Latest news with #Aruba
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
20 years after Natalee Holloway vanished, suspect's confession still leaves questions: PI
Graphic content warning Twenty years have passed since 18-year-old Natalee Holloway of Alabama disappeared on May 30, 2005, during a senior trip to Aruba with her high school friends, but the Holloway family's private investigator says there are still many unanswered questions in the case. In 2023, 36-year-old Dutch national Joran van der Sloot, the primary suspect in Holloway's disappearance and murder, confessed to bashing the teenager's head with a brick and dumping her body in the ocean after she refused his advances. "I smash her head in with it completely," van der Sloot said in an Oct. 3, 2023, interview with federal authorities. "Her face basically, you know, collapses in. Even though it's dark, I can see her face is collapsed in." TJ Ward, a private investigator hired by Holloway's family in 2005 and again in 2010, does not believe he acted alone. "Twenty years, can you believe that?" he told Fox News Digital in an interview this week, marking two decades since the 18-year-old graduate vanished from Carlos'n Charlie's, a restaurant and nightclub in Oranjestad, Aruba. "She had a bright future. She got a scholarship to go to college for medical school – ubelievable." Ward does work for a voice analysis company based in Israel, which paid the private investigator to travel to Aruba after Holloway disappeared. There, he met with her parents as well as the FBI and Aruba authorities. Ward said he used the voice analysis technology on van de Sloot's existing interviews at the time and determined that he was lying to authorities and to the public. "We knew numerous times along the course of the investigation [and] over the last few years that Joran van der Sloot was not telling the truth," Ward said. "Thereafter, we started locating witnesses and talking and finding information that was going on with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, and we knew a lot of the information that Van der Sloot was communicating was not true." Holloway was last seen leaving Carlos'n Charlie's with van der Sloot and two other men, brothers Satish and Deepak Kalpoe, on the evening of May 30, two decades ago as of Friday. The three men were considered early suspects in the case. Police arrested van der Sloot but eventually released him due to a lack of evidence. Authorities eyed the same suspects again in 2007 after uncovering "new facts" but wound up releasing them once more. Holloway's remains have never been found. Five years to the day after Holloway's disappearance, van der Sloot killed 21-year-old Stephany Flores, a business student from a wealthy Peruvian family who crossed paths with the killer on May 30, 2010. Van der Sloot later confessed to killing her in a fit of anger after she learned about his connection to Holloway's disappearance. They had met earlier in her father's casino in Lima, and he beat her to death in his hotel room the following morning. In June 2010, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama announced an indictment on extortion and wire fraud charges against Van der Sloot for allegedly trying to sell information about the whereabouts of her body to her family. "Joran contacted Natalie's mother and Natalie's attorney, John Q. Kelly, in New York and said that for $250,000 he would tell Beth exactly what happened to his daughter," Ward said. "So John Q. Kelly, along with the FBI, arranged to set up a room in the Marriott with the Aruban authorities … and Joran van der Sloot came in and started telling Beth and John Q. Kelly that Natalie was buried under a house in the concrete. Well, they in turn gave him $25,000 cash, on film, and he then departed. He should have been arrested right then and there for the FBI for trying to extort Natalie's mother." He then left the United States and later told Beth Holloway and Kelly that he lied. Van der Sloot is currently serving prison time in Peru for Flores' murder. He is expected to be released in 2036, at which point Peruvian authorities will extradite him back to the United States to serve his concurrent 20-year sentence for Holloway's murder. AUDIO: LISTEN TO JORAN VAN DER SLOOT'S CONFESSION "You have brutally murdered, in separate incidents, years apart, two young women who refused your sexual advances," Judge Anna Manasco told van der Sloot in court in 2023, referencing Flores' murder. Manasco called the extortion and fraud charges "heinous" because the killer knew the information he was selling was a lie to make a profit. However, as part of the deal, she said federal prosecutors have agreed not to use his confession against him for any other purposes. "After 18 years, Natalee's case has been solved," Beth Holloway told reporters outside the courthouse immediately after van der Sloot's 2023 sentencing hearing in Holloway's death. "Joran van der Sloot is the killer." "You are a killer, and I want you to remember that every time that jail door slams." In a victim-impact statement during the hearing, Holloway's mother tore into van der Sloot, saying he taunted her family and caused indescribable pain before turning to him and saying, "You look like hell." Ward told Fox News Digital this week that Beth Holloway feels "kind of satisfied with the fact that he is in prison, and now he's gotten jail time in the United States, which he's going to have to do concurrent to the charges in Peru of the 20 years in the United States in the federal penitentiary. " The private investigator added that he continues to stay in touch with Dave Holloway to this day and that they have not reached "a finalization of what happened." "Even though Joran van der Sloot confessed in 2023, we're not convinced that he was alone with what transpired with Natalee Halloway," Ward said. "But again, our conclusion, as of today, Dave Holloway and I are still looking and trying to gather information, which we believe that there's other people involved with Joran van der Sloot when she was on the beach in May 30, 2005." Ward said he does not believe van der Sloot acted alone, and he is still working to determine if others were involved.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Forbes
