Staying Safe Abroad

Ecuador: Rural Bus Topples Over Cliff Killing 29, Injuring 27

2012-02-19T22:28:00.006-05:00

Ecuadorian media has reported that a fully occupied rural bus fell from a cliff in the northern section of the country on Sunday (February 19), killing 27 adults and two children. The driver was among those killed.

COMMENT: Many of our regular readers know full well my thoughts on taking local buses in developing countries and the human carnage that has resulted from over-crowded buses attempting to traverse high-risk mountain roads, often driven by fatigued and inexperienced drivers with poor safety records.

In northern Ecuador, like many Andean countries, it is common for local buses to creep along on cliff-facing roads that are not built for two large vehicles which creates an accident-waiting-to-happen when such vehicles encounter each other, hoping for an spacious indentation on the cliff side of the road.

I remember a business trip I made a few years to a Peruvian power plant which was right out of an Indiana Jones movie. In a small 4x4, I traveled with a local driver from Lima which took us four hours to get to the plant, driving on a poorly maintained road hardly large enough for one vehicle, as I looked out the window and saw the cliff drop hundreds of feet below.

I now know what a near-death experience is like.

I bring this particular accident up only for the purpose of flagging the tragedies than can occur and urge foreign travelers to know exactly what they're getting into before embarking on rural bus travel in hazardous areas.

Even if one is fortunate enough to survive the trip, there is also the risk of banditry in areas that rarely see a police patrol.

Sadly, police investigating the tragedy identified excessive speed as the cause of the "accident."

Indian Police Arrest Two Italian Navy Members for Killing Unarmed Fishermen

2012-02-19T19:52:00.007-05:00

Indian police earlier today (February 19) detained two members of the Italian Navy accused of killing two unarmed Indian fisherman they mistook as pirates off the coast of the southern state of Kerala.

The Italians, part of an anti-piracy security team assigned aboard an Italian merchant vessel, the Enrica Lexie, when the incident occurred on February 15, have been supplied to Italian commercial ships since October 2011 that request such assistance.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that the Italian foreign minister had called his Indian counterpart on Saturday (February 18) to discuss a mutually acceptable approach to determining what happened in the incident.

COMMENT: Unfortunately, it appears that conclusions have already been made by some, before an investigation has even be addressed, considering that the External Affairs minister told the Italian foreign minister that the incident could have been avoided if the navy security team had shown greater restraint.

A team of Italian diplomats are expected to arrive in New Delhi today to discuss the matter with Indian authorities.

One can only hope that the Italian foreign minister had notified the Indian government of its deploying armed navy teams aboard Italian commercial vessels before the fact and that written rules of engagement had been agreed upon. If that was not the case, bi-lateral relations between India and Italy might well be entering some rough water.

Updates on this posting will be provided as information becomes available.

Tour Bus Carrying British Tourists Crashes in France, 1 Killed, 23 Injured

2012-02-19T15:35:00.004-05:00

A tour bus carrying dozens of British tourists returning from an Italian ski resort left the roadway early on Sunday (February 19) near the town of Reims, some 140 kilometers from Paris. There is one reported death and some 23 injured, several of them seriously. The accident involved no other vehicles.

COMMENT: Destined for Birmingham, the driver was also injured. Diagnostic tests following the accident revealed no presence of alcohol or drugs. The driver will be questioned by the local prosecutor after he is released from the hospital.

This posting will be updated as new information becomes available.

Traveler's Alert: 24-Hour Ground Workers Strike at Frankfurt Airport on 2/20

2012-02-19T09:58:00.007-05:00

GdF, a union representing ground workers at Germany's Frankfurt Airport has announced that some 200 workers they will go on strike for 24 hours from 0400 GMT on Monday (February 20) until the same time on 2/21.

A press spokesperson said the airport will be able to handle only about 70% of the 1,250 scheduled flights for Monday because of the strike, suggesting that as many as 400 flights might have to be canceled. As a result, flight delays could add to travelers' normal frustration.

COMMENT: The ground workers already staged two shorter walkouts Thursday and Friday (February 16-17), forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights each time. Airlines were still able to operate more than half of their scheduled flights, canceling mostly short and mid-range flights.

GdF, which also represents air traffic controllers, represents ground workers as well. The company has refused to accept the result of an arbitration panel, leading to the strike.

It is suggested that air travelers who will be going through FRA on Monday should promptly contact their carrier or travel agent and take steps to shift their transit to Tuesday or Wednesday, if at all possible to avoid significant delays or cancellations.

Update/Sri Lanka: Murder of British Tourist Impacts on UK Visitors

2012-02-19T06:57:00.009-05:00

Logic would suggest that a media-catching, anecdotal murder of a tourist in a foreign country and the serious injury to another, should not normally have an impact on the number of tourists visiting a country from a particular nation, but clearly it does.

Nevertheless, the murder of British citizen Khuram Shaikh Zaman, 32, of Manchester, who died on Christmas Eve [2011], after he and his friend, Victoria Alexandrovna, 23, a Russian national, were physically attacked by a local gang.

The incident occurred in Tangalle, a popular tourist destination about 100 miles south of the capital of Colombo.

For reasons not fully understood, the two tourists apparently got into an argument with four local men at their hotel. Later, the couple was approached by the same individuals, who were by now heavily intoxicated.

Subsequently, Zaman was beaten to death and Alexandrovna, who came to his aid, was severely injured, so much so, that six weeks later, she remains in the ICU at a Sri Lankan hospital recovering from the beating she sustained.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa promptly ordered an investigation into the attack by a larger group of locals led by the chairman of the local government. Since then, seven more arrests have been made in addition to Sampath Chandra Pushpa Vidanapathirana, 24, the chairman of Tangalle village council, along with three others.

COMMENT: According to Tourist Board data, tourist arrivals from the UK declined by 14.2% in January 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, while arrivals from Western Europe increased by 11.9%. Yet, the overall tourist arrivals in January was 15.7% higher compared to the same month last year.

In analyzing this data, the only real useful "take-away" is that one highly publicized incident can have a detrimental effect on tourists from a particularly country, particularly when the event is highly-publicized and particularly violent.

Indeed, examining the large number of assaults and fatalities on US citizens and Canadians in Mexico (although demographically the two countries are significantly different) is much different because of the sheer disparity of numbers. Also, the fact that nearly 50,000 Mexicans have been killed by violent means in recent years in Mexico is much more than anecdotal.

In fairness to the Sri Lankan government, the President himself got personally engaged in the attacks on Zaman and Alexandrovna, ensured that the assailants promptly arrested and that Alexandrovna was well-cared for. We can only hope that Ms. Alexandrovna will pay nothing when she is ultimately discharged from the hospital.

Foreign governments where incidents occur naturally get defensive when the US Department of State and foreign ministries and offices disseminate "travel warnings," yet from the standpoint of media relations and liability implications, such entities have an obligation to caution and warn their citizens of prevailing risks in a given country.

Nevertheless, and unfortunately, many foreign tourists are either ignorant of such warnings and don't adhere to them because "they know better," or because they simply make bad choices which puts them into Harm's Way, as in the case of the Australian kidnapped in the southern Philippines and the Americans jailed in Iran while strangely backpacking in Iraq.

Unlike Sri Lanka, many developing countries that attract tourists do very little to reduce security risks in their own countries, as in the case of Thailand and Morocco of late, when a Swedish tourist was found dead, having been relieved of his valuables, although the host government referred to it as an "accidental death."

It is one thing if there have been a multitude of attacks on tourists from a specific country, but in the case of Sri Lanka, it is just not known as a highly dangerous destination, nor should Brits avoid because of one sensationalized incident.

30+ Tourists Hospitalized Due to Chlorine Leak in Phuket Pool

2012-02-18T23:12:00.008-05:00

More than 30 people, many of them foreign tourists, were rushed to a local hospital in Phuket [Thailand] on Saturday (February 18) after a chlorine leak at a swimming pool at the Phuket Orchid Resort and Spa on Karon Beach.

COMMENT: The leak largely caused skin irritation and sore eyes. Although twelve patients were discharged within a matter of hours, some 25 were referred to larger medical facilities for treatment. One of those treated was a pregnant woman who had breathing difficulties after inhaling the chemical.

Among those that went to hospital were 10 Norwegian and nine Swedish nationals, with five Swedes remaining in the hospital, one of them in a serious condition.

As much as I love Thailand and after working and living there for a number of years, its overly used infrastructure, in many forms, is beginning to impact on the safely of visitors and residents alike.

Whether the topic is unsafe roadways and tour buses; incompetent bus drivers, tourists who ride motorbikes intoxicated, widespread economic crime, homicide, the use of date-rape drugs to neutralize tourists; or contaminated pools, Phuket may have reached the breaking point, as have a number of overcrowded destinations in the "Land of Smiles."

Our regular readers may recall my August 16, 2011, posting entitled "Pesticides May Have Caused Deaths of Six in Chiang Mai Hotel," when six guests of the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai, died from suspicious causes in January and February of that year. The dead included two Britons, one American, one New Zealander, one Canadian and one Thai.

I must respectfully suggest that given the continuing rise of calamities of too many sorts, particularly in Phuket, our readers may wish to consider a number of alternatives to this destination, which I would be happy to provide.

List of Air Carriers Currently Banned by the EU

2012-02-18T14:07:00.003-05:00

On the basis of several requests by readers, I am including a link to the European Union's current list of global air carriers not permitted to fly to EU destinations, on the basis of its most recent report, effective November 23, 2011:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/doc/list_en.pdf

Paris, London, Boston, Melbourne and Vienna Top list of Best Places to be a Student

2012-02-18T13:41:00.010-05:00

Paris has topped a new list of the best places in the world to be a student, compiled by the university guide QS.

See http://www.topuniversities.com.

The French capital beat London out to the first choice, after examining factors ranging from the reputation of universities to affordability and the quality of living to compile the best places in the world to be a student.

Western Europe clearly swept the list, seizing six of the top ten destinations, including Vienna, Zurich, Berlin and Dublin.

North America, by contrast, secured two spots in the top ten, Boston in second place and Montreal ranking tenth place.

Australia was also home to two of the best cities to be a student, with Melbourne ranked fourth and Sydney ranked sixth.

Unfortunately, Asian cities did not make the top ten, although they did win nine spots in the top fifty; highest ranked was Singapore in 12th place, while Hong Kong and Tokyo shared 19th place.

COMMENT: The top ten list, in priority order, includes: (1) Paris; (2) London; (3) Boston; (4) Melbourne; (5) Vienna; (6) Sydney; (7) Zurich; (8) Berlin; (8) Dublin; and (10) Montreal.

For a copy of the list, please go to:

http://www.topuniversities.com/student-life/best-student-cities/2012.

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is a company specializing in education and study abroad. The company was founded in 1990 by Nunzio Quacquarelli. Today, QS has over 200 employees and operates globally from a number of world cities. QS offers publications and events to broaden the scope of study abroad.

US$6,500 Rolex Stolen During Security Screening at FFL Found, Arrest Made

2012-02-18T11:36:00.016-05:00

Formally, a huge thank you should go to the Broward County Sheriff's Department (FL) for recovering a US$6,500 Rolex watch airline passenger Gloria de Regalado accidentally forgot in a security bin at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Tuesday (February 14), only to have another passenger steal the watch and escape.

Under normal circumstances, the probability of a Rolex owner expecting to see their watch again might well be worse than winning the lottery, yet in reviewing surveillance camera footage in the screening area, images of the thief led Broward County deputies to a Sunny Isles Beach condominium in Miami-Dade County owned by Igor Ramos, 37. Deputies say Ramos was wearing the $6,500 watch when he opened the door Friday (February 17), at which point he was arrested, taken into custody and charged with grand larceny.

COMMENT: Fortunately, the watch has been returned to its owner, but there is a lesson to be learned in this case, which is that expensive jewelry should be safeguarded at home while traveling, given the risks of losing or forgetting such items during airport security screening. Worst-case, ensure that such valuables are covered by insurance, if they are worn.

Analysis in Egypt: Trial of Nineteen Americans, 24 Others Begins on February 26

2012-02-18T10:20:00.012-05:00

Much of the political and economical turmoil going on in the world at the moment boils down to who is the most consistent and deliberate, and who refuses to "blink."

An excellent example of this statement is the scheduled February 26 trial of nineteen Americans and some 24 others who are being charged with participating in foreign-funded pro-democracy groups.

As I've said before, although former President Hosni Mubarak was far from being a saint, he supported the global anti-terrorism effort, foreign tourism and more than anything, he was loyal to the governments he supported. The fact that he was also corrupt places him in a large majority amongst many global political leaders.

Unfortunately, the Obama Administration was not as loyal to US interests as was Mubarak loyal to Washington. Hence, much of the mess that is today's Egypt, particularly with the emerging dominance of the Muslim Brotherhood, is tainted by American inaction to help Mubarak when he most needed help.

Where I come from [the US Midwest], relationships are everything and handshakes actually mean something. Yet, no doubt, such a philosophy does not apply to Washington.

The imminent trial represents what can only be described as one of the worst periods of Egyptian-US bilateral relations in 50 years, which could have been avoided if the US had acted proactively in securing a compromise in Cairo that protected Mubarak from prosecution, yet permitted the democratic process to take its course.

Needless to say, though, no one ever envisioned that a military junta would take control and facilitate dominance by the Brotherhood, all of which has caused tourism from abroad to plunge 30+%.

Although US officials have publicly said that the imminent trial could put into jeopardy more than US$1 billion in U.S. aid that Cairo receives, 70% of the New Egypt has said in polls they don't want it, suggesting that Egypt is on its way to becoming a rogue state.

As for the trial, nineteen of the accused are US citizens and sixteen are Egyptian nationals. The remainder are Germans, Palestinians and Jordanians.

The Americans work for four U.S.-based groups: the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, Freedom House and a group that trains journalists.

Only seven of the Americans are in Egypt, and all have been barred from departing the country. Some have sought refuge at the American Embassy in Cairo, including Sam LaHood, who heads IRI's Egypt office and is the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The defendants are being charged with managing offices of international organizations without licenses from the Egyptian government, and with receiving foreign funding. The groups' operations "infringe on Egyptian sovereignty," according to an Egyptian governmental spokesman.

What the Obama Administration does not seem to realize is that countries who rattle sabers, make threats, selectively enforce laws against their adversaries and ignore democratic principles, understand one thing: Action with consequences.

Sadly, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey have all appealed to the highest levels of the Egyptian government in an effort to end their investigation and allow the foreigners to leave the country, with unsuccessful results.

Rather than continuing to show inaction by the Obama Administration, for the first time in recent memory, the executive and legislative branches of the US Government should work toward a common goal, reach consensus and publicly notify the Egyptian government that the US$1 billion aid package appropriated for Egypt will be permanently suspended until such time as all 43 defendants are exonerated and all foreigners have left Egypt.

If the US pursues such a course, it may not necessarily be "liked" by Egypt, but it would be respected, which is much more important than being "liked."

Finally, those who are politically correct might well argue that such an action as I have proposed above could jeopardize the "Middle East peace effort." Well, such efforts have been underway by the US for over 40 years, with unsuccessful results, so what actually is being jeopardized?

Update: India to Charge US Terrorist, Eight Others for 2008 Mumbai Attacks

2012-02-18T08:24:00.010-05:00

Earlier today (February 18) a New Delhi court agreed to try admitted US-Pakistani terrorist David Headley and eight others for allegedly carrying out the deadly 2008 attacks in Mumbai.

Interestingly, the court's decision may lead to the extradition of Headley, where he is serving in prison, after confessing to planning the three-day-long terrorist operation.

Unfortunately, Headley's plea agreement with US prosecutors contains language that Headley would not be extradited abroad if he served as a witness for the prosecution in the 2011 trial against Chicago businessman Tahawwur Rana, a boyhood friend. ge grew up with in Pakistan.

