.

These hurdles can be particularly difficult for people of color, those within the LGBTQ+ community, or who come from backgrounds of poverty and abuse.

“Vulnerable and exploited youth need stable employment to transition their lives from the street to a better future,” said Julie Farer, Executive Director of Covenant House New York. “This program seeks to not only offer jobs at Hard Rock, but to help these youth build careers by offering the experience, training and knowledge to build long-term futures in the global hospitality industry.”

Participants will receive employment with Hard Rock Cafe Times Square and Hard Rock Hotel New York. After completing a 90-day transition period, they can work to forge opportunities across a range of roles, to learn and grow as hospitality professionals.

First Hospitality Company to Implement Twentyfour-Seven QR Code

Hard Rock is improving how the hospitality industry provides information and support to those who need it, while also deterring traffickers from targeting its properties. To advance communications, Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming represent the first hospitality company to pilot a QR code on its properties that will provide information on trafficking, and for those who may need it, direct access to immediate help resources.

The Twentyfour-Seven Anti-trafficking QR Code® was created by survivors to help those vulnerable to trafficking, the QR code sticker will be placed in bathrooms, elevator waiting areas, transportation waiting areas, and parking lots.

“Victims who are being trafficked are constantly fed false information by their traffickers,” said Tsvetelina Thompson, Managing Director of Twentyfour-Seven. “The Twentyfour-Seven Anti-Trafficking QR code breaks the cycle by providing relevant and accurate information to victims so they may obtain help. Hard Rock is the first company in the hospitality sector to implement this program designed to help victims in bad situations. Using the anti-trafficking QR code will explain what laws and resources are available to victims.”

When scanned, the person selects their location, selects prompts for the specific information they want, and can choose actions to take, whether it is calling for immediate help, filing a report, or understanding the law. The pilot will test the QR code stickers at properties in New York City, Hollywood Florida, Cincinnati Ohio, and Madrid Spain.

Expanded Education to Prevent Online Luring with ECPAT-USA

In January 2022, Hard Rock launched the Social Identity Quest, an education program designed to help teens understand risks of being lured online. Content was co-developed with experts at ECPAT-USA and EduNetwork Partners. By June 2022, 1.2 million students completed the curriculum, taught by 60,000 teachers in high schools across 45 states This innovative program increased students’ human trafficking awareness and capacity to make informed decisions within social media practices.

The program is now being adapted to help prevent online exploitation amongst youth in Mexico, and indigenous communities in the USA.

“The Social Identity Quest (SIQ) helps young people examine how they interact and express themselves online,” said Lori L. Cohen, CEO of ECPAT-USA. “This creative approach is successful with youth because online games resonate with them. Rather than allow sexual perpetrators to exploit social media by identifying and contacting young people, the SIQ provides strategies to help kids protect themselves. By adapting this successful program for Mexico and indigenous youth in the USA, we are extending its reach to prevent grooming for sexual exploitation and trafficking.”

Local Champion with the Broward Human Trafficking Coalition

Wells Fargo VP urinates on passenger on Air India New Delhi flight

Harry Johnson — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 17:20:51 +0000

eTurboNews:

India’s capital city police charged Air India passenger with having engaged in an obscene act in a public place, assault on a woman “with intent to outrage her modesty,” public intoxication, and a “word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman,” after he allegedly urinated on an elderly female passenger sitting in business class aboard flight from New York to New Delhi.

According to New Delhi police and Air India, the man was a top Indian Wells Fargo executive, identified by Indian media as Shankar Mishra, the vice president of the American multinational financial services company’s India operations, based in Mumbai.

US banking giant announced that its employee involved in Air India incident had been promptly fired.

“Wells Fargo holds employees to the highest standards of professional and personal behavior and we find these allegations deeply disturbing. This individual has been terminated from Wells Fargo,” the company said in a statement, adding that it is “cooperating with law enforcement.”

While it is still not clear what exactly caused the lewd incident, Mishra was reportedly to have been heavily intoxicated while on a flight from to New Delhi before relieving himself on a 72-year-old woman.

According to assaulted Air India passenger, her “clothes, shoes and bag were soaked in urine.” The victim reported the assault to the crew.

After the charges were officially filed by New Delhi police, Mishra had vanished and currently remains on the run, though police officials say they have been in touch with his family.

“The accused is a resident of Mumbai and the investigators have found that his possible location is in some other state. He will be arrested at the earliest,” a senior police official said.

Though the incident took place on November 26 of last year, the elderly victim did not lodge a formal complaint with Air India until December 20. According to reports, Mishra later apologized after sobering up on the plane and the woman “found it difficult to insist on his arrest or press charges after he expressed remorse.” Nonetheless, she ultimately decided to report the assault to the airline.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s air safety regulator has criticized the airline for failing to report the obscene attack sooner, not bringing it to the authorities until December 28.

While the airline insisted that “the story is more complicated than has been reported,” it acknowledged it took long time for it to act. It also admitted that another similar incident happened in December on Air India flight from Paris, France to India’s capital city.

The DGCA strongly criticized Air India’s actions or rather inactions, and demanded a written report about the incident within two weeks.

“The conduct of the concerned airline appears to be unprofessional and has led to a systemic failure,” Indian aviation regulator said in a statement.

Right to seek happiness: South Korea lifts ban on sex doll imports

Harry Johnson — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 21:13:44 +0000

eTurboNews:

South Korean Korea Customs Service (KCS) announced that foreign-made life-size sex dolls, that have been forbidden from entering the country since 2018, despite the absence of specific legislation on the matter, will be once again allowed to be legally brought in.

“Full body Realdolls in adult form are allowed to clear customs,” KCS said in a statement, referring to one of the more widely known brands of sex doll.

However, the KCS added that “imports of Realdolls in the form of minors are prohibited.”

In its statement yesterday, Korea’s customs agency acknowledged that the change in policy was made in light of the court’s ruling, and based on the policies of the US, UK and Australia, which allow adult-sized sex dolls but not child-sized ones.

Life-size sex dolls were declared legal years ago in South Korea, but KCS agents continued confiscating them, citing a law that forbids the import of items that “harm the beautiful traditions and public morals of the nation.”

The KCS has seized more than 1,000 sex dolls since 2018.

The de facto ban remained in place even after South Korea’s supreme court ruled in 2019 that sex dolls fall under the same category as pornography, which although heavily regulated, is legal in the country.

South Korea’s sex doll importers enthusiastically hailed the KCS announcement, with the owner of one company saying that “people’s rights to seek happiness and use [sex dolls] in their private lives have been restricted by the state.”

The decision to lift the ban on previously “banned” adult toys was not celebrated by everyone though. Almost a quarter of a million South Korean residents have signed a petition demanding a complete ban on the silicone sex toys.

