Caning now the law for homosexuality in part of Indonesia

Indonesia: Lawmakers in Aceh province, at the northern tip of Sumatra, have reintroduced caning as punishment for homosexuality, officials said. Locals or tourists found guilty will face 100 months in jail, 100 lashes, or a fine of 1,000 grams (about 2 pounds) of gold. Homosexuality is legal throughout the rest of the country, but same-sex couples should use caution while traveling in Aceh.

Costa Rica: Health officials warned locals and tourists about the spread of Chagas disease throughout the country. The infection, which can cause skin lesions, swollen eyelids, fever, headache, enlarged lymph glands, muscle pain, difficulty breathing and chest pain, is spread by parasite-carrying triatomine bugs, or “kissing bugs.” Roughly 30 per cent of those infected suffer from serious cardiac issues if not treated. There is no vaccine to protect against Chagas, and those infected should seek immediate treatment.

Kenya: Authorities warned of possible terrorist attacks by al-Shabab militants throughout the northeastern and coastal regions of the country as well as in Nairobi, particularly as the rainy season approaches. Although a specific attack date or location is unknown, security has increased across the country, and tourists are urged to report suspicious activity and to use vigilance while traveling.

Philippines: The U.S. State Department renewed a travel warning from May, urging tourists to rethink visiting certain regions of the island nation due to continued threats of terror attacks and kidnappings for ransom. The report named the Sulu Archipelago, certain regions and cities of Mindanao, and the southern Sulu Sea area as particularly dangerous for travelers and pointed to recent terrorist and separatist activity as cause for alarm. Tourists should avoid nonessential travel to the region and use extreme caution if in the high-alert areas.

United Kingdom: Although aggressive lions, crocodiles and sharks usually are the culprits in dangerous animal encounters, the wild ponies of Quantock Hills in southwestern England also should be approached with caution and should not be fed by tourists. The ponies have grown increasingly aggressive, leaving at least one tourist with a broken leg. Others have been bitten and charged at, and some vehicles have been damaged by the ponies as well.

Compiled from news services and travel sources. For updates, check with the State Department at 888-407-4747, www.travel.state.gov.

Larry Habegger and Dani Burlison are freelance reporters.