Rana was subsequently convicted of supporting the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group and an attack on a Danish newspaper, with the provision that he would not be charged for his role in the Mumbai attack.

COMMENT: India contends that Headley, Rana and several others, including two alleged members of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), of complicity in the Mumbai attacks that claimed the lives of 168. Consequently, a judge has ordered nine suspects, including Headley, to appear in court on March 13 and issued arrest warrants for those not in custody.

Unfortunately, Rana was not found guilty of his role in Mumbai, for which he was originally arrested. Rather, he and Headley were both tried in Chicago on May 23, 2011, for their roles in the planned and aborted operation to blow up a Danish newspaper, "Jyllands-Posten," although Rana was acquitted of being involved in the Mumbai attacks. Nevertheless, both defendants are facing serious prison time.

The dilemma for the US is how to cooperate with India's imminent extradition request of Headley, even though Headley maneuvered himself out of being charged with Mumbai, for his testimony against Rana. A funny thing, though, about terrorists and criminals, integrity means very little when it comes to saving your skin.

Be rest assured that I'll keep our readers abreast of new developments in this matter.

Bungee Jumping: A Foreseeable Risk?

2012-02-17T12:43:00.005-05:00

For those who regularly follow global news, many will recalling hearing of the harrowing case of Erin Langworthy, 22, an Australian citizen, who in January of this year was on holiday on New Year's Eve when she took the 111-meter (364 feet) bungee jump from the Victoria Falls bridge above the river, which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately, her bungee cord snapped as she dropped from the bridge, plunging her head-first into the crocodile-infested waters of the Zambezi River. Nevertheless, she managed to swim to the Zimbabwe side of the river, where she was able to get out of the water.

Subsequently, Zambian Tourism Minister Given Lubinda went to great effort to assure tourists that the bungee jumping equipment was safe. While that may be comforting to those who purchase batteries and discover that one doesn't work, jumping 350+ feet not being 100% sure you are tethered correctly is much, much different.

Now, let's fast-forward to yesterday (February 16), when the owners of a South African bungee jumping company in Johannesburg and two of their employees were found guilty of culpable homicide.

This followed a 2010 incident in which Jo-Ann Samuels, 29, was killed during a tandem bungee jump with her husband, Hendrik Samuels, 30, after a rope malfunctioned and slipped. Jo-Ann, who landed on rocks, was killed instantly, and her husband was seriously injured. As a result, the company, Big Swing, fined the parent company, Vuka Marketing, R300 000 (US$38,000) and fined the two employees US$12,666 each, in addition to suspending their operations.

Vuka Market was also ordered to pay Hendrik Samuels US$15,000 within a week, which is a scant amount compared to the experience he endured and the loss of his wife.

COMMENT: In his ruling, Judge Andre Lambrecht urged that there is a pressing need to better regulate adventure sports activities such as bungee jumping, pointing out that one death is too many. Commenting further, the judge stressed: "Current measures are woefully inadequate, and these kinds of sports should not even be allowed in the country," he said, adding that signing an indemnity form before a jump was "not worth the paper it is printed on."

Bungee jumping injuries may be divided into those that occur secondary to equipment mishap or tragic accident, and those that occur regardless of safety measures. In the first instance, injury can happen if the safety harness fails, the cord elasticity is miscalculated, or the cord is not properly connected to the jump platform.

In 1986 Michael Lush died of multiple injuries after bungee jumping for a stunt on a BBC television program, and in 1997, Laura Patterson, one of a 16-member professional bungee jumping team, died of massive cranial trauma when she jumped from the top level of the Louisiana Superdome and collided head-first into the concrete-based playing field.

Erin Langworthy, an Australian woman was plunged into the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls, where she nearly drowned with her feet still tied together after her bungee rope snapped during a jump.

Injuries that occur despite safety measures generally relate to the abrupt rise in upper body vascular pressure during bungee cord recoil. Eyesight damage is the most frequently reported complication. In one case, a 26-year-old woman's eyesight was still impaired after 7 months.

Whiplash injuries may occur as the jumper is jolted on the bungee cord and in at least one case, this has led to quadriplegia secondary to a broken neck. Very serious injury can also occur if the jumper's neck or body gets entangled in the cord.

More recently, carotid artery dissection leading to a type of stroke after bungee jumping has also been described. All of these injuries have occurred in fit and healthy people in their twenties and thirties. Bungee jumping has also been shown to increase stress and decrease immune function.

If, despite this posting, you still feel compelled to experience the feeling of bungee jumping, I would suggest referring you to Clint Eastwood's notable detective character, who would simply ask punks in films, "Do you feel lucky?"

Needless to say, bungee jumping is not recommended for adventure-seeking seniors, for obvious reasons.

Costa Rica: Survey Reveals One in Five Residents a Victim of Crime

2012-02-17T07:29:00.014-05:00

In what can only be described as a sad indicator of the challenge that Costa Rica faces today, The Tico Times has reported the results of a National Statistics and Census Institute home survey that reveals that one in every five families was a victim of violence from July 2009 to July 2010.

The results of this survey were originally reported in the daily, La Nación.

COMMENT: The survey polled more than 1.2 million homes nationwide and discovered that 255,000 of the respondents had been crime victims. Of those offenses, 36.4% were violent crimes (i.e., armed robbery, carjacking, home invasion, etc.). Some 76,000 victims were robbed in their homes.

The survey also revealed that the majority of crimes occurred in the Central Valley and on the Atlantic coast. FYI: The Central Valley houses almost three quarters of Costa Ricans, and includes the capital and most populous city, San José. The valley is shared among the provinces of Alajuela, Heredia, San José and Cartago.

It has only been in recent years, since 2000, for example, that crime has dramatically escalated in Costa Rica. Most victims are Costa Rican, although increasingly foreigners are targeted because of their possessions and perceived wealth.

Unfortunately, crimes of violence are on the rise, yet the government seems unable or unwilling to take the necessary steps to neutralize it. Sadly, numerous foreigners have disappeared in Costa Rica with little success on the part of police to determine what happened to them.

And for the thousands of foreigners who live in or travel to Costa Rica, few are given any solace or quarter when they are victimized. If the government does not address the crime problem soon and effectively, the country's luster for being a haven for tourists will soon dissipate.

Morocco: Swedish Tourist Dies Near Marrakesh, Motive Suspicious

2012-02-17T07:03:00.003-05:00

Christer Olsson, 48, a Swedish tourist, who has visited Morocco many times in the past, and who recently arrived there on a five-week trip, was found this week in a gully outside of Marrakesh in a pool of blood. Although he was still alive when discovered, he died shortly thereafter in a local hospital, with few facts for his family to go on.

COMMENT: Although police reported Mr. Olsson's death as accidental, his mobile phone, wallet and passport were gone when he was found. Police also have said that Olsson smelled of alcohol, yet his family has told the media in Sweden that he has not used in alcohol in over 15 years.

Olsson's family have been told by Moroccan authorities that they will conduct no autopsy, as the victim was found alive and that their investigation may take upwards of "six months." That is an explanation that seemingly has zero value.

Normally, a diplomatic mission can request an autopsy on behalf of a decedent citizen who dies in a foreign country, but in the case the Moroccan response is puzzling.

Having investigated countless suspicious deaths over the years, the only options available for the family is to get Olsson's body back to Sweden as soon as possible so that an autopsy can be conducted there to determine the cause of death.

This posting will be updated as new information becomes available.

Update: US Businesswoman Found Stabbed in Bangkok Hotel

2012-02-17T06:35:00.007-05:00

As a follow-up to yesterday's (February 16) posting, Tampa businesswoman Wendy Albano, 52, who was found stabbed to death on the 17th floor of the Fraser Suite Hotel in Bangkok on Thursday, was reportedly discovered by a maid. The Fraser is an apart-hotel.

According to police, Ms. Albano, an interior designer, was choked and stabbed multiple times in the chest; her boyfriend, an Indian national, is a prime suspect and is being sought. Sang-Hvi Ritesh Nar-Patraj, 26, had apparently been staying with her.

COMMENT: Closed circuit surveillance footage at the Fraser indicates that Nar-Patraj was observed leaving the hotel with his luggage at approximately 2000 hours on Sunday (February 12).

Thai immigration has confirmed that he flew out of Bangkok later that evening. Police have theorized that Ms. Albano was in Bangkok to end the relationship and have notified INTERPOL for assistance.

Albano was also a mother of two daughters who are in their 20s.

Ireland: Inquest in Death of Elderly French Couple Killed in Motorcycle Accident

2012-02-16T22:20:00.004-05:00

At an inquest in Galway, held yesterday (February 16) in the deaths of Michel and Jacqueline Lacave from Pontvallain in Pays de La Loire [France], ages 77 and 69, respectively, those in attendance heard that the couple were both pronounced dead at the scene of the incident after their Harley-Davidson collided with a car on a hairpin bend in the roadway.

The tragic accident occurred on July 5, 2011. At the time, Mrs. Lacave was riding as a passenger behind her husband.

COMMENT: Sadly, Mr. Lacave's wife, Jacqueline, had just celebrated her 69th birthday when the accident occurred. The collision took place at Roo Demesne between Kinvara and Ballyvaughan. Paul Cuffe told the inquest he was traveling home to Wicklow with his family when the Lacave's bike lost control and skidded into the path of his vehicle, killing them instantly.

I'm sure that I may be subject to criticism by some, but considering that the central theme of this site is for all of us to learn from the misfortunes of others, in the hope preventing future injuries and death, one can only hope that Mr. Lacave was an experienced motorcyclist and had a valid French motorcycle license.

Also, hopefully, the Lacave's had visited Ireland before and knew the roads and their risk level.

Considering that I'm in my 60s and recall riding motorcycles earlier in my life, I cannot imagine doing so today, no matter how great I feel, knowing that muscle mass and elasticity diminishes considerably with age, which can only potentially put one's safety in jeopardy.

Thailand: US Businesswoman Murdered in Bangkok, Assailant Being Sought

2012-02-16T20:56:00.006-05:00

According to ABC News, The body of US citizen Wendy Albano, 51, was found on the bathroom floor of her suite at the Fraser Suites Hotel in Bangkok on Monday (February 13). Police have said that an ethnic Indian, who may have been Ms. Albano's boyfriend, was depicted on surveillance camera footage leaving her suite.

COMMENT: Ms. Albano reportedly met the suspect on a previous business trip to India where she attempted to start a fashion design company. This posting will be updated as new information becomes available.

Nigeria: Head-On Crash Between Two Buses Leaves 32 Dead

2012-02-16T18:20:00.007-05:00

According to AP, an estimated 32 people were killed earlier today (February 16) when two buses had a head-on collision in the northern state of Bauchi, both which were driving too fast in a "road work" area. Upon impact, the buses became inflamed, causing a greater level of death for the occupants.

COMMENT: As in many developing countries, roads in Nigeria are in terrible condition with non-existent traffic enforcement. According to WHO (World Health Organization), is the third worst country for traffic fatalities, behind behind China and India, who are in first and second place, respectively.

In my 2008 book, STAYING SAFE ABROAD: TRAVELING, WORKING AND LIVING IN A POST-9/11 WORLD, I devote an entire chapter to "Roadway Accidents: A Major Concern," and mention that the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) sells the most complete country reports on driving abroad of any source. See http://www.asirt.org.

Update: "Underwear Bomber" Gets a Life Sentence for Attempting to Down NW253

2012-02-16T16:09:00.007-05:00

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 25, AKA "the underwear bomber," was sentenced earlier today (February 16) to a life in prison for attempting to detonate an IED aboard NW253, which was bound for Detroit from Amsterdam on Christ Day, 2009.

The mandatory punishment for Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the well-educated son of a wealthy Nigerian banker, was never in doubt after he surprised the courtroom and pleaded guilty to all charges on the second day of trial last fall.

COMMENT: Early in 2009, the defendant traveled to Yemen in a desperate bid to see Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born cleric and one of the best-known al-Qaeda figurehead, who was killed by a US done in Yemen in 2011. Ironically, Al-Awlaki and the bomb maker were killed in the drone attack together.

Update: Nigerian Prison Inmate Breakout Rises to 200

2012-02-16T12:48:00.004-05:00

As a follow-up to this morning's posting on an armed gang breaking inmates from a federal prison, it is now estimated that most of the inmates, numbering nearly 200, were freed by their compatriots.

COMMENT: What is not know is whether the attack on the prison was carried out by simple thugs or whether the Muslim extremist group, Boko Haram, was responsible for the breakout as a perverted form of recruitment for its ranks, if, in fact, it was Boko Haram.

People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad AKA Boko Haram, is a Salafist Jihadist terrorist organization based in the northeast of Nigeria, which vigorously opposes all man-made law and hopes to institute sharia law throughout Nigeria.

Just since last year, Boko Haram has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 300.

Nigeria: Heavily Armed Gang Frees 118 Inmates from Federal Prison

2012-02-16T09:41:00.006-05:00

As if Nigeria does not have enough trouble, a heavily-armed gang equipped with assault rifles and hand grenades stormed a federal prison at Koton-Karifi, (a town in Kogi state just south of the central capital Abuja), freeing as many as 118 inmates on Wednesday (February 15).

Now, here's the interesting part: only one prison guard was killed, giving though as to why there was not a more concerted defense of the prison. The prison held mostly hardened, career criminals.

Boko Haram, a Muslim extremist group fighting to institute sharia law throughout Nigeria, launched a similar massive prison break in Bauchi state in September 2010 that freed nearly 700 inmates.

COMMENT: No group immediately claimed responsibility for the prison attack. Typically, huge prison breaks in developing nations are not possible without pre-incident surveillance and "inside" help, which may explain why only one guard was killed.

Unfortunately, this prison assault will only add more criminals to the streets, in an already lawless country.

Moody's May Cut Credit Ratings of 17 Global, 114 European Financial Entities

2012-02-16T09:21:00.005-05:00

Moody's warned today it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global and 114 European financial institutions in another indicator the impact of the euro-zone government debt crisis having a global impact on financial institutions around the globe. Fortunately, the news did not cause tremors in global markets.

The credit rating agency intimated that globally, it might cut the long-term credit rating of UBS, Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley by as much as three notches following the review. Among the banks that might be downgraded by two notches include Barclays, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings, and Goldman Sachs. Bank of America and Nomura were included in those that might be downgraded by one notch.

COMMENT: Last Monday, Moody's cut the ratings of six European nations including Italy, Spain and Portugal and warned it could strip France, Britain and Austria of their top-level AAA grade. Standard & Poor's cut France's and Austria's top ratings and downgraded seven other euro zone nations last month.

European banks' bond holdings of struggling euro-zone nations such as Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Italy have trapped Europe in a financial vice.

The biggest single group among the 114 institutions under review were headquartered in Italy, followed by Spain, with more than twenty each. Nine were headquartered in Britain, ten in France and seven in Germany.

Unfortunately, institutional credit reductions also have real impact on the lives of consumers who live in the affected countries. In many case, the cost of credit will go up, placing a further squeeze on the availability of money. Additionally, for credit-card issuers, interest rates could climb even further.

Retired Briton to be Extradited to US for Conspiring to Sell Missile Components to Iran

2012-02-16T09:05:00.009-05:00

A retired British businessman, Christopher Tappin, who has been accused of plotting to sell missile components to Iran will be extradited to the US next week. Tappin faces charges in Texas over allegations that he offered in 2006 to sell specialized batteries for Hawk missiles for $25,000 to undercover federal agents posing as Iranians.

COMMENT: Tappin faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted. He denies wrongdoing, saying he was the victim of a sting operation. An appeal to the European Court of Human Rights has already been declined.

Colombia: Innovative Fire Chief Fired for Renting Station to Porm Film Crew

2012-02-16T08:36:00.007-05:00

We have all seen fire departments worldwide come up with innovative fund-raising ideas to supply firefighters with equipment, but an enterprising fire chief, now ex-fire chief, in Puerto Colombia, took community outreach to a whole new level when he rented out his station to a porn film crew for a mere hour.

