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air tags
Travelers want to find their lost luggage and uncover a much larger theft

It is currently the great fear among air travelers: Will my flight take place – and will my suitcases arrive with me? The airport and suitcase chaos caused by the increasing number of travelers after the pandemic unsettles many people so much that tracking chips such as Apple Airtags are increasingly being used to be able to find their luggage if necessary. A traveler could now actually convict a thief among the on-board staff.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in Florida reported in a statement. Accordingly, in July, a passenger had waited in vain for her luggage at the local airport, Fort Walton Beach Airport. And reported the suitcase and its contents, valued at over $1,600, missing. As part of the search, she informed investigators that she had tagged the suitcase with an Airtag, a chip sold by Apple that can be tracked via a network of iPhones (you can find our Apple chip test here). However, the Airtag did not report its last location at the airport, but in the nearby small town of Mary Ether.

Unexpected find

The police followed the trail. By matching the reported location to a register of airport employee residences, officials located a 19-year-old laborer who lived in the area. When they visited Giovanni D.’s home “amicably” and confronted him with their suspicions, he quickly gave in. He admitted to removing the airtag from the suitcase. However, he did not reveal the exact location of the suitcase he was looking for. But the police found something else in the house: jewelry and other valuables worth over $16,000. Another passenger had reported it stolen the day before. In fact, the perpetrator admitted to having stolen the valuable loot from a suitcase.

Unfortunately, this does not help the Airtag user: According to the police, her valuables have not yet been found. The police still celebrate the investigation as a success. “This arrest is an example of the excellent cooperation of our airport unit, our investigators and the airport itself in finding the individual responsible for these thefts and holding them accountable,” the statement said. The confessed thief is now facing imprisonment and has been charged with two counts of grand theft.

Source: Sheriff Statement

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Traveling is one of the favorite leisure activities of Germans. Since the pandemic situation has allowed us to go on vacation again, that’s exactly what we’re doing: we’re packing our bags and flocking to the train stations and airports.

But Corona is only one topic that influences our travel behavior. The climate crisis also causes a bad conscience from time to time. This is often the case when we are sitting on the beach and actually want to switch off.

However, the most climate-damaging factor when traveling is still the arrival and departure. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the entire tourism sector is responsible for around five percent of global CO2 emissions – 75 percent of which are caused by flights and car journeys.

Giving up travel for the sake of the climate? However, for many people this is not an option. And maybe it doesn’t have to be. We have ten tips that you can use to significantly reduce your ecological footprint on vacation.

Sustainability: ten tips for conscious travel

Tip 1: Pack only the essentials
It’s hard to believe, but sustainable travel starts with packing your suitcase. This is based on a very simple calculation: the more we pack in our travel bag, the heavier the plane or car will end up being. And the more weight such a means of transport has to carry from A to B, the more emissions it emits. And if you travel light, you might be more willing to walk some distances. With a heavy backpack, however, this is a real feat.

Tip 2: Eat in the restaurant, hotel or cook yourself
Italy, Greece, Thailand – many countries are a real paradise for gourmets. Unfortunately, word gets around quickly, so many restaurants import food from all over the world to really cater to every taste. If you want to support local people and protect the climate, you should instead focus on local restaurants – and eat locally. Because to-go is often associated with plastic. And it is also important to save money on vacation. Even better: shop at the market (you can find it almost anywhere) and prepare your own food at the accommodation. In the best case scenario, you can also learn how to prepare new dishes right away.

Tip 3: Book sustainable accommodation
Speaking of accommodation: Here too there are big differences in terms of sustainability. It is therefore worth finding out about the climate-friendly commitment of the desired hotel before booking. Since sustainability has now established itself as a real selling point, you can usually already learn a lot about the commitment to environmental protection on the accommodation websites. It is worth checking the information again. And: You often only see in the hotel room how sustainable the whole thing really is.

