call security
Pedophiles Targeted
Those who travel overseas to participate in the booming child sex trade will face a greater risk of being caught and spending up to 30 years in jail.
Under a new plan to be announced Tuesday, World Vision, a Christian-based humanitarian group, will pass on information about the child victims and their abusers to U.S. Immigration and Customs agents investigating the trade in Thailand, Cambodia and Costa Rica. "We have over 20,000 aid workers on the ground in 100 countries, and can be the eyes and ears of law enforcement," said World Vision's Joe Mettimano. Next year the program will be expanded to Mexico and Brazil, he said.
Prosecution also will be helped by a new law that lightens the burden of proof: Instead of proving that an American went abroad with the intent to have sex with a child, U.S. prosecutors now must prove only that the act occurred.
World Vision has produced billboards and in-flight videos that will warn tourists of the heightened risks of detection and prosecution.
TRAVEL TICKER
Mount St. Helens remains opens to visitors flocking to see seismic activity, except for a five-mile radius around the volcanic dome. Visitors outside that designated danger zone in Washington state are urged to bring a mask and goggles in case of sudden ashfall. Details: www.fs.fed.us . . . Amtrak has terminated its agreement with its exclusive tour operator, Private Label Travel, but will honor all vacation packages purchased through the ailing firm. Details: 800-805-9114 . . . Get to Vienna, Austria, from the airport on a new high-speed train for a fraction of the taxi fare, and in half the time. Details: www.cityairporttrain.com . . . American Airlines customers will now pay a $250 fee each way to use frequent-flier points to upgrade from deeply discounted coach seats to business or first class on international flights. Full-fare coach seats are exempt.
BARGAIN OF THE WEEK
Bahama Breeze
Fly to Nassau in the Bahamas for $249 round trip, including taxes. Details: What's the Deal?, Page P3.
Reporting: Cindy Loose.
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