Thanks MamaDearst for the links.
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2876.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Sat Oct 28 2006 07:47:51 GMT-0700.
CHAD
October 27, 2006
This Travel Warning reminds American citizens of ongoing rebel activity in Chad, and provides updated information on security incidents. This supersedes the Travel Warning of September 6, 2006.
The Department of State continues to urge American citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Chad, due to continued threats of rebel activity on Chad’s borders with Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR). Americans should exercise caution when traveling in Chad, including within the capital, N’Djamena. Americans not affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts should avoid travel to eastern Chad and the Chad/CAR border.
U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, street demonstrations, and government installations, including the Presidential Palace, which is across from the Parade Grounds. Vehicles should never stop in front of the Presidential Palace. When traveling anywhere in Chad, American citizens should travel in groups, keep a cell phone (for when service is available) or two-way radio in reach at all times, avoid travel after dusk, and leave detailed travel plans with a reliable point of contact. Americans traveling with Thurarya satellite phones should register the phones with Chadian authorities.
Reports indicate an increase in the number of “couper de routes,” or highway banditry incidents, across the country. Some American citizens have reported harassment at Chadian government roadway checkpoints. Americans are urged to carry all necessary travel documents, including valid passports and visas, and any specific documents required for travel within the country. Americans who encounter problems at these checkpoints should contact the U.S. Embassy (See below for contact details).
In April 2006, rebels advanced across Chad and reached N’Djamena where they were defeated by government forces in a battle in and around the capital. There is a potential for further clashes between rebel movements and government forces in eastern and south-eastern Chad and possibly closer to N’Djamena. In the east, there are also numerous reports of cross-border banditry and cattle rustling. United Nations (UN) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) vehicles have been targeted for carjacking in eastern Chad. At least one foreigner has been critically injured as a result of a carjacking, and another expatriate was seriously wounded during an armed robbery at an NGO compound. U.S. citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad are strongly urged to coordinate travel plans with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) security offices in Abeche and N’Djamena, and to follow UNHCR guidance regarding safety and security. The government of Chad requires all individuals traveling to or residing in refugee-affected areas in eastern Chad to obtain permits issued by the Ministry of Territorial Administration in N’Djamena, and to register in Abeche upon arrival in eastern Chad.
For American citizens who intend to enter Sudan from Chad despite the Department’s Travel Warnings for both countries, it is essential to obtain the appropriate visas and permits in advance of entry into Sudan. In August 2006, five foreigners, including two Americans, were arrested and detained in Darfur after entering Sudan via the Chadian border town of Bahai without the appropriate documentation. Several of these individuals had solicited and obtained escorts in Chad who allegedly promised to facilitate entry into Sudan, but who were ultimately unable to follow through with their commitments. Further information is available in the Department’s Travel Warning for Sudan.
The influx of 12,000 Central African Republic (CAR) refugees into southern Chad, which is already home to over 40,000 refugees, following fighting between northern Central African rebels and CAR forces in July 2005, has also created a volatile situation along the Chad-CAR border. In addition, in the northern Tibesti region and the area north of Lake Chad, there have been occasional clashes between government forces and a rebel group known as the Chadian Movement for Justice and Democracy (MDJT).
The U.S. Embassy in N’Djamena may close temporarily for general business from time to time to review its security posture. For the status of services, consult the Embassy web site at http://usembassy.state.gov/ndjamena.
American citizens visiting or resident in Chad are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy on line at https:// travelregistration.state.gov/and to provide contact information and specific travel data if traveling outside the capital. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in N’Djamena. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency and provide updates on the security situation as necessary. The U.S. Embassy is located in N’Djamena on Avenue Felix Ebou; mailing address B.P. 413; telephone (including after hours): (235) 51-62-11, 51-70-09, 51-77-59, 51-90-52, 51-92-18, and 51-92-33; fax (235) 51-56-54; web site http://usembassy.state.gov/ndjamena.
For additional information, consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Chad and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov/. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas.
Suspicion surrounds chemical explosion
Snip: Neighbors, however were suspicious. Several of them said that what they witnessed was no accident, and said they have offered official statements to police, alleging that the explosion was caused intentionally.
Hunt for super snipers who use US tactics
Snip: The video says the brigade's main weapon is the Tabuk sniper rifle, which was produced in Iraq from a Yugoslav design. It uses standard Kalashnikov rounds and probably has a range of between 500 metres and 600 metres. It is also described as being more of a marksman's rifle than a sniper's rifle. The latter are generally designed to be accurate beyond 800 metres.
Should people be tested for mad cow disease?
Snip: Would you want to know if you were carrying human mad cow disease? Maybe not, but what if you'd given blood and maybe passed vCJD on to other people. Should they be tested?
Snip: An al-Qaeda strategist has warned Canada to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan or face terrorist attacks similar to 9/11, Madrid and the London transit bombings. The threat, attributed to a member of the al-Qaeda information and strategy committee, condemns Prime Minister Stephen Harper for refusing to pull out of Afghanistan.
It also refers to Canada's "fanatic adherence to Christianity" as well as its purported attempts to "damage the Muslims" and its support for the "Christian Crusade" against al-Qaeda.
Snip: He declined to say when the capture occurred or give al-Hayani's nationality, saying that could hinder future operations against terrorists. He said videotapes and documents were found in al-Hayani's possession but did not describe their contents.
3 police killed, 1 decapitated outside Acapulco
Snip: The two commanders and an agent with the state's Ministerial Investigative Police were kidnapped Friday in Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state. Their remains were found the next morning in a vehicle abandoned near a highway linking Acapulco and Mexico City, 180 miles to the north, said Jorge Valdez, a spokesman for the state public safety secretary.
No arrests have been made in connection to the killings.
Computer doctoral student condemns airline security
Snip: A computer security student says terrorists would have no trouble getting around the government's No-Fly List. And to prove it, he set up a Web site that prints fake Northwest Airlines boarding passes.
He puts Osama Bin Laden's name on the fake boarding pass, but travelers can put in their own name - or a fake one - and change the flight information, too.
FBI raids security researcher's home
Snip: The FBI has raided the home of Christopher Soghoian, the grad student who created the NWA boarding pass site. Details can be found on his blog including a scanned copy of the warrant. The bad news is that he really did break the law. The good news is that Senator Charles Schumer did it first, 19 months ago, on an official government website no less. The outcome of this trial should be at least academically interesting. At best, it could result in nullifying some portion of the law(s) that the TSA operates under."
Unarmed hijack makes mockery of airline security measures
Snip: SERIOUS concerns were raised in Italy yesterday over the ease with which a lone, unarmed Turkish man managed to gain access to the cockpit of an airliner and hijack it.
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Newark airport screeners failed 20 of 22 tests
Snip: They missed an array of concealed bombs and guns at checkpoints throughout the major air hub's three terminals, according to federal security officials familiar with the results.
The tests, conducted Oct. 19 by U.S. Transportation Security Administration "Red Team" agents, also revealed significant failures by screeners to follow standard operating procedures while checking passengers and their baggage for prohibited items, said the officials.