January 19, 2025
World News
A range of risks occur for travellers, the top three are generally from crime, road traffic accidents (RTA's), disease and illness. In most of the large South American and African countries, crime will be the main risk. In South East Asia, it would be road traffic accidents and more recently, urban pollution.
The best sources of global news are the BBC, Reuters, The Economist and The Guardian. Currently the war in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza conflict is focusing world attention. Russia is increasing its global voice with a despotic informal alliance with N Korea and Iran at a time that the USA is racked by infernal divisions and distraction of the 2024 presidential election. China continue to asert it's global presence. Across the globe there are neasrly 60 country elections planned so potentially 2024 will be a year of even greater geo political flux.
Current highlights:
- Israel/Gaza: Ceasefire delayed
- USA: Los Angeles wildfire better under control
- Canada: president Trudeau resigns
- Tanzania: Outbreak Marburg disease
- Ukraine: Stops transit of Russian gas to Europe
- S Korea: Plane crashes kills over 150
- Syria: Situation relatively calm post fall of Assad
- Ukraine: Increase in attacks on enery plants by Russia
- Burkina Faso: Military disolves government
- India: Severe pollution in many cities
- Lebanon: IDF launches limited ground invasion
- Nigeria: Increase cases of Chlorea
- Rwanda: Outbreak of Marburg disease
- Nepal: Flooding kills over 100
- Russia: Forces continue operations in Kurk Oblast
- India: Elections in Kashmir end of Sept/early Oct
- Africa: Over 14,000 cases of M pox virus, 450 deaths
- Bangladesh: 90 dead in violent protests
- Mexico: Increased cases of Dengue Fever
- Brazil: Surge in cases of Dengue Fever
- Sudan: Increased tribal & ethnic violencce
- Panama: Low water levels in canal
- South Africa: Power cuts up to 12hrs /day
