News Watch

The Department of State urges travelers to exercise caution when visiting Haiti, given Haiti’s weak emergency-response infrastructure. Medical facilities in Haiti, including ambulance services, are particularly weak. Some US citizens injured in accidents and others with serious health concerns have had to arrange and pay for medical evacuation to the US. The State Department strongly encourages visitors to Haiti to obtain evacuation insurance.

The State Department also warns of...

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On July 13, Greek and Eurozone negotiators came to terms regarding a new bailout for Greece to help prevent its economy from collapsing further and a Greek exit from the Eurozone.

The plan includes a loan of up to €86 billion (near $95 billion), which includes €10 billion to be immediately used to refinance Greek banks. 

Struggling to keep money on hand, Greek banks resorted to limiting the amount of money Greek citizens are able to withdraw at one time. Though foreign visitors...

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The Islamist militant group Boko Haram is active in the northeastern region of Nigeria and the far north of neighboring Cameroon.

In the city of Gombe, Nigeria, on July 16, at least 50 people were killed in two bomb blasts in a public market, one bomb hidden in the market and the other on a suicide bomber. The market was crowded with people shopping for the traditional feast marking Eid al-Fitr, the day after the last day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan (in 2015, June 18...

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In eastern Iraq’s Diyala Province, a car bomb targeting a market in the town of Khan Bani Saad, north of Baghdad, killed at least 120 people and injured at least 130 more on July 17. The market was packed with people preparing for Eid al-Fitr holiday festivities, which were subsequently canceled for three days of mourning. It was the single deadliest event in Iraq in 10 years. 

The self-declared Islamic State (IS), a militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. IS controls...

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In southeastern Turkey in the town of Suruç, across the border from Kobane in northern Syria, a suicide bomber killed at least 32 people and injured nearly 100 others at a youth gathering on July 20.

The victims were part of a group heading to Kobane to assist in the rebuilding efforts. Kobane was held by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) from September 2014 until January 2015, when it was captured by Kurdish troops. IS is believed to be responsible for the attack in Suruç, now...

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In southeastern India’s Andhra Pradesh state, a stampede of worshipers on the banks of the Godavari River on July 14 left at least 27 people dead. The stampede occurred in Rajahmundry on the first day of the 12-day Maha Pushkaralu festival, during which Hindus believe that bathing in the river will cleanse them of sin. What triggered the stampede is unknown.

Godavari Pushkaram festivals occur every 12 years. This year’s was particularly auspicious, as it was promoted to be a Maha...

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Typhoon Cham-hom made landfall near Shanghai in eastern China on July 12, causing more than 1.1 million people to evacuate their homes. There were no reported deaths, but damage to housing, industry and agriculture could reach CNY2.2 billion (near $354 million). The category-4 storm had wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour and dropped 15 inches of rain in some areas.

Before reaching China, Cham-hom struck Japan, injuring 20 people, and Taiwan. After passing through China, Cham-hom...

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In El Salvador, members of the Barrio 18 gang killed at least seven public bus drivers on July 28 and 29 in an attempt to pressure the government to, among other demands, release jailed gang leaders.

The gangs asked bus drivers to stage a 3-day strike in order to convince the government to negotiate with the gangs. The drivers were targeted when they refused. As of press time, nationwide, more than 100 out of 1,000 bus lines had stopped service. Government vehicles had taken over...

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