Archive for 2007

Belgium: Security Tightened in Brussels after Police Quash Jailbreak Plan

Date: December 26th, 2007 |

Police increased security in Brussels Dec. 21 when they uncovered a plan by suspected Islamists to free an imprisoned al-Qaeda sympathizer. Police arrested 14 suspects involved in the plot that allegedly included a possible Christmas attack using weapons and explosives. As a precaution, security was tightened in public places such as the metro system, railways [read more]

Trinidad and Tobago: More Soldiers to Patrol with Police until Carnival

Date: December 26th, 2007 |

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The national security ministry mobilized soldiers to join police patrols from Christmas through Carnival in February in response to rising crime. The soldiers will help police patrol cities and towns, especially malls and shopping areas, entertainment centers and beaches. Officials expect that the military presence will deter criminals. Further, in response to a wave of [read more]

United States: New Airline Restrictions on Lithium Batteries

Date: December 26th, 2007 |

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Beginning Jan. 1, lithium batteries will be prohibited from checked baggage on all flights. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires that spare lithium batteries be packed in carry-on bags with their terminals covered as a precaution against short-circuiting that could spark a fire. Loose batteries should be isolated from each other and should not be [read more]

Ecuador: Armed Robberies on Pichincha Volcano Hiking Trails Outside Quito

Date: December 19th, 2007 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported that violent crime on Pichincha volcano on the outskirts of Quito has been increasing and recommends that visitors do not hike to the summit even if in groups or beginning at the top of the Teleferico cable car. Several armed assaults have occurred in recent months with groups as [read more]

Nicaragua: Crime Up in Managua

Date: December 19th, 2007 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Managua reported receiving numerous reports that robberies and assaults are increasing, and that incidents of luggage pilfering at Managua’s international airport have occurred. Embassy officials advised personnel to be more aware of their surroundings during the holiday season, when crime tends to increase, and to be especially cautious when driving because [read more]

India: Visa Applications Must Be Made Online

Date: December 26th, 2007 |

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Getting a visa to visit India now requires an application filled out online. The new regulation began Oct. 1 and is intended to streamline the application process. Once filled out, the form must be printed and mailed with other papers, including proof of state residence such as a copy of a driver’s license or utility [read more]

United Kingdom: Airport Workers’ Strike May Disrupt Travel

Date: December 26th, 2007 |

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Workers at seven U.K. airports plan a series of strikes to protest changes to airport operator BAA’s pension plan. The first two strikes will be for 24 hours on Jan. 7 and 14, and the third strike will be for 48 hours beginning Jan. 17. Striking workers include firefighters, maintenance and security personnel and clerical [read more]

Cambodia and Thailand: One Visa Good for Both Countries

Date: December 19th, 2007 |

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Foreign ministers from both countries signed an agreement Dec. 17 to allow foreign tourists to enter either country on a single visa. The move is an effort to streamline tourism to the region and if it proves successful may also be adopted by Laos, Vietnam and Burma (Myanmar). If that occurs a traveler could visit [read more]

Marshall Islands: Bikini Atoll May Close to Divers Because of Bankrupt Airline

Date: December 19th, 2007 |

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The top tourist attraction in the islands may be forced to close because there may no longer be an efficient way to get there. Bikini Atoll, home to a sunken World War II navy fleet, site of 23 atmospheric atomic bomb tests from 1946 through 1958 and a popular dive site, may have to shut [read more]

Tibet: Funding Planned to Upgrade Lhasa Toilets

Date: December 19th, 2007 |

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Tourism to Tibet has increased dramatically since the opening of the rail link to Lhasa in 2006, with more than a million visitors this year to the Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, and some 4 million tourists overall. With that influx comes pressure on facilities of all sorts, so Chinese tourism [read more]