Columbia Conflict Continues

According to reports on 2 October 2006, leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group have sent a letter to the Colombian government, in which they express their willingness to initiate peace talks. The rebels, however, stated that the talks would begin once the swap of kidnap victims for jailed rebels takes place and once the government demilitarizes the municipalities of Florida and Pradera, both located in the Valle del Cauca department, as well as the departments of Caqueta and Putumayo. Other conditions requested to begin the talks include the discussion of a free trade agreement and an extradition treaty with the United States and the purge of the military, among other issues. Although the FARC has expressed its willingness to engage in peace talks, the government is not likely to cede to all of the group's demands, which is why it is unlikely that the 42-year conflict will be resolved in the near future.

Russia/Georgia Conflict

Russia reportedly ordered the closure of all transport links with Georgia -- including air, rail, road and sea links, as well as postal service -- for an unspecified period of time on 2 October 2006 in the latest escalation of a dispute between the two countries that began with the arrests of several Russian military officers on 27 September for charges of espionage. Air traffic will reportedly cease on 3 October, while it is not known when the other closures will take effect. Meanwhile, in an apparent effort to decrease tensions, Georgia stated on 2 October that it would hand over the four Russian officers it has in its custody to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE has stated it will return the officers to Moscow.

Baghdad Bomb Targets Holiday Shoppers

BAGHDAD, Iraq, 09/24 - A car bomb ripped through crowds of shoppers stocking up before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, police in Baghdad said Saturday.


At least 28 people were killed and 26 others hurt in the blast at a market where people were buying gasoline and other supplies in the Baghdad Shiite stronghold of Sadr City.

Shiite Muslims will start to observe the Ramadan holiday starting Sunday, while the holy month begins Saturday for Sunnis.

People carried survivors out of the narrow, muddy streets toward ambulances in the aftermath of the attack at about 10 a.m.

College student Dhiyaa Ali told AP he found bodies and blood everywhere when he ran to help after hearing the explosion from his home.

The bomb was placed in a barrel near a gasoline tanker where people were lining up to buy fuel.

Sri Lanka Travel Warning Upgraded

The Foreign Office is advising Britons against all travel to the north and east of Sri Lanka.
They also said Britons in these areas should "leave at the first available opportunity".

Fighting between government forces and the Tamil Tiger insurgents in these areas is fierce.

The FO had already warned visitors that there was a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka, with an increasing risk of Britons and other foreigners being caught up in attacks.

Warning Against Thailand Travel Issued

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- The United States has urged Americans to reconsider any travel to Thailand while Britain told its citizens living there to stay in their homes, after the Thai military toppled the country's prime minister in a coup.

Japan and Australia advised citizens to be extremely careful in the Thai capital, where tanks surrounded government offices, and to avoid political rallies or concentrations of military personnel.

"In light of the very uncertain political situation and apparent military-led takeover of the government, we strongly advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Thailand until the situation is clarified," the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

It asked those already in the capital to stay at home, and monitor the media.

The U.S. Embassy, in an e-mail to its citizens living in Thailand, said that while there had been no reports of violence in the overnight coup, Americans should "monitor the situation closely, avoid any large gatherings and exercise discretion when moving about the city."

"At this point, we are not advising Americans to leave Thailand; however, Americans planning to travel to Thailand may wish to carefully consider their options before traveling until the situation becomes clearer."

Britain's Foreign Office, in a notice on its Web site, warned that movement in the capital may be curtailed due to the imposition of martial law that came as Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York attending the U.N General Assembly.

Japan and Singapore issued similar notices through their Foreign Ministries that urged nationals to remain in "safe" locations in the capital and avoid places of potential disturbances, such as the palace and government buildings.

South Korea advised its citizens against visiting Thailand, saying the situation remains "volatile."

New Zealand also warned its citizens in Thailand to be careful when moving around the city.

"Don't go sightseeing around government buildings. If a curfew is imposed -- and there is talk of a curfew -- then it should be respected," Ambassador Brook Barrington told Radio New Zealand in Wellington.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was assessing whether to change its advisory for Thailand.

Travel Warning For Jordan

Foreign embassies are urging citizens not to travel inside Jordan after a deadly shooting spree which injured a New Zealand woman.