Tip 4: Leave technical devices at home
Checking e-mails while relaxing at the hotel pool or following the news all the time, instead of getting involved in the experiences in the holiday destination – that’s not only a shame for us personally, but also for the environment. If we simply leave all technical devices at home on our next vacation, not only will the suitcase be lighter, but we will also save electricity. And by the way, when in doubt, we experience our trip more intensely.

Tip 5: Treat nature with respect
The Swiss Alps, the Algarve coast in Portugal or the Great Barrier Reef off Australia – there are countless natural highlights around the world. As impressive as nature is sometimes, it also gets overcrowded at some point. The result: mountains of rubbish, destroyed plants and expelled animal species. Anyone who treats nature carelessly should not be surprised if at some point it loses its magic. That’s why the following applies: It doesn’t matter whether it’s a beach, mountains, forest or meadow: treat nature with respect. We only have this one.

Tip 6: Fly as little as possible
A point that has come up again and again, especially in recent years: avoiding air travel. This is because flights still emit comparatively many emissions. It’s worth it for the climate if you don’t use every vacation for a flight. Of course, this does not mean that a flight to America or South Africa is no longer okay. But it can also be a road trip to Italy, a train trip to Spain or a hiking tour to the Mecklenburg Lake District.

Tip 7: Do without all-inclusive
King prawns next to chicken thighs next to vegan meatballs, broccoli next to fries next to salad – the bulging buffet at the all-inclusive hotel is a real gourmet paradise for many holidaymakers. Unfortunately, we often forget what consequences this type of vacation can have for the climate. After all, buffets are predestined for food to end up in the trash can instead of on the plate. It is therefore better for the climate to dine as individually as possible. It’s like this: you can usually get full from a normal portion of pasta in a restaurant.

Tip 8: Trust digitization
What does digitization have to do with travel? It can make things much easier for us – and more climate-friendly at that. Just think of the many maps that people used to drive through the countries back then. Today we can put that in the hands of an app and let it guide us. The same applies to many tickets and travel guides. The advantage: All of this no longer has to be printed out, which in turn saves emissions and paper. In addition, the risk of getting lost or getting stuck in traffic decreases when we use digital navigation. And that saves us stress in the end.

Tip 9: Stay true to your values
As the saying goes: different countries, different customs. There are destinations where the locals are less careful with the environment. This often has a cultural and sociological background. We humans are very willing to quickly adapt to our environment. In this case, however, it is worthwhile to orientate yourself on your own values. So treat nature with respect anywhere in the world, dispose of your rubbish properly and be mindful when choosing your food.

Tip 10: Discover your travel destination off the beaten track
When souvenir shops line up next to souvenir shops and the crowds form queues to reach certain places, this is a typical consequence of mass tourism. Unfortunately, such mass movements are not really sustainable, especially for the local people. As soon as a place is developed for tourism, large corporations with hotels and international restaurants quickly get the upper hand in the area. The sufferers: Local operators, farmers, traders. Sustainable travel also means paying attention to the people at the destination, being friendly and respectful – and when in doubt, choosing the shop or restaurant that may be a little out of the way but is run by real locals. Believe me – it will be an asset in every way.

climate change

Sustainable travel: is that even possible? We have ten tips for you

10 images

08/23/2021

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Desert with a view: the sea of ​​dunes in Oman is up to 300 meters high.

Fancy Oman, Cyprus or Morocco? The Willy Scharnow Foundation has once again expanded its program of study trips. Travel professionals can register now. In addition to Oman (September 20-27), Cyprus (November 5-10) and Morocco (November 1-6), there is a

The scandal with Poland has still not been settled. At the beginning of the week, the Ministry of Education in Jerusalem announced that it would also cancel all Holocaust education trips to Poland for Israeli high school students in the fall. Neither the content of the education nor the safety precautions could be agreed with the Polish government.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid had already announced in June that the trips planned for the summer would be cancelled. Even then, the reason was that Warsaw wanted to get involved in the teaching content of these trips. “They want to tell us what is and isn’t allowed when Israeli children go to Poland,” explained Lapid, who is now prime minister. “We cannot agree to that.”

decision A letter was sent to around 7,000 high school students across the country notifying them of the decision that their trips will not go ahead.

