Category Archives: Sidebar

Being Careful: Uzbekistan

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office advise against all but essential travel to Andizhan in eastern Uzbekistan until further notice. An armed gang attacked a prison and a military unit in Andizhan in eastern Uzbekistan on 13 May 2005, releasing inmates, amongst them political prisoners. Around 2,000 protesters reportedly gathered in Andizhan town square, some occupying the Mayor's office. Government troops are reported to have opened fire on protestors. Local authorities have confirmed that several were killed. Eye-witnesses have put the figure of dead in the hundreds.

Uzbekistan's borders are potential flashpoints and some are mined. There were reports on 14 May of unrest on the border with Kyrgystan. You should avoid all but essential travel to areas bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

There is a high threat from terrorism in Uzbekistan. Indiscriminate attacks could occur in public places where foreigners may gather including, but not limited to, bars, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and bazaars. Pay attention to any security announcements by the Uzbek authorities.

On 13 May 2005, a suspected suicide bomber was shot dead outside the Israeli Embassy in Tashkent.

Suicide bombings near the US and Israeli Embassies and at the Uzbek Prosecutor's Office on 30 July 2004 reportedly killed four people and injured at least eight. We advise the local British community to be vigilant and stay in touch with the Embassy.

There have been occasional muggings and petty crime against foreigners, sometimes by off-duty policemen or those pretending to be policemen. Keep valuables out of sight and avoid unlit or remote areas. You should avoid obvious displays of wealth, especially in rural areas. You should avoid walking alone at night. We understand that since September 2004 there have been a series of assaults and murders of young children in Tashkent. The authorities are investigating the disappearance and murder of a number of young children between the ages of 9 and 14, some of whom went missing on their way to or from school. Therefore we would urge all those with children to be extra careful and to take precautions, such as not allowing their children to travel to and from school alone and explaining to children not to engage with strangers.

World Aids Day

Artists Against AIDS USA will be in Melbourne 27 November 2005 to support “Rockin the Square” in Federation Square for their second World AIDS Day concert

Once again, we'll be sending our very own “Star Search” finalist (and Melbourne's new favourite crooner), Spencer Day who will be accompanied this year by the multi-talented Shayna Steele who just completed a successful run on Broadway with “Hairspray – The Musical”

In an effort to keep costs down, we are trying to get a jump on air-fares, hotel accommodations plus other events/venues where we might be of service while we are in OZ.

If you could quote us on your current airfare from the US to Melbourne (or thereabouts) and accommodations somewhere in the vicinity of Federation Square, it would be appreciated.

Questions, comments or press kit requests can be directed to Joe in our San Francisco via this email address: joe@a3usa.net

Artists Against AIDS USATeam SOHO www.a3usa.net

Being Careful: Thailand

This is the latest advice from the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Thailand: there is a high threat from terrorism throughout Thailand, particularly in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. We recommend against all but essential travel to these four provinces where, since January 2004, there have been regular attacks including bombings and shootings. On 3 April, three bombs exploded in Songkhla Province, one at Hat Yai International Airport, one at a hotel and one in a shopping centre. Further attacks against places frequented by foreigners, including tourist resorts, could occur at any time.

Watch out for crimes of opportunity. Theft of passports and credit cards is a problem. Passport fraud is high and penalties are severe.

Penalties for possession, distribution or manufacture of drugs are severe and can include the death penalty.

There has been an increase since January 2005 in the number of reported cases of Dengue Fever, in particular in Southern Thailand and the area near the border with Malaysia. In a very small number of cases, Dengue Fever can be fatal if left untreated. If you suffer from a fever whilst (or shortly after) visiting Thailand, you should consult a doctor.

Fave Website

Spotted by Mac, a new travel website: http://www.travelpost.com/

Exploding Toads

Thousands of toads in an area of northern Germany are exploding. Seriously, this is not a late April Fool’s joke. Scientists do not yet know why the toads are exploding, but they are contracting some type of disease that causes their body to expand to three and a half times their normal body size – to bursting point. The BBC news report that the toads’ entrails are being propelled up to a metre (3.2ft), in scenes that have been likened to science fiction.

Great Wall of China

Last year China’s first person in space disappointed the nation when he said he could not see the Great Wall of China from space. However, photographs taken from space appear to confirm that China’s Great Wall can be spotted by the naked eye after all. So China’s schoolchildren who are taught that the Great Wall is one of the only man-made structures you can see can breathe easy again.

So You Think You're Well Travelled?

So You Think You’re Well Travelled?

Here’s a little Beetle quiz based on capital cities. See how many you get right! Go on, have a guess!

What is the capital city of the following countries:

  1. Chile
  2. Finland
  3. Kiribati
  4. Israel
  5. Comoros

For the answers, see at the end of the eNewsletter.

Australian Spiders

We’ve all heard horror stories about the deadly Australian funnel-web spiders. A new report in the Lancet shows that deaths from spider bites are extremely rare. Only 26 deaths from spiders have been recorded in Australia in the past century. In comparison, there were 1,183 motor vehicle deaths in 2001 in Australia.

Funnel webs are only found in eastern Australia and there are at least 40 species. They are medium to large spiders, varying from 1-5 cm body length. They like to burrow in moist, cool, sheltered habitats – under rocks, in and under rotting logs, crevices, rot and borer holes in rough-barked trees. In gardens, they prefer rockeries and dense shrubberies, and are rarely found in more open situations like lawns.