News Watch
Current warnings for January 2009
As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 27 destinations: Nepal, Pakistan, Eritrea, Somalia, Chad, Kenya, Yemen, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Iran, Georgia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Algeria, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka,
Democratic Republic of Congo
The Department of State warns that certain regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in the east, remain dangerous. Travelers should avoid Goma and environs.
Mumbai terror attacks
A coordinated attack by a terrorist group at seven sites in Mumbai, India, beginning Nov. 26 left 195 people dead, including 22 foreigners, and more than 300 wounded.
Eritrea tensions
The Department of State recommends deferring travel to Eritrea due to restrictions on travel outside the capital city of Asmara and heightened tensions along Eritrea’s borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti, with large numbers of troops stationed there.
Pakistan quake
A magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck in southwest Pakistan on Oct. 29. Hundreds of people died in several villages and an estimated 12,000 people were left homeless as 1,500 homes and buildings collapsed.
Sudan dangers
The Department of State continues to warn US citizens against all travel to Sudan, particularly in the Darfur area, where violence between government forces and various armed militias continues. Westerners have been victims of carjacking and armed robbery.
Bolivia reforms
In Bolivia, Congress has agreed to hold a referendum in January 2009 on the controversial new constitution that the president proposed. It is hoped this will quell recent widespread protests, which occasionally turned violent, especially in the lowland eastern provinces.
Kyrgyzstan quake
A magnitude-6.6 earthquake struck in the province of Osh, Kyrgyzstan, on Oct. 6, leveling about 100 buildings and killing over 70 people. The mountain village of Nura, near the China border, suffered greatly.
Israel, West Bank & Gaza
Although a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas went into effect June 19, 2008, the Gaza Strip continues to be a potential center of violence between Israeli security forces and Palestinian terrorist groups.
More bombings in India
In the troubled far-northeastern region of India, nine explosions shook Guwahati and three towns in western Assam on Oct. 31, leaving 75 dead and over 300 injured in the worst bombings in the militancy-hit state’s history.
Current warnings for December 2008
As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 27 destinations: Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan, Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Yemen, Iran, Georgia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Algeria, Kenya, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Chad, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Eritrea,
Rebels overrun Virunga
Rebel fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo overran a major army camp in late October, killing a number of government soldiers and civilians.
Roatan unrest
On Roatan, one of Honduras’ Bay Islands, residents protesting increases in the price of electricity blocked roads and demonstrated widely in October. The US Embassy advises not trying to pass through roadblocks.
Bombs in Sana’a
The Department of State recommends deferring nonessential travel to Yemen. On Sept. 17, terrorists set off a number of explosions near the main gate at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a.
Somalis fleeing
In 1991, Somalia’s dictator was overthrown by warlords, and the country has not had a stable government since.
Clashes in Thailand
In Thailand, demonstrations and strikes by both anti- and pro-government factions disrupted travel at airports and rail stations in September.
Islamabad bombing
Just hours after Asif Ali Zardari was sworn in as the new president of Pakistan on Sept. 20, a truck bomb exploded in front of the Marriott in Islamabad.
Current warnings for November 2008
As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 28 destinations: Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Yemen, Bolivia, Iran, Georgia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Algeria, Kenya, Colombia, Democratic R
Afghanistan dangerous
The Department of State warns that no part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against Western nationals at any time.
Floods in northern India and Nepal
Monsoon-swollen rivers overran their banks, broke dams and levies and caused devastating floods in Nepal and in India’s northeastern regions of Bihar, Assam, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh in August and September — the worst floods there in over 50 years.