“We are ready to resume negotiations at any time as long as there is understanding of the Israeli position.”

ministry of education jerusalem

Previously, Warsaw had refused to allow officials from the internal intelligence agency, the Shin Bet, who ensure security during trips, to carry weapons in Poland. Up to this point this had been regularly permitted. But behind the superficial explanation was something deeper.

Poland’s Foreign Ministry said Poland wanted Israel to teach its youth about the Holocaust “from a broader historical perspective” that didn’t include “negative stereotypes about Poland.” »Our experience is that Israeli youth return from these trips with negative feelings towards Poland and the Polish people.«

delegation A delegation made up of representatives from the foreign policy and education departments and the Shin Bet security service was recently sent to Warsaw to hold talks on “crucial issues” and settle the dispute. However, she returned to Israel without any result. However, the ministries are ready to resume negotiations “in order to find a suitable solution as long as there is understanding for the Israeli position,” the Ministry of Education said afterwards.

In 2018, Poland passed the controversial »National Remembrance« law. It criminalizes public statements attributing responsibility or complicity in the Holocaust to Poland or the Polish nation. The legislation has been harshly criticized around the world, but especially in Israel. It is seen as an attack on academic freedom of expression and an attempt to whitewash history and portray Poland as nothing but victims and heroes.

In February 2021, the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem published a statement on a Polish court’s decision against Holocaust researchers. While acknowledging the verdict, it is deeply concerned about its impact. »Any attempt to restrict academic and public discourse through political or legal pressure is unacceptable and constitutes a material blow to academic freedom.«

»Historical research must reflect the complex reality that existed in a period of time.«

holocaust memorial yad vashem

“Historical research must reflect the complex reality that existed in a given period, based on the conscientious analysis of the available documentation.” Diverse documentation and decades of historical research show, Yad Vashem continues, “that under the draconian Nazi German occupation of Poland and despite the widespread suffering of the Polish people under this occupation, there were Poles who took an active part in the persecution of the Jews and their murder”.

DISCUSSION “The prosecution of researchers and journalists who deal with these topics, instead of conducting the academic discussion that is standard worldwide, represents a real threat to academic and press freedom,” the memorial summarized.

In May of this year, trips to Poland for Shoah education by officers and candidates in the Israeli army were canceled. Instead, it’s now going to Lithuania.

Imposing mountain ranges, bright yellow desert dunes, green oases, beautiful beaches and lush green landscapes – paired with oriental customs, an aromatic cuisine with fragrant spices and imposing architectural masterpieces from all eras – all this is Oman.

Embark on a journey to a country characterized by tradition and modernity at the same time and be amazed by the unique landscapes!

Experience Muscat with all your senses

The capital of Oman, about a 6.5 hour flight away, is the cultural center of the country. The huge, white incense burner monument towers high above the port center of Mutrah and welcomes all seafarers. At its feet stretch the gardens of the pretty Al Riyam Park and the cozy Corniche harbor promenade, which leads to the city’s next highlight – the Mutrah Souk. Omani handicrafts, towels, fruits, vegetables, nuts and countless spices are offered in the alleys of the largest bazaar in Oman. If you don’t find it right away, lift your nose to the wind and follow the many smells of saffron, frankincense and other herbs and spices. From here, a photo stop at the royal Al Alam Palace is also worthwhile. Sultan Qaboos, who is extremely popular with the people, had this colorful palace built for state receptions. But it could also have served as a backdrop for Aladdin or Ali Babar.

A mosque of superlatives

One of the world’s largest mosques was built in Muscat by its namesake Sultan Qaboos. When visiting, body-covering clothing and a headscarf must be worn. The mosque is a true masterpiece and a must see when visiting the city. Travelers marvel at the magnificent sandstone structure, the huge Swarovski chandelier, the magnificent decorations on the walls and ceiling, and the gigantic prayer rug.