Meanwhile, according to local media reports, the KCS decided to hang on to all sex dolls it has confiscated prior to the latest change in policy.

Three people killed, four wounded in Paris shooting rampage

Harry Johnson — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 17:56:38 +0000

eTurboNews:

A lone gunman went on a shooting rampage in central Paris shortly before midday local time today, killing three and wounding four people, before being apprehended by police.

According to emergency services officials, two of those injured in the attack are in critical condition.

Attack witnesses report that the gunman fired a total of seven or eight shots, sowing mayhem in the street.

According to local news sources, the attack happened near a local Kurdish cultural center in the 10th arrondissement. The neighborhood is also home to numerous shops, restaurants and bars.

The reports have been confirmed by the mayor of the Paris‘ 10th district, Alexandra Cordebard.

Local police said that a 69-year-old suspect had been arrested and the firearm allegedly used in the attack has been recovered by the law enforcement officers.

Paris’ public prosecutor’s office said that the attacker’s motives are unclear for the time being and that it has launched a murder investigation.

According to some reports, citing police sources, the suspect has had a long criminal record, going back to 2016, with most recently arrested last December, when he reportedly stormed a migrant camp in Paris with a sword.

The suspect has been held in detention after the migrant camp attack on attempted murder charge, but was eventually released from custody on December 12.

Following the attack, members of Paris’ Kurdish community have gathered outside the cultural center, where today’s attack took place, angrily protesting the shooting. Police had to use tear gas to disperse the protesting crowd.

Speaking at the scene of the shooting, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that it was “not certain … that the gunman was specifically targeting the Kurdish community,” but was rather seeking to attack any “foreigners in general.”

5 ways to spot an Airbnb scam

Harry Johnson — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 20:40:10 +0000

eTurboNews:

Airbnb has over 4 million hosts, and 6 million listings, meaning the chances of falling victim to a scam are high.

And since the US has more Airbnbs than any other country in the world, how can Americans spot the warning signs of an Airbnb scam?

With this in mind, industry experts have revealed 5 ways to spot if your Airbnb is a scam, so you’re prepared for your next vacation.

5 ways to spot an Airbnb scam

1 – Hosts pushing for external communication

Hosts including their personal email or phone number in the property description can be a sign of a scam – most booking sites ban external exchanges, instead encouraging all communication and interactions to take place through the site.

This is the same for payment, if the host is pushing you to pay using an alternative method to that of the booking site, this can be a sign of a scam as they are moving away from the secure, tracked method of the site.

2 – Email Links

Fraudsters may send fake Airbnb links via email requesting you to input your data in order to receive the best deals or secure a booking.

If you do receive an email like this, try to avoid clicking the link – instead, go straight to the official website and log in via the secure system.

If you do choose to follow the link, double-check the URL to ensure it’s leading to the official site.

3 – The deal is too good to be true

If the deal appears too good to be true, chances are that is the case. Try reverse image searching the images used in the listing, as well as searching for reviews and evidence that the property is legitimate – you can do this by right-clicking on the image and selecting the option “search for image with google lens.”

However, if you are unsure, it’s best to avoid the listing as it is better to pay a little bit more than to lose money and details to a scam.

4 – The host’s profile

The host’s profile can be a strong tell as to whether or not they are legitimate listings. Airbnb has begun verifying both hosts and guests on its site to ensure the properties are valid and reliable.

The number of listings on one profile can also signal whether or not they are genuine, it’s unlikely that an individual host will have a large number of properties for rent so be sure to look into the reviews, properties and details of the host before booking.

5 – Reviews

The most valuable asset when booking a rental property is the reviews. These can apply to both the property itself and the host.

If a property has no reviews, it can often be best to steer clear – however, it could be that this is a new listing, in which case, look at the reviews for the host and make an informed decision from there.

TSA: Record number of guns brought to US airports in 2022

Harry Johnson — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 17:00:57 +0000

eTurboNews:

US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted a record number of firearms brought by passengers to airport security checkpoints in 2022.

As of December 16, TSA has stopped 6,301 firearms; more than 88% were loaded. This number surpasses the previous record of 5,972 firearms detected in 2021. TSA anticipates it will prevent about 6,600 firearms in carry-on bags from entering the secure area of airports by the end of 2022, a nearly 10% increase over 2021’s record level.

Firearm possession laws vary by state and local government, but firearms are never allowed in carry-on bags at any TSA security checkpoint, even if a passenger has a concealed weapon permit. In order to reduce the threat of firearms at checkpoints, TSA has increased the maximum civil penalty for a firearms violation to $14,950. TSA determines the penalty amount for a violation based on the circumstances in each case. TSA will continue to revoke TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years for passengers caught with a firearm in their possession. TSA may conduct enhanced screening for those passengers to ensure no other threats are present. Depending on state or local law in the airport’s location, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint may be arrested by law enforcement.

“I applaud the work of our Transportation Security Officers who do an excellent job of preventing firearms from getting into the secure area of airports, and onboard aircraft,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “Firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags at the checkpoint and onboard aircraft. When a passenger brings a firearm to the checkpoint, this consumes significant security resources and poses a potential threat to transportation security, in addition to being very costly for the passenger.”

Passengers traveling by air who wish to transport firearms must do so in checked baggage. Those passengers must follow proper packing guidance for firearms in checked baggage and declare them to their airline at check-in. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so travelers must also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.

Abuja Nigeria Ministry: Avoid travel due to high danger of terrorism

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 19:26:21 +0000

eTurboNews:

The Ministry wishes to inform the traveling public about security developments in Abuja, Nigeria, and the subsequent directive by local authorities to hotels operating in residential buildings to shut down.

Accordingly, the public is advised to avoid non-essential travel to Abuja due to the unpredictable security situation in the city and the high danger of terrorism, criminality, inter-communal conflict, armed attacks, and kidnappings.

While advising travelers who must travel out of necessity to Abuja to take precautionary measures, the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to the public when the situation improves.

Three weeks ago, the US, UK, and Australia issued warnings about terror attacks in Abuja, Nigeria. The alerts warned of possible hits on public places including government buildings, shopping malls, hotels, and transport terminals. All non-essential travel or movement was advised to be reconsidered.

In July, Islamist insurgents broke free from a 900-inmate prison in the capital.

It is believed that those who escaped are affiliated with the Islamic State as the group claimed responsibility for the jail break. Analysts point to this and other attacks in and around Abuja as necessitating the security alerts of this week’s nature.

Terror attacks in Nigeria have mostly happened in the northern region where Boko Haram and militant insurgents affiliated with the Islamic State have partly held territory over the past decade and a half. Borno, where schoolgirls were kidnapped in 2014, is 500 miles from Abuja.

The capital has also had its share of attacks. In 2011, a United Nations building was bombed, and 3 years later, explosions rocked a bus terminal killing 88. These security alerts, especially that of the US, come as Abuja becomes the take off stage for increased campaign activity ahead of presidential elections next February.