Although the incident occurred in May 2011, the Colombian media recently broke the story. Although it was the former fire chief's intent for the crew to just shoot abstract footage of the station's exterior, the film reportedly depicts a young woman arriving at the station for a tour of the facility, which eventually leads to a sexual encounter with an actor dressed as a firefighter.

COMMENT: Unfortunately, for the former chief, the film crew shot closeups of the department's logo, phone number and even the crest of the Interior of the Atlantic, which led to widespread news coverage nationwide.

Puerto Colombia is a town and municipality in the Atlántico Department, ofColombia, famous for its "Pier of Puerto Colombia."

The lesson-learned for the former chief is to always be on-station when the media arrives.

Moody's Downgrades Credit Rating of Six European Nations

2012-02-15T14:11:00.009-05:00

Credit Rating agency, Moody's, said earlier today (February 15) that it has downgraded six European nations, including Italy, Spain and Portugal, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia, citing growing risks from Europe's debt crisis, and warned it could potentially cut the triple-A ratings of France, Britain and Austria in the future.

COMMENT: Moody's said it changed the outlooks for the ratings of France, Britain and Austria to negative due to "a number of specific credit pressures that would exacerbate the susceptibility of these sovereigns' balance sheets."

Germany's top-tier rating was described as "appropriate" by Moody's, and it affirmed the triple-A rating on the euro zone's bailout fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF).

Moody's, which said late last year it was reconsidering its European ratings, cut the ratings of Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta by one notch. It downgraded Spain by two notches.

Analysis: Decriminalization of Illegal Drugs a Bad Idea

2012-02-15T08:37:00.007-05:00

As most of us worry about our families in these austere times, how ineffective our governments have become, how dysfunction are legislators continue to be and how we can ever financially recover from the global recession, etc., farthest from our minds is the decriminalization of illegal drugs.

Yet, as a very brief diversion, I would like to call your attention to the below link to a Honduras Weekly piece, describing the opening of a debate among Central American presidents to consciously discuss the decriminalization of illegal drugs.

http://hondurasweekly.com/guatemalan-president-proposes-drug-legalization-201202144849

COMMENT: Although admittedly the majority of illegal drugs grown, processed and shipped to the US and Europe from Latin America transit Central America, particularly Honduras, these destinations seem unwilling or incapable of "winning" the drug war, largely because of flawed policies.

That being said, decriminalizing illegal drugs anywhere is a very, very, very bad idea.

Forget the notion that most governments at any level regulate anything effectively, the reality is that we just have to carefully examine the human carnage caused by the legal purchase of alcohol and the unchecked distribution of benzodiazepines by a poorly regulated drug industry alone to see the downsides.

Additionally, contemporary studies already show that illegal drug use by several age groups is on the rise, so why would we want to intentionally have a large percentage of our populations regularly if not permanently IMPAIRED, either by alcohol, abused legal drugs or illegal drugs?

Please think of this posting the next time you see an automobile accident.

Update: Premature IED Detonation in Bangkok Has Similar Design to Attacks on Israeli Diplomats

2012-02-15T07:34:00.004-05:00

Israel's ambassador to Thailand Itzhak Shoham said earlier today (February 15) that the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) found in a rented house in Bangkok this week have similar design components to those used to target Israeli diplomatic vehicles in Tblisi and New Delhi, although this has not been confirmed.

Nevertheless, the central theme of Ambassador Shoham's message was that the IEDs in all three cities are linked to an Iranian connection, particularly considering that the suspects in the Bangkok detonation are Iranian.

COMMENT: The "sticky" bomb referred to in the media is simply an improvised version of the rudimentary "sticky" bomb of World War II fame, that was often used against bunkers, vehicles and tanks. The one central design in all three incidents was the use of magnetized IEDs that can be quickly and covertly affixed to the vehicles of targets.

It is very clear to anyone above the age of reason as to how Iran feels about Israel. Within the confines of senior government officials in Iran, there is a belief that Israel or the US may have been behind the assassination of Iranian scientists working to enhance Iran's nuclear capability. Unfortunately, though, evidence of such linkage has not been made public, if it exists at all.

As background, on Monday (February 13) a vehicle-borne IED detonated in New Delhi, wounding a driver and a diplomat's spouse. On the same day, in Tblisi, bombers had placed an IED on the car of a driver for the Israeli Embassy, but it was found and rendered safe before it detonated.

Late yesterday (February 14), Thai authorities confirmed that the Iranians taken into custody confessed to targeting Israeli interests. The suspects are identified as Saeid Moradi, who lost at least one leg in a self-inflicted grenade blast as he attempted to flee police, and Mohummad Hazaei, who was detained Tuesday as he tried to board a flight to Malaysia.

Best Airports in the World: Airport Council International Survey

2012-02-15T07:05:00.007-05:00

In its 2011 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, an annual event, the Airports Council International has awarded the following airports as the "best" by category:

Best Airport Worldwide: Seoul Incheon Airport

Best Airport by Region: Malta Airport

Best Airport by Size: Guayaquil Airport

Best Regional Airport: Quebec City

Best Improvement: Guayaquil Airport

COMMENT: A PDF copy of the Council's entire report can be downloaded by going to:

http://www.airportservicequalityawards.com.

The top five airports in the world, according to the ASQ Survey are: Seoul Incheon; Singapore; Beijing; Hong Kong; and Nagoya.

Global Shark Attacks on Rise, See Link

2012-02-15T06:41:00.005-05:00

For the benefit of our readers, please see the below link from Wildlife News, concerning a recent University of Florida survey that reveals a risk in global shark attacks:

http://wildlifenews.co.uk/2012/shark-attack-deaths-double-as-tourists-seek-new-adventures

Update: New Developments in De Grazia Investigation in Buenos Aires

2012-02-14T16:34:00.004-05:00

Buenos Aires City Judge Juan Ramos Padilla, who is currently investigating the leaking of photographs of the corpse of late model Jazmín De Grazia by federal police, has seized 60 mobile phones from police officers connected to the investigation.

More pronounced is the fact that the magistrate has ceased using federal police for the investigation, and is reportedly now using investigators from Argentina’s Naval Prefecture.

COMMENT: The purpose behind the seizure of so many mobile phones is to determine which officers were complicit in the leaking of Ms. De Grazia's crime scene photographs to a Buenos Aires publication last week.

Additionally, Judge Padilla has summoned journalists Jorge Rial and Luis Ventura to be questioned in the matter as well. The Prefecture has also seized and is analyzing the cameras, printers and photographic equipment of the investigation.

Model and journalist Jazmín De Grazia, 27, was found dead in her bathtub in her apartment in the suburb of Recoleta on February 5.

Update: Prosecutors File Appeal to High Court to Set Aside Knox, Sollecito Reversals

2012-02-14T10:21:00.008-05:00

Earlier today (February 14), Italian prosecutors filed a 111-page appeal to Italy's highest criminal court against the overturning of the murder convictions of American Amanda Knox, 24, and her former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, 27, in the brutal slaying of British exchange student Meredith Kercher, 21.

COMMENT: The appeal will represent the prosecution's last option of setting aside the reversal of prison sentences of 26 and 25 years, respectively, ordered by the lower court, in the November 1, 2007, stabbing death of Ms. Kercher.

Unfortunately, the High Court's ruling is not expected until later this year.

A third defendant, Ivory Coast-born drifter Rudy Guede, was convicted in a separate trial of sexually assaulting and stabbing Kercher. His 16-year sentence, reduced in appeal from an initial 30 years, was upheld by Italy's High Court in 2010.

Regrettably, and exclusive of legal strategies, neither the prosecution or the defense established how, why or by whom Meredith Kercher was killed, thus denying justice to both the victim and to her family.

Argentine Lawmakers Double Their Salaries, Following Techniques Learned from Their US Counterparts

2012-02-14T10:08:00.004-05:00

For the benefit of our readers during these austere times, please see the sad, but amusing news contained in today's issue (January 14) of The Latin American Herald Tribune, which reveals how Argentine lawmakers have doubled their own salaries (obviously emulating their shameless US counterparts), believing that national service is tantamount to having a license to steal.

http://laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=470585&CategoryId=14093

Thailand: IED Detonates Prematurely in Bangkok, Others Injured During Terrorists' Escape

2012-02-14T08:31:00.006-05:00

The government of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced earlier today (February 14) that an IED detonation occurred, obviously accidentally, at a rented home in the Ekami (Soi 71) section of the capital (on the outskirts of Central Bangkok), as three suspects attempted to flee the scene, one of whom was critically injured.

Government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisang said one of the suspects was critically injured when the IED detonated. She indicated that the two other suspects are also of Iranian descent.

The suspect injured in the detonation has been sent to a local hospital ER, while police are searching for the other two suspects. Four other bystanders have also been injured as a result of the suspects hurling M-26 grenades to facilitate their escape.

Although there may or may not be a connection to yesterday's (February 13) attacks on Israeli diplomats in India and Georgia, it should be noted that the incident occurred roughly a month after the US Embassy warned US citizens of a terrorist attack in Bangkok.

COMMENT: Last month, Bangkok police charged a Swedish-Lebanese national linked to Hezbollah with possessing illegal substances after detaining him in connection with a plan to attack sites frequented by Americans and Israelis.

It is also noteworthy to point out that today's attack follows a warning by the US Embassy in Bangkok warning its citizens of a terrorist attack in the Thai capital.

Police also found C-4 explosives and remote control detonation devices in the house the three suspects described above were renting.

There is a lesson to be learned from all of the facts noted above: Terror threats take time to germinate. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced world, if a terrorist warning is announced, and nothing happens in a matter of days, many people discount it as bogus.

Yet, the time it takes for a threat to be released to the public and executed can often be weeks, if not months.

Particularly with Muslim terrorism in Thailand's south having a traceable history of violence, particularly in recent years, it is entirely possible that the Iranian suspects in Bangkok were relying on material and logistical support from the south.

Although I could talk for hours about the terrorist threat in the south, it should be emphasized that the provinces of Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat are all high-risk areas, particularly for Thai Buddhists and foreigners.

Collectively, Islamic fundamentalism is nurtured in these provinces where some four million Muslims are seeking independence from Bangkok.

Costa Rica: ATV Accident Underlines Importance of Int'l Medical Coverage

2012-02-14T02:46:00.008-05:00

A US couple, Ron and Elissa Merritt, visited Costa Rica last week to celebrate their wedding anniversary, and suffered an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident that has left the couple unable to pay the extensive medical expenses Mrs. Merritt sustained.

When the accident occurred, Merritt, riding a separate ATV, rolled her vehicle and fell some distance down a ravine, breaking both arms, a leg and sustaining other non-life-threatening injuries. Fortunately, she was wearing a helmet, otherwise her injuries might well have been more pronounced.

COMMENT: As a result of the accident, hospital bills and the cost-prohibitive expenses to transport Mrs. Merritt back to the US where she can recover, the family is soliciting donations that can be made to the Elissa Merritt Benefit Trust, Wells Fargo Bank, account 3728192075.

Without being critical, but in the hope of helping other foreign travelers avoid the plight that the Merritts' find themselves in, as I have in the past, it is imperative that ALL foreign travelers subscribe to international medical treatment and evacuation coverage BEFORE they leave on their trip in the event they are injured while abroad, knowing that most foreign hospitals to do not honor home-based medical plans and demand payment in cash.

Medical evacuation alone can easily reach US$30,000-100,000, depending on where the injury occurs.

As in the past, I have encouraged our readers to ask me for a list of such underwriters, which I'm happy to provide at no cost. Just email me at: ed@sbrisksolutions.com.

Update: Police Strike Ends in Rio de Janeiro

2012-02-13T21:26:00.007-05:00

For the benefit of our readers, the strike by police and firefighters in Rio de Janeiro, that began on Friday (February 10) has ended, just days before the beginning of Carnival, an event that will bring tens of thousands of visitors to Rio during February 17-21.

Fernando Bandeira, president of Sinpol, one of the unions representing police, said officers and firefighters together decided to end the strike because "we don't want to harm our Rio, especially during Carnival." Nevertheless, he said labor grievances will be continued after the festivities.

COMMENT: As an example of how polarizing police and firefighter demands are, even after the state legislature approved a 39% wage hike for the two groups over the next two years, they contend that that was just half of the concessions they were seeking.

Dozens of striking police and union leaders in Rio were also arrested and remain jailed, largely because strikes are prohibited for first responders.

The lingering question is whether there will be new strikes prior to the events of the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, both of which Rio de Janeiro will host.

US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Victimized in Home Invasion on Nevis

2012-02-13T19:30:00.007-05:00

The US Supreme Court has confirmed that Justice Stephen Breyer, 73, his wife and family friends were the victims of a machete-wielding, home invader at the Breyer vacation home on the island of Nevis on Thursday, February 9.

The suspect wore a mask and escaped, after stealing roughly US$1,000 from the group. Thankfully, no one was injured. The incident occurred at roughly 2100 hours.

COMMENT: Justice Breyer is a regular visitor to Nevis and reportedly has owned a home there for many years. Police in Nevis have investigated the intrusion, but there have been no arrests.

In May 2011, Justice Breyer broke his collarbone when he fell from his bicycle in Cambridge, MA. And, in 1993, a year before he joined the High Court he was hit by a car while riding his bike in Harvard Square, breaking several ribs and puncturing a lung.

Additionally, Justice Breyer's home invasion is the third time that a member of the Supreme Court has been a crime victim. In 2004, Justice David Souter suffered minor injuries when he was mugged by a group of young men while jogging. In 1996, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had her purse snatched near the Kennedy Center, while walking with her husband and daughter. She was not hurt in the incident.

As someone who has protected VIPs most of my adult life, it is noteworthy to point out that perhaps the US Supreme Court Police, which is tasked with protecting the nine justices of the High Court, should prudently expand, at least contractually, protective services no matter where they happen to be.

Imagine if Justice Breyer had been injured or killed during the course of the home invasion? Consider the ramifications?

Update: Police, Firefighter Strike in Rio de Janeiro Losing Steam as Carnival Approaches

2012-02-13T17:20:00.003-05:00

As this update is posted, it appears that with city officials in Rio already having cracked down on the strike that began on Friday (February 10) by arresting some 17 police officers and threatening others with disciplinary action if they strike (which is against the law for first responders), fervor for most strikers continuing the effort is beginning to wane.

COMMENT: With Rio hosting the upcoming 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games, all eyes are on the city to ensure that city officials can handle major events like Carnival, which officially begins on February 17 and runs through February 21.

Nevertheless, the city has 14,000 soldiers on stand-by in the event there are indicators that the police and firefighter strike begins to gain steam, although for the moment that seems doubtful.

Update: Eleven Cops in Buenos Aires Fired for Leaking Photos of Model's Corpse

2012-02-13T10:26:00.007-05:00

Heads have rolled in Buenos Aires where the government has fired eleven 11 federal cops who have been implicated in leaking photographs of the corpse of model Jazmin De Grazia, 27, that were published earlier this weekend in an unethical Buenos Aires newspaper.

The Security Ministry has dismissed commissioner Ruben Miño, head of the police photography division, two officers, five police experts and three security and defense auxiliary officers, all of them employed by the Federal Police.

Meanwhile, prosecutor Justo Rovira summoned the head of the Internal Affairs division of the Federal Police, Alejandro Rom, and the head of Station 17, Marcelo Repetto, to provide an explanation for the leaking of the photos.

Judge Raul Botto said in a communique that “the corresponding complaint will be made with the aim of investigating the alleged commission” of a crime regarding the leaking of the photos, which are part of the file in the investigation into the model’s death.

COMMENT: Ms. De Grazia was found dead in the bathroom of her Buenos Aires home on February 5. Reportedly, the model was under a psychiatrist's care and was taking sleeping pills.