These Are The 'Fastest-Rising' International Destinations, According To New Tripadvisor Report
NEVSEHIR, TURKIYE: Hot air balloons fly over volcanos at Cappadocia, one of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site which is famous for its fairy chimneys. Planning an unforgettable summer holiday requires striking a careful balance between ticking off all the boxes in terms of itinerary and climate while also avoiding the best-known spots that can sometimes fall victim to overtourism and major crowds. It turns out that many American travelers are opting for lesser-visited destinations in order to do just that. In fact, Tripadvisor recently released its Summer Travel Index, which has uncovered the biggest trends in summer destinations, spotlighting the up-and-coming destinations that have travelers intrigued. The following international destinations were named the 'fastest-rising' spots for American travelers looking to stray from the more well-known hotspots around the world. Punta Sam was named the number one 'fastest-rising' destination for American travelers. The residential neighborhood north of Cancun boasts stunning beaches and great properties but is still a little less crowded than its northern neighbor. Divers swim around the Pedernales shipwreck off the coast of Noord in Aruba. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images) The Noord region of Aruba is already pretty well-known as a tourist destination; it's plenty with high-rise hotels, casinos, and beautiful white sand beaches. A lot of American travelers are foregoing Barcelona due to overtourism and instead are considering Puerto Rico. It boasts stunning beaches, great nightlife, and less than three rainy days, on average, per month. Cap Estate in the north of St. Lucia is known for its high-end accommodations and golf course. Here you'll find luxury hotels and villas with unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea. GOREME, TURKEY: A view of Anatolian Houses Hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey. The Turkish region of Cappadocia boasts one of Europe's most dramatic landscapes. Lava and White ash mixed with floodwaters to form a hard, sun baked layer known as Tufa. This coating gradually eroded to create spectacular geological formations like the area's famous "fairy chimneys". People have been carving cave homes, underground cities, monasteries and churches out of the landscape here for 10,000 years, that was used largely by hiding Christians fearful of persecution. (Photo by) Göreme is certainly a popular travel destination already but not when compared to Istanbul, which is one of the most visited cities in the world. It's here travelers can experience the infamous hot air balloons and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Located on the Riviera Maya, Akumal is a relatively small tourist resort community. It's well-loved for its warm waters, white sand beaches, and coral reef. Asakusa shopping street is one of the old city of Tokyo near Sensoji Temple, Nakamise shopping street. Asakusa shopping street the one of tourist destination to looking for culture food, sweets and souvenirs. Asakusa is in the northeastern area of Tokyo and is famous for its preservation of the Tokyo of yesteryear. It boasts traditional craft and street food sellers, original architecture, and the ancient Sensō-ji temple. Kraków has become a rising star for American travelers considering Europe. The former capital city of Poland is quite a bit less expensive than big cities to the west and boasts a well-preserved old town and a rich contemporary art scene. Tucked in between Negril and Montego Bay, Lucea boasts beautiful beaches (including public beaches) and great historical monuments and museums to explore.
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Travel + Leisure
7 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
Frontier Has a New Route to a Gorgeous Caribbean Island—and Fares Start at $109
Visiting the island of Aruba just got easier and cheaper. Low-cost airline Frontier recently launched service between Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and Aruba's Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA). The flights will operate three times a week, and, in celebration of the new route, the carrier is offering discounted tickets from $109. The nearly four-hour flight will operate nonstop and depart Atlanta at 10:33 a.m., arriving in Aruba at 2:29 p.m. Frontier will offer a variety of cabin service and packages on the flight, ranging from Basic Economy to a "Business Bundle," which includes an upfront seat assignment with an empty middle seat. Located just north of the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is a popular island destination for travelers in the Caribbean Sea. "Aruba maintained a high level of visitor satisfaction in 2024, with a monthly average satisfaction score of 9 out of a possible 10," Aruba Tourism Authority CEO Ronella Croes shared in the nation's annual tourism report. The new flight route comes at a time when Aruba is seeing a surge in popularity among leisure travelers. Aruba had more than 1.4 million overnight visitors in 2024, which was a 13 percent increase over the previous year, according to published tourism data. The report also specifies that North America travelers increased 11 percent over the time period. Not surprisingly, the island is home to stunning beaches, including Eagle Beach, which was named the No. 1 beach in the Caribbean by Tripadvisor. Frontier has been on the move adding new routes to its network. As part of the Aruba announcement, Frontier also announced new service to Oklahoma City (OKC) and Kansas City (MCI) from Atlanta as well, and those flights have introductory fares of $79. 'These new routes, including service to the beautiful island paradise of Aruba, underscore our mission to prove that air travel can be both exceptional and affordable,' Josh Flyr, Frontier's vice president of network and operations design, shared in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. All of the promotional fares must be purchased by June 9 at 11:59 p.m. and are valid for travel through Nov. 19, 2025.
