News Watch
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).
Taliban attacks in Afghanistan
Shortly after the US government agreed on the terms of a peace deal with the Islamist militant group the Taliban in Afghanistan on Feb. 29, Taliban forces began attacking Afghani military targets throughout the country, causing the deaths of at least 20 people, some civilians.
Terrorist attack, Maldives
Three people, two from China and one from Australia, were stabbed and injured in a knife attack on the island of Hulhumale, Maldives, on Feb. 4. A local group with ties to the Islamist militant group Daesh claimed responsibility.
Virus outbreak update
As of press time, the number of cases of Covid-19, the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China, in January, had reached nearly 90,000 and the number of dead, 3,056.
Nigeria militant attack
In Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, a group of militants attacked a roadside rest stop in the town of Auno on Feb. 9, burning people alive who were sleeping in their cars and kidnapping women and children. At least 30 people were killed in the attack.
Italy train crash
An Italian high-speed train traveling from Milan to Salerno derailed on Feb. 6 near the city of Lodi, killing two people, both drivers. Two people were seriously injured.
India ethnic violence
Protests over a new citizenship law in India enacted on Dec. 12, 2019, which denies citizenship to immigrants from neighboring Muslim countries unless those immigrants are non-Muslim minorities, broke out in Delhi on Feb. 23, coinciding with the arrival of President Donald Trump.
Car attack in Germany
A man drove his car into a group of people celebrating Carnival in the city of Volkmarsen, Germany, on Feb. 24, injuring 76, including himself. According to witnesses, the man intentionally drove into the crowd and appeared to target children.
Natural disasters, Turkey
Two significant natural disasters occurred in Turkey in February.
Mass shooting, Thailand
In central Thailand, a soldier opened fire on groups of people in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima on Feb. 9, killing 29, with his commanding officer and that officer’s mother-in-law the first to be killed.
Plane crash in Turkey
A Pegasus Airlines plane flying into Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport from İzmir, western Turkey, with 185 people skidded off the runway and split apart while landing on Feb. 5, killing three and injuring 180. The crash was blamed on weather conditions at the time — heavy wind and rain.
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).
Germany far-right terrorism
A gunman opened fire on two hookah bars in the city of Hanau, western Germany, on the evening of Feb. 19, killing eight people and injuring five others. Each of the people shot was of Middle Eastern or Turkish origin.
Australia train crash
An Australian passenger train traveling from Sydney to Melbourne with 153 passengers derailed on Feb. 20, killing two people, both drivers, and injuring four others.
Israel/Palestine unrest
Following the release of a proposed peace plan for Israel and Palestine by President Donald Trump, a plan roundly criticized by Palestinians and neighboring countries in the Middle East, protests broke out in the West Bank and Gaza, occasionally becoming violent.