Argentina
Sixty cases of dengue fever have been detected in the Buenos Aires area, but health authorities said those cases were contracted elsewhere. About 3,000 dengue cases have been reported in provinces near Bolivia and Paraguay. The spread into Argentina is blamed on the epidemic in Bolivia, where about 50,000 cases have been reported. Authorities in Buenos Aires province have implemented mosquito-eradication plans to eliminate the disease carriers.
East Africa
Five countries in East Africa have agreed to issue a single tourist visa that will allow tourists to move freely among members of the East African Community: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. This is part of an effort to establish common standards for tour operators and hotels. A start date wasn’t announced.
Russia and Eastern Europe
The global economic crisis has created fear of civil unrest in Russia and several Eastern European countries as millions have lost their jobs and are turning their anger against their governments. Russia has many towns throughout the country dependent on single industries, a carry-over from the Soviet era, and when those industries fail, the economies in the towns collapse. Workers are blaming such failures on the government and are beginning to protest. In Eastern Europe, the Czech government collapsed in scandal rather than through economic implosion, but it is feeling economic pressure. The governments of Hungary and Latvia were brought down by their inability to manage the economic downturn. Social tensions are high in Hungary, and violent protests in Riga over economic conditions contributed to the Latvian government’s fall. In Ukraine, demonstrations occur almost daily as the country sits on the edge of economic ruin. Crime is increasing, with recent reports of seven violent assaults against foreigners in Kiev, near O’Brien’s Pub and the Hyatt Hotel.
Sri Lanka
Officials closed the famous archeological site of Sigiriya after three days of wasp attacks within a week. Several dozen tourists were stung and taken to hospitals, and some who were stranded at the top of the site had to be evacuated by police and air force personnel.
Tibet
The Chinese government announced that it will reopen Tibet to foreign tourists Sunday, now that the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan revolt has passed.
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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.