It is expected that the Nigerian government will do what it can to mitigate terrorism risks and avert planned attacks.

More news about Nigeria

Ivory dealer sentenced to life in prison in Uganda

Tony Ofungi - eTN Uganda — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 16:02:52 +0000

eTurboNews:

Uganda’s Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, on October 20, 2022, sentenced one Ochiba Pascal to life imprisonment for unlawful possession of protected species.

According to a statement issued by Uganda Wildlufe Authority (UWA) Communications Manager Hangi Bashir, Ochiba was arrested on January 18, 2022, in Namuwongo zone, Kampala, after being found in possession of two pieces of elephant ivory weighing 9.55 kilograms without a valid wildlife use permit.

While sentencing Ochiba, the Chief Magistrate of the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, Her Worship Gladys Kamasanyu said that offences of unlawful possession of protected species are rampant and there is need to curb them down. She said that Uganda is home to the world’s most known wildlife ranging from iconic mammals like elephants to small ones like pangolins, and all of them need to be protected.

She noted that the Ochiba was habitual offender having been charged in 2017 with two counts of unlawful possession of protected species and convicted by the same court. She said that leaving Ochiba in circulation increases the risk of killing of endangered species, noting that he deserves a sentence that will contribute to making the world a safer place for wildlife and humans.

On July 4, 2017, Ochiba was arrested from Namuwongo after being found with four pieces of ivory and a dry skin of an Okapi without a valid use permit and was sentenced to eighteen months in jail on both counts which he served concurrently.

The Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Sam Mwandha has described the sentence as a landmark achievement in the fight against illegal wildlife trade.

“We are happy to see the maximum sentence being handed to a wildlife offender. This is a landmark achievement in our war on illegal wildlife trade in Uganda. We must do our best in our times to protect our wildlife otherwise history will judge us harshly,” he said.

Best and Worst US Cities for Vampires

Harry Johnson — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:55:21 +0000

eTurboNews:

Do you feel most alive at night, detest garlic, and have a habit of lurking in the shadows?

Whether you wear a cape daily or just once a year for Halloween, you can fang travel experts for ranking this year’s best and worst cities for vampires in the USA.

The experts looked for cities with plenty of warm bodies, blood centers, and vampire-friendly dwellings — aka casket suppliers and homes with basements.

They also considered deterrents like garlic festivals and sunshine, as well as community and entertainment factors, such as vampire groups, nightlife options, and vampire tours.

Check out the 10 best (and 10 worst) cities for vampires below.

Best US Cities for Vampires

New York, NY
Chicago, IL
Philadelphia, PA
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
Pittsburgh, PA
Omaha, NE
Portland, OR
Madison, WI
Baltimore, MD

Worst US Cities for Vampires

Surprize, AZ
Peoria, AZ
North Las Vegas, NV
Glendale, AZ
Chandler, AZ
Henderson, NV
Mesa, AZ
Tempe, AZ
Lancaster, CA
Huntington Beach, CA

Northern Nosferatus vs. Southern Slayers

NYC is the ideal city for vampires, thanks to having the most potential victims, the most slaughterhouses, and the most vampire groups.

Big cities like New York, Chicago (No. 2), and Seattle (No. 13) have plenty of fresh blood, nightlife options, and casket suppliers.

It’s no surprise that Surprise, Arizona, came in dead last and other sunny Southern cities fell in our ranking, with other Arizona cities plus Nevada and California taking up the bottom 10.

While fewer layers of clothing might make it easier to sneak a drink through all four seasons, it’s hard to avoid the sun’s rays with maximum sunshine, minimal cloud cover, few homes with basements, and scarce casket suppliers (especially in California).

Transylvania, USA

Is Pennsylvania the Transylvania of America? Maybe so — both of the biggest Keystone State cities made their way into our top 10.

Philadelphia brings home the bronze with a high number of vampire groups and tours (No. 2 in both). Philly also has a high population, abundant nightlife options, and numerous blood drives to keep vampires well fed and entertained. Pittsburgh isn’t too far behind at No. 6, with plenty of blood centers, casket suppliers, and basements to appease sunless lifestyles.

Shadowy histories

Despite lacking in Food and Drink and Lair Safety, New Orleans (No. 15) continues to grow its vampirical legacy. NOLA has the most vampire tours due to local icons like legendary author Anne Rice and infamous vampire Jacques St. Germain.

San Francisco (No. 5) follows closely behind in tours (No. 2), thanks to the historically scary Nob Hill neighborhood. The Golden City also has plenty of blood centers, vampire groups, and nightlife options to balance out the sunshine and herb shops.

Sunny Los Angeles (No. 4) impresses with the highest number of vampire-friendly nightclubs, in addition to the second highest population and numerous slaughterhouses, casket suppliers, and vampire groups.

36 people killed in a gun and knife attack on Thai childcare center

Harry Johnson — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 11:29:32 +0000

eTurboNews:

36 people, including 24 children, were killed in an attack on a children’s center in the town of Uthai Sawan in Thailand’s northeastern Nong Bua Lamphu Province.

According to local police reports, at least 12 others were wounded in the attack.

The victims of the massacre were as young as two, according to the media.

The gunman made his way into the children’s center around 12.30pm during nap time, according to the authorities.

He first shot four or five staff members, including a teacher who was eight months pregnant, before attacking the children.

The attacker who shot and stabbed people inside the children’s center fled the scene and went to his home, where he killed his family before committing suicide.

According to Thai law enforcement officials, the attacker was a former police officer who was recently dismissed from service.

Local media reported that the suspect had been fired from police due to drug problems and may have been under the influence of illegal substances during the attack.

Thailand has a moderately-high rate of gun ownership, but mass shootings are extremely rare in the kingdom.

The last such disaster happened two years ago, when a soldier, who was angry about a real estate deal, killed at least 29 people and wounded 57 others.

India issues ‘hate crimes’ warning to its nationals in Canada

Harry Johnson — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:57:01 +0000

eTurboNews:

India’s foreign ministry issued an advisory today warning all Indian nationals in Canada about a major spike in ‘incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities’ in the country.

“In view of the increasing incidences of crimes … Indian nationals and students from India in Canada and those proceeding to Canada for travel/education are advised to exercise due caution,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs‘ advisory said.

All Indian nationals in Canada have been advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

New Delhi also urged all of its nationals in Canada to register with the Indian mission in Ottawa or consulates in Toronto and Vancouver.

Indian foreign ministry did not elaborate on the nature of the alleged hate crimes, nor it did provide any proof or examples to support its claim that Canada has seen a surge in such activities.

According to the advisory published on the ministry’s website, the government in New Delhi has requested the Canadian authorities to investigate the crimes and take appropriate action.

