Following reports of German citizens being detained at U.S. borders despite possessing visas or ESTA authorization, Germany’s Foreign Ministry updated its travel advisory. The ministry clarified that neither a visa nor ESTA guarantees U.S. entry, emphasizing that border officials make the final determination. This advisory, while not a formal travel warning, advises German citizens to carry return travel documentation and contact the Department of Homeland Security if denied entry. The U.S. Department of State confirmed that entry is determined by border officials and that visa issuance aligns with Executive Order 14168.
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A whistleblower complaint filed with FinCEN alleges that Mastercard and Visa knowingly facilitated money laundering related to child sexual abuse material and sex trafficking on OnlyFans. The complaint, submitted by a senior financial compliance expert, claims the payment processors ignored evidence of illicit activity despite prior warnings. While both Mastercard and Visa deny the allegations and assert zero-tolerance policies, the complaint also notes prior attempts to alert the companies in 2021 and 2022. OnlyFans, which previously attempted to curb explicit content before reversing that decision, has yet to comment.
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Beginning January 1st, Azerbaijan will reciprocate Russia’s new 90-day visa-free entry limit for foreign nationals by implementing the same restriction on Russian citizens. This decision follows Azerbaijan’s announcement of planned amendments to its entry rules for Russians. The move is a direct response to Russia’s own policy changes regarding foreign visitor stays. The timing coincides with ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries stemming from a recent Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan.
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John Q. Hosedrinker