Venezuela Public Announcement

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens planning travel to Venezuela for the Copa America tournament (June 26 to July 19, 2007) to continuing serious security concerns and possible changes to official entry requirements during that period.  This Public Announcement expires July 20, 2007.

U.S. citizens contemplating travel to Venezuela should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security. Violent crime, including express kidnappings, has increased in Venezuela, particularly in major cities and along the border with Colombia.  In Caracas, violent crime has become an everyday occurrence. Read more

Fraudsters Claim a Red Cross Connection in New Pfishing Scam

The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about a scam targeting families of military members. A caller, claiming to work for the Red Cross, notifies an individual that their family member has been injured while on duty. To get immediate aid to the injured service member, the caller says, paperwork must be completed, and personal information must be verified. Read more

FDA Approves First Drug for Fibromyalgia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Lyrica (pregabalin), the first drug to treat fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by pain, fatigue and sleep problems.

Lyrica reduces pain and improves daily functions for some patients with fibromyalgia. Read more

Choking Hazard Prompts Nordstrom Recall of Children’s Jackets

Name of Product: Pine Peak Blues Children’s Jackets

Units: About 1,900

Importer: Nordstrom Inc., of Seattle, Wash.

Hazard: The zipper pull can detach from the jacket’s zipper, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Nordstrom has received one report of the zipper pull detaching. No injuries have been reported. Read more

Children’s Jeweled Sandals Sold By Nordstrom Recalled Due to Choking Hazard

Name of Product: Calypso Sandals

Units: About 1,800

Importer: Nordstrom Inc., of Seattle, Wash.

Hazard: The jewel decorations on the shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Read more

Asko Cylinda Recalls DW95 Series Dishwashers Due To Fire Hazard

Name of Products: Asko DW95 Model Series Dishwashers

Units: About 130,000

Manufacturer: Asko Cylinda AB, of Vara, Sweden

Importer/Distributor: AM Appliance Group Inc., of Richardson, Texas

Hazard: An electrical component in the dishwasher can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 21 reports of dishwasher fires. Product and property damage has been reported. No injuries have been reported. Read more

RC2 Corp. Recalls Various Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Toys Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard

Name of Products: Various Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway Toys

Units: About 1.5 million

Importer/Distributor: RC2 Corp., of Oak Brook, Ill.

Hazard: Surface paints on the recalled products contain lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None. Read more

Cannondale Announces Recall of Mountain Bicycles: Lefty Forks Can Break Unexpectedly

Name of Products: Mountain Bicycles with Lefty Speed SL and Lefty Speed DLR Forks

Units: About 6,700

Manufacturer: Cannondale Bicycle Corp., Bethel, Conn.

Hazard: The forks can break during use causing the rider to lose control of the bicycle, fall and suffer serious injuries.

Incidents/Injuries: Cannondale has received 15 reports of the bicycle forks separating, including five reports of injuries including a broken collarbone, a concussion, broken ribs and bruises. Read more

Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp. Recalls Dry Fire Sprinklers: Model J Heads can Fail to Operate During a Fire

Name of Product: Globe Model J Series Dry Fire Sprinklers

Units: About 300,000

Manufacturer: Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp., of Standish, Mich.

Hazard: The sprinkler heads can deteriorate over time and fail to operate in a fire.

Incidents/Injuries: Globe has received five reports of sprinklers that failed to operate as intended during a fire. Globe has received no reports of injuries caused by sprinklers failing to operate. Read more

Lebanon Travel Warning

This Travel Warning alerts American citizens to the ongoing fighting and political tensions in Lebanon  and advises them of safety and security concerns.  The Department of State continues strongly to urge that Americans defer travel to Lebanon, and that American citizens in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining.   This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued on December 22, 2006.

This warning alerts U.S.  citizens to the renewed threat of attacks against western and Lebanese government interests by the extremist group Fatah Al-Islam.  Similar threats also were made by the militant groups Jund Al-Sham and Al-Qaeda.  The Department of State remains concerned about the personal safety and security of American citizens as the fighting continues at the Nahr El-Barad refugee camp.  Sporadic fighting also has occurred outside several other refugee camps.  U.S. citizens who visit refugee camps in Lebanon risk becoming trapped during hostilities.  On June 7, a bomb exploded in the town of Zouk Mousbeh, north of Beirut . This was the fifth small-scale bomb attack in greater Beirut in recent weeks and follows the June 7 discovery of explosives-laden vehicles in eastern Lebanon . Since May 20, explosions have occurred in the Beirut neighborhoods of Achrafieh and Verdun, the Beirut suburb of Sad Al-Bouchrieh, and the resort town of Aley .  The possibility of related episodes of violence in popular districts of Beirut and other tourist areas in Lebanon remains high. Read more

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