“The perpetrators of these crimes have not been brought to justice so far in Canada,” the advisory lamented.

According to some Indian media reports though, the advisory was most likely triggered by the rumors of a ‘referendum’ allegedly organized by a faction among the Sikhs in Canada, demanding a separate Khalistan nation in the northern Indian state of Punjab.

New Delhi apparently thinks the Trudeau government has not done enough to address its concerns about the activities of pro-Khalistan Sikh elements in Canada, though the Canadian government said it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India and will not recognize the so-called referendum.

Sikhs form a large portion of the 1.6 million Indian diaspora in Canada. Canada has 17 parliamentarians and three cabinet ministers of Indian origin, including defense minister Anita Anand.

Lion killers sentenced to lengthy prison terms in Uganda

Tony Ofungi - eTN Uganda — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 20:16:56 +0000

eTurboNews:

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has welcomed the decision by the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court to send two people to prison terms for hunting and killing 6 lions and ten vultures without a license.

Vincent Tumuhirwa and Robert Ariho have been sentenced today to 7 years in prison on each of the counts of entering a wildlife conservation area without permission, hunting a wild animal in a wildlife conservation area without permission, killing a wild animal in a wildlife conservation area without permission and killing protected wildlife species in a wildlife conservation area without permission.

They were also sentenced to 10 years in prison for unlawful possession of protected wildlife species. These terms will be served concurrently and will take in account 1 year and 5 months that the convicts spent on remand.

The conviction and subsequent sentencing of two criminals underscores governments commitment to fighting wildlife crime in Uganda and ensure that the wildlife is conserved for both the present and future generations.

The Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Sam Mwandha expressed optimism that such harsh sentences will help to minimize wildlife crime in the country.

“We should be optimistic that as people get tough sentences, others out there would fear to get involved in crime”, he said.

He added that the authority will continue to engage communities with an aim of making them appreciate the importance of conservation as criminals get arrested and prosecuted.

“We shall continue with both a soft and hard approach, we shall keep working with communities to fight wildlife crime, we shall continue sensitizing them and sharing benefits with them at the same time apprehending and prosecuting the criminals,” Mwandha said.

On March 19, 2021, six lions were found dead at Ishasha sector. 10 dead vultures were also found at the scene, which pointed to the possibility of poisoning of the lions (see related eTurboNews article).

A combined force of UWA, UPDF and Uganda Police launched an operation that led to the arrest of Vincent Tumuhirwe and Robert Ariyo who took the security team to a location where different body parts of the lions, hunting tools and bottles containing a chemical known as Furadan were recovered. This breakthrough led to the successful prosecution of the two.

UWA has also applauded the judiciary for standing for the protection and conservation of our country’s wildlife heritage.

European tourist beaten in Pattaya

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 23:06:57 +0000

eTurboNews:

The altercation happened at 4:30 am on Walking Street and was captured on video when the European tourist allegedly did not pay for his food and was confronted by a Thai woman. An argument ensued and the woman began hitting the man. Eager to get in on the action, a Thai man standing by stepped in and began kicking the tourist. Other Thai men nearby joined in to kick the European once he was down.

Others nearby tried to break up the fight but the Thai man was relentless and pushed the European to the ground. At that point other Thai men joined in and kicked the man while he was down, and another Thai man picked up a chair and bashed the tourist with it.

The tourist got the chair away from his attacker and was trying to hit the Thai man who attacked him with it, but other bystanders intervened. A Thai woman was able to talk the European tourist out of taking out retaliation.

Both residents and tourists were disgusted with what they witnessed and said they never would have imagined that they would see such brutality against tourists in this world-renowned resort.

Pattaya Walking Street is Thailand’s most famous Walking Street with its neon lights and color, music and noise, performers and people, food and odors, and everything else about this kilometer long road that dazzles those who come to visit. The street is closed to vehicles from 7:00 pm – 3:00 am. By 8:00 pm most places are open, but there isn’t much action before 10:00 pm. Walking Street Pattaya comes alive around midnight.

Some advice

Don’t go to the sex shows or be tempted by drugs for sale. Tourists are often approached by people with “menus,” but the outcome will likely be getting ripped off. Do not display your money, because pick pocketers abound here, and they are paying attention to what you do. Also, don’t show disrespect to the street-walking women that work here; life is tough enough already for them. Keep your senses about you – as in do not get drunk – and in this particular case, do not try to skip out on paying a bill.

Traveling Abroad? How to Avoid Becoming a Crime Victim

editor — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:52:52 +0000

eTurboNews:

Even if your journey includes a few stops in unsafe areas, there is plenty you can do to avoid being victimized. That’s because there are all sorts of commonsense ways to protect yourself and your belongings when traveling overseas or in Canada or Mexico. One tactic many travelers don’t immediately think about is making advance payment for things like hotels, plane tickets, cruise fares, tour packages, and more.

Other effective strategies to maximize trip safety include knowing where and how to store personal possessions while out and about, leaving expensive jewelry at home, never walking late at night, not engaging in illegal activities, avoiding invitations to private homes unless you personally know the host, and joining a tour group. Of course, there are more ways to avoid crime, but those are the simplest, most potent approaches. Here are pertinent details you should review before departing.

Get a Personal Loan and Pay for Major Expenses in Advance

Fortunately, it’s possible to apply for a personal loan that covers most or all your travel costs. This technique goes a long way toward not only saving money but also offering increased safety. First, those who don’t have enough cash to pay for an entire international vacation can score discounts on lodging and transportation by paying several months ahead of time. Plus, a well-financed excursion means not having to carry lots of cash or credit cards. When hotel rooms, flights, ship fares, and tour fees are already taken care of, the need for travelers’ checks and high-limit plastic is minimal. There’s also the expense of purchasing a few personal safety and self-defense products, like body wallets and pepper spray. However, always check local laws in your destination country to make sure self-defense sprays, batons, canes, and other implements are legal. If they’re not, don’t carry them.

Know Where to Store Money and Credit Cards

Rule One of international travel is to be aware of scams and never carry a wallet or purse as you would under normal circumstances. Buy and use a body wallet, which is a strapped carrier that wraps around the torso and suspends either a small wallet or collapsible bag just below the center of the chest. Pickpocketers, who are part of the scenery in port cities of Asia and Africa, can’t get your credit cards, cash, passport, or other important items stored in a body wallet.

Leave Valuables at Home

Don’t bring expensive jewelry or other costly items with you unless it’s necessary to do so. If you want to give them as gifts, mail them ahead of time. The favored targets for thieves include watches, rings, necklaces, and earrings. So, leave the good stuff in your jewelry box or safe at home, and bring the less valuable items along to wear on fun nights out at dance clubs, theaters, or restaurants.

