News Watch

Typhoon Utor struck the Philippines on Aug. 12, causing floods and landslides that left houses crushed, roads blocked, power lines downed and crops destroyed. Most of the damage was in Aurora province, about 300 kilometers northeast of Manila, but heavy rains and winds caused businesses and schools to close in the surrounding area. During each typhoon season, the Philippines sees about 20 storms.

Utor made landfall in Guangdong province in southern China on Aug. 19. Heavy rains, high...

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Typhoon Maring struck the Philippines, Aug. 18-22, causing damage on the islands of Luzon and shutting down most of the metro Manila area. 

More than 160 flights were canceled at the Manila airport during the storm. However, two air traffic controllers made it to the airport and on Aug. 19 and 20 handled 60 arrivals and 60 departures to relieve some of the airport congestion.

The Department of State warns that travel in all areas of Afghanistan remains unsafe due to military combat operations, land mines, banditry, robberies, violent crime, ambushes, kidnapping, armed rivalry between political and tribal groups, and the possibility of insurgent attacks. Remnants of the former Taliban regime and the al-Qaeda terrorist network remain active. 

Kabul City and its suburbs are also considered at high risk for militant attacks, including rocket attacks, vehicle-...

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The Department of State continues to warn of the high threat of terrorism and kidnappings in Algeria. The majority of terrorist attacks, including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings and ambushes, occur in areas of the country east and south of Algiers.

The US Department of State reminds travelers that crime and violence levels in El Salvador remain critically high. 

Transnational criminal organizations conduct narcotics and arms trafficking throughout the country and use violence to control drug-trafficking routes and carry out other criminal activity. Other criminals commit crimes such as murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, armed robbery, rape and other aggravated assaults. 

El Salvador, a country of roughly six million...

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With the Hajj scheduled in 2013 for Oct. 13-18, the Saudi Arabian government has joined with the World Health Organization in alerting pilgrims to Mecca to avoid possible infection by Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Considered a serious infection, the MERS coronavirus was discovered in 2012 in four countries: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE. It is passed by close contact with an infected person, and the incubation period is seven to fourteen days. Three million people...

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The Department of State reminds travelers considering visiting Haiti to be aware of the poor state of Haiti’s emergency response network, the lack of adequate infrastructure, particularly in medical facilities, limited police protection and seasonal severe inclement weather. Travelers are encouraged to use organizations that have solid infrastructure, evacuation and medical-support options in place. The department encourages visitors to obtain evacuation insurance. 

US citizens have...

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In Canada, a runaway train carrying crude oil derailed in the center of Lac-Mégantic, southeastern Quebec, on July 6, causing tremendous explosions and fire that killed 47 people and flattened 40 buildings. The cause was human error; a handbrake was not set properly on the parked train.