BOLIVIA
The U.S. Embassy in La Paz reported March 14 that airlines flying to Bolivia have recently been refusing to accept passengers who do not have valid yellow fever vaccinations.
CANADA
Toronto transit workers could strike April 1 if they don’t reach a deal with the transit commission on a new labor agreement.
GUATEMALA
Four Belgian tourists and two locals were abducted and held hostage for two days by Mayan farmers on Lake Izabal in a dispute over land use. The Mayans have been pressing the government to recognize their traditional farming rights to land in the area.
THAILAND
Officials in Phuket have vowed to provide whistles to women visiting the popular tourist island after the murder in broad daylight of a 27-year-old Swedish woman walking alone on Mai Khao beach. In other news, the U.S. State Department warned against travel to the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla because of ongoing attacks by Muslim insurgents.
TIBET
Rioting occurred in Lhasa after several days of peaceful marches to mark the 49th anniversary of the failed uprising against Chinese rule and the Dalai Lama’s exile. Chinese security forces put down the protests in which at least 13 people were killed (an estimate by the Dalai Lama’s officials said 99 people died).
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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.