Avoid Walking Alone at Night

In many Asian countries, like Japan and Korea, it’s generally okay to walk alone in the evening. However, just to be on the safe side, a good rule is to never do so while in a foreign country. If you must go out on foot after dark, bring someone along and carry legal self-defense items with you. Always let someone in your party know where you’re going and the intended route.

Don’t Engage in Illegal Activity

Don’t break the laws of the places you visit. That includes taking part in activities like using, buying, possessing, carrying, or selling drugs. Many African, Asian, and European nations have strict regulations that can mean an almost instant jail sentence or huge fine for running afoul of drug laws. If the police don’t get you, someone else might. Domestic criminals routinely set up tourists by getting them to transport drugs or other banned substances. Additionally, stay out of restricted zones and never take artifacts, animals, or plants out of a country without express authorization, preferably in writing. Far too many travelers ignore local laws and end up being victims of crime or the legal system.

Consider Joining a Tour Group

Some balk at the idea of signing up for a group tour of Mexico, Europe, Africa, or elsewhere. However, there are some pretty impressive advantages for those who do. Aside from significant savings on airfare and lodging, groups offer a high degree of personal security. For travelers who stick with their companions, the chances of falling victim to a violent crime or theft are extremely low. In fact, many elderly people join up with tours for the sole reason of increased safety.

Companies fear denouncing Russia

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:00:07 +0000

eTurboNews:

Their investigation shows that companies are afraid of denouncing Russia, revealing only a small portion of corporations have the guts to denounce Russia. Only 28% of companies that were involved in the country have denounced its invasion of Ukraine. The remaining 72% avoid confronting the issue by making “mealy-mouthed” statements, or excuses that don’t mention the war, or they maintain total silent or, in some cases, show solidarity with Russia.

In the Moral Rating Agency (MRA) “Courage Index,” they congratulate the 34 denouncers and expose the 88 cowards. The corporate watchdog’s main mission is to expose companies for the degree to which they have cut ties with Russia. This latest report focuses on words, and whether words match actions. The MRA’s ratings on corporate involvement in Russia are disclosed at MoralRatingAgency.org.

The MRA’s “Courage Index” classifies statements denouncing Russia as “courageous.” “Cowardly” communications cover statements that are “mealy-mouthed,” contain alternative excuses that don’t refer to the invasion, show solidarity or increased involvement with Russia, or cover companies remaining silent about the invasion.

The 88 cowardly corporations, which the MRA calls “yellow bellies,” account for 72% of the 122 largest companies involved in Russia (122 of the top 200 corporations in the world had trading and/or investment activities in Russia at the time of the invasion). The 34 companies denouncing Russia accounted for just 28%.

Don’t mention the war

Mark Dixon, founder of the MRA, said: “There are a lot of temptations to be a corporate chicken and not call out Russia. We believe the main driver among those leaving Russia is to keep their options open in the future if there is a ceasefire. Companies know they will burn their bridges if they denounce Russia or Putin. They are acting commercially not morally.” Companies still in Russia generally find it too hypocritical to speak up.

“Companies opt to denounce Russia for two reasons. Some put morality above money. Others think they won’t be going back to Russia while Putin remains in power and decide to profit from the moral kudos of speaking up. We don’t care if a company denounces Russia out of moral outrage or the commercial benefit of looking moral. The important thing is that Russia should be universally considered a pariah.”

The most common response from yellow-bellied companies was a “mealy-mouthed” statement (32cases). Companies making a move out of Russia that don’t want to confront Russia directly chose this type of watered-down wording. Such statements refer to the war being tragic or a humanitarian disaster without citing Russia as the invader or otherwise admonishing the regime. It is noteworthy that these 32 companies, which were forced to reduce ties because of world criticism of Russia, didn’t voice any criticism of Russia themselves.

For example, HSBC said, “Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the continuing conflict in Ukraine”; Dell said, “It’s a great tragedy and very disappointing to see a humanitarian disaster”; and Chevron CEO Michael Wirth spoke about the “tragic situation” in Ukraine (Reuters) while the company retained its shareholding in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium which transports Russia oil to world markets.

There were four cases of companies explaining their exits from Russia with reasons such as supply chain problems. There were seven cases of companies classified by the MRA as “reverse boycotters”: showing solidarity with Russia by increasing involvement with the country or making supportive statements. For example Tencent, which owns WeChat, issued a statement admonishing users who commented on the invasion on the grounds it undermines a “clean cyberspace”; Saudi Aramco’s shareholder Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman showed commitment to OPEC Plus, where Russia is Saudi Arabia’s main partner; and China National Offshore Oil, China National Petroleum, and Sinopec moved in the reverse direction of boycotts by discussing the purchase of Shell’s stake in “Sakhalin-II.”

Silence is rotten

Silence, as would be expected, was the choice of companies not making the move out of Russia. However, it was also the choice of some companies making partial exits from the country. Airbus, Comcast and Panasonic moved as quiet as a mouse. Even Sysco and Valero Energy, which cut all links with Russia, did so quietly. The rare Chinese companies that did make partial withdrawals from Russia – Bank of China, Huawei and Lenovo – expectedly followed the same approach.

Mr. Dixon said: “Moving out of Russia without saying a word is the depth of cowardice. When a company slips out silently, or otherwise avoids the elephant in the room, it undermines the exodus momentum by diluting peer pressure. Global consensus is fragile and must be strengthened at every opportunity. Our position is that words matter, and silence is complicit.”

Fighting words

34 companies denounced Russia, some of which showed significant moral courage. Shell said, “Shocked by the loss of life in Ukraine, which we deplore, resulting from a senseless act of military aggression which threatens European security.” Microsoft said, ”Like the rest of the world, we are horrified, angered and saddened by the images and news coming from the war in Ukraine and condemn this unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia” and added, “Like so many others, we stand with Ukraine in calling for the restoration of peace, respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the protection of its people.” Microsoft’s suggestion that much of the world was likewise denouncing Russia was optimistic since the MRA found that only 28% of companies spoke up properly, putting Microsoft in the minority of companies doing so.

Shell’s strong statement within days of the invasion deserves special credit. Mr. Dixon said: “Shell is the 14th most exposed company in the world to Russia. It took a moral stand even though it had a lot to lose. Putin’s July 1st degree to expropriate the Sakhalin II gas and oil project from Shell and others wasn’t a mere coincidence.”

Chickens with little to lose

Mr. Dixon continued, “The corporations with yellow bellies often have negligible exposure to Russia. The coward with nothing to fear is the most cowardly of all.”

The MRA accused the following companies, which made some moves out of Russia, of being cowards with negligible risk: Allianz, Chevron, Generali, Deutsche Post DHL and P&G all made “mealy-mouthed” statements, US Postal Service made excuses, while Sysco remained silent. The low exposure level of the companies is shown at MoralRatingAgency.org.

