ARGENTINA
Argentina’s only certified air traffic control radar was struck by lightning March 1 and is still broken, leaving the country without functioning radar to track flights in its airspace. Since then controllers have been guiding planes using information radioed by pilots. There reportedly have been five near-collisions since March 9.
IRELAND
Authorities in Galway have urged residents and visitors to drink bottled water or to boil tap water before drinking to avoid cryptosporidiosis, a disease that causes diarrhea. Officials are increasing the supply of water from outside the affected area and plan to replace the suspect plant. The affected area includes Galway City and environs.
RUSSIA
Foreigners must leave their passports at their hotels on arrival to be registered by authorities, but police can detain and hold for several hours any traveler not carrying a passport. This situation creates opportunities for police to extort bribes from visitors who head for Red Square without their passports. According to Moscow’s Association of Guides and Tour Managers, this happens all the time, so often that the group sent a letter of protest to the Kremlin and the federal government, but has had no response in a month.
TIBET
Visiting Tibet is more complicated now that Chinese authorities have imposed new restrictions on foreigners following a protest by five Americans who unfurled a banner at the Mt. Everest base camp. Tourists can no longer travel independently outside Lhasa, and all permits for travel to Tibet now must be approved by the Tibetan Travel Bureau’s head office in Lhasa, causing delays.
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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
