China
Authorities cracked down on far western Xinjiang province, where ethnic riots in July killed nearly 200 people. The government cut long-distance phone lines and Internet access and is hunting down people who took part in the riots. The “Strike Hard” campaign targeting “terrorists” is to run through the end of the year. Hundreds of people have been arrested and nine sentenced to death.
Nepal
Nepal has more tourists now than in more than a decade, but the opposition Maoist party may put a damper on peak season with a series of anti-government protests in Katmandu. They hope to paralyze the capital and surrounding valley by blocking all roads into Katmandu Valley. Officials placed the army and police on high alert to prevent violence. The Maoists fought a 10-year insurgency before agreeing to a peace accord and winning the national election in 2008. They withdrew from the government this year when then Prime Minister Prachanda’s attempt to fire the army commander was overruled.
Nicaragua
Political maneuvering by President Daniel Ortega and six Sandinista judges on the Supreme Court to eliminate a constitutional term limit created a political crisis that opposition leaders and the U.S. ambassador said was undermining the country’s democracy. The crisis brought out large numbers of pro-Sandinista protesters who demonstrated outside the U.S. Embassy for several days, throwing bottles and homemade explosives at the building and demanding the ambassador’s ouster. Tensions are likely to remain high.
Serbia
Belgrade is considered a generally safe city, but the U.S. Embassy issued a list of establishments that travelers should avoid because of repeated violence. The bars and clubs are Stefan Braun, Vanila, H2O, Mistik, Blaywatch, Teatro and Ambis. In September, a string of attacks in the city prompted the embassy to issue an alert telling expatriates and tourists of the trend.
Venezuela
An unusually dry rainy season has created a water shortage in Caracas, where officials imposed rationing that could shut off water to large parts of the city for as long as 48 hours. The rationing is likely to remain in place for six months as the country awaits the next rainy season. The lack of water also means a reduction in hydropower, causing frequent blackouts in southern parts of the country.
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For the latest on world conditions, check the State Department’s automated service at 888-407-4747; fax, 202-647-3000; travel.state.gov.