Ironic statements

There were three cases of companies denouncing Russia which remained involved with the country. It is unclear if they were hoping to get credit for words rather than actions. In any case, the contrast between words and actions is stark. Importantly, all three companies used the word “invasion” in their statements.

Ford Motor retains its ownership in car production and hasn’t made any plans to divest, despite saying it was “deeply concerned about the invasion of Ukraine and the resultant threats to peace and stability.”

Engie continues to import Russian gas and LNG, yet it said it “condemns the invasion of Ukraine and expresses its support for the affected people.”

Meanwhile, Roche Group continues to export to Russia, but said it “vehemently condemns the violent invasion of the country.”

National trends

While most of the cowards among Western companies opted for “mealy-mouthed” statements, East Asian companies – Chinese, Korean and Japanese – tended to opt either for silence, making excuses or even “reverse boycotting.” Indeed, the topic of the invasion appears entirely off-limits in China and, in other Asian countries, it seems acceptable to avoid it.

Cruise ship crime: Most common – sexual assault

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 22:06:42 +0000

eTurboNews:

Research has revealed the most common cruise ship crime involved sexual assault. Also revealed is that there were 60 thefts of more than $10,000 committed between 2010-19.

Lipcon has revealed the most common incidents to happen on cruise ships between 2010 and 2019, as well as sharing tips on the steps you should take if you fall victim to a crime on a cruise ship.

Most common incidents between 2010 – 2019

Year Total	Homicide	Death (suspicious)	Missing U.S. National	Kidnapping	Assault with Serious Bodily Injury	Firing or Tampering with Vessel	Theft of more than $10,000	Sexual Assault
2010	0	4	0	0	3	0	0	28
2011	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	13
2012	0	1	0	0	0	1	2	11
2013	0	2	0	0	4	0	0	18
2014	0	6	1	0	9	0	0	18
2015	0	4	1	0	3	0	7	13
2016	0	4	5	0	14	0	6	62
2017	1	2	4	2	13	0	8	86
2018	0	5	5	0	6	0	22	82
2019	0	1	2	0	9	2	15	101

The research also revealed:

• Sexual assault was the most common incident reported on cruise ships in 2019. 101 incidents were reported, alongside 15 reports of theft of more than $10,000 and 6 reports of assault with serious bodily harm.

• Between 2010 to 2019, a total of 609 crimes were reported, with 432 of those being sexual assault. In relation to the sexual assault reports, 309 were committed by passengers and 109 by crew members.

• Since 2010, sexual assault has consistently been the most reported crime on cruise ships each year, with reported incidents seeing a sharp increase between 2015 and 2017.

Michael Winkleman, partner at Lipcon, has revealed the following steps you should take in order to stay safe onboard a cruise ship:

“Enjoying a cruise holiday is something many people save for over a long period of time and the experience of being onboard a majestic ship whilst it’s sailing around an exotic destination is second to none, but unfortunately, it’s not always the dream experience some had hoped for.

“With over 600 incidents being reported on cruise ships between 2010 to 2019, it sheds light on a side of cruising that many people aren’t aware of, but sadly, it does happen every year. With this in mind, it’s important holidaymakers know the steps they should take in order to enjoy the cruise they have looked forward to and deserve.

“Although we should all be able to enjoy our time onboard without having to worry about potential crimes happening to us, it’s important to remain vigilant whilst on the ship. This includes making sure your cabin doors are locked and making sure you have a plan in place if you’re meeting someone onboard and minimize your time alone.

“If you do fall victim to a crime onboard a ship then it’s vital you report the incident to the relevant authorities and depending on how serious the incident is, you may want to speak to a trusted lawyer who can give you expert advice on the legal procedures you may need to take.”

You can view the full research here.

Singapore repeals colonial-era gay sex ban

Harry Johnson — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 16:48:44 +0000

eTurboNews:

Section 377A of Singapore’s colonial-era penal code threatens men with two years in prison if they’re caught in “any act of gross indecency,” essentially referring to any homosexual act.

But on Sunday, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the city-state has revoked a contentious old law banning gay sex.

“I believe this is the right thing to do and something that most Singaporeans would accept,” he said, adding that he hopes the move provides “some relief to gay Singaporeans.”

While it has not been enforced for decades and only applies to men, the ban – similar to laws found in other former British colonies in south Asia – remained a source of stress for both gay Singaporeans and upwardly-mobile business types trying to convince multinational corporations to open offices there.

Lee did not announce a date for the repeal.

While making the announcement, the Prime Minister also stresses, that regardless of the controversial law’s repeal, Singapore will not let go of its strong conservative values.

Singapore will “protect the definition of marriage from being challenged constitutionally in the courts,” he promised.

“We believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, that children should be raised within such families, that the traditional family should form the basic building block of society,” Lee Hsien Loong added.

Despite Lee’s confidence that “most Singaporeans” would accept the news, 44% of Singaporeans polled in June still supported the ban, though that figure had dropped from 55% in 2018.

Singapore’s gradual movement away from official reprisals for gay sex actually worked against activists looking to have the law struck down earlier this year, when the city-state’s highest court declared that since there was no enforcement, no one’s constitutional rights were being violated if it stayed on the books.

There has also been considerable resistance to normalizing homosexuality among some of the religious groups who call Singapore home, including Muslims, Catholics, and Protestants. However, religious leaders have remained neutral on this latest move.

Lee urged “all groups” to “exercise restraint,” saying “that is the only way we can move forward as a nation together.”

Criminals set up fake police station in Indian hotel

Harry Johnson — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 15:32:46 +0000

eTurboNews:

Police officials in Indian state of Bihar announced that they have busted a fake police station operated from a local hotel by the criminal gang, that extorted money from hundreds of people.

According to the law enforcement authorities, the criminals set up a fake police precinct inside a hotel in the city of Banka in Bihar state, just 1,500 feet away from the city’s real police station.

Police say the fraudsters managed to extort money from hundreds of people during the nearly eight-month-long scam.

According to local police chief, the gang ran their scam by charging local residents who came into the fake precinct to file complaints with police.

The fraudsters also took money from people who they promised to help secure social housing or get a job in the police force. The gang reportedly demanded payments of up to 70,000 rupees (around $900), for “processing fees.”

The criminals also reportedly paid a number of locals about 500 rupees (about $6) a day to act as if they were employees at the station.

The gang apparently managed to fool everyone by wearing authentic-looking uniforms and carrying real firearms, but the scam fell apart after local police noticed that one of the impersonators was carrying a gun that was not a standard-issue service weapon.

Following a police raid on the fake precinct, at least five gang members, including two women, were arrested.

There have been many cases of people impersonating police officers in India before, but this is the first known case of someone having managed to set up and run a complete fake police station.

