The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) continues to restrict the travel of all foreign nationals. To travel outside Asmara city limits, all visitors and residents must apply with the GSE 10 days in advance for permission.

Those considering travel within Eritrea should be aware of the large presence of Eritrean and Ethiopian military forces along the undemarcated Eritrean-Ethiopian border plus rising political tensions between the two countries.

Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh on Nov. 15 with 155-mph winds and tidal surges of 12 feet. It left about 3,500 people dead, more than 30,000 injured and more than two million displaced. Massive humanitarian and international aid was rushed to the area.

Bangladesh was still recovering from the extensive flooding brought by rains earlier in the year.

Indonesia experienced an increase in earthquakes, tremors and volcanic activity late in 2007.

At press time, four volcanoes were under warnings for possible eruptions: Anak Krakatau (“Child of Krakatau”), in the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java; the Mount Kelud volcano in eastern Java; Mount Soputan in north Sulawesi, and Mount Karangetan off Sulawesi island. 

Meanwhile, a mud volcano continues to ooze in Sidoarjo, eastern Java, having spewed an estimated one billion cubic...