“We’re going to punish with maximum severity the officials who have failed in their duties, violating at the same time judicial procedures, the right to privacy of a person and the relatives of the deceased young woman,” Security Minister Nilda Garré emphasized.

Although the tough stance of Argentina's federal government is commendable, one would hope that a much broader investigation is conducted to determine how many other cases there have been of the crime scene photography's unit releasing crime scene photos to unauthorized persons.

Truck Driver in Phuket Who Killed Four Swedes, Driver in Hit-and-Run Gets Bail

2012-02-13T09:41:00.011-05:00

As a follow-up to my February 3 posting, Muhummadyukee Jehyusoh, 27, the driver of a fish delivery truck who killed four Swedish tourists and their Thai driver on February 2 in a hit-and-run accident has been released on bail! No wonder a large percentage of commercial drivers in Thailand leave the scene of the accident.

Although the driver surrendered himself to police on February 3, it is incomprehensible that a hit-and-run driver in any country would be released on bail after leaving five people dead. To make matters worse, bail was set at a mere US$10,000 (or 300,000 baht).

COMMENT: The driver will appear in court on Tuesday (February 14). He has yet and to satisfactorily explain what caused him to careen across a median strip and collide into a Toyota Altis, killing five.

Without question, this "accident" has once again turned the spotlight on Phuket as a safe tourist destination, where taking five lives has few consequences.

Australian, 45, Succumbs, Dies While Walking to Hokkaidō Ski Resort

2012-02-13T03:56:00.010-05:00

Australian citizen David Fitzpatrick, 45, from New South Wales, was found in a river at approximately 0200 hours on Sunday (February 12) near the Japanese ski town of Niseko.

Niseko, population 5,000, is largely a ski town located on the island of Hokkaidō [Japan]. Niseko principally refers to a wider area of ski resorts encompassing Hokkaidō's Mount Yōtei, often referred to as the "Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido."

The name Niseko derives from the Ainu language and means "a cliff jutting over a riverbank deep in the mountains." Its main industries are agriculture and tourism.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was on a holiday with a group of friends and was last seen at a local bar on Sunday, but failed to turn up at the airport for his return flight to Australia the next morning. It is believed he may have become disorientated when walking home.

The group of friends had been staying at a backpackers lodge in Izumikyo, about a ten-minute walk from the bar, for the past week.

COMMENT: In April 2009, the body of a missing Brisbane skier, Scott McKay, was found two months after he left a bar in sub-zero temperatures.

Although an autopsy will hopefully disclose Fitzpatrick's cause of death, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic's website, it is possible that the sub-zero temperature coupled with too much alcohol may be the culprit in his sudden death.

While alcohol may make us feel warmer, it actually aids in decreasing core body temperature. Normally when we feel cold, it is because blood has flowed from our skin into the organs to keep our core body temperature warm.

After alcohol consumption, though, blood flows into the skin, giving us that warm feeling and making our faces flush, but leaving our body temperature to decrease rapidly.

The absence of this blood flow reflex during intoxication makes it quite possible for a person's body temperature to take a major dip without them even realizing it.

Hence, the decreased core body temperature brought about by intoxication could lead to fatal hypothermia in the case of an alcohol-induced coma in freezing temperatures.

Update: Tourists Robbed in Amazon Offered Trips to Galapagos by Ecuadorian President

2012-02-13T03:46:00.008-05:00

In a surprise turn of events, and as a follow-up to my February 8 posting, "Ecuador: 20 Foreign Tourists Robbed of Valuables at Wildlife Reserve," sixteen foreign tourists who were attacked in a remote nature reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon near Sucumbíos, have been offered all-expense trips to the Galapagos Islands, compliments of Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa.

President Correa's gesture was to in some way recompense the tourists for their losses and to leave a positive tone on their visit to Ecuador.

The group, composed of American, Irish and Chilean tourists, was intercepted by six gunmen who robbed them of their belongings when they entered a lagoon nature reserve in the province of Sucumbíos, some 180 kilometers (111 miles) northeast of Quito, the capital.

COMMENT: Although many nations have victim compensation programs for visitors who are crime victims while visiting their countries, many do not. This gesture was indeed a very honorable step for President Correa to take and no doubt will have a lasting impression on the tourists who were robbed and may well cause them to return to Ecuador in the future.

Update: Greek Parliament Approves Tough Bailout to Avoid Default

2012-02-12T19:56:00.003-05:00

Late today (February 12), the Greek Parliament in Athens approved a deeply unpopular austerity bill to secure a second EU/IMF bailout and avoid national bankruptcy, as buildings burned across central Athens and violence spread around the country.

Sadly, cinemas, cafes, shops and banks were set ablaze in central Athens as black-masked protesters used violence to counter riot police. It is estimated that some 34 buildings in Athens were set ablaze during the chaos.

COMMENT: Before the vote, Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told lawmakers that the alternative to the bailout--bankruptcy and a departure from the euro-zone--would be far worse for Greeks.

Argentina's Security Minister Fires Federal Cops Who Leaked Photos of Model's Corpse to Tabloid

2012-02-12T12:17:00.007-05:00

Security Ministry Nilda Garré has reportedly approved the dismissal of federal police officers who were involved in leaking crime scene photographs of model Jazmin De Grazia’s corpse, which were published in a Buenos Aires publication (that will remain nameless) on Friday (February 10), that derives its income from sensational news stories.

FYI: Federal police are responsible for law enforcement in the capital of Buenos Aires.

Model and journalist Jazmín De Grazia, 27, was found dead in her bathtub in her apartment in the Recoleta section of the capital last week. She was also being treated for clinical depression.

COMMENT: An investigation is underway to determine whether those federal who leaked Ms. De Grazia's crime scene photos to one unethical publication may have been compensated for the photos.

Regardless, it is clear that the officers implicated violated one of the cardinal rules of police work: Protecting the information learned and acquired during an official investigation. Hence, they deserved to be terminated, but they should also be prosecuted.

An autopsy of Ms. De Grazia's remains revealed that her cause of death was attributed to asphyxiation stemming from immersion in water.

Meanwhile, Judge Justo Rovira, who is presiding over De Grazia's investigation, may rule on a gag order concerning the case.

Update: Kidnapped South Koreans, Guide Released by Armed Bedouins in Egypt

2012-02-12T09:48:00.002-05:00

Three South Koreans (two men and one woman) and their Egyptian guide, who were kidnapped by Bedouin gunmen on Friday (February 10) in the Sinai Peninsula, have reportedly been released and are unharmed. The group was abducted while visiting the Monastery of St. Catherine.

The four that were kidnapped were pulled from a tour bus of some 31 tourists visiting Christian pilgrimage sites. Their captors had demanded the release of a fellow tribesman who was being held in prison by Egyptian authorities.

COMMENT: The four captives were released at 2035 hours on Saturday (February 11). They will continue on with their ten-day visit to Israel and Jordan before returning home.

It was not disclosed whether the imprisoned tribesman that the Bedouins were demanding be released, was freed.

Update: Police, Firefighter Strike in Rio de Janeiro Continues, City Prepares to Deploy Military

2012-02-12T09:28:00.006-05:00

As a follow-up to yesterday's (February 11) update, the police and firefighters strike in Rio shows no sign of ending anytime soon, which could force authorities to deploy some 14,000 soldiers into the streets to maintain order, particularly during the Carnival celebration, scheduled for February 18-21.

COMMENT: Rio's police and firefighters walked off the job on Friday (February 10) to demand a pay raise, not content with a last-minute legislative approval of a 39% hike staggered over this year and the next.

There are concerns that the strike could cripple the city's Carnival celebrations, which pumps more than US$500 million into the city's economy annually, yet the state governor insists he will deploy the military onto the streets of Rio to ensure that Carnival occurs on schedule.

Unfortunately, the strike has created doubt that Brazil's public safety agencies can be depended on to protect the public during the 2014 soccer World Cup games and the 2016 Olympics.

This report will be updated each day.

Phuket: Three Swedish Tourists Threatened with Knife, Robbed

2012-02-12T08:47:00.004-05:00

Four assailants traveling on two motorcycles pulled up alongside three young Swedish tourists who were walking on a beach footpath at 0100 hours on Saturday (February 11), just outside the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa at Karon Beach, and threatened them with a knife, robbing them of cash and valuables. Items stolen included 3,700 baht (US$117), an iPhone and a camera.

COMMENT: Like Pattaya, Phuket is developing a reputation better known for fatal accidents amongst foreigners and crimes of opportunity than for a great getaway in the sun.

Much of this calamity occurs because of five factors: (1) Inadequate traffic enforcement; (2) poorly maintained roadways; (3) a police presence that is more reactive than proactive (i.e., waiting for crime to occur); (4) the unavailability of safe transportation for visitors; and (5) the use of surveillance cameras in high crime areas is grossly deficient.

Both in Pattaya and Phuket, the population density contributes to criminal opportunities, yet the police are not tactically deployed to prevent crime before it occurs. Additionally, criminals are not punished sufficiently to deter recidivism.

The three Swedish women who were robbed were simply walking on a beach footpath that unfortunately, was a flash-point for local crime in the past.

In May 2010, a Russian woman was robbed at Karon Beach, just a few days after Swedish tourist Emelia Andersson, 22, was stabbed on the first day of her holiday by a snatch-and-grab criminal while walking along the Karon Beach footpath.

Arrests Made in Robbery, Serious Injury Sustained by Chinese Tourist in Chiang Mai

2012-02-11T17:00:00.010-05:00

Thai Police in Chiang Mai have arrested an ex-convict and his girlfriend on suspicion of assaulting, robbing and seriously injuring Chinese tourist Liu Siew Hong, 36, at the city's famous Wat Chedi Luang on January 25, an attack that prompted China to warn its citizens to avoid traveling there.

The two suspects, Natthapong Chaithep, 19, and his girlfriend, Net-amporn Insao, 21, were brought by police to re-enact the crime at the Wat yesterday (February 10) while Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda Diskul and the Chinese consul-general in Chiang Mai were present.

Natthapong confessed that he, his girlfriend and another friend had robbed and attacked tourists walking alone some 20 times in the past two months in order to obtain money to buy drugs and go club-hopping.

Typical of many tourists to Thailand, Ms. Liu visited the Wat in order to watch monks perform their morning prayers. At that time, the two assailants, traveling on a motorbike approached her and one of them hit her on the head with a wooden club before stealing 1,500 yuan, 200 Hong Kong dollars and Bt5,000 in cash, amounting to about Bt13,150 (US$426) in all. The tourist was seriously injured and hospitalized for a week.

Natthapong, who was jailed in 2010 for robbery and released under a Royal pardon two months ago, was caught committing the attack on a security camera. An investigation led police to search Natthapong's dorm where they found both assailants along with the club, the brown jacket he wore on the day and the motorbike used in the crime.

COMMENT: The robbery prompted the Chinese Consulate to issue a warning on its website that Chiang Mai was a dangerous city that Chinese people should avoid unless absolutely necessary.

The Chinese Consul-General said they would not cancel the warning, but would announce that police had arrested the assailants and that Thai authorities were serious about solving the crime. He said the warning did not prohibit tourists from visiting Chiang Mai, but urged them to be cautious. He also urged Thai authorities to provide more security at tourist attractions.

Foreign travelers are urged to avoid carrying large sums of money with them when visiting developing countries, particularly countries such as Thailand where the victimization of tourists is particularly high. Alternatively, using an ATM card is preferred, so that travelers can withdraw small amounts of cash as needed.

Additionally, all foreign travelers should obtain international medical treatment and evacuation coverage in the event they are injured or become sick while traveling, as most clinics and hospitals demand payment in advance for treatment.

Update: Some Greek Lawmakers Resisting EU/IMF Bailout

2012-02-11T11:51:00.003-05:00

Greek leaders told a growing band of lawmakers on Saturday (February 11) that if they persist in their threats to vote against a severely unpopular EU/IMF rescue in Parliament, it could put into motion the financial downfall of Greece.

Conservative leader Antonis Samaras, who has attacked austerity policies for driving Greece ever deeper into recession, still told his party to back the 130 billion euro deal or be dropped as candidates in the next general election.

As a 48-hour strike by two unions commanding one million members continues to shut down all mass-transit services in the capital, and as voters continue to take to the streets, thinking their noise will stop the inevitable, the reality is that Greece has few options but to support the bailout. If they don't, they would default on their loans and potentially be forced out of the euro-zone.

COMMENT: At the moment, at least twenty legislators are threatening to vote against the bailout, yet it would take at least eighty to stop the bailout, which is unlikely, although possible.

Unfortunately, six members of Prime Minister Papademos' cabinet have already resigned over the heavy pay, pension and job cuts which the EU and IMF are demanding to obtain the bailout and avoid a default on debt repayments of 14.5 billion euros that are due on March 20.

The EU/IMF have been exasperated by a series of broken promises and weeks of disagreement over the bailout. They will not release the aid without clear commitments by the main party leaders that the reforms will be implemented, regardless of who wins the next elections.

It is expected that that Parliament will vote on the bailout tomorrow (February 12).

Czech Tourist Arrested for Photographing Pro-Independence Demonstration

2012-02-11T11:14:00.008-05:00

Police in Papua [Indonesia] detained Czech tourist Petr Zamecnik in Manokwari, 400 kilometers (248 miles) for taking photos of a pro-independence demonstration on Wednesday (February 8).

Zamecnik was then advised by police that according to his immigration declaration he was supposed to be on a holiday in Raja Ampat.

COMMENT: An estimated 100 Papuans marched to the governor’s building on Wednesday, yelling "Free Papua: We are not Indonesians," and carrying a banner showing the outlawed separatist symbol.

One thing that many travelers forget is that the majority of arrests and detentions of foreigners abroad involve immigration violations, often because those on tourist visas are not touring. Although admittedly Mr. Zamecnik might have taken photos of the demonstration as an after-thought, Indonesian officials may not have been like-minded.

Often, tourists and travelers take photos in foreign countries indiscriminately, not realizing that in many cases there are laws against taking photographs of government buildings, local police and officials, religious ceremonies, defense installations, airports (interior and exterior), etc.

It is never a bad idea for foreign visitors to ask their embassy or consulate on what photographic prohibitions exist in the country before you start snapping shutters. As is often said, ignorance of the law is no excuse.

As regards photographing people (i.e., locals) it is far better to ask their permission to take a photo of them before you do so. Actually, when such an approach is used, you may discover that they are willing to have friends take photos of you with them, which adds to the quality of trip photos.

Also, in some countries, a small gratuity is customarily charged for photographing someone, so the best advice is always ask beforehand.

Travelers who violate photographic protocols can find themselves having to surrender their memory card, having their camera confiscated or even being deported, arrested, fined or briefly jailed.

Update: Police, Firefighter Strike in Rio Continues as Carnival Approaches

2012-02-11T10:10:00.006-05:00

As a follow-up to my posting yesterday (February 10), concerning the impending strike by police and firefighters in Rio de Janeiro, one week before Carnival, it appears that the strike remains underway and may well jeopardize the annual festivities, forcing the city to deploy Brazilian soldiers into the streets to maintain order.

COMMENT: The recent experience with the police strike in Salvador da Bahia revealed that street violence rose dramatically while the police were on strike.

As I mentioned in yesterday's posting, if the police and firefighter strike continues into Carnival (February 18-21), I would suggest that international travelers and even those resident in Brazil give cautious thought to not attending the events, as the level of crime and violence is surely to rise beyond what is normally expected.

I will keep our readers abreast of developments in the strike each day, as we approach Carnival.

Bizarre Shooting in Florida Leaves Three Dead, Two Injured

2012-02-11T08:55:00.009-05:00

Without provocation and for reasons that cannot yet be explained, on Thursday night (February 9) William De Jesus, his wife and their two children, aged nine and seven, drove from their home in Port Orange, FL, a distance of 271 miles (or 350 kilometers), and drive to the Highland Woods RV Park in Deerfield Beach, FL, a site popular with Canadians.

