1. BRAZIL
The army is training hundreds of police officers from outside Rio de Janeiro to act as armed escorts for sports teams and other guests at the Pan-American Games in Rio July 13-29. Authorities will place a total of 18,000 police officers and security force personnel on patrol in the city to maintain order.
2. ESTONIA
A naturalized American citizen originally from Liberia was attacked outside a nightclub at 3 a.m. in Tallinn’s Old Town June 10 in what is believed to have been a racially motivated assault. In the past two years numerous incidents of such harassment have been reported to the U.S. Embassy.
3. MEXICO CITY
Mexico City could see floods of sewage 15 feet deep in its historic center and at the international airport if the city’s main drainage tunnel fails, which is a strong possibility according to Mexico’s national water agency. The 21-foot-wide tunnel has been losing capacity for years but because it’s always filled it hasn’t been checked thoroughly for maintenance in 15 years.
4. SPAIN
A report by Spanish military intelligence leaked to the media revealed concerns that the Basque separatist group ETA may be planning terrorist attacks this summer on tourist areas of the Spanish coast. In other news, Spanish air carrier Spanair may be hit with eight days of strikes by cabin crews beginning June 25 and ending Aug. 31. Strike dates are June 25, July 1, 9, 15, and 31, and Aug. 1, 15 and 31.
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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.