State Department Issues Global Travel Alert Warning Of Potential For Terrorist Attacks

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The State Department Friday issued a global travel alert in light of threats against American embassies.

The department said in a statement posted online that the potential for terrorism is particularly heightened in the Middle East and North Africa.

The statement also said that an attack could occur or come from the Arabian Peninsula, KNX 1070’s Jon Baird reported. U.S. Issues Global Travel AlertJon Baird

But many travelers departing from Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX weren’t fazed by the alert.

“If we were to fear every warning of a possible terrorist attack, we would probably have to stay in our homes,” one traveler said.

“This kind of news [occurs] all the time so you kind of don’t know to take what serious, what not,” another traveler said.

Destinations for those waiting in line included: Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Africa, and Pakistan, CBS2's Dave Lopez reported. Emirates Airline, Turkish Air, and other carriers headed to the region said they had very few cancellations.

Meantime, the State Department urged U.S. citizens to be aware of their surroundings and to stay away from unattended luggage. Also, travelers were cautioned not to hang around large hotel lobbies.

“Because of the travel alert, people will be a little more alert. A little more attentive. People checking in to their bags and people will watch their bags and won’t leave them unattended,” said another traveler.

The alert comes in the wake of information of an alleged al Qaeda plot, according to intelligence agents. The alert is set to expire at the end of this month.

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UCLA Officials Accused Of Spending $2M On ‘Lavish’ Travel

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LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Questions are being raised about what some call lavish travel and entertainment spending by UCLA officials over the past five years.

The Center for Investigative Reporting’s review of university spending from 2008 to 2012 documented $2 million in expenditures by the chancellor and academic deans on high-priced plane tickets, chauffeured cars and hotel stays.

At the same time, tuition has risen roughly 70 percent.

UCLA Officials Accused Of Lavish Travel SpendingPete Demetriou

Daniella, who works at UCLA, says costs do mount up for travel. KNX1070's Pete Demetriou asked her if there has been some creative submitting of invoices to bend the rules.

“It’s fun to spend money and I think that’s where some of the confusion is,” she said.
Six deans used doctors’ notes as a means to circumvent UC travel policies and to purchase business and first class airfare.

Judy Olian, the dean of the Anderson School of Management, has been $647,000 on travel and lodging over the past five years.

UCLA officials defend the expenditures in some cases as necessary for donor relations or to generate private funding or research grants for the university. blog comments powered by Disqus

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