Once at the park, according to police, De Jesus drove up to the lot where a Quebec couple had parked their RV and got out of his car. Ovila Plante, 76, from La Tuque, Quebec, came to the door of his mobile home when Jesus approached, but the two had difficulty communicating because Plante spoke French as a first-language.

Suddenly, De Jesus began yelling without explanation, pushed Plante away from him, pulled out a handgun and shot the Canadian once in the chest. When Plante fell, De Jesus walked toward Plante again and executed the man by shooting him in the head.

De Jesus then forced his way into Plante's mobile home along with his family, with Plante's girlfriend, Quebecer Pierrette Beauchemin, who is in her 70s, the latter of whom was able to escape from the scene and notify authorities at the park.

The incident ended on Friday morning (February 10) when a SWAT team from the Broward County Sheriff's Department converged on the RV park, although the confrontation lasted nearly seven hours at which point De Jesus stabbed his entire family, as well as himself.

The confrontation lasted nearly seven hours, but not before DeJesus stabbed his entire family and killed himself with a knife, although his wife, Deanna, and seven-year-old son, Samson, survived and have been hospitalized. His nine-year-old son, Jeshiah, died from his wounds as well.

COMMENT: Thus far, police continue to be baffled as to why De Jesus would drive nearly 300 miles and kill someone he did not know, particularly an elderly person.

Hopefully, the investigation that will ensue, particularly the interview of De Jesus' wife, (at such time as she is able to speak with police), will lead to a motive for the brutal sequence of events. Autopsies on the victims are underway.

Without question, life today is unpredictable and often perilous. If there are any lessons-learned from this unexplained event, it is that we should all have our personal affairs in order because we never know when one day will be our last.

There are few steps that Mr. Plante could have taken to reduce his exposure to what occurred. Fortunately, Ms. Beauchemin was able to escape from the mobile home and alert authorities to what had transpired.

Three South Korean Tourists, Egyptian Guide Kidnapped in the Sinai

2012-02-10T13:01:00.003-05:00

Bedouin tribesmen appear to think that if you kidnap foreign tourists once, and get lots of notoriety and attention, why not do it again?

Consequently, earlier today (February 10) threee South Korean tourists and their Egyptian guide were once again abducted by Bedouins in the Sinai Peninsula.

The tourists and their guide were destined to the historic monastery of St. Catherine when they were seized; the kidnappers are demanding the release of fellow tribesmen held by the authorities

COMMENT: This kidnapping follows the brief abduction of two American women and their Egyptian tour guide by armed Bedouin in the peninsula last week, after which 19 Egyptian police officer were seized on Thursday (February 9) after a tribesman was killed in a shoot-out with police near the border with Israel. How could 19 police officers be kidnapped? By how many assailants?

The sparsely populated Sinai has some of Egypt's most lucrative tourist spots, as well as being home to a mostly poor and disaffected Bedouin population.

As in the case of the two American women who were abducted last week, and reportedly well-treated, it is unlikely that Egyptian authorities are going to release prisoners doing hard time.

Update: Cause of Death Elusive in Death of Australian, Dutch Couple on Laos

2012-02-10T10:30:00.006-05:00

According to The Herald Sun, and as a follow-up to my earlier postings, Australian Alexander Lee, 22, of Yarraville, and Dutch national Rianne Brouwer, 18, who were found to be dead in their hotel room in Nongkio Village, in the central province of Luang Prabang, on Tuesday (February 7).

The two were reportedly found in an embrace with unidentified drugs found in close proximity to their bodies. Yet, it is hoped that pathological studies will shed more light on how the couple died in coming days.

In the meantime, their respective families are anxious to repatriate their remains.

COMMENT: From all indications, there was no evidence of external injures to the couple; they reportedly had been dead for several days when found.

Lee is the third Australian to die in Laos in the past month, although the other two were tourists river tubing in the Vang Vieng area.

This report will be updated as information becomes available.

Traveler's Update: 48-Hour Strike in Athens May Cause Frustration for Inbound Visitors

2012-02-10T10:04:00.009-05:00

For the benefit of our readers, the CSEE and Adedy unions embarked on a 48-hour strike in Athens earlier today (February 10) against new austerity measures to go before Parliament and required by the European Union and the IMF in exchange for badly needed aid.

It should be noted that these two unions claim a combined membership of over million members--in a country of 10 million.

As a result of the strike, bus, metro and trolley services came to an abrupt end, leaving many in the capital in a lurch.

COMMENT: Greece's three-party coalition agreed yesterday (February 9) to a new wave of labor-related cuts to pave the way for a 130 billion euro bailout before a loan repayment on March 20 which Athens cannot meet without assistance.

The measures reportedly include a 22% cut in the minimum wage, a 15% cut in complementary pensions and 15,000 civil service redundancies to meet a target of 150,000 layoffs by 2015.

Although protests and street violence borders on being a national pastime in Greece, the reality is that without the bailout, Greece will default and potentially place the entire euro-zone in jeopardy, which could have a catastrophic effect on markets worldwide.

There are many observers that firmly believe that many of the euro-zone countries that recently had their credit ratings downgraded by Standard & Poor's add to the possibility of the euro becoming an endangered species.

Yet, a preferred course of action would be to oust those nations that are so far underwater that they will only pull the member nations deeper from air, so that the euro's financial plight can be stabilized, and not jeopardize global markets.

The bottom line is that whether the Greek unions disrupt commerce or not, without the EU/IMF bailout, Greece will collapse.

In light of the 48-hour strike, inbound travelers may wish to consider deferring their arrival until February 13.

Update: Islamic Terrorist Who Killed Two US Airmen in Frankfurt Airport Gets Life

2012-02-10T09:45:00.007-05:00

As a follow-up to my September 1, 2011 posting, Arid Uka, 22, an Islamic extremist who admitted killing two US airmen bound for Afghanistan at Frankfurt Airport on March 2, 2011, was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison earlier today (February 10).

Uka was also found guilty of three counts of attempted murder and serious bodily harm for wounding two other servicemen and taking aim at a third before his pistol jammed. An ethnic Albanian from Kosovo, Uka shot and killed Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden, 25, and Airman 1st Class Zachary R. Cuddeback, 21, as they were boarding a bus at the airport.

COMMENT: Given his admission of guilt and remorse, Uka may be eligible for parole after 15 years. Prosecutors said Uka was an example of a lone-wolf extremist who became radicalized on his own by reading and watching Jihadist propaganda on the Internet.

Uka, who worked as a temporary mail sorter at the airport, testified that he wanted to stop US service personnel from going to Afghanistan after viewing a video on Face-book that purported to show American soldiers raping a teenage Muslim girl. Unfortunately, the footage was actually clipped from a scene from the 2007 Brian De Palma anti-war film "Redacted."

Traveler's Alert: Police Strike in Rio de Janeiro Could Jeopardize Carnival

2012-02-10T08:23:00.007-05:00

With Rio de Janeiro's Carnival approaching on February 18th and concluding on February 21st, and despite a recent pay increase for police and other first responders, Rio state police officers went on strike earlier today (February 10) raising concern for the security of the glittering annual Carnival extravaganza. It should be noted that the pay increase is 39%, spaced over two years!

The strike has sent officials in Rio scrambling to set up a back-up plan to deploy thousands of soldiers into the streets to provide security in the city of six million people, that is also in the midst of preparations to host the 2014 World Cup finals and the 2016 Olympics.

The decision to strike was made by thousands of officers and firefighters who massed in downtown Rio for a six-hour assembly that included fireworks, chants and speeches denouncing Rio's government.

COMMENT: Police already were on strike in Salvador, Brazil's third largest city, and the 10-day-old walkout has brought a spike in violence and homicides. That city's Carnival is Brazil's second largest, and while officials vow it will go on, many tourists have canceled their trips because of the rise in street violence.

Rio Gov. Sergio Cabral had urged officers to stay on the job, appealing to their sense of duty and responsibility, yet in Brazil, where there are almost as many dirty cops as there are good ones, Cabral's appeal may fall upon deaf ears.

Last month, 20,000 officers marched on Copacabana Beach demanding wage increase,s fewer work hours and a bonus for difficult working conditions.

The United Nations has blamed police for a significant proportion of the nation's nearly 50,000 homicides each year. An Associated Press analysis of data released by the police found officers in Rio killed an average of 3.5 people a day over the last five years.

My suggestion to visitors who are planning to attend Rio's Carnival celebrations on the 18th, is that they reconsider their travel plans IF the police do not return to their duties by Monday, February 13. Even under normal circumstances, when all police are on duty, the victimization of tourists is very high.

A Must-Read Piece for our Readers with Interests in Afghanistan

2012-02-10T07:28:00.008-05:00

For the benefit of our readers with business or public-sector interests in Afghanistan, please see the link below to a timely and excellent Associated Press article entitled, "Afghan Private Security Handover Looking Messy."

http://news.yahoo.com/afghan-private-security-handover-looking-messy

COMMENT: The newly-created Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF), which will work under the Afghan Interior Ministry, is scheduled to activate on March 21, 2012, when some 11,000 security guards now working for private security companies will become Afghan government employees.

Interestingly, international firms called "risk management companies," are expected to manage the guards, ostensibly to ensure adherence to international best-practices.

Yet, in an organizationally bizarre sequence of events, the guards will be employed and accountable to the Interior Ministry. Exactly how are they going to follow directions from an RMC?

This new level of infrastructure in a country which according to Transparency International (http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/interactive) is the fourth most corrupt country in the world out of 182 nations, is destined to flounder.

Although the monthly cost of guard service will increase under the APPF, the much larger risk for foreign companies operating in Afghanistan is whether the guards will be trustworthy.

The only entities that that don't have to accept the AFFP guards is NATO and diplomatic missions.

One senior Afghan minister brashly stated that there would not be the possibility of corruption emerging from the AFFP solely because it will be a legal, government entity of the Afghan government. Perhaps he has read too many fairy tales.

Whether the AFFP ever gets off the ground or not is very much up in the air, but the underlying message is that Afghanistan would actually prefer all foreigners to just go away.

Update: French Photographer Stabbed to Death for Resisting Robbery

2012-02-09T20:59:00.003-05:00

As a follow-up to my posting yesterday (February 7), the arrested suspect in the stabbing murder of French citizen Laurent Schwebel, 52, Ramón Victor Giménez, 24, has refused to testify on the advice of counsel as to the facts which led up to Schwebel's murder.

Giménez, who has a criminal record, stabbed Schwebel's numerous times when he refused to give up his camera in the Plaza San Martin Square, in the neighborhood of Retiro.

COMMENT: Prosecutors are currently determining how to charge Giménez, considering that he was also responsible for killing Schwebel, when he resisted the robbery. Logically, the defendant could easily face a life sentence in prison.

I will reemphasize the comment I made yesterday, for the benefit of our readers, it is never wise to resist an armed robbery over replaceable property, particularly when the victim is outnumbered.

German Couple, Child Drown When Touring Submarine Runs Aground in Egypt

2012-02-09T20:32:00.006-05:00

Tragically, three German tourists, comprised of a couple and their nine-year-old son, drowned earlier today (February 9), when their touring submarine struck a coral reef and sunk in the Red Sea close to the seashore of the coastal resort town of Hurghada.

http://www.egypttourinfo.com/hurghada-tours-by-sinbad-submarine

COMMENT: Thirteen other tourists from various countries were successfully rescued from the sunken vessel. After the submarine ran aground, the viewing windows shattered, causing the craft to fill completely with water. Four of the rescued tourists were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Update: Australian, Dutch Couple Found Dead in Laotian Hotel Room Identified

2012-02-09T13:51:00.003-05:00

A young backpacking couple found dead on Saturday (February 4) in a hotel room in Nongkio Village in the central province of Luang Prabanghave been identified as Alexander Lee, 22, from Melbourne, and Rianne Brouwer, 18, from Bakkum, in the Netherlands. It is believed the bodies had been in the room for several days.

COMMENT: It is still unknown what the cause of death was for the young couple, although the results of autopsies should be available in coming days. The remains of the couple will be apparently be turned over to Australian and Dutch diplomats, respectively, as is normally the case in repatriation cases.

Lee is the third Australian to die in Laos in the past month.

This filing will be updated as information becomes available.

Chinese-Born US Citizen Convicted of Stealing Trade Secrets

2012-02-09T10:16:00.006-05:00

A US District Court judge, Ruben Castillo, convicted Hanjuan Jin, 41, a Chinese-born American on Wednesday (February 8) of stealing trade secrets, but acquitted her of more serious charges of economic espionage at a trial that highlighted China's continuing influence over naturalized US citizens who have sworn allegiance to the US.

A software developer, Jin was accused of stealing more than 1,000 confidential documents from the Motorola Inc. office where she worked before heading to O'Hare Airport with a one-way ticket to Beijing. Among the secrets stolen by Jin, prosecutors contend, were descriptions of a "walkie-talkie" feature on Motorola cellphones that government attorneys have argued that could have benefited the Chinese military.

COMMENT: It appears that although Jin had a one-way airline ticket to China when she was arrested, the prosecution failed to prove that she was working on behalf of foreign government or entity.

Jin could be sentenced up to 10 years each of the three theft counts for which she was convicted. Castillo allowed Jin to remain free while she awaits sentencing, which is set for April 18, yet to prevent flight, he ordered that she wear electronic monitoring and be confined to her home.

When Jin was arrested at O'Hare on February 28, 2007, she was carrying $31,000 in cash and hundreds of Motorola documents, most of them stored digitally on a laptop computer, four external hard drives, thumb drives and other devices.

It is noteworthy to mention that before her arrest, she had already begun working for China-based Sun Kaisens, a telecommunications firm that government attorneys say develops products for China's military.

Out of seven cases referred for prosecution under the U.S. Economic Espionage Act of 1996 in 2010, six were linked to ethnic Chinese.

Argentina: Media Executive Kidnapped in Capital, Family Pays Ransom

2012-02-09T10:01:00.012-05:00

Argentine filmmaker Tristan Bauer and president of the National Public Media of Argentina, was kidnapped in the capital of Buenos Aires yesterday (February 8) by three assailants, as he was intercepted while driving home. The incident occurred in the suburb of Saaverdra.

Bauer, director of Channel 7, Encounter and National Radio, pulled out of his car when gunmen pointed a firearm at him and pushed him into the back seat of a vehicle. They then demanded his family pay a ransom and persuaded him by proceeding to beat him profusely. Within an hour, Bauer's wife had paid the ransom, which was an undisclosed amount. Subsequently, Bauer was released.

COMMENT: During the first quarter of 2011, 28 short-duration, “express kidnappings” occurred in the province of Buenos Aires, according to an analysis by Centro de Estudios Nueva Mayoria. That’s a slight increase from the same period last year [2010] and indicates the first three months of 2011 were the worst since 2004.

Please note, though, that the incidents described above are only express kidnappings REPORTED by the media. Consequently, this number could actually be much larger.

Many victims of express kidnappings" often take great efforts, if at all possible, to NOT report a kidnapping to police or the media, largely because of the notoriety that would draw attention to the fact that they've been kidnapped in the past, thus identifying them as a wealthy target to other kidnappers.

And yes, there have been case where a victim has been kidnapped more than once, particularly if they don't change their security awareness.

Most criminals who engage in "express kidnapping" and other forms of economic abduction reply heavily on targets that are not deliberately focused on people around them. "Surveillance detection" is a learned skill that I have taught for years, and it works, in terms of alerting would-be victims of an impending threat.

Additionally, as strategy against "express kidnapping," would-be victims who know they would be a lucrative target for kidnappers, should consider a partially or fully ballistic-resistant vehicle. Such vehicles now are available in a number of low-profile makes and models, which can dramatically reduce the potentiality of being kidnapped.

