Advisories

Health officials announce dengue fever outbreak in Jamaica on September 25.

On September 25, health officials declared a dengue fever outbreak in Jamaica. There are at least 565 cases of suspected or confirmed cases located in the eastern section of the island, Kingston included. Dengue fever, AKA breakbone fever, is a mosquito-borne illness transmitted by infected Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. High fever, rash, and joint pain are common symptoms, with serious bleeding and shock occurring in severe cases.

On September 18, a violent incident at Chifley Library at Australian National University led to three injuries and one arrest.

An unknown assailant stabbed two people and assaulted a third at the Chifley Library at Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, on September 18. The police have apprehended a suspect, and the immediate area has been placed under a lockdown by the police so the investigation can continue. The situation is ongoing.

On September 17, a fatal stabbing at the Albany bus station in Auckland, New Zealand has caused heightened security and travel disruptions.

On September 18 at 12:50 PM, a stabbing incident killed one person at the Albany bus station in Auckland, New Zealand. The police are actively searching for a suspect, and have closed the station until September 19 to continue their investigation. An increased police presence will be in the area in the coming days. The police encourage any eyewitnesses to come forward.

Bombing in Tel Aviv, Israel, on the first day of Rosh Hashanah prompts increased security nationwide on September 15.

On the morning of September 15, a bomb detonated in Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, Israel. No casualties were reported. Additionally, incendiary projectiles were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel on the same day, the starting day of Rosh Hashanah. Elevated security measures, such as heightened security at airports, are to be expected nationwide. These measures will likely last until the conclusion of Yom Kippur at the end of September.

Anticipate major transportation disruptions as rail workers strike September 14-17 across South Korea

The South Korean National Railway Workers’ Union has announced plans to strike throughout the country September 14-17. Unionized workers will walk off the job beginning 9:00 AM September 14 to denounce continued overworking and underfunding. Sympathetic protests are likely in major cities during the strike, such as Seoul, Busan, and Incheon. Residual disruptions are likely though September 18.

A stabbing on September 6 at the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem, Israel injured two, one severely.

At around 5:00 PM on September 6, a Palestinian man stabbed an Israeli citizen and a tourist with a meat cleaver near the Jaffa Gate entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City. The Israeli citizen was rushed to a local hospital while the tourist sustained only minor injuries. The incident follows an attack on an Israeli police officer on September 4, reflecting increasing tensions in Israel and the West Bank.

On August 31, a fire erupted within the Central Business District in Johannesburg, South Africa with 73 fatalities and 43 injuries. 

On August 31, a deadly fire erupted in an abandoned five-story building within Johannesburg’s central business district, resulting in at least 73 fatalities and 43 injuries. The cause of the fire remains uncertain, posing risks of further disruption and casualties. The area has been blocked off as emergency services continue to contain the blaze.

University evacuates as protests become violent on Avenida Regional in Medellin, Colombia, on August 15.

On August 15, a protest on Avenida Regional highway turned violent when protesters began attacking vehicles and blocking traffic. University officials at the nearby Politecnico Jaime Isaza Cadavid University ordered the mandatory evacuation of all professors, students, and staff. Traffic along Avenida Regional will remain closed as security forces disperse the protestors. Clashes between the two groups are likely.

Bomb threats against public buildings have caused increased security throughout South Korea on August 16.

On August 16, bomb threats against city halls and universities across South Korea have forced increased security measures nationwide. Various universities such as the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon University, Seoul National University, Yonsei University Seoul Campus, and Korea University were threatened. The city halls of Busan, Daegu, Hwaseong, and Suwon were targeted as well. A heightened police presence will be in the areas until the areas are cleared.

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