By now it should be clear – Oman is a Muslim country. The traditional dishdasha clothing, usually a light-colored men’s garment, is proudly worn together with the kumma as headgear. First of all, it should be said that women in Oman are treated equally to their male counterparts, unlike women in some neighboring countries. She works at all levels, serves in the military and holds public positions, including high-ranking ones.

A trip inland

Hospitality, safety and the overwhelming beauty of the landscape are as natural in Oman as daily prayer.

The roads in the Sultanate are well developed. Renting a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for those who like to venture off the beaten track. After a detour to Barka, a port city northwest of Muscat and a visit to the large, traditional fish market there, the journey leads inland. Desert oases, fortresses, gigantic canyons and huge sand dunes are on the way. The south of the country is hit by the monsoons and is lush green with waterfalls and lush agriculture.

Highlights of Oman

Oasis town of Nakhl – Fort Nakhl, one of the most important structures in the country, sits enthroned on a 60-meter-high rocky plateau above the city and its sea of ​​palm trees.

Oasis town of Nizwa – Nowhere better to experience the simple life and customs of the Omanis than in Nizwa. The hustle and bustle of the bazaar and the large livestock market, where livestock of all kinds are traded with a handshake every Friday, are just a few examples.

wadis – There are countless of the mostly dry riverbeds so typical of Oman in the country. One of the most beautiful is called Wadi Bani Awf. Framed by steep rock formations, the path leads deep into the valley over gravel roads and serpentines, past a green oasis overgrown with date palms.

Jebel Shams – As part of the gigantic Hajar Mountains, the mountain is the highest peak in the country at 3,075 meters. A highlight of the region is the mighty gorge Wadi Nakhar, also known as the Grand Canyon of Oman. A walk along the canyon rim promises fantastic views.

Wahiba Sands – An almost gigantic desert sea in yellow, orange and red tones. Visitors experience the meter-high sand dunes, the life of the Bedouins and their camel rearing during the day and spend the night in desert camps under a dreamlike starry sky.

Fjord landscape Musandam – The northernmost tip of Oman is home to the archipelago of the Musandam region. Steep rock formations plunge into the crystal clear ocean. This spectacle is best explored by boat or on dives to see fascinating sea creatures ranging from dolphins to rays and turtles.

Salalah – From October to May, the region shines in lush green colors. Waterfalls, freshwater pools, caves and the world’s largest incense growing area are must-sees when visiting the region.

Incidentally, with over 3,000 kilometers of coastline, it is not surprising that Oman is also a wonderful destination for beach and bathing holidays. Some of the country’s most beautiful beaches are in the south and on offshore islands such as Masirah Island.

More info

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London/Dusseldorf – The British Prince Harry (37) and his wife Duchess meghan (41) are coming to Germany on September 6th.

This was confirmed by a spokeswoman for the two on Monday at the request of the German Press Agency. According to dpa information, the couple will take part in an event at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf.

The couple, who now live in California, will be visiting some charities in Europe that are close to their hearts, they said in a statement.

This includes an event in Germany on September 6 in the run-up to the Invictus Games, which are to be held in Düsseldorf next year. The day before, the Royals are expected in the English city of Manchester.

On September 8th we will go to Great Britain again. The two are “delighted,” the statement said. Harry and Meghan had broken away from the close circle of the British royal family in early 2020.

They live in Santa Barbara, California, with their two children Archie (3) and Lilibet (1). The relationship with the rest of the Royals is considered partially tense.

Home visits have become rare in recent years, not only because of the pandemic. Harry is also in litigation with the UK Home Office over whether and how he can still get police protection for himself and his family in the UK.

The Invictus Games, a sports competition for soldiers and veterans injured in action, is considered a project close to Prince Harry’s heart. They first took place in 2014.

With Düsseldorf, a venue in Germany is planned for the first time.