Time Out
16-05-2025
- Time Out
Cape Town Taste Test: A new arrival on Kloof Street
The new kid on the Kloof Street block is Aruba. Offering diners an experience that merges Mediterranean food with a Caribbean twist, Aruba's tapas-style menu and laid-back setting is the perfect addition to the thriving dining scene. Founded by two friends, Daniel Kruger and Murray Hunter-Smith - who share a passion for food and restaurants, Aruba came to life from a dream that was once thought to be impossible. "I had been thinking about it for a really long time, but I never thought it was going to happen because property in Cape Town is really hard to find. Unless it was the right property, I wouldn't have wanted to do it. I was driving down the road one day and I saw that this property was up for rent. I was out with Murray the one night and said, 'Murray, I have an idea, come meet me for coffee tomorrow morning'," shares Daniel. Daniel adds that although they faced challenges at the start, their perseverance to create a space that embodies what they love the most about dining came to life. "It was a long process of deciding what we wanted to do because we didn't get an interior designer or anyone to help us with the design. We sat together every day and decided what we would do. As a result, everything in the restaurant has been thought out by the two of us and we got it made specifically to match what we wanted." Murray adds: "We sort of built the place that we both like to sit, eat and drink at." The restaurant concept Aptly named Aruba, Daniel emphasises that their main objective was to create a vacation-like experience for diners. "We always joke that it is an all-inclusive resort and we want our diners to feel like they are on holiday. Our setting is very colourful with our striking blue bar area and curated spaces to ensure our diners feel like they are at Aruba," Daniel explains. The restaurant aims to offer diners a 'communal' setting, with Aruba's neighbours planning to open in the next two months and share the outdoor balcony dining space. Mediterranean flair with a Caribbean twist Led by chef Darren Allsopp, the menu, while small, has been tailored to exude fresh and simple ingredients of the Mediterranean coastline and the bold, spicy notes of Caribbean fare. After hearing about the popular spot and its offering, Time Out Cape Town headed to Aruba to sample some of its dishes. As a crowd favourite, the gnocchi, served with a coconut sauce that exudes warm spice and earthy flavours, did not disappoint. The contrast between the soft gnocchi paired with the crunchy sweet potato crisp topping and pumpkin seeds made me silently nod as I savoured each bite. Opting to try the coconut and black bean rice dish - a coconut risotto rice with fried black beans, peppers and onions, I very quickly learnt after the first bite that this is not your average bean and rice dish. The creamy texture and hearty flavours make for a notable dish to try as we head into the colder months. Another popular menu offering is the calamari tentacles served as crispy heads with aioli and lime. The calamari skewers feature a smoky BBQ glaze and mango sauce topped with cashew herb crumb and crispy buttermilk tentacles. For dessert, while the cheesecake is a top pick, I decided to venture out and try the spicy pineapple; a vegan option of grilled pineapple with maple and chilli glaze served with vegan ice-cream. Upon first bite, I can strongly confirm that they put the 'spicy' in spicy pineapple, but I savoured it with the ice-cream - a surprisingly good pairing! While this may not be for everyone's palate, the experimentation of contrasting flavours between spicy and hot and sweet and cold showcases the restaurants approach to experimentation and complex flavouring. More about Aruba The cocktail offering features the classics such as mojitos, Mai Tais and Aperol spritz. Other stand outs and unique drinks include the hard iced tea and hard lemonade. As someone who doesn't drink often, I opted for the mocktail hard ice tea which was both refreshing and sweet. Though the restaurant may seem modest at first glance, its bold, flavour-rich dishes reveal a culinary experience that is both thoughtful and delicious. Notably, if you are in the mood for a lazy Sunday dining experience, Aruba has launched Sangria Sundays, offering R25 oysters all day and Sangria jugs with a steel or marimba band performing live. 108 Kloof Street and offers on-street parking.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Do You Know Your Network? Part 3: Switches, VLANs, Wireless, and the Art of Structured Connectivity
