News Watch
COVID-19 update
At press time, active COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 191 countries and territories, with more than 83 million cases and, resulting from those, more than 1.8 million deaths. The country with the most confirmed cases was the US, with 19.9 million.
Ethiopia civil war
In northern Ethiopia, a local militia took control of the Tigray region in October, leading to an ongoing violent civil war that has led to the deaths of hundreds of people, many of them civilians. Thousands of people have been displaced. Both sides accused the other of war crimes.
COVID-19 update
As of Dec. 7, active COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 191 countries and territories, with more than 67 million cases and, resulting from those, more than 1.5 million deaths. The country with the most confirmed cases was the US, with 14.8 million.
Storm damages Philippines
Typhoon Goni made landfall with the strength of a super typhoon at Catanduanes island, northeast Philippines, on Nov. 1, killing at least 16 people and damaging upwards of 90% of the city of Virac, home to more than 70,000 people. As the storm approached, more than 370,000 people evacuated the region.
Mogadishu suicide bombing
A suicide bomber targeted an ice cream parlor in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Nov. 27, killing six people and wounding eight. No group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the Islamist terrorist group al-Shabaab is believed to have been involved.
Vienna terrorism attack
A man armed with a rifle attacked people in multiple locations in Vienna, Austria, on Nov. 2, killing four and injuring 22. Police killed the gunman in a shootout.
Terrorist attacks in France
Three people were killed in Nice, France, on Oct. 29 when a man armed with a knife attacked people in a church. The attacker was shot by police and detained. Authorities described the attack as an act of Islamist terrorism.
Aegean earthquake
A magnitude-7 earthquake occurred in the Aegean Sea, between the west coast of Turkey and the Greek island of Samos, on Oct. 30, killing more than 80 people and injuring at least 900. The quake caused minor tsunamis that flooded coastlines of both countries but caused no deaths or major damage.
Police brutality in Nigeria
Civilians protesting police brutality in Lagos, Nigeria, were fired upon by soldiers on Oct. 21. The Nigerian government denied anyone had died, but it was later revealed that at least 12 protesters were killed.
COVID-19 update
At press time, COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 189 countries and territories to date, with more than 44 million cases and, resulting from those, more than 1.17 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).
Antimonarchy protests in Thailand
Thousands of protesters in Bangkok have demanded reforms to the government and monarchy in demonstrations ongoing since September — a rare event, since criticism of any member of the royal family is a crime in that country.
Conflict flares between Armenia and Azerbaijan
The armed forces of Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the South Caucasus, clashed over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in late September. The first shots were fired on Sept. 26, with both countries blaming the other for starting hostilities.
Belarus president sworn in secretly
Embattled Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in for his sixth term in an unannounced ceremony on Sept. 23 as protests against his presidency continued in the capital, Minsk. After the inauguration was announced, large protests were held at the capitol.
Taliban attacks in Afghanistan
Taliban forces attacked Afghani soldiers throughout Afghanistan in a coordinated attack on Sept. 21, killing at least 57, despite ongoing peace talks between the group and the Afghan government that started on Sept. 12 in Doha, Qatar.
COVID-19 update
At press time, active COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 188 countries and territories, with more than 33 million cases. On Sept. 29, the worldwide death count surpassed one million. The country with the most confirmed deaths from COVID-19 continued to be the US, with more than 210,000.
Gaza rockets land in Israel
Rockets fired from Gaza struck the city of Ashdod, Israel, on Sept. 16, injuring two people. Of the 15 rockets fired, Israel said eight were intercepted by their Iron Dome defensive system.
India/China border clashes
On Sept. 8, China accused Indian soldiers of firing on its positions along the countries’ contested border in the Ladakh region. India denied the claims and said that Chinese soldiers fired in the air during a skirmish.