News Watch
Quake in Oaxaca
An earthquake measuring 7.4 in magnitude occurred along the coast of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, on June 23, killing at least six people, all found in one house that collapsed in the city of Oaxaca. It was felt 435 miles away in Mexico City.
COVID-19 update
At press time, active COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 188 countries and territories, with more than 11.5 million cases and more than 535,000 deaths resulting.
Indian Ocean cyclone
Cyclone Amphan, classed as a super cyclone, made landfall in India and Bangladesh on May 20 with wind gusts of up to 115 miles per hour. At least 84 people were killed, 72 of whom were in India. The city of Kolkata was badly damaged, leaving all of the city’s 14 million citizens without power.
COVID-19 update
At press time, COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 213 countries and territories, with more than 6.2 million cases and, of those, more than 373,000 deaths.
Rangers attacked in DRC park
An armed group, believed to be a Rwandan separatist militia, killed 12 rangers and injured six people in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on April 24. According to a government official, the militia ambushed a group of Congolese being escorted through the park by the rangers.
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).
Pakistan airplane crash
A Pakistan International Airlines flight flying from Lahore with 99 people on board crashed into a residential neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan, as it was landing at Jinnah International Airport on May 22. At least 97 people were killed, while eight people on the ground were injured. Two passengers were found alive.
East Africa floods
Heavy rains in East Africa caused deadly flooding in early May in Somalia, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, killing more than 260 people throughout the region. The unusually heavy rains also caused the water level of Lake Victoria to reach record levels, forcing villages on the shore to be evacuated.
Afghanistan nursery attack
Gunmen stormed a maternity ward at a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 12, killing at least 24 people, including children and babies, and injuring 15 others.
Syria car bombing
In northwestern Syria on April 28, a car bomb set off at a market in Afrin killed at least 40 people and injured 47 others. Afrin is controlled by the Turkish military and allied Syrian opposition forces.
Italy bridge collapses
A highway bridge crossing the River Magra in northern Italy collapsed on April 9. The 4-lane bridge is usually heavily trafficked, but, due to COVID-19 quarantines in the area, it was practically empty at the time, with only two cars on the bridge. Both drivers suffered minor injuries.
Nigeria militant attacks
In northwestern Nigeria, attacks on villages in Katsina state killed at least 47 people on April 20. The attacks were blamed on groups of armed bandits known to be operating in the area. The motivation behind the attacks was not known at press time.
Record knife crime in UK
According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, knife crime in England and Wales was at a record high in 2019, with 45,627 reported attacks. Knife crime statistics include any offense in which a knife was involved, such as a robbery, even if no stabbing occurred.
COVID-19 update
At press time, COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 212 countries or territories, with more than 3.5 million confirmed cases and, of those, more than 250,000 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).
Mexico City metro crash
Two subway trains in Mexico City collided on March 10, killing one person and injuring 41. The crash occurred when one train reversed into the other. The cause of that train’s reversing was under investigation at press time.
Tunisia bombing
Two suicide bombers detonated their bombs near the US Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia, on March 6, killing one policeman and injuring several people. It was the first terrorist attack in the country since a series of Daesh (ISIL) suicide bombings in June 2019.
Zagreb earthquake
An earthquake measuring 5.3 in magnitude occurred near the city of Zagreb, Croatia, on March 22, critically injuring one person. It was the strongest earthquake to occur in Croatia in more than a century.
COVID-19 update
At press time, COVID-19 infections had been confirmed in 212 countries or territories, with more than 3.2 million confirmed cases and, of those, more than 230,000 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).