Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement
This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in the Middle East and North Africa, including ongoing violence in Iraq. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on November 20, 2006 and expires on November 20, 2007.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. Terrorist actions may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings, and assassinations. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents, must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and public areas where people congregate, including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas. Read more
East Timor Travel Warning
This Travel Warning is being updated to inform Americans of heightened security concerns in East Timor and to warn American citizens to defer travel to East Timor at this time. Americans currently in East Timor should evaluate carefully their safety and security in light of this Travel Warning. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on March 2, 2007.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens of the continued heightened security concerns in East Timor and warns them to defer travel to East Timor at this time. Americans currently in East Timor should carefully evaluate their safety and security in light of the unstable situation and potential for violent civil unrest. On February 27, the Government of Indonesia temporarily closed its border with East Timor while the International Stabilization Force (ISF) conducted operations against dissident military leader Alfredo Reinado. The Government of Indonesia, acting in coordination with the Government of East Timor, has intermittently closed the border during the presidential election period and is expected to do so again until the conclusion of the June 30 parliamentary elections. The Government of Australia has advised its citizens against travel to East Timor, and warns that Australians and Australian interests may be specifically targeted. Attackers could indiscriminately target foreigners, including Americans. Read more
Zimbabwe Public Announcement
This Public Announcement informs U.S. citizens of security concerns in Zimbabwe and advises them to carefully consider the risks of travel to Zimbabwe. This Public Announcement is valid until July 31, 2007.
In response to growing public protests against deteriorating conditions in Zimbabwe, the Government has authorized its security forces to suppress any and all dissent by whatever means deemed necessary. Political leaders at the highest levels of the Zimbabwean government are condoning the security forces’ use of violence, including lethal force, against anyone the Government perceives as an opponent. Security forces increasingly are using force against protestors and civilians, often without provocation. The security forces increasingly are acting with impunity. The Government publicly has defended its right to treat individuals roughly, including those in custody, and has warned of more such abuses. A particular concern is the Government’s use of youth militia to suppress dissent. The so-called “Green Bombers” who have perpetrated some of the worst offenses, are undisciplined, and often are under the influence of drugs. Read more
Nepal Travel Warning
This Travel Warning provides updated information on the security situation in Nepal and notes the U.S. designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a terrorist organization. The Department of State remains concerned about the security situation in Nepal and continues to urge American citizens contemplating a visit to Nepal to obtain updated security information before they travel and to be prepared to change their plans at short notice. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on December 8, 2006.
Despite the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement by the Government and Maoist insurgents and their entry into an interim government, Maoists continue to engage in violence, extortion, and abductions. Maoists freely roam the countryside and cities, sometimes openly bearing their weapons. The Young Communist League, a subgroup of the Maoists, continues to extort and abuse people, including threatening Kathmandu-based personnel of a U.S. Non Governmental Organization. Maoist leader Puspa Dahal (aka “Prachanda”) publicly alleged in March 2007 that royalists were planning to assassinate U.S. government personnel, but Dahal never offered any evidence for his claim. Furthermore, in a May 1, 2007 speech, Dahal threatened to launch a new campaign of demonstrations and disruptions. Read more
Eritrea Travel Warning
This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on Eritrea’s current security situation and to reiterate the Department of State’s advice that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel to Eritrea due to restrictions on travel outside the capital city of Asmara. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued on June 5, 2006.
The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) cited safety and security concerns in imposing travel restrictions on all foreign nationals including resident diplomats as of June 2006. Given these concerns and travel restrictions, the U.S. Embassy continues to urge American citizens to defer all travel to Eritrea. Read more
Yemen Travel Warning
This Travel Warning updates security information for Yemen. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Yemen issued October 13, 2006.
The Department of State continues to strongly urge U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of traveling to Yemen. The security threat level remains high due to terrorist activities in Yemen, and U.S. citizens in Yemen should exercise caution and take prudent measures to maintain their security: maintain a high level of vigilance, avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile, vary times and routes for all travel, and ensure travel documents are current. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa advises American citizens in Yemen to exercise particular caution at locations frequented by foreigners countrywide and at restaurants and hotels frequented by expatriates. Americans who believe they are being followed or threatened while driving in urban centers should proceed as quickly as possible to the nearest police station or major intersection and request assistance from the officers in the blue-and-white police cars stationed there. Read more
Central Asia Public Announcement
This Public Announcement is routinely updated to remind American citizens of ongoing security concerns and the potential for terrorist acts in Central Asia. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This supersedes the Public Announcement for Central Asia of October 23, 2006, and expires on October 23, 2007.
The U.S. Government continues to receive information that terrorist groups in Central Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly against U.S. Government facilities, Americans or American interests. Elements and supporters of extremist groups present in Central Asia, including the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), al-Qaida, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments in the past and have demonstrated the capability to conduct terrorist operations in the region. Previous terrorist attacks conducted in Central Asia have involved improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers and have targeted public areas, such as markets, local government facilities, and, in 2004, the U.S. and Israeli Embassies in Uzbekistan. In addition, hostage-takings and skirmishes have occurred near the Uzbek-Tajik-Kyrgyz border areas. Read more
Fall Hazard Prompts NHTSA, CPSC and Evenflo to Announce Recall of Embrace™ Infant Car Seat/Carriers
Name of product: Evenflo Embrace™ Infant Car Seat/Carriers
Units: About 450,000
Manufacturer: Evenflo Company Inc., of Vandalia, Ohio
Hazard: When used as an infant carrier, the handle can unexpectedly release, causing the seat to rotate forward. When this happens, an infant inside the carrier can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.
Incidents/Injuries: Evenflo has received 679 reports of the handle on the car seat/carriers unexpectedly releasing, resulting in 160 injuries to children. These reports include a skull fracture, two concussions, cuts, scrapes and bruises. Read more
FLOR’ Inc. Recalls Carpet Tiles Due to Puncture Hazard
Name of Product: Heartfelt Carpet Tiles
Units: About 24,000 tiles
Manufacturer: InterfaceFLOR LLC, LaGrange, Ga.
Hazard: Pin-like needles can be embedded in the carpet tiles, posing a puncture wound hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: FLOR has received three reports from consumers who have received a puncture, scratch or a small cut from coming into contact with needles in the carpet tiles. None of the injuries required outside medical attention. Read more
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Restaurants Recall Rooster Kitchen Stools Due to Collapse Hazard
Name of product: Rooster Kitchen Stools
Units: About 2,600
Importer: CBOCS Distribution Inc., of Lebanon, Tenn.
Hazard: The stools can unexpectedly collapse during use, causing a consumer to fall to the floor.
Incidents/Injuries: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. has received two reports of incidents in which the kitchen stool collapsed. A 10 year old boy received bruises when the kitchen stool collapsed and he fell. Read more