BOLIVIA
U.S. citizens now must obtain a visa to enter Bolivia. It was called “a matter of reciprocity” by President Evo Morales because Bolivians must get visas to travel to the U.S.
HONG KONG
A smoking ban in many public places went into effect Jan. 1, making Hong Kong an unusually smoke-free city by Asian standards. The ban covers workplaces, restaurants, even beaches, sports stadiums and large areas of parks. The ban does not include bars or nightclubs, mahjong or massage parlors, or bath houses.
SPAIN
A bombing blamed on the Basque separatist group ETA flattened a five-story parking garage at Madrid’s international airport Dec. 30, injuring 26 and leaving two Ecuadorian immigrants missing. The bombing also flattened the peace process to end the decades-long Basque separatist conflict, which appeared to be close to a resolution. ETA had declared a cease-fire in March that it called permanent, vowing to pursue a negotiated settlement with the government.
TAIWAN
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Taiwan Dec. 26 and damaged undersea telecommunications cables, affecting Internet, banking and telephone services around the Pacific Rim. Much of the service has been restored, but repairs to the cables are expected to take as long as a month.
THAILAND
A series of seven bombings struck Bangkok on New Year’s Eve. The final two occurred near the World Trade Center shopping mall where Bangkok’s main New Year’s celebration was to take place. Three Thais died in the first wave of bombings, and some 40 people in all were injured, including six foreign tourists. The military council that staged a coup in September and later appointed an interim government blamed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and renegade army officers for the bombings, but produced no evidence. Security has been increased throughout Bangkok, but the city is going about its business. Most tourists appear to have continued their vacations, with little evidence of unplanned departures or canceled reservations.
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Compiled from various news services and travel sources. For the latest on world conditions, check the State Department’s automated service at 888-407-4747; fax 202-647-3000; travel.state.gov.
