Being called the worst disaster to hit Taiwan in 50 years, Typhoon Morakot caused extensive damage to the mountainous regions of southern Taiwan in August.

More than 370 people were confirmed dead, with more than 250 people missing and at least 7,000 displaced. The typhoon brought over six feet of rain in three days, causing mudslides (one buried the village of Hsiao Lin) and floods and destroying roads and bridges. 

The US Department of State recommends that US citizens defer all travel to Eritrea because of Eritrean government restrictions on travel outside the capital city of Asmara, an increased number of Americans being arrested without clear justification, and heightened tensions along Eritrea’s borders with both Ethiopia and Djibouti, where large numbers of troops have amassed. Travelers also are strongly advised to avoid the southern Red Sea region, including Assab.

The State Department strongly urges refraining from all travel to the Gaza Strip and southern Israel. Rockets and mortars are still being fired into Israel from Gaza, and the Israel Defense Forces continue to conduct military operations inside Gaza, including air strikes.

In the West Bank, the security environment has improved markedly since June 2007. Nonetheless, demonstrations and violent incidents can occur without warning. Vehicles have also been the target of rocks, Molotov...