The router may be the gatekeeper, but it's the switches, VLANs, Wi-Fi access points, and security architecture that truly determine the strength and scalability of your network. Image: Supplied / Kathea By Benjamin Liebenberg Walk into any server room or network cabinet, and you'll often know exactly how that business the cabling looks like spaghetti and unmanaged switches hang like ornaments, chances are good that the network — and perhaps the company — is reacting, not planning. The router may be the gatekeeper, but it's the switches, VLANs, Wi-Fi access points, and security architecture that truly determine the strength and scalability of your network. This is where control happens. Where segmentation lives. Where performance is won or lost. Switches: More Than Ports and Blinking Lights The humble network switch doesn't get nearly the recognition it a modern business network, switches are the invisible hands directing internal traffic with precision. Every file shared, every print job sent, every VoIP call made inside your building likely travels through one. But not all switches are created equal. Many smaller offices still rely on unmanaged switches — basic, inexpensive boxes with no oversight. They're fine for simple tasks, but in today's security-focused, multi-tenant environments, they pose risks. Managed switches, on the other hand, provide control: Assign VLANs per port. Monitor bandwidth and spot anomalies. Prioritize traffic using QoS. Harden access through port security. Popular Enterprise Switch Brands: Cisco Catalyst Series – the gold standard for managed, scalable enterprise switching. Aruba (HPE) – smart switching with deep integration into wireless infrastructure. Ubiquiti UniFi – ideal for small/medium businesses that need visibility without the complexity. Netgear ProSAFE – affordable, managed solutions for growing networks. Juniper EX Series – high-performance data center switches with robust automation. Smart switches don't just connect — they govern. VLANs: Drawing Invisible Walls A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) lets you segment your internal network — not by cables, but by logic. Imagine creating invisible, policy-driven boundaries around departments, device types, or access levels. Need to isolate guest users? Create a a dedicated channel for IP phones or surveillance cameras? shouldn't live on the same network as public displays or R&D — and they don't have to. The best part? You can do this all from your switch interface or central network controller. Wi-Fi: Convenience With a Catch Wireless access is a lifeline — but also a vulnerability. A solid wireless strategy blends coverage, control, and compliance: Use multiple SSIDs linked to VLANs to separate traffic. Centralize authentication through RADIUS and 802.1X . Apply band steering , AP isolation , and load balancing for performance and safety. Top Enterprise Wi-Fi Solutions: Aruba Networks (HPE) – intelligent, cloud-managed Wi-Fi with AI-powered optimization. Cisco Meraki – plug-and-play enterprise Wi-Fi with deep analytics and remote management. Ubiquiti UniFi APs – cost-effective, scalable Wi-Fi with visual dashboards. Ruckus Wireless (CommScope) – high-density wireless with smart antenna tech. Fortinet FortiAPs – secure Wi-Fi integrated into broader firewall and threat management. Bonus: Always start with a Wi-Fi site survey using tools like Ekahau, NetSpot, or Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps to plan placement, eliminate dead zones, and optimize coverage. Security: Hardening the Interior Threats don't always knock at the front door. Many sneak in through poorly segmented networks, rogue access points, or forgotten open ports. Modern switches and wireless systems must support: 802.1X for endpoint authentication. Network Access Control (NAC) to ensure device compliance. Port isolation , MAC filtering , and guest access control . This internal hardening is no longer optional — it's foundational. VPNs: Extend the Network, Not the Risk VPNs are essential — but they must be implemented securely. Whether you're bridging offices or empowering remote workers, consider: IPSec for full tunnel encryption. SSL VPNs for browser-based app access. MFA (multi-factor authentication) and device compliance checks before granting access. Ensure your VPN infrastructure supports role-based access and logs every session. Integrations with Fortinet, Cisco AnyConnect, OpenVPN, or Cloudflare Tunnel can all offer enterprise-grade access. The Often-Neglected Layer: Cabling and Planning Your network is only as good as its physical foundation. A poorly managed cabling setup leads to: Longer downtimes during troubleshooting. Accidental disconnects. Fire risks and signal interference. Network Cabling Best Practices: Use labeled patch panels and color-coded cables by purpose (e.g., VLANs, uplinks, PoE). Maintain tight, vertical cable runs using Velcro (not zip ties). Follow TIA/EIA standards for horizontal and backbone cabling. Document every port, MAC address, VLAN, and purpose — preferably inside a network planning tool . Recommended Planning & Mapping Tools: NetBox – open-source IP address and device inventory management. Lucidchart / – simple visual topology mapping. SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper – automated scanning and map generation. Microsoft Visio – classic enterprise-standard for physical and logical network layouts. Final Thought: Order, Not Chaos The best networks are quiet, invisible — and intentional.A strong core of managed switches, segmented VLANs, properly secured wireless, and logical remote access makes the difference between constant firefighting and effortless scalability. When your team grows, a new building opens, or a new vulnerability emerges — will your network respond with clarity or confusion? Get to know your network. Really know it. Because performance, security, and future readiness all start here. * Benjamin Liebenberg is CTO at Kathea Communication. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