A Briton was killed and four other tourists were wounded by gunman Nabil Ahmad Jaoura, who was angry at Western support for Israel's military offensives in Lebanon and Gaza.

Travellers are being told to increase their security awareness, particularly in areas popular with Westerners.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says there is a high risk to personal security, and is advising travellers to take extra care at Jordan's borders with Israel and Iraq.

MFAT is recommending against tourist and non-essential travel to the area.

Pirate Attack on Luxury Cruise Liner

ABC News Reports-
As the Seabourn Spirit (pictured at left) pulled into the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean today, passengers recounted how the ship's captain outran and outmaneuvered the pirates.

"There were two boats altogether, and we tried to run one over and took zigzag evasive measures, and then just blasted out to sea to outrun these guys," said Ray Albers, a passenger onboard the luxury yacht. "And we succeeded."
Related VIDEO- High Seas Dangers

Do You Feel Safe?

Please take a moment to respond to the Poll in the right column.
We're interested in knowing how safe you feel when you travel.
After taking the Poll, be sure to click on the "Map" feature to see where others are from, and how they voted.
We might be surprised at the results.
As well, we'd like to hear your stories and comments regarding this- so let's have them! ; )

10 Most Dangerous Places On Earth

PART 1 of a Series


At first glance, one would immediately think Iraq, Israel, West Bank, Iran, etc....
When you stop to think about it, however- there are many places on Earth that the uninitiated would probably never think of as being quite dangerous to exist in or travel to. By browsing this site you'll see that every single day brings some horrific and startling news of bombings, social unrest and general chaos in seemingly interesting and beautiful places to travel.
Granted, quite a few of them are probably quite nice,but at what point do we distinguish between outright dangerous, and simply a place to remain vigilant with a watchful eye?
Feel free to chime in with your thoughts on this!

How would one begin to categorize the term "Dangerous"?

Social Unrest?
Governmental instability?
The number of volcanoes?
The number of active volcanoes ?
The number of people who have died in both earthquakes and volcanoes?
Propensity for Hurricanes and/or Tsunamis?
High Crime Rates?

How are you going to make your decision?

Here are just a few shocking factors to consider in this first part of a series we'll be adding to every couple days this month:

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be melted by volcanic lava? How about experiencing an earthquake and feeling your legs start to turn into jelly? Well, in Seattle and Western Washington it has been more common than you might think. Currently there are 10 major volcanoes, both active and extinct. In Washington a great volcanic eruption could occur from the gigantic Mt. Saint Helens which killed 57 people throughout the years. Many people have also died by taking the risk of skiing or boarding and climbing various snow covered mountains in the region while they are considered dangerous. If you thought volcanoes were bad- wait till you hear about Washington’s earthquakes. During the past 125 years there have been over 20 damaging earthquakes!

JAPAN
Home of sushi, Hello Kitty, the bullet train, and some of the world’s deadliest natural disasters. There are around 90 active volcanoes and numerous dormant volcanoes. There are about 6-10 eruptions a year. The famous Mt. Fuji erupted 200 years ago, lasting three days with subordinated lava flow and small pyroclastic flow. The Unzen volcano was also a deadly one. The volcano collasped in 1792, killing 14,300 people and causing a unexpected tsunami. Two earthquakes happened this year, ranging from around 5.0- 5.1 magnitude. The major erathquake that destroyed one- third of Tokyo and most of Yokohama. It was an 8.3 magnitude one, killing 143,000 people. Another dangerous one - a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Kobe Japan, killed 5,200 and injured 26,800 people.

SUDAN
On 30 August 2006, Sudanese security officials began seizing laptop computers from persons entering the country as part of new security measures in Khartoum. Security sources are claiming the laptops are searched and returned within one day in an effort to keep pornographic films and photographs from entering the country. Aid workers, businessmen, journalists and U.N. officials are concerned about sensitive and confidential information being put in jeopardy.

TAIWAN
Dozens of protesters gathered outside of the legislative building in Taipei on 31 August 2006 to demand the resignation of President Chen Shui-bian. There were no reports of violence or injuries at the protest. There are increasing calls for Chen's resignation and one anti-government group is expected to launch an indefinite protest on 1 September in New Park, which is located near the Presidential Office. The American Institute in Taiwan issued a Warden Message on 30 August concerning upcoming protests.

To be continued........