issued Archives - Real Time News

January 30, 2023

U.S. State Department Has Issued These 12 New Travel Advisory Updates

Last Updated 30 mins ago

Travelers are ready to explore the world in 2023, but not all destinations can provide a safe and good experience for international visitors. The United States Department of State issued 12 new travel advisory updates for travelers in January.

During the past few days, the government has shared new travel information for these countries:

Iraq
Colombia
Cayman Islands
China
Venezuela
Uganda
Mali
Palau
Antarctica
Nigeria
Bolivia
Iran

These updates are related to travel advisory levels. Some countries have improved in categories regarding safety, others have reached the highest warning level, and others remain on the same level with new information.

Woman with open arms in front of the Shah Mosque in Iran

These updates are related to current events. Just a few days ago, the U.S. State Department issued a special warning for Cancun due to violence and threats to Uber drivers and passengers.

Not all travelers pay attention to these warnings, Mexico is constantly touted as dangerous by the State Department, but many Americans still visit and spend their holidays in top destinations like Cancun or Los Cabos with no trouble at all. Each traveler must consider how valuable this information is and decide if they should make adjustments to their vacation plans.

Here are the most recent updates per country and the most relevant details:

Travel Advisory Updates

Iraq: Level 4, Do Not Travel – Updated on January 3, 2023

This country in Western Asia reached the highest advisory level some time ago, and a recent travel warning has been reissued due to “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and Mission Iraq’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.”

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

People walking in front of Monument of Liberty in Baghdad in Iraq

Colombia: Level 3, Reconsider Travel – Updated on January 4, 2023

This update includes high-risk areas. The U.S. State Department has warned about crime and terrorism and recently made a special warning for certain areas. It is not advised to visit “Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), and Norte de Santander departments due to crime and terrorism.” Also, travelers are encouraged to avoid the Colombia-Venezuela border for the risk of detention, crime, and kidnapping.

Cayman Islands: Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions – Updated on January 10, 2023

Travelers can visit this country and enjoy a normal experience.

Aerial view of boats in the Cayman Islands

China: Level 3, Reconsider Travel– Updated on January 11, 2023

Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the U.S. government is not encouraging travel to this country, including Hong Kong and Macau. According to the update, medical attention can be limited, and there have been wrongful detentions.

Venezuela: Level 4 – Do Not Travel, Updated on January 12, 2023

The highest warning level has been issued and recently updated for this country due to terrorism, crime, wrongful detentions, kidnapping, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

Skyline Of Caracas, Capital Of Venezuela, South America

Uganda: Level 3, Reconsider Travel – Updated on January 18, 2023

Health concerns related to Ebola have been removed, and new updates on crime have been shared. The government has warned about terrorist attacks, armed robbery, home invasion, and sexual assault.

Mali: Level 4, Do Not Travel– Updated on January 18, 2023

This destination remains on level 4 due to crime, kidnapping, and terrorism. The U.S. government has shared new restrictions on personnel and warned about their limitation in providing emergency services to American citizens.

An ancient earthen mosque in Timbuktu Mali, a UNESCO site

Palau: Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions – Updated on January 19, 2023

It is safe for travelers to visit Palau, and only normal precautions are advised.

Antarctica: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution – Updated on January 19, 2023

The warnings for this destination are related to unpredictable and extreme weather, and the new updates include limited emergency services. The government has warned about difficulties in assisting citizens in the region.

Nigeria: Level 3, Reconsider Travel – Updated on January 20, 2023

The new information includes areas where travelers are not advised to visit and the Government’s limited ability to provide assistance. The main warnings and concerns are related to terrorism, crime, kidnapping, civil unrest, and maritime crime.

Bolivia: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution– Updated on January 26, 2023

The new updates are related to civil unrest. American travelers are advised not to visit the Chapare region and avoid the Yungas region. Demonstrations are unpredictable and can result in violence and roadblocks.

Iran: Level 4, Do Not Travel – Updated on January 26, 2023

This country has warnings due to the “risk of kidnapping, and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens,” and travelers are encouraged to stay up to date with health-related information and understand the U.S. Government has limited assistance possibilities in this country.

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

January 8, 2023

Harsh warning on US real estate market issued: ‘America needs more housing’

Licensed affiliate real estate broker Brian Lewis breaks down the state of the U.S. housing industry as home prospective buyers really feel the ache of sky-large house loan rates.

One genuine estate professional issued a warning to Us residents that the U.S. is struggling from a housing stock crisis that could even further damage the sector.

“Here is the factor about America — we really don’t have inventory. Guys, it is restricted out there,” serious estate broker Brian Lewis reported on “The Claman Countdown” on Thursday. “In New York Town, it can be restricted. In Richmond, Virginia, it is really tight. In some areas of Chicago, it is restricted. My Los Angeles workplaces are stating that it is restricted out there, as well. The purchasers have way extra electrical power, let us be crystal clear. And there are fewer specials becoming performed.”

Lewis pressured his declare that “The united states desires extra housing” by generating a verbal “note” to developers to “get out there” and “construct us some additional housing.”

Nest Seekers Intercontinental chief economist Erin Sykes gives perception into the 2023 true estate market place on ‘The Claman Countdown.’

Lewis added that though customers have “way more electrical power” than the sellers, they are nonetheless struggling from meager housing alternatives.

“The option is leasing, men. And the final time I checked, rents are going up and up and up,” he further more warned.