Airbnb brings its new ‘anti-party technology’ to US and Canada

Harry Johnson — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 17:02:47 +0000

eTurboNews:

When COVID-19 restrictions shut down nightclubs, bars and discos around the world, Airbnb saw a spike in out-of-control parties at its listings and instituted a temporary party ban before making it permanent in June 2022.

This week, the platform announced that it is bringing its new “anti-party technology” – the program that evaluates certain data that might suggest a property is being booked for a party, into the US and Canada, after successfully testing it in Australia.

“The primary objective is attempting to reduce the ability of bad actors to throw unauthorized parties which negatively impact our hosts, neighbors, and the communities we serve,” the company said in a statement.

According to Airbnb, new system assesses factors like history of positive reviews (or lack of positive reviews), length of time the guest has been on Airbnb, length of the trip, distance to the listing, weekend vs. weekday, among many others, to determine the ‘wild party threat’.

The platform said that this new anti-party system has been “very effective” in Australia since October 2021, leading to a 35% drop in reported incidents of unauthorized parties in the areas where it’s been in effect.

According to the property rental platform, the technology is “a more robust and sophisticated version of the “under-25” system that has been in effect in North America since 2020, which focuses primarily on guests under the age of 25 without positive reviews who are booking locally.”

Airbnb has adjusted its ‘party policy’ several times over the course of years. Before the global coronavirus pandemic, the platform would generally allow the hosts to decide whether their properties could be used for parties.

The company did, however, ban so-called “open-invite” parties that are advertised on social media in 2019.

The property rental company said it hopes that this new anti-party system could “have a positive impact for the safety of our community and our goal to reduce unauthorized parties.”

But no system is perfect, Airbnb said, adding that it still strongly recommends reporting any suspected unauthorized parties to its Neighborhood Support Line.

Best US cities for surviving a Zombie Apocalypse

Harry Johnson — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 15:47:33 +0000

eTurboNews:

In the (unlikely?) event of a zombie apocalypse, how could you survive?

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) weighed in on the subject, albeit tongue-in-zombie-cheek.

Besides knowing how to defend yourself, it’s also important to know where you have the best odds of making it out alive.

Inspired by the CDC’s Zombie Preparedness 101 guide, the experts compared the 200 biggest US cities on 26 key indicators of zombie invasion-preparedness, such as the share of the living population in poor health and access to “bunkers,” hunting-gear stores, and supermarkets, to rank 2022’s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse.

Check out the 10 best (and 10 worst) cities for fighting against the undead below, followed by some highlights and lowlights from the report.

Most Prepared For Zombie Invasion

Rank	City
1	Orlando, FL
2	Salt Lake City, UT
3	Honolulu, HI
4	Portland, OR
5	Colorado Springs, CO
6	Tampa, FL
7	Springfield, MO
8	Miami, FL
9	Pittsburgh, PA
10	Boise, ID

Least Prepared For Zombie Invasion

Rank	City
1	Sunrise Manor, NV
2	Paradise, NV
3	Enterprise, NV
4	Spring Valley, NV
5	Paterson, NJ
6	Miramar, FL
7	Detroit, MI
8	Jackson, MS
9	Newark, NJ
10	North Las Vegas, NV

Highlights and lowlights:

Orlando, almost immune to zombies: To whoever can read this transmission: The survivors colony has moved to Orlando, Florida, from Huntington Beach, California, our 2021 Most Zombie-Resistant City.

Although The City Beautiful doesn’t have the healthiest population alive (No. 144), you and the other survivors won’t run out of food or weapons for many years while waiting for a cure: Orlando ranked first in both the Supplies and Protection categories.

Gambling with your life in the Vegas metro: “Army of the Dead” isn’t far off from reality. Although the movie depicts Sin City as a zombie wasteland, it’s pretty safe (No. 19 overall). But the suburbs would be nothing more than a strip of human steak.

Half of our bottom 10 — Sunrise Manor (dead last), Paradise (for zombies) at No. 2, and North Las Vegas at unlucky No. 10 among them — surround Las Vegas proper. You’re more likely to survive in Henderson (95th best or 106th worst, depending on your outlook), but we wouldn’t bet on it.

Coastal mobility: If pop culture has taught us anything, it’s that you need to keep moving in a zombie apocalypse. The research data shows it’s much harder to stay mobile in inland, and especially landlocked, cities.

Map your trek through cities near water, such as San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Baltimore. Most of these cities have access to ports and marinas, which would make it easier to evade an army of hungry corpses (zombies can’t swim).

Stay in the middle

If you fear the walking dead, then your best strategy for avoiding getting bit would be to shelter in place.

Surprisingly, the Midwest is the smart choice for a hideout. The Kansas City metro area, the Twin Cities, and Chicago suburb Naperville, Illinois, are all good places to invest in a home before the apocalypse. Properties in the Midwest region are not only generous in square footage, but they also commonly come with basements that you can convert into bunkers.

Nebraska’s two biggest cities, Omaha and Lincoln, as well as Des Moines, Iowa, are also ideal candidates. These cities are in states that are friendly toward an off-grid lifestyle. Des Moines’ population is especially at risk of being outpaced by limping zombies due to a low physical inactivity rate (No. 111), so staying inside and away from others (dead or alive) here would be to the locals’ advantage.

And remember: If you ever encounter an actual zombie, aim for the head — and double tap!

Final thoughts: Zombies are among us!

Zombies, it seems, are never far from our collective minds. The Walking Dead’s 11th and final season aired in August last year, so you could say a zombie apocalypse is already upon us. Fear the Walking Dead’s Season 7 also limped its way onto screens last October.

Zombies have long been a staple of pop culture. Amazon has a whole category of Zombies Books. Among these are the “Plants vs. Zombies” series, “Last Man Standing: The Complete Zombie Apocalypse” trilogy, and “The Zombie Survival Guide” by Max Brooks.

In movies, Will Smith tries to find a cure in “I Am Legend,” Brad Pitt battles the undead in “World War Z,” and it’s “Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies” in a 2012 action-comedy horror B-movie. George A. Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” (1978), considered one of the best zombie movies of all time, was remade by Zack Snyder in 2004, followed by his “Army of the Dead” in 2021.

In music, it seems The Zombies never left us (well, maybe they went underground for nearly 30 years). The band, maybe best known for the 1968 hit “Time of the Season” and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, is back and are currently on tour.

Can’t get enough zombies? There’s Zombie Burps cotton candy, zombie stress balls, Roblox Apocalypse Rising action figures, and all sorts of zombie socks.

Wayfair even has a Zombie Bedding page with some scary comforters that might not help you to rest easy. But maybe catching some Z-z-z’s means catching some zombies for some dreamers?

Be Aware of Travel Scams

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 22:58:37 +0000

eTurboNews:

We know the idiom: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Yet, with summer’s end looming, many are rushing to fulfill their travel yearnings and may jump at the wrong chance for a deal that is too good to be true. Let the buyer beware of the travel scam!

