CHINA
The Yellow River is at its lowest level in 50 years, and millions in northern China face water shortages this summer. Chinese officials reported that more than half the watersheds of China’s seven major rivers are contaminated, with pollution levels in the Yellow River at or beyond China’s worst measurement. Only a quarter of China’s household sewage is treated.
THE GAMBIA
The government imposed an indefinite 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew throughout the country June 8 to stem anti-Senegalese violence brought on by a soccer rivalry with The Gambia’s nearest neighbor. A June 7 qualifying match in the African Nations Cup between The Gambia and Senegal in Dakar ended in victory for Senegal. Senegalese hooligans later attacked the Gambian players and supporters. Word of the beatings brought out rioters June 8 in Banjul, Serekunda and Farafenni who vandalized and looted Senegalese shops, set up roadblocks to find Senegalese nationals and beat them when discovered.
INDIA
The monsoon finally arrived to bring relief to a scorched subcontinent where a three-week heat wave kept temperatures as high as 120 degrees and killed more than 1,200 people. Clean water is critically short in large parts of India because of recent droughts.
TIBET
The border with Nepal, which Chinese authorities had closed April 27 as part of an effort to prevent SARS from reaching Tibet, is set to reopen July 1.
SERBIA
Serbia opened its borders June 6 for visa-free entry to citizens from 40 countries, including the U.S. and the E.U.
For the latest on world conditions, check the State Department’s automated service at 888-407-4747; fax 202-647-3000; travel.state.gov.
