News Watch
Myanmar protests continue
Protests against a military coup in Myanmar have been ongoing since Feb. 1. Though the protests were initially somewhat peaceful, soldiers began firing on protesters with live rounds after a ban on gatherings went unheeded.
Trains collide in Egypt
A passenger train traveling in southern Egypt collided with the back end of another passenger train on March 26, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 100.
COVID-19 update
At press time, active COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 192 countries and territories, with more than 131.5 million cases and, resulting from those, more than 2.9 million deaths.
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).
Protests in Lebanon
Protesters in Beirut, Lebanon, blocked roads and burned debris on March 16 after the value of the Lebanese pound reached record lows, losing a third of its value within two weeks and trading at LBP15,000 to US$1.
Ebola outbreak, Guinea
The West African country of Guinea declared an outbreak of ebola on Feb. 15 after seven people were confirmed to have contracted the virus, three of whom died from the disease. All of the patients had attended the same funeral before becoming infected.
Somalia election violence
In Mogadishu, Somalia, gunfire broke out on Feb. 19 as people defied a ban on public gatherings and protested a delayed presidential election. According to witnesses, soldiers and armed guards protecting protesters fired on each other as protests neared the presidential palace.
COVID-19 update
At press time, active COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 192 countries and territories, with more than 114.3 million cases and, resulting from those, more than 2.5 million deaths. The country with the most confirmed cases was the US, with 28.6 million.
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).
Military coup, Myanmar
The Myanmar military arrested leader Aung San Suu Kyi and took control of the country on Feb. 1, citing voting irregularities in a November election. In response, large protests have occurred throughout the country in support of Aung and other arrested government leaders from her party.
Deadly dam breach, India
On Feb. 8 in the northern-India state of Uttarakhand, a large section of a Himalayan glacier broke off into the Dhauliganga River in a narrow canyon. This resulted in a buildup of water that then broke through. The massive surge of water breached a dam and flooded a valley, killing at least 58 people.
Indonesian plane crash
A Sriwijaya Air flight to Borneo crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia, on Jan. 9, killing all 50 passengers and 12 crew. No distress calls were issued by the pilot or copilot before the plane disappeared from radar.
India farmers protesting
Farmers protesting new regulations in India broke through police barricades and stormed the Red Fort in Delhi on Jan. 26. During the incident, one police officer was killed and at least 80 farmers were injured.
COVID-19 update
At press time, active COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 192 countries and territories, with more than 101 million cases and, resulting from those, more than 2.2 million deaths. The country with the most confirmed cases was the US, with 25.8 million.
Indonesia landslide
Heavy rains and flooding caused two landslides to occur in Cihanjuang, West Java, Indonesia, on Jan. 10. As rescuers were attempting to save victims from the first landslide, the second occurred, burying them. At least 40 people were killed and 25 injured, with many more still missing at press time.
Suicide bombing in Cameroon
Militants attacked the town of Mozogo in northern Cameroon, near the border with Nigeria, on Jan. 8, culminating in a suicide bomber’s killing at least 15 people.
Violent protests in Netherlands
Multinight protests against a COVID-19 curfew in the Netherlands became violent in cities across the country starting in late January, with protesters clashing with police, setting cars and bikes on fire and vandalizing and looting stores. More than 450 people had been arrested as of press time.
Indonesia earthquake
A magnitude-6.2 earthquake occurred on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Jan. 15, killing at least 90 people and injuring hundreds of others. Many thousands of people were displaced, particularly in the city of Mamuju, which suffered serious damage, including the partial collapse of a hospital.
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).
Iraq suicide bombing
Two suicide bombers targeted an outdoor market in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 21, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 100. It was the first major terrorist attack in Baghdad in three years. The previous terrorist attack, in January 2018, occurred in the same market and killed 27.