Any person of means who might consider themselves to be a good target of an "express kidnapping" would be well-served to have a discussion with their family about the possibility of being kidnapped and to work out every detail on family communications, how a ransom payment would be made and whether they would want police and/or media attention.

Saavedra is a suburb of Buenos Aires. It is located in the Northern end of the city proper, close to Belgrano and Villa Urquiza. Its northern border is General Paz Avenue. Among the main features of the neighborhood is Saavedra Park, which has large picnic areas and sports facilities. Many inhabitants of Buenos Aires pass through Saavedra en route to their weekends in the country.

As a matter of interest, the 2005 Venezuelan film, SECUESTRO EXPRESS, directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz. The motion picture accurately depicts the tactics of an "express kidnapping," albeit much more melodramatic.

SECUESTRO EXPRESS was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the British Independent Film Awards.

Traveler's Alert: University of Florida Releases Global Shark Attack Report

2012-02-08T21:24:00.004-05:00

For the benefit of our readers, the below link from CBC News Canada, offers global shark attack statistical data. Additionally, the report identifies Florida as having the largest number of shark attacks, although none involved fatalities:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/story/2012/02/08/sci-shark-attack-deaths

Mexico: US Department of State Issues Updated Travel Warning

2012-02-08T21:18:00.002-05:00

For the benefit of our readers, please go the following link for the US Department of State's updated travel warning for Mexico:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5665

Honduras: Former US Ambassador to Help Lobo Administration in Crafting a Security Strategy

2012-02-08T15:38:00.004-05:00

For the benefit of our readers, I have included a link to today's issue of The Honduras Weekly, which reports that US diplomat Oliver P. Garza arrived in Tegucigalpa yesterday (February 7) to assist the government of President Porfirio Lobo in the development and implementation of a national security strategy aimed at helping contain and reduce the high levels of violence and impunity in the country.

Mr. Garza, who served as US Ambassador to Nicaragua during 1999-2002, will serve as a high level technical adviser to the Lobo Administration on matters related to ensuring better security for citizens, proper application of the law, and combating drug traffic. Garza will be under the direction of US Ambassador to Honduras Lisa Kubiske and will coordinate with the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa. His appointment to the new post by the US State Department was made in response to a request for additional security assistance from resident Lobo.

http://hondurasweekly.com/oliver-garza-will-advise-honduras-on-security-strategy-201202084839

COMMENT: Ambassador Garza's new assignment may indeed become a huge challenge for not only him for the US Department of State as a whole as well. With the highest homicide rate in the world for a small country of 8.5 million people, and with roughly 70% of all drugs destined for the US now transiting Honduras, Garza's challenge could be characterized as tantamount to mission impossible.

To make matters worse, not only has President Lobo failed to deliver on most of the promises he made to Honduran voters three years ago, his popularity has also steadily declined. Unfortunately, the retooling the Honduran National Police from decades of corruption and ineptitude, could well take a decade or more to show real promise, unless most of the police are purged, as it was many years ago in El Salvador. In any event, we wish Ambassador Garza well.

Ecuador: 20 Foreign Tourists Robbed of Valuables at Wildlife Reserve

2012-02-08T14:36:00.003-05:00

Six heavily armed men systematically robbed a group of some twenty foreign tourists on Monday (February 6) who entered the lagoons of Cuyabeno wildlife reserve in the province of Sucumbios.

The tourists, mostly Europeans, Americans and Chileans, were caught by surprise when the gunmen intimidated them with threats of murder and relieved them of all their belongings they carried.

COMMENT: One of the tourists, a Chilean, told police that the gunmen were also carrying fragmentation grenades, pistols and sub-machine guns. After robbing the tourists of virtually everything they carried, the gunmen escaped by boat. It is estimated that the total loss to the tourists was roughly US$10,000.

Subsequently, the tourists were able to locate a bus that took them to the city of Nueva Loja, where they arrived just after 2100 hours Monday night, without their belongings or money.

Although many of the tourists vocalized their demands to be reimbursed for their losses, they probably have a better chance of winning a lottery than in receiving compensation for their losses from tour organizers.

It should be noted that the robbery of tourists in very isolated areas worldwide has risen to being a near art-form. Consequently, it is suggested that tourists carry NOTHING that cannot be replaced.

Tourists who have MP3 players, expensive digital cameras, smart-phones and laptops would be well-served by contacting http://www.safeware.com, which offers international loss and theft insurance.

Indeed, the victims of the mass robbery should be grateful they were not harmed.

Argentina: French Photographer, 42, Murdered After Resisting Armed Robbery

2012-02-08T13:00:00.006-05:00

Laurent Schwebel, 42, a French photographer on holiday in Buenos Aires, was stabbed to death early this morning (February 8) in the neighborhood of Retiro, after thieves attempted to steal his camera while he was walking in the area.

The incident took place next to the Malvinas monument, located in San Martín square. Witnesses told police that the assailants live in the area.

Schwebel was stabbed in the chest, after physically resisting multiple assailants. One of the assailants stabbed the victim at least six times.

COMMENT: Even though paramedics responded to the scene within four minutes after they were summoned, Schwebel was pronounced dead at the scene.

As I have said on all too many occasions in the past, and based largely on my 30 years' experience in protecting people all over the world, it is NEVER a prudent choice to resist an armed attack over property, particularly when the target is outnumbered.

Sadly, if only Schwebel had given up his camera, and whatever else the criminals had wanted, he might well be alive as this posting is filed. Any property can be replaced; our lives cannot be.

As this posting is filed, one suspect has been taken into custody by police.

Traveler's Alert: What is Happening in Laos?

2012-02-08T09:27:00.008-05:00

During the course of the last month, three Australian citizens have died in Laos, two them from tubing accident and the third, 22, (and his Dutch girlfriend) who were both found to be dead in their Luang Prabang (northwestern Laos) hotel room on Saturday (February 4) of unknown causes.

COMMENT: The third death follows the tragic loss of Melbourne resident Daniel Eimutis, 19, who died in a tubing accident in Vang Vieng two weeks ago. In the same month, Sydney resident Lee Hudswell, 26, was also killed while tubing in Vang Vieng.

Earlier today, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued the following advice (http://www.dfat.gov.au):

"Extreme caution is recommended if undertaking river-based sporting activities, including in Vang Vieng. Tourists, including Australians, have been killed or seriously injured while participating in river-based activities such as tubing or jumping into the river. River levels can vary during the year and the presence of debris in the river can make diving or jumping into the river dangerous...See our Partying Overseas travel bulletin for advice on some of risks and tips on avoiding becoming a victim.

The safety standards Australians might expect of tour operators are not always met, especially when undertaking adventure sports. 'Fast boat' river travel, in particular, can be dangerous due to excessive speed and natural hazards.

Unexploded ordnance is prevalent in many parts of Laos, particularly in Xieng Khouang province (location of The Plain of Jars) and the Lao-Vietnamese border areas along the Ho Chi Minh trail. Straying from established walking paths and roads can be dangerous as affected areas are often unmarked. Australians traveling independently (not part of a tour group) should contact provincial or district offices, which can provide information on traveling to specific areas. Tourists who wish to camp must obtain permission from local authorities in advance..."

This report will be updated as new information becomes available.

Traveler's Alert: Visitors Should Defer Travel to Egypt for Four Weeks

2012-02-07T14:42:00.011-05:00

As a follow-up to my many postings on political unrest, street violence, harassment of foreigners, questionable effectiveness of Egyptian police and the decline of foreign travel by 30%, I am suggesting that non-essential travel to Egypt be deferred for FOUR weeks. Although somewhat arbitrary, four weeks should give us additional time to assess what is likely to happen next in this very unpredictable country.

My suggestion is not based not solely on the numerous factors cited above, but on the fact that prior to the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak last year, Egypt's intelligence service was used to monitor the comings and goings of foreigners.

This capability remains under Egypt's current military regime. Hence, once you're in Egypt, your departure is left to the whim of the military regime, who as we know, suddenly decided not to let a handful of Americans and a couple dozen foreigners to leave when they were ready to leave.

In a measure of the depth of the tensions, an Egyptian government delegation abruptly canceled meetings in Washington with US lawmakers set for Monday and Tuesday, after angry American officials warned the clash could jeopardize around $1.5 billion in annual foreign aid to Egypt.

Interestingly, 70% of one poll conducted of Egyptians indicated they didn't care about the foreign assistance, suggesting the influence that the Muslim Brotherhood now has on public opinion, notwithstanding the fact that the Brotherhood controls a majority in Parliament.

Additionally, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Tuesday (February 7) that he summoned the Egyptian ambassador to protest Cairo's decision to prosecute two Germans in the case.

Over the weekend, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the clash over the advocacy groups has thrown U.S. aid to Egypt into doubt. "We will have to closely review these matters as it comes for us to certify whether any of these funds from our government can be made available under these circumstances," she said.

COMMENT: In the meantime, turmoil in Egypt is continuing to cause a drain in the flow of hard currency from tourism and on Tuesday, Egypt's central bank said the country's net international reserves dropped by more than $1.7 billion in January, largely as a result of Mubarak.

I would never describe myself as an apologist for Mubarak, yet despite corruption linked to him, he did keep Egypt economically stable for many years and worked in concert with the West in terms of counter-terrorism.

My forecast for Egypt is not good. Given the linkage of the Brotherhood, coupled with the presiding military regime, my sense is that international tourism will continue to plummet. Anyone connected to foreign assistance or international development will think twice before traveling to Egypt.

As I have said before, the Obama Administration stood by silently as a stable Egypt unraveled last year, only to now have to face the music of their inaction.

I have worked in and traveled to Egypt since 1973, and know it well. Unfortunately, it is sad to see a once vibrant country, admittedly supported heavily by foreign assistance, crumble politically and economically.

In light of current events, it is not outside the realm of possibility to see conservative Islam and sharia law become a dominant influence in what can only be called the Old Egypt before Mubarak's ouster.

Honduran Cop Arrested in Connection with Assassination of Prosecutor

2012-02-07T06:31:00.008-05:00

A Honduran police officer was arrested yesterday (February 7) in connection with the May 2011 murder of prosecutor Raul Reyes, in the Caribbean city of Puerto Cortes.

Reyes was slain by two men on a motorcycle on May 28, 2011, while driving from Puerto Cortes to San Pedro Sula.

COMMENT: Unfortunately, the Honduran National Police has a terrible record of not only institutionally engaging in human rights violations, but in being directly connected to drug trafficking, kidnapping, robbery, extortion and murder. Eight officers also were charged in the October 22, 2011, murder of two college students, one of them the son of the chancellor of the country’s main public university.

As many of our regular readers will recall, in December 2011, after the assassination of two prominent Hondurans, a law was passed banning motorcycles with tandem riders. Needless to say, this was more of a knee-jerk reaction to a much larger problem of police corruption and ineptitude. In the end, all the ban accomplished was penalizing law abiding citizens and simply forcing those intent on murder to work around the inconvenience.

Honduras continues to have the highest per capita rate of homicide in the world, which is unlikely to change any time soon. That being said, it remains to be a wonderful country to visit and has great potential tourism-wise, if it could effectively safeguard its citizens and visitors.

According to a report by Mexico’s Civic Council on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, San Pedro Sulka, Honduras' second largest city, saw 159 homicides per 100,000 residents last year, topping the nonprofit organization’s list of the most violent cities in the hemisphere, and pushing Ciudad Juárez from the top of the list.

Comparatively speaking, Honduras leads the global per capita list of 82.1 homicides per 100,000, yet San Pedro Sula's murder rate is nothing less than staggering.

One explanation for the high incidence of homicide in Honduras comes from Honduran Defense Minister Marlon Pascua, who in September 2011, claimed that 87% of cocaine which is sent from South America to the US passes through Honduras. If this is accurate, then, taken with the United Nations’ latest estimates of the size of the US cocaine market, it suggests that as much as 143. tons of the drug passes through Honduras annually.

Although a strong case can be made that much of Honduras' violence is connected to the drug trade, the reality is that foreigners traveling to Honduras should know that dysfunction and systemic breakdown within the police service is the lynch-pin as to why violence cannot be contained.

Travel Warning: US Embassy Closes in Syria, US Citizens Urged to Leave

2012-02-06T14:19:00.002-05:00

The United States warns US citizens against travel to Syria and recommends that U.S. citizens in Syria depart immediately.

The United States advised the Government of Syria that it has suspended all embassy operations effective February 6, 2012, given ongoing violence and a deteriorating security situation.

All official U.S. embassy personnel and their family members have departed. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated January 11, 2012.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5633

Travel Alert: Pan American Highway, Western Panama

2012-02-06T14:15:00.006-05:00

Effective February 5, 2012, the US Department of State has advised all of its citizens of the risks of travel along the Pan-American Highway in western Panama at this time. This Travel Alert expires on February 20, 2012.

See http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5662

Norwegian Tourist, 22, Attacked, Injured by Cheetah in Namibia

2012-02-06T08:58:00.004-05:00

Kristel Johanson, 22, a Norwegian tourist, who was on a morning tour with eight other people, got out of the tour vehicle to assist their tour guide in feeding the cheetahs, when one of the cats scratched her on her upper-right thigh, tearing her walking shorts and causing the wound to superficially bleed.

The incident occurred on February 4 at the Harnas game farm, situated some 112 kilometers east of Gobabis in the Omaheke Region. The farm tames wildlife for conservation and rehabilitation purposes.

COMMENT: After Johanson's wound was treated, the tour guide emphasized to all members of the tour that the woman was attacked because she turned her back on a hungry cheetah.

As a matter of interest, when I visited a number of game parks in Kenya a few years ago, we saw many Cheetahs; the first thing our guide told us is to always back way from them when leaving, as no matter how tame, they remain to be wild animals who can always be unpredictable.

Traveler's Update: Egypt to Prosecute 19 Americans, Others for Formenting Protests

2012-02-05T16:23:00.011-05:00

Earlier today (February 5) Egyptian authorities announced that have referred 19 Americans and two dozen others to criminal trials for the alleged stirring up of political protests in what was once one of the US staunchest allies in the Middle East.

The referral flies in the face of increasingly urgent warnings to Egypt’s military rulers from President Obama, cabinet officials and senior Congressional leaders that the investigation could jeopardize US$1.55 billion in expected American aid this year.

Congress requires that before the aid can be released, the US State Department must certify that Egypt is making progress toward democracy, including respecting the independence of the civil society groups under investigation.

COMMENT: The most prominent targets of the Egyptian investigation are two American-financed groups with close ties to the Congressional leadership, the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, which are chartered to promote democracy abroad with nonpartisan training and election monitoring.

News reports today indicated that those referred for trial include Sam LaHood, director of the Republican Institute’s operations in Egypt and the son of Ray LaHood, the Secretary of Transportation.

The investigation has been accompanied by a drumbeat of anti-American rhetoric from the Egypt’s military-led government suggesting that Washington has been paying to stir unrest in the Egyptian streets.

It needs to be mentioned that after becoming president of Egypt in 1981, former President Hosni Mubarak proved to be one of the US' most loyal supporters of US interests in the Middle East. Yet, that by no means indicates that Mubarak was a saint, but what it does mean is that the Obama Administration did not lift a hand to use its influence to ensure that Mubarak and his family were treated equitably after the 2011 revolution that resulted in Mubarak's resignation.

Subsequently, it was on February 11, 2011, that Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that Mubarak had resigned as president and transferred authority to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

On April 13, 2011, Mubarak's successors ordered he and his sons to be detained for 15 days of questioning about allegations of corruption and abuse of power, which in turn led to them being charged with murder of peaceful protesters during the revolution. Since then, they have begun investigating Mubarak's role in the assassination of his predecessor, Anwar Sadat, 30+ years after the fact.

As I have noted previously in other postings, the New Egypt may not necessarily be the interest of countless countries. With the Muslim Brotherhood positioned to command a majority in Parliament in the months ahead, and with there being a high probability that conservative Islam and a shift to sharia law will become reality in the near future, the political and economic situation in Egypt could indeed deteriorate much, much more.

