A recent knife attack in Taipei on December 20 left 3 dead and 11 injured. The attack was carried out by a single man who perished in the ensuing chase. The mayor of the city pledged and increased security presence, which will likely be especially present near transportation hubs. This is likely because part of the attack took place outside of a main metro station.
Avoid the immediate area around Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia over the coming days following a mass shooting. The attack took place around 6:45 PM local time (2:45 AM ET) when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Current reporting puts the death toll at 11 people from the designated terrorist attack. The immediate threat is over; one attacker is dead and the other in critical condition.
A general strike on December 11 will cause extreme disruptions to transportation by flight, rail, and metro across Portugal. The strike was called by two of Portugal’s largest unions to protest the government’s proposed revision of labor codes. Flights are expected to run at minimal services, with some providers such as TAP Air Portugal already cancelling flights. Metro and rail services are also expected to be heavily impacted with limited trains available.
A general strike on December 11 will cause extreme disruptions to transportation by flight, rail, and metro across Portugal. The strike was called by two of Portugal’s largest unions to protest the government’s proposed revision of labor codes. Flights are expected to run at minimal services, with some providers such as TAP Air Portugal already cancelling flights. Metro and rail services are also expected to be heavily impacted with limited trains available.
Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica over the coming weeks due to a rise in violent crime. More than 700 homicides have been registered in 2025, marking a continuation of record-high violence in recent years. On November 25, the US Embassy issued a security alert highlighting rising criminal activity. Foreign visitors have increasingly been targeted, with crimes including armed robberies, assaults, burglaries, extortion, and financial scams, particularly in rental accommodations and tourist areas.
The national government declared a state of emergency until at least December 11 following the widespread flooding from Cyclone Senyar in Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Aceh, and North Sumatra. There are reports of at least 435 fatalities and 406 missing. This SoE allows more resources and first responders to be mobilized to address the disaster. An additional SoE has been issued in Northern Aceh until January 15. Travel disruptions are expected.
Violent protests and counter protests organized in and around Giessen until December 1. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) held a convention to establish its new official youth organization, “Generation Germany” (GD). Counter protests have been reported since early November 29, with police employing water cannon and pepper spray to disperse several protests. Demonstrators reportedly used flares against the police in the Schlachthofstrasse area, as well as stopped and damaged vehicles in Hessen.
There has been one confirmed fatal case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in the Khomas region of Namibia as of November 23. This potentially fatal virus is transmitted through tick bites, or contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals or people. It is a flu-like illness, with additional symptoms like abdominal pain and bleeding.
Peruvian authorities have extended the SoE in the Callao region and Lima until at least December 21, and declared an additional SoE in the Trujillo and Viru provinces until at least January 21, 2026 citing persistent criminal violence. These measures increase security presences, expand powers for searches, and implement more checkpoints, although no curfew has been announced. This coincides with recent anti-government protests and related unrest.
Workers with the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) will strike between 12:01 AM and 11:00 PM from November 25 to 27, after extended failed negotiations with private rail company Iryo. The strike will be supported by 360 crew members and 13 office workers. This will reduce Iryo’s work capacity to governmentally mandated minimums, heavily affecting the high speed rail schedule in Madrid.