News Watch
Floods in Brazil
Heavy rains caused high flooding and landslides in late January in Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil, killing at least 30 people, with 17 still missing at press time. More than 2,500 people were evacuated throughout the region.
Current advisories
The US Department of State posts up-to-date travel advisories on every country and many territories, ranking each 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions), 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel).
Anti-US protests in Iraq
Thousands of people in Baghdad, Iraq, protested the presence of US troops in Iraq on Jan. 24, demanding that the US military leave the country. The protest occurred near the US Embassy in Baghdad’s central Green Zone. At press time, around 5,000 members of the US armed forces were stationed in Iraq.
Earthquake in Turkey
At least 14 people were killed in eastern Turkey when an earthquake measuring 6.8 in magnitude occurred on Jan. 24. Most of the deaths occurred in the city of Elâzığ, near the epicenter of the quake.
Kashmir landslides
A series of avalanches and landslides in Pakistan-administered Kashmir killed at least 74 people, Jan. 12-14, and powerful snowstorms blocked rescue teams from reaching the hardest-hit areas, located in isolated mountain valleys.
Deadly Congo measles epidemic
A measles epidemic throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo had killed more than 6,000 people as of press time. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an outbreak in the country in June 2019 and instituted an emergency vaccination program.
Ukraine-bound plane shot down over Iran
A Ukraine International Airlines flight from Tehran, Iran, to Kiev, Ukraine, was shot down shortly after takeoff on Jan. 8 when the Iranian military mistook it for a US military plane.
Deadly W. Europe storm
Storm Gloria struck the Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands of Spain with winds of up to 71 miles per hour on Jan. 20 and remained over northeastern Spain for five days, causing flooding and wind damage.
Lebanon protests
Protesters calling for economic and government reforms clashed with police in Beirut, Lebanon, on Jan 18, leading to more than 300 injuries. The protests began in mid-October after the government proposed a tax on text messages. Protesters demanded that Prime Minister Saad Hariri resign, which he did on Oct. 29.
Philippines volcano erupts
Taal, a volcano on the Philippine island of Luzon, erupted on Jan. 13 and continued to erupt over multiple days, sending ash thousands of feet into the air.
Viral outbreak in China
In China, an outbreak of a newly identified viral respiratory disease had infected more than 17,000 people as of press time, 361 of whom had died. The virus is a coronavirus, in the same family as the agent that causes the disease called SARS, which killed more than 700 people, mostly in China, during 2002-2003.
Strikes in France
Hundreds of thousands of workers took to the streets in more than 40 cities across France, beginning Dec. 5, to protest pension reforms proposed by president Emmanuel Macron. The new pension rules would raise the retirement age and reduce monthly payments.
Somalia bombing
A car bomb was detonated on a busy intersection of Mogadishu, Somalia, on Dec. 28, killing at least 79 people and injuring more than 90 others. It was reported that the bomb was set off near a group of engineers from Turkey who were working on road construction.
Australia bushfires
Major bushfires in eastern Australia continued to rage in December. One town of 400 in New South Wales, Balmoral, was completely destroyed.
Samoa measles outbreak
The Pacific island nation of Samoa (not to be confused with neighboring American Samoa, a US territory) declared a state of emergency on Nov. 16 due to an outbreak of measles, with more than 5,000 people infected (out of a population of 200,000) and 72 deaths, mostly infants. The state of emergency ended on Dec.
East Africa floods
Major flooding and landslides occurred throughout East Africa in late November and early December, killing at least 265 people. The countries that experienced flooding were Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
India citizenship protests
Violent protests broke out in India against a controversial citizenship law passed by the government on Dec. 12.
US Embassy in Iraq attacked
The US Embassy to Iraq, located in Baghdad’s secure “Green Zone,” was stormed on Dec. 31 by people protesting the US’ presence in Iraq. During the attack, the first perimeter wall was breached and a guard post set on fire before the protesters were pushed back by Iraqi special forces.
Natural disasters in the Philippines
The Philippines was struck by three natural disasters in December. On Dec. 3, Typhoon Kammuri made landfall near the capital, Manila, with wind gusts up to 146 miles per hour. At least two people were killed, and more than 200,000 people were forced to evacuate to shelters.
Lebanon protests
Amnesty International is accusing police in Beirut, Lebanon, of excessive violence after at least 135 people were injured when police broke up a peaceful protest on Dec. 14.