Already, tourism has declined by roughly 30%, and it could get worse, particularly in light of the planned prosecutions cited at the outset of this filing.

If the Egyptians stand by their intention to prosecute 19 Americans and some two dozen other, pressure should be levied on the Obama Administration by the US Congress to suspend all foreign assistance appropriated for Egypt.

Costa Rica: US Tourist Severely Gored During Bullfight

2012-02-05T08:52:00.005-05:00

US citizen Brent Cropper, 29, was severely gored twice by a bull during the Fiestas de Nosara, an annual festival in the northwestern province of Guanacaste on Saturday night (February 5). EMTs escorted Cropper out of the ring with serious injuries to the neck and abdomen; the bull missed his jugular by inches.

COMMENT: Since the attack, Cropper has undergone two major surgeries and is recovering at the Hospital de la Anexión in Nicoya.

Unlike bullfights elsewhere, in Costa Rica, the bulls are never slain. In fact, in most cases the bulls are about the only ones that get away without injuries. The best way to describe Costa Rican-style bullfights is that it is a "running of the bulls" in an enclosed arena, typical of where a traditional bullfight might occur.

Conversely, the Running of the Bulls is a practice that involves running in front of a small group of bulls that have been let loose, on a course of a sectioned-off subset of a town's streets.

The most famous running of the bulls is that of the seven-day festival of Sanfermines in honor of San Fermín in Pamplona, although they are held in towns and villages across Spain, Portugal, and in some cities in Mexico. Unlike bullfights, which are performed by professionals, anyone older than 18 may participate.

Roughly 200-300 people are injured every year in Pamplona, yet some victims of the festival will never walk again. Unfortunately, too much beer or sangria can easily embolden even the faint of heart to run with the bulls.

In many respect, Clint Eastwood's memorable line in movies, "Do you feel lucky?" is quite applicable to any close encounter with a bull of any nationality.

TSA Screener Steals US$5,000 from Airline Passenger at JFK

2012-02-04T23:31:00.018-05:00

According to the Associated Press, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screener Alexandra Schmid, 31, was caught on surveillance video stealing US$5,000 in cash from an airline passenger at JFK who was going through TSA screening on February 1. The passenger, who was from Bangladesh, noticed the money was missing as soon as he retrieved his jacket, at which point he reported the theft, which actually amounts to grand larceny.

Unfortunately for Ms. Schmid, the surveillance video depicted Schmid taking the money from a jacket pocket, wrapping the cash in a plastic glove and taking it to a bathroom." The money has not yet been recovered; Schmid is suspected of having passed it on to someone else in the bathroom.

COMMENT: Schmid was promptly arrested on a charge of grand larceny. She has been suspended from her job with the TSA, pending completion of an internal investigation.

One would surely hope that Schmid, a four-year veteran of TSA, gets the book thrown at her, given the brashness of her offense and the fact that she violated the public trust. Given the covert nature on how the money disappeared, one could easily conclude that she's done this before. A felony conviction and one or more years in jail or prison would be a small step toward commensurate punishment.

To demonstrate the embarrassing slaps on the wrist that are being accorded to "federal agents" such as Schmid these days, on January 10, two other JFK TSA screeners pleaded guilty to stealing US$40,000 from a passenger’s checked luggage, yet they got only six months in jail and five years probation. Talk about a miscarriage of justice.

Despite the TSA spin that there are just a few "bad apples" in the TSA work-force, I have tracked well over a dozen of cases in recent years where TSA screeners have engaged in criminal activity. And yet, TSA spends more time "sugar coating" these offenses, when they should be slamming bad behavior of their own people.

Unfortunately, rather than making excuses for the "few," TSA management should be pushing prosecutors to NOT agree to plea bargaining, thereby permitting felonies to be prosecuted as felonies.

http://www.hotair.com/archives/2011/06/20/tsa-theft-of-passenger-valuables-a-nationwide-problem

I will update our readers on the punishment Schmid receives after her conviction, providing there is one.

US Tourist, 68, Killed from Parasailing Injuries Sustained in Hawaii

2012-02-04T20:50:00.005-05:00

According to the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office, Jack Banaszynski, 68, of Palm Springs, CA, died this week from para-sailing injuries sustained in Hawaii on January 30.

According to the fire department, Banaszynski and another man, also from Palm Springs, were on a tandem para-sailing ride off Kewalo Basin when they suddenly descended and were dragged some 1,000 feet in the water.

Crew from the X-treme Parasail vessel were able to pull the men back into the boat and begin CPR. Both men went to the ER in critical condition.

COMMENT: An autopsy will be performed next week on Mr. Banaszynski. Although there remain questions that remain to be answered, it appears that the tow boat did not have constant visual surveillance of the two men, for them to descend and be pulled through the water for such a distance. The US Coast Guard is investigating.

When it comes to engaging in sport activities such as para-sailing, it is essential that tourists try to get some consensus from credible sources (i.g., Marine police, USCG, etc.) as to who reputable vendors are before engaging in such activity. It's also useful to ask for testimonials.

This posting will be updated as new information becomes available.

US Tourist, 47, Dies While Scuba Diving in Caymans

2012-02-04T17:19:00.003-05:00

Police in the Cayman Islands have reported that a US tourist, 47, died while scuba off the popular North West Point in Grand Cayman on Friday (February 3). The woman reportedly lost consciousness while ascending following a dive at Little Tunnels reef. They said employees with the Red Sails Sports diving company attempted unsuccessfully to resuscitate her as they brought her to shore.

COMMENT: The woman was taken to Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town where she was pronounced dead. The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next-of-kin. This incident will be updated early next week as new information becomes available.

Philippines: Perspective is Necessary in Assessing Impact of Kidnappings on Tourism

2012-02-04T17:13:00.014-05:00

Although the international and national media in the Philippines has over-reported the hand-full of kidnappings of foreign tourists in the southern Philippines, it also needs to be emphasized that if foreigners adhered to the advice of their embassies and did NOT travel to to areas where these kidnappings are occurring, journalists would have little to talk about.

Exclusive of the southern Philippines, there are far more cases of average Filipinos being kidnapped for quick cash countrywide that it dwarfs the few foreigners who are being held by kidnap gangs, the Abu Sayyaf and other scoundrels. Unfortunately, the number of unreported kidnappings of Filipinos may be six or seven times the reported cases of kidnappings.

Additionally, a much more noteworthy subject is violent crime, which is at a crisis level in the Philippines, where foreigners and Filipinos alike are serious victims every day. Hence, my advice to all travelers is to learn about crime levels in the Philippines, the tactics being used by criminals and how to counter them.

COMMENT: Although the government of the Philippines does not like to see foreign embassies issue travel warnings that can deter travel of foreign tourists, at the same time I can empathize with the government in that in the case of kidnappings in the southern Philippines, they are largely anecdotal, and not a serious problem.

For those foreigners who are kidnapped in the southern Philippines, their cavalier attitude toward security awareness and blowing off of the advice of their embassies results in many of their abductions as being victim-precipitated.

If foreigners avoid areas in the south where kidnappings are occurring, their only real concern is not being a crime victim of home invasion, burglary, armed robbery and carjacking, all of which involve economic crime. Yet, that task is not easy, given the high level of crime we've seen in major cities, including Metro Manila.

On a positive note, during the first nine months of 2011, visitor arrivals increased by 12% to 3.7 million, with South Korea being the country's largest tourism market, followed by the US, Japan, China and Australia.

Last year, Malaysia had 32 million tourists visit the Philippines while Thailand brought in 14 million. As a result of this increase, the Philippine government hopes that a newly-formulated long-term plan of cultivating 10 million more tourists by 2016 will bear fruit.

Traveler's Alert: 30% of Flights at Heathrow Canceled as Weather Approaches

2012-02-04T13:15:00.006-05:00

Heathrow Airport (http://www.heathrowairport.com) reports that it has canceled 30% of flights for Sunday (February 5) amid forecasts for snow and severe weather in London.

BAA says it reached an agreement with Heathrow airlines and air traffic control to reduce the flight schedule for Sunday to "minimize the disruption to passengers" caused by the heavy snowfall expected to fall at the airport starting late Saturday (February 4).

COMMENT: Britain's Met Office has issued a severe weather warning and forecasters are predicting up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) of snow. BAA said a revised schedule showing which flights will operate on Sunday will be posted online at around 1800 GMT (1300 EST) Saturday.

Travelers are urged to contact their outbound carriers to determine whether a routing change is necessary.

British Foreign Office Updates its Travel Warning on the Philippines

2012-02-04T12:47:00.003-05:00

Effective February 1, 2012, the British Foreign Office (http://www.fco.gov.uk), has released the following link concerning travel to the Philippines:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/philippines#terrorism

Canadian Attitudes Toward Mexican Travel, Other Destinations

2012-02-04T12:34:00.003-05:00

For the benefit of our readers, please see the below link to a Montreal Gazette piece based upon a survey of Canadians and their sentiments toward travel to Mexico and their preferred destinations at this time:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Most+Canadians+they+feel+safe+travelling+Mexico+Poll/6102715/story

Third British Tourist Dies from Legionnaire's Disease While in Spain

2012-02-04T09:43:00.005-05:00

A third British tourist has died from apparently contracting Legionnaire’s disease while on vacation in Spain. Two of the men were found dead in their hotel rooms Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, during January 26-31 and another man died in a local hospital on February 1. All three men were between the ages of 73 and 78.

COMMENT: A spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office, was quoted as saying: “We are aware of an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in Calpe. Local health authorities have confirmed the death of three British nationals as a result and are investigating."

http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/patient_facts

All three men were visiting Spain with the over-50s tour group, Saga (http://www.saga.co.uk), which has since moved all of its clients to a new hotel after its expert conducted tests on water samples at their hotel.

Update: Muslim Leader in Philiipines Implies that Abu Sayyaf May Kill Hostages

2012-02-04T09:14:00.006-05:00

According to Von Al Haq, spokesman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), implied to the media on Saturday (February 4) that members of Abu Sayyaf might well might resort to killing their foreign hostages, in retaliation for the February 2 air strike that left 15 dead, including three key leaders of Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/05/us-philippines-rebels-factbox-idUSTRE7140PP20110205

COMMENT: It should also be noted that Warren Rodwell, 53, an Australian national, who has been the subject of many of my postings, was initially abducted by professional kidnappers who later turned over Rodwell to the Abu Sayyaf, operating in the southern province of Basilan.

MILF has had a cease-fire with the government of the Philippines for a number of years, although the group persists in their efforts to seek autonomy from the central government. The cease-fire was brokered by the government of Malaysia.

Update: Costa Rican Police Recover 56 of the 215 9mm Pistols Stolen Earlier in the Week

2012-02-03T20:47:00.004-05:00

Raids by agents of the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) recovered 56 of the 215 Glock 9mm pistols stolen from a Public Works and Transportation Ministry (MOPT) warehouse in San José early Monday morning (January 30).

OIJ agents found the pistols in hidden compartments in the walls and roof of a house in Concepción de Alajuelita; one suspect was taken into custody.

COMMENT: The serial numbers of the recovered handguns have been compared to those in the warehouse inventory and they match. Rodrigo Rivera, MOPT vice minister, deflected questions about why the pistols had been kept in the MOPT warehouse since December 2011 and not been relocated to a more secure location.

Other than the fact that 56 of the semi-auto pistols have been recovered, the OIJ disclosed few details as to motive or the purpose of the burglary, which obviously occurred while the warehouse was being protected by a contract security force. Why was the name of the suspect not released to the media?

The pressing question is how could the burglary have occurred while the building was being protected by guards, or was the building not redundantly protected with a central station intrusion system, which would have flagged the burglary?

The fact that only 56 pistols were found in one location suggests that the total sum of 215 pistols were divided up by the burglars. Unfortunately, the public security minister offered no theories on that possibility.

Update: Two Kidnapped American Women To Be Released in Egypt

2012-02-03T14:11:00.005-05:00

Two American tourists and their guide who were kidnapped by armed men earlier today (February 3) in the Sinai Peninsula are in the process of being released, thanks to police negotiators.

The three were abducted when Bedouin assailants stopped their minivan near Mt. Sinai, and pulled the two women from the bus and fled into the mountains with them.

COMMENT: The gunmen were demanding the release of fellow tribesmen arrested this week on drug-trafficking and robbery charges, but agreed to free the women after mediation efforts between officials and tribal leaders.

Bedouin kidnappers usually demand a ransom or the release of clansmen arrested for robbery, terrorism and gun-smuggling. Bedouins have long complained of neglect and discrimination by the Egyptian government, which they say has under-funded social and economic programs in the Sinai.

The kidnapping came as Egypt’s tourism industry has declined dramatically, amidst months of political turmoil and protests. Tourism is down by 30% and is not expected to rise amid recent lawlessness, the murder of a French tourist in Sharm El Sheikh and the Egyptian government's refusal to permit a number of Americans to leave the country.

Update: Four Swedes Killed in Auto Accident in Phuket

2012-02-03T10:55:00.004-05:00

As a follow-up to yesterday's posting, "Four Swedes Killed in Auto Accident in Phuket, Driver of Truck Hit-and-Run," the driver of the six-wheeled cargo truck involved in a head-on crash that killed four young Swedes and their Thai driver has surrendered to police and is now in jail.

The driver, Muhanadyousi Jayousao, 27, walked in at Khok Kloi Police Station, the closest police facility to the scene of the crash north of Phuket, and surrendered earlier today. He confessed that his poor driving led to the deaths of the five people in the car struck by his truck . FYI: For a list of those killed, please see yesterday's posting.

COMMENT: The families of those killed in this terrible "accident" may not achieve the justice they seek in this case.

Despite fleeing the accident scene after killing five people, the driver was initially charged only with reckless driving; one can only hope that the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok and pressure from the families who lost their loved ones will generate outrage and push for serious prison time for this hit-and-run driver, who needs to be held accountable for his actions.

Unfortunately, few tourists to Phuket have any real comprehension of the risks they face when they travel there.

My advocacy for a major overhaul in traffic enforcement, new legislation on regulating commercial vehicles, the need for safe mass transportation in Phuket and a more serious approach to mandating driver competency for all drivers has generally fallen upon deaf ears.

Update: Wife of Late Argentine Gov. Carlos Soria Indicted in his Murder

2012-02-03T09:06:00.003-05:00

Susana Freydoz, the widow of Rio Negro Gov. Carlos Soria, who was shot in the face after a New Year’s Eve party, has been indicted on aggravated manslaughter and arms charges, according to EFE.

Freydoz is under observation in the psychiatric unit of the provincial hospital in Cipolletti. She was hospitalized at the request of her attorney, Alberto Richieri, who said his client’s life was in danger because she might commit suicide.

COMMENT: The 61-year-old Soria died from a single shot to the left side of his face in the bedroom of his ranch in a rural area outside General Roca, a city located about 1,350 kilometers (838 miles) from the capital of Buenos Aires.

Police recovered the governor’s .38-caliber revolver during the crime scene search, which was used to fire the fatal shot.

Rio Negro, which is in Patagonia and borders Chile, is now being governed by Alberto Weretilneck, who had served as lieutenant governor and belongs to the center-left Broad Front, an ally of the Peronist Party.

Two American Tourists Kidnapped in Sharm El Sheikh by Bedouin Tribesmen

2012-02-03T08:40:00.002-05:00

According to NBC News, group of masked gunmen held up a tourist bus in south Sinai earlier today (February 3) and abducted two American tourists, both women, and their guide before fleeing.

The tourists were among a group traveling from St. Catherine's Monastery, at the foot of Mount Sinai, to the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh.

Reportedly, the motivation for the kidnapping was to demand the release of relatives from Egyptian jails, in exchange for the hostages.

COMMENT: The kidnapping occurred just days after Bedouins in north Sinai briefly seized 25 Chinese workers to demand the release of Islamic relatives detained over bombings in the peninsula between 2004 and 2006.