What are some of the scams that should raise a red flag right away?

Online Vacation Rentals

The biggest and most common scams happen online. Why? Because they’re hard to detect, and you usually don’t ever meet anyone in person or see any property yourself except for in images. So, in this case, you’re probably better off going with known big gun companies when trying to rent vacation accommodations online, because you just never know if the listing is legitimate or not.

Shooting at Mall of America: Big tourism magnet

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 22:58:39 +0000

eTurboNews:

Here is actual footage at the time of the gun blasts.

The Mall of America immediately sent out a tweet that stated: There is a confirmed isolated incident in a tenant space. Please remain in the closest secure location until the lockdown has been lifted. Please stay tuned for additional updates.

Announcements also went out of the Mall of America PA system advising: “Those who are not in secure locations, please shelter immediately.”

The Bloomington Police station issued a statement saying: “We are currently working an active incident inside Mall of America on the northwest side. Numerous officers are on scene. We will update when we have more information.”

Ads: Creativa Arts – Your partner for unique and innovative corporate events, exhibitions, catering, openings, dinner show, awarded nights or nightclubs

Some people rushed out of the Mall and to the parking structure as seen in the main image.

In other tweets:

PM Breaking News

@PMBreakingNews

Breaking: Mall of America is on lockdown in Bloomington, Minnesota, after reports of a shooting.

Mary McGuire

@mcguirereports

We are still working to learn if anyone was hurt in the shooting.

Mall of America has a vast and extensive system of security cameras, so whatever happened- it was caught on video.

gooch terrorist

@teatsuckler

Someone was Cracking off shots today at Mall of America had to run out the fire escape how Cool would it be to Be able to go to the mall without Having to worry about getting shot

Pitching Popcorn

@pitchingpopcorn

State Department issues travel alert for US citizens abroad

Harry Johnson — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 19:46:29 +0000

eTurboNews:

The United States Department of State, in its latest Worldwide Caution bulletin, warned Americans worldwide that “current information suggests that terrorist organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against US interests in multiple regions across the globe.”

According to the State Department, US citizens worldwide could potentially face increased violence and threat of terrorist attacks.

US government warning comes in the wake of American drone strike in Afghanistan that killed al Qaeda leader and Osama Bin Laden’s successor Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was in the top 22 of the FBI’s most wanted terrorists since October 2001 and is believed to be one of the masterminds behind the 9/11 attacks in the US.

The United States Department of State has warned that al-Zawahiri’s death triggers “a higher potential for anti-American violence” as al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations may be compelled to respond to the assassination.

The alert advised US citizens abroad to check the State Department website for travel advisories, watch local news to keep up to date with current events, and stay in contact with US embassies and consulates in the countries they are traveling to.

American travelers have also been warned that US facilities abroad may “temporarily close or periodically suspend public services” due to threats and security situations.

“As terrorist attacks often occur without warning, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness when traveling abroad,” State Department warns.

Shooting closes major Dallas airport, suspect shot by police

Harry Johnson — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 20:52:58 +0000

eTurboNews:

US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a ground stop at Dallas Love Field (DAL) airport in Texas shortly after 11am local time, “due to security issue.”

Located about six miles from downtown Dallas, the city-owned Love Field airport almost exclusively serves Southwest Airlines, a domestic US carrier. The much larger Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) handles international traffic.

All DAL flights were stopped earlier today, and a passenger terminal put on lockdown, after a woman reportedly fired shorts into the air at the airline ticketing counter.

After the shots were fired, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff organized the impromptu evacuation of the passengers from the terminal.

Dallas police had responded to reports of shots fired inside the terminal by 11:30am local time.

According to local officials, one person was taken to a hospital after an “officer-involved shooting” and the terminal has been secured since then.

Police declared the terminal “secure” at noon local time, but the ground stop is expected to remain in effect at least until 1:30 pm. There was a heavy police presence at the airport, as the investigation got underway.

The suspected shooter, described only as female, reportedly fired one or more shots into the air at a ticket counter, sending other passengers running for cover. She was then shot by the responding officers, according to multiple reports.

According to Dallas Police Department Chief, a 37-year-old woman went into an airport bathroom, changed into a hoodie, then approached the ticket counter and fired several shots into the ceiling. At that point, a Dallas PD officer shot her.

No one else was injured in the incident.

US citizens in Russia told to depart Russia immediately

Harry Johnson — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 19:38:45 +0000

eTurboNews:

In its latest advisory update, US Department of State warned all Americans ‘residing or traveling in Russia’ to ‘depart Russia immediately’.

The US has designated Russia as the highest possible risk country with ‘Do not travel’ danger level.

Slapping Russia with the brand-new ‘risk indicator’ in its new advisory, the US State Department warned that Russian security services have ‘singled out US citizens’ for ‘detention and … harassment’.

The list of reasons US citizens should not even consider going to Russia included Moscow’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, which most of the world called an ‘unprovoked and unjustified invasion,’ as well as ‘arbitrary enforcement of local law,’ COVID-19 restrictions, and ‘terrorism.’

According to new advisory, Americans traveling to Russia might face targeted persecution by local security services.

‘There is the potential throughout Russia of harassment of foreigners, including through regulations targeted specifically against foreigners,’ the US Department of State said, adding that both former and current government officials and private citizens alike might all ‘become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion.’

Russian security services ‘have arrested US citizens on spurious charges, singled out US citizens in Russia for detention … denied them fair and transparent treatment, and have convicted them in secret trials.’ The State Department had ‘determined that at least one US national is wrongfully detained by the Russian government.’

Russia was one of just six countries to be slapped with the new ‘D’ risk indicator, which stands for the ‘risk of wrongful detention by a foreign government.’

The other five nations are China, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Myanmar.

New travel advisory update came in the wake of US President Joe Biden signing an executive order to provide his administration with additional tools to deter ‘hostage-taking and the wrongful detention of US nationals.’

The order authorizes the targeting of people involved in such criminal practices with financial sanctions and visa bans.

‘The president has been willing to make what he himself has said publicly are tough, but important calls when it means bringing home Americans,’ a senior US administration official said.

Under new order, the Biden Administration was also tasked with identifying and recommending ‘options and strategies … to secure the recovery of hostages or the return of wrongfully detained United States nationals.’

Russia and the US are currently engaged in a tussle over the fate of American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia on drug-related charges in February. The US has previously described her arrest as wrongful detention.

Griner has been in Russian jail since February 17, facing a potential 10-year prison term, after a vape cartridge that contained 0.702 grams of cannabis was found in her luggage.

Last week, US podcaster and UFC analyst Joe Rogan called Griner a ‘political prisoner.’

The Kremlin regime has vehemently denied her arrest was politically motivated.