Home purchase exercise has lessened for the fourth week in a row. (Jeremy Erickson/Bloomberg through Getty Images / Getty Pictures / Getty Images)

In addition to the burden of a “limited” housing stock, potential buyers are also seeking fight bigger interest premiums.

US Suffering FROM THE Next Most significant Home Price CORRECTION OF THE Write-up-WWII Era

“There are some trends that we can see now when we go from desire premiums of 2{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}. You have been chatting a 3{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}, I’ve received a 2{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} [interest rate] myself,” Lewis said. “So it truly is like, wow, that’s hard to get out of your mouth, correct? But when you go from there, to 6{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}, the dollar costs extra. Something’s bought to give.”

Global Actual Estate adviser Jenna Stauffer shares her perception on the place she feels the housing current market is headed in 2023 on ‘Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Road.’

New info from the Property finance loan Bankers Association shows that home loan software quantity strike its least expensive level in far more than 20 many years in the very last 7 days of December. However, the persons who are acquiring properties are now dealing with an average 6.52{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} 30-year-fixed house loan amount, just about double the typical 3.3{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} fee at the end of 2020.

US Household Value GAINS Fall SHARPLY IN NOVEMBER AS Increasing Home loan Premiums Interesting HOUSING Market

“I just obtained off the cellphone with Greg Lewis, my brother in Richmond, Virginia, and he has 3 delivers on [a property] right now. I’ve obtained a assets proper below in New York City that was under the $1.5M mark, we acquired multiple bids,” Lewis ongoing. “The matter is, it is really likely to cost those prospective buyers extra revenue to obtain the very same thing they could have bought a yr back for a whole lot considerably less. So it all will come down to that month to month payment.”

In addition to the burden of a “limited” housing stock, prospective buyers are also making an attempt beat increased curiosity premiums. (Ting Shen/Xinhua through Getty Illustrations or photos / Getty Pictures)

However, Lewis uncovered some optimism in his examination.

“I think that housing is a passionate human have to have. And that’s why I just truly feel like, if you can get an option, and you are a customer, and you might be in a sector where by you can get a excellent selling price, you are by no means going to time the market place, appropriate?” he reported. “Get in there. If it tends to make perception for your daily life, do it.”

November 26, 2022

Warning issued to female realtors, real estate agents about sex offender

(WXYZ) — A warning has been issued to female actual estate agents about a male who could be a danger.

Realtor Amy Stack with Prosper Realty Organization claimed by and large, most interactions with potential consumers and sellers are very little out of the everyday. Nevertheless a few weeks back, she said she experienced a odd interaction with a male who observed her information on the internet.

“Unfortunately, it will come with the territory of currently being a woman agent,” Stack said.

She said she experienced again-to-back missed cell phone calls from the guy who claimed he wished to provide a warehouse he owns with his mom in Detroit.

“First detail he remarked on was that he observed me on-line, saw my photograph and that he knew that I could get the job done,” Stack recalled.

When she returned the phone, Stack claimed purple flags popped up one particular after a further.

“He had claimed he required to choose me purchasing and to church,” she said. “I understood at that level that like I just need to get this man off the cellular phone and say whichever he wanted to hear, so I could then block his number.”

She reported she ran a background check out on the man by applying an app known as Forewarn. She claimed she takes advantage of it routinely.

“He experienced a good deal of frightening rates that are brought up,” Stack stated.

The man is a registered intercourse offender with the very first offense in 2003.

Realtor Rachel Blue with Elite Realty mentioned her discussion with the person also begun on the phone. She obtained the phone in August.

“He asked if I wanted to come glance at the making. I stated, ‘Sure that’s great.’ And then he claimed, ‘Are you heading to bring any person?’ That was my purple flag,” she recalled.

“And I reported, ‘Yes, I’m likely to deliver my photographer to take some photos.’ (He replied,) ‘You do not will need to mainly because I previously have photographs,'” Blue ongoing.

She mentioned he instructed her make sure to put on designer boots. The instances he arrived to the business, she was not there. However, he remaining voicemails that 7 Action News listened to. In 1 of them, he was irritated she hadn’t return his simply call.

Blue said she seemed thoroughly and could not uncover the house the person claimed to individual.

A short while ago, an corporation termed Realcomp set out this internal bulletin for realtors, as well as the Larger Metropolitan Realtors Association, to beware of a sexual intercourse offender behaving surprisingly towards feminine realtors.

“And I was like, ‘Oh, this is the man,'” Stack recalled her reaction.

Blue recalled, “It was actually stunning.”

“It’s form of sad that an individual does this to 14 men and women and you will find no consequences,” Stack mentioned.

Blue claimed, “Personally, it was not like a legislation enforcement issue for me. It was type of like an awareness.”

She claimed she carries hid and that brokers are inspired to get a self-defense program.

Blue claimed, “I have an app on my phone exactly where my loved ones is aware of exactly where I am going. Just about every time I go to showings, I send my place out (declaring), ‘Hey, this is exactly where I am heading.’ If I stress about it, I attempt and take somebody with me. Even with women… it will not subject, male (or) female, you want to consider the exact same safeguards.”

Nathan Boji, president of the Larger Metropolitan Association of Realtors said, “We are seriously adamant about educating on safety and fantastic industry practices.”

He stated September is Realtor Protection Month. Boji stated GMAR done courses for its 11,000 members on subject areas like situational recognition and self-protection techniques.

Also, techniques like parking on the avenue as an alternative of the driveway, not permitting another person get concerning you and the doorway were being mentioned, letting other individuals know if you have showings, and getting another person with you.

“We do get it really very seriously. We do converse about it all through the year,” Boji said.