More Taxi Driver Assaults on Tourists in China

Asia

China: Taxi drivers in the southern China city of Haikou frequently assault passengers to force more money out of them, and groups of drivers are involved in some cases, according to a Beijing newspaper report quoted by Reuters. Haikou, the capital of the island province of Hainan, has few buses, and many citizens are forced to use taxis, the paper said. Rone Tempest, The Times’ Beijing correspondent, reports that crime against travelers is increasingly common throughout China.

Philippines: The revival of the death penalty last January for a range of offenses may have special meaning for five foreigners held in Philippine custody, according to the Reuters news service. An American arrested in the city of Angeles, north of Manila, is accused of carrying about two pounds of marijuana in his car, and a Briton is accused of transporting about 15 pounds of heroin. In a third case, three Australians have been charged with possession of 22 pounds of cannabis resin.

Conviction on any of these charges may carry the death penalty. There have been no executions so far under the revised law.

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Poland: After finding and detonating a large bomb in Krakow’s tourist-popular Old Town, police launched a manhunt for a terrorist who has threatened to level the medieval city and demanded a ransom of more than $300,000, The Times’ Dean E. Murphy reports from Warsaw. Police believe the bomber is a 50-year-old ex-convict and explosives expert.

Hot spots: Citing demonstrations and violence, the State Department has added the southern African nation of Lesotho to its list of places where Americans are advised not to travel. Travel warnings are also in effect for Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi, Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Korea, Peru, Rwanda, Serbia, Somalia, Sudan and Tajikistan.

The U.S. State Department offers recorded travel warnings and advisories at (202) 647-5225; the fax line is (202) 647-3000.