News Watch
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.
Israel/Gaza flare-up
Israel killed a leader of the Islamic Jihad militant group, along with four others, in a targeted attack on Nov. 12. Over the next few hours, the two militaries exchanged fire, with Islamic Jihad firing more than 150 rockets into Israel.
Extreme Venice floods
Historically high tides in Venice in mid-November left more than 80% of the city’s surface underwater. On Nov. 13, the high tide was only 7 centimeters lower than the highest water level ever recorded in the city. Because of the flooding, a few cruise ships canceled port calls.
Bolivia’s president deposed
Bolivia’s president, Evo Morales, stepped down from office on Nov. 11 after intense protests, which were joined by police and members of the military, following a contested presidential election.
Albania earthquake
In Albania, an earthquake measuring 6.4 in magnitude occurred 21 miles northwest of the capital, Tirana, on Nov. 26. At least 27 people were killed and more than 650 were injured, with those numbers expected to rise as rescue crews continued to search for survivors in collapsed buildings.
Protests in Chile
Antigovernment protests in Chile, starting in early October 2019 after a proposed increase in public transportation fares, were ongoing at press time despite that proposal’s being rescinded.
Air pollution in Delhi
Air pollution in Delhi, India, reached “severe” levels on multiple days in November.
London knife attack
A man armed with a knife stabbed multiple people in London on Nov. 30, killing two at a conference at Fishmongers’ Hall before running onto London Bridge, where he was restrained and disarmed by members of the public.
Iraqi PM steps down
On Nov. 28, more than 40 protesters were killed in Iraq, the deadliest single day since protests began there on Oct. 27. Most of those killed were in the city of Nasiriyah, where security forces using live ammunition fired on protesters blocking a bridge. Protesters were also killed in Baghdad and Najaf.
Earthquake in Iran
An earthquake measuring 5.9 in magnitude struck the province of East Azerbaijan, in northwestern Iran, on Nov. 8, killing at least five people and injuring hundreds of others.
Mass Colombia protests
At least 200,000 protesters took to the streets throughout Colombia on Nov. 22 to protest the economic policies of the government. Most protests were peaceful; however, in some larger cities, including Bogotá, protesters clashed with police, leading to at least 98 arrests.
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).
HK protests intensify
Antigovernment protests in Hong Kong, ongoing since June 9, 2019, increased in intensity in November after a protester was shot at close range by police on Nov. 11. That same night, after the shooting, protesters lit a counterprotester on fire. Both victims survived their injuries.
Deadly measles in DRC
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the measles outbreak occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to be the world’s largest and fastest-moving on Nov. 21.
Deadly Iran protests
Ongoing protests against rising fuel costs and purchasing limits began in Iran on Nov. 15, quickly becoming violent. Protests had mostly subsided by the 21st.
Australia bushfires
A record number of bushfires occurred in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia, in November, with more than 120 individual fires identified. As of press time, six people had been killed and more than 2.9 million acres had been burnt, including hundreds of homes.