For the benefit of our readers, strange, peculiar events are beginning to occur in post-revolution Egypt, and most of them are not good for foreign travelers. As most of you know, a French tourist was shot and killed in Sharm el Sheikh last weekend, raising concerns over security in the popular resort area. Then there is the deaths of 71 people at a soccer game as police stood by as bystanders.

Most alarming is the need for a group of US citizens to seek refuge at the American Embassy in Cairo, after not being permitted to leave the country.

The fact that the Muslim Brotherhood has won a substantial majority in the Egyptian Parliament should also be an indicator of more bad news for the future. This could well turn international tourism in Egypt upside down if Islamic conservatives get their way.

Such possibilities include segregated beaches, only married couples being permitted to share the same accommodations and a dramatic change in the consumption of alcohol.

Greek Tourist Victim of Larceny, Auto Theft by New Acquaintance in NZ

2012-02-02T20:32:00.011-05:00

A Greek tourist in her 40s, while traveling in New Zealand's Bay of Islands for a month on a trip of a lifetime, had her cash (1500 euros), credit cards, passport and airline tickets stolen after she permitted a man who she had befriended to stay overnight in her motel room.

The incident occurred on Thursday (February 2), the day before she was scheduled to return to Greece.

Fortunately, once it became publicized as to what happened to the woman, locals and fellow travelers contributed cash to help her return home.

According to police, the victim had a chance meeting with three local men when she asked for directions to Long Beach while traveling in Russell on Wednesday (February 1).

After visiting the beach, the woman and her three new "friends" had a meal at a restaurant in Russell. Later in the day one of the men returned to Paihia with the woman to where she was staying. Subsequently, the woman fell asleep and when she woke her backpack had been stolen, as well her rental car.

COMMENT: As most of our regular readers are aware of, crime in New Zealand has been on the rise in recent months. Consequently, tourists and travelers should not let the relaxed, friendly nature of the islands lure them into a false sense of security. In this regard, it is good to be outwardly friendly, but internally suspicious of new acquaintances.

While a large part of international tourism is meeting new people and getting to know locals and the culture, one helpful is if you're going to overnight with someone, do it at their "place," rather than exposing your money and valuables to theft.

Another approach is to use a hotel that has in-lobby safe deposit boxes so that your valuables can be safeguarded.

Finally, put your valuables in an envelope and tape it to the back of a picture frame. Duct tape is a must for all travelers.

Crime victims in New Zealand should also be cognizant of the fact that the country does have a victim compensation program (https://www.ncjrs.gov/ovc_archives).

Four Swedes Killed in Auto Accident in Phuket, Driver of Truck Hit-and-Run

2012-02-02T20:00:00.010-05:00

Four young Swedes on a diving trip to Phuket were killed instantly yesterday (February 1) when a heavy-laden, six-wheeled truck crashed into them head-on. In a bizarre sequence of events, the truck driver sped across a grass divider and collided head-on into the two couples' rental car.

Typical of serious accidents in Thailand, the truck drive fled from the scene and is being sought, although police report that the driver is on the verge of turning himself in, whatever that means.

Killed in the rental car were Johan Olof Nikolas Svensson, 22, Frida Madeleine Falk, 22, Anders Tobias Larsson, 22, Elin Marita Hedbris, 21, and the couples' driver, Wichit Phromluang, 26.

COMMENT: As I have noted in so many other postings involving fatalities in auto accidents on Phuket, it is very common in Thailand for drivers to work two shifts, which often results in them falling asleep.

Many drivers are also hired with little experience so that owners can pay them as little as possible. It is truly sad for so many promising lives to be snuffed out simply because of the Thai government's failure to effectively regulate commercial vehicles, periodically test such drivers as to their competency, enact laws that prevent drivers from working more than 12 hours per day and dead-line vehicles that are deemed to be unsafe.

In this case, the two couples were proactive and prudent in hiring a driver for their rental vehicle, but in the end they all died unnecessarily because road safety is not a priority in Thai society.

US Department of State Issues New Travel Warning on Pakistan

2012-02-02T13:02:00.003-05:00

The US State Department issued an updated travel warning on Pakistan today (February 2), warning US citizens of the risks of travel to Pakistan. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Pakistan dated August 8, 2011, to update information on security incidents and remind US citizens of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan.

Following the deaths of twenty-four Pakistani military personnel on November 26, 2011, protests have taken place across Pakistan against the United States, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and NATO. There have also been widespread demonstrations and large political rallies condemning drone strikes and Pakistan’s ongoing energy crisis. These protests are likely to continue. US citizens in Pakistan are strongly urged to avoid protests and large gatherings.

See http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5661

Foreign, Local Tourists Rescued from Captivity While Kayaking in Guatemala

2012-02-02T11:32:00.010-05:00

Guatemalan troops rescued a dozen tourists who had temporarily been held captive while on a kayaking expedition earlier this week. The group, which included five people from the US, a French national and six Guatemalans, were held for nearly a day in a succession of villages in Uspatán, Quiché before being freed by the military.

The leader of the expedition, Max Ortíz Baldetti, reported that local residents thought members of the group were working for a mining or hydroelectric company looking to invest in the area.

COMMENT: One group of residents released some of tourists, but they were then stopped and held by others in nearby communities as they attempted to leave.

One of the tourists who was filming a documentary on Guatemala’s rivers had his camera gear stolen in the incident. Unfortunately, this can happen when local governments are left in the dark that tourist groups will be operating in isolated areas.

Admittedly, there is a fine line between providing local communities too much information, but coordination with the Guatemalan military at a senior level by military attaches at either the US or French embassies, or both, might have avoided the type of conflict and misunderstanding that occurred.

Additionally, the tour operator in this case should have known that security escorts for tourist groups and security information are available from the Tourist Assistance Office (PROATUR) of INGUAT (the Guatemalan Tourism Institute) at 7a Avenida 1-17, Zona 4, Centro Cívico, Guatemala City.

INGUAT's PROATUR division has 24-hour/seven days per week direct telephone numbers for tourist assistance and emergencies. You may call them at (502) 2421-2810 fax them at (502) 2421-2891 or simply dial 1500 in Guatemala to reach INGUAT Tourist Assistance, or contact INGUAT by email.

PROATUR also maintains regional offices in all major tourist destinations in Guatemala, and the regional delegates provide rapid and appropriate assistance to crime and accident victims. Travelers may also wish to visit INGUAT's web site www.visitguatemala.com.

Tourist groups are advised to request security escorts from INGUAT. There have been no incidents of armed robbery of groups escorted through the Tourist Protection Program.

The request should be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail and should arrive at INGUAT at least three business days in advance of the proposed travel. Requests should be directed to the attention of the Coordinator of the National Tourist Assistance Program, and should provide the itinerary, names of travelers, and model and color of the vehicle in which they will be traveling.

The Philippines' Most Wanted Terrorist Killed

2012-02-02T11:15:00.009-05:00

The Philippine military has reported that it killed Southeast Asia's most-wanted terrorist and two other senior militants early on Thursday (February 2) in a US-backed air-strike, marking one of the region's biggest anti-terror successes in recent years.

The dawn strike killed Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, a top leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror network. Also killed were the leader of the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf militants, Umbra Jumdail, and a Singaporean leader in JI, Abdullah Ali, who used the guerrilla name Muawiyah.

COMMENT: An estimated 30 terrorists were at the camp near Parang town on Jolo Island, the stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf and their allies from the mostly Indonesian-based Jemaah Islamiyah, when it was bombarded by two OV10 aircraft at 0300 hours. The rest of the militants in the camp escaped and no one was captured.

The U.S. had offered a $5 million reward for the capture of Marwan, a US-trained engineer accused of involvement in a number of deadly bombings in the Philippines and in the training of new militants.

Pending confirmation by DNA testing, Marwan's death may represent the most important success against JI since the January 2011 arrest of Indonesian suspect Umar Patek in Pakistan's garrison town of Abbottabad, where Osama bin Laden was killed in a US Navy SEAL raid on May 2.

Abu Sayyaf is responsible for numerous ransom kidnappings, bomb attacks and beheadings that have terrorized the southern Philippines for more than two decades.

Most recently, all three of the militant leaders were among the prime suspects in the kidnappings of three Red Cross workers from Switzerland, Italy and the Philippines in 2009. The hostages separately regained their freedom months later, reportedly after large ransom payments.

It is estimated that the current strength of Abu Sayyaf militants is about 400 fighters. They are still considered a key threat to regional security.

Analysis: Escape of Filipino Guide in So. Philippines Has Ethical Implications

2012-02-02T08:49:00.010-05:00

As a follow-up to my posting yesterday (February 1), media outlets have reported that Filipino guide, Ivan Sarenas, who was escorting Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47, and Ewold Horn, 52, (from Switzerland and the Netherlands), respectively, on a bird-watching trip in the southern Philippines on Wednesday (February 1), escaped from captivity earlier today.

The three men were seized by a group of gunmen on the remote Tawi Tawi archipelago in the lawless south.

For some perspective, and for those of our readers who don't know the geography of the Philippines well, Mindanao is the second largest island in the country at 94,630 square kilometers, and is the eighth most populous island in the world.

The island of Mindanao is larger than 125 countries worldwide, including the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, Taiwan and Ireland. The island is mountainous, and is home to Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the country. Mindanao is also surrounded by four seas: the Sulu Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south and the Mindanao Sea to the north.

In essence, looking for one or more hostages in the southern Philippines is tantamount to looking for a needle in a haystack, which is why Australian citizen Warren Rodwell, 53, kidnapped on December 5, cannot be found.

COMMENT: It is a blunt fact that foreigners who find themselves in the southern Philippines might as well be playing a potentially dangerous game of Russian Roulette, an insane and deadly game of chance in which participants place a single round in a revolver, spin the cylinder, push the loaded cylinder into the frame and then hold the muzzle against their head and pull the trigger.

Virtually all US, Canadian, Australian and European nations have advised their nationals in the Philippines to NOT travel to the southern Philippines because of the probable threat of being kidnapped for ransom.

Sarenas should have known better and declined Vinciguerra and Horn's offer to guide them there in search of the Sulu hornbill, said to be the most endangered hornbill in the world. At the same time, Vinciguerra and Horn should have heeded common knowledge that there is a bounty on the heads of foreigners who travel to the southern Philippines.

What I find particularly problematic in this case is that Sarenas, who was working as a guide for Vinciguerra and Horn, ethically abandoned the two men whose safety and care he was responsible for.

Understandably, as people we all vary in our view of ethical boundaries, but for me, Sarenas took the moral low-ground of "every man for himself," regardless of the fact that he had agreed to guide the two Europeans to Tawi-Tawi.

When Sarenas made the selfish choice to escape, he also deprived Horn and Vinciguerra from access to the one person in the group who knew the islands and culture. In my view, his abandoning those he was responsible for borders on dereliction of duty.

At least ten other foreigners have been kidnapped in the south since the middle of 2010, in what is largely a ransom business with Abu Sayyaf and other militants demanding huge amounts of money for their captives' release.

Five of those kidnapped include an Australian, two Malaysian traders, an Indian married to a Filipina and a Japanese citizen, who remain in captivity. Over the past decade, dozens of foreigners and locals have been kidnapped. Some of them, including an American, were beheaded after ransoms were not paid.

It is also common for small abduction gangs to "sell" their captives to more powerful organizations such as the Abu Sayyaf.

Tawi-Tawi is famed for its virgin beaches surrounded by crystal blue waters but, like the most of the southern Philippines, it is undeveloped for tourism because of years of violence, including ransom kidnappings, bomb attacks and fighting between troops and Muslim rebels.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali said the birdwatchers were accompanied by a town councilman and an unarmed police officer because the foreigners refused armed escorts. Very foolish.

After kidnapping them, though, the gunmen ordered the councilman, the police officer and the skipper out of the boat before escaping with their captives.

Now, because the two Europeans made bad choices, local police and military will have to place their own lives in jeopardy by searching for them.

Please Read This Article on the Short Supply of Point-and-Shoot Cameras

2012-02-02T08:39:00.003-05:00

For the benefit of our readers, please see the below link to a Yahoo News article which addresses why the supply of point-and-shoot cameras is dwindling.

http://news.yahoo.com/why-digital-cameras-disappearing-173800439

Update: UN Aid Worker Kidnapped Earlier Released

2012-02-01T21:52:00.002-05:00

Four UN-connected international aid workers kidnapped by gunmen north of the Yemeni capital of Sana'a yesterday (January 31) were released today (February 1), according to Yemen's Electricity Minister Saleh Sumai, who led negotiation efforts to free them said on Wednesday.

The four international aid workers from Colombia, Germany, Iraq and Palestine and their two local drivers were freed in Wadi Ahjar, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Sanaa, the same area where they were abducted on Tuesday.

COMMENT: Although the electricity minister endeavored to secure the release of an inmate at the Central Prison, he soon realize that the likelihood of gaining the inmate's release was unlikely, as he had committed murder. Therefore, in the end, the kidnappers recognized the impossibility of gaining the man's release. Consequently, they agree to release their captives.

Yemen's powerful tribes often kidnap foreigners to use as bargaining chips with the authorities. More than 200 foreigners have been abducted over the past 15 years. Almost all were later freed unharmed.

Earlier in November 2011, three French hostages kidnapped by Al-Qaeda militants arrived home after more than five months in captivity. Tribal sources said a ransom was paid, though Paris denied this.

TSA Agent Arrested for Stealing Eight iPads at DFW

2012-02-01T18:47:00.004-05:00

According to http://www.wfaa.com, Clayton Keith Dovel, 35, a TSA agent assigned to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) has been arrested and no doubt will be charged in the suspected theft of as many as eight iPads from the checked luggage of airline passengers over the last year. One of his victims actually tracked one of the iPads to Dovel's home.

COMMENT: Admittedly, relatively few TSA security screeners have been implicated in theft from passengers, although even a handful of bad apples can have a powerful impact on rattling public confidence in the TSA.

What is so remarkable, though, is the number of airline passengers who continue to place high-value property such as laptops, smart-phones, iPads, digital cameras and the like in checked luggage, despite TSA directives not to do so.

Our readers should keep in mind that NO electronics should be placed in checked luggage, as the likelihood of filing a claim for theft has fewer odds than winning the lottery.

Six UN Aid Workers Kidnapped in Yemen

2012-02-01T15:50:00.003-05:00

Gunmen in Yemen kidnapped on Tuesday (January 31) four aid workers (a Colombian, a German, an Iraqi and a Palestinian), along with two of their Yemeni drivers.

The abductions occurred in Wadi Ahjar, some 50 kilometers northwest of the capital of Sana'a, in the province of Mahwit. A UN employee confirmed that the six work for the UN's Office of the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The Iraqi and the Palestinian are women.

COMMENT: As I mentioned last week in my posting on the kidnapping of a Norwegian aid worker assigned to the UN (who has since been released), the kidnappings of foreigners is relatively common in Yemen, but often involve tribesmen who wish to pressure the central government for concessions of various types.

Yemeni security forces have been in touch with the group holding the hostages and report that all six are doing fine and are being well-treated. Reportedly, the kidnappers want an inmate in the central prison to be released.

Crisis units in Berlin and at the German Embassy in Sana'a are working on clarifying the situation, a spokeswoman said, adding that all the relevant authorities were cooperating closely in the matter.

More than 200 foreigners have been abducted over the past 15 years. Almost all were later freed unharmed. Most recently, a Norwegian United Nations Development Program (UNDP) worker was kidnapped in the capital on January 14 and was released on January 27. In that case, too, a concession was made to release a prisoner accused of killing four soldiers.

Looking for the Current Amount of Airport Departure Tax for Any Country?

2012-02-01T12:13:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately, airport departure taxes are constantly changing. Consequently, for the benefit of our readers, please go to the following website for up-to-date information:

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com