NORTH AMERICA

Canada (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 1230 local time (1630 UTC) on 11 August 2022, a significant power outage occurred in downtown Toronto, affecting approximately 10,000 customers. The outage prompted the evacuation of the city’s largest shopping mall and the closure of multiple businesses, including banks and restaurants. Emergency crews attended at least a dozen locations to rescue people trapped in elevators. Meanwhile, police officers deployed to direct vehicular traffic across the downtown area, as traffic lights were not working due to the power outage. Electricity was fully restored in the affected area after more than seven hours. The Hydro One energy company stated that the outage occurred after a crane on a barge collided with three high-voltage transmission power lines at a station in the Port Lands neighborhood.

United States (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 0915 local time (1315 UTC) on 11 August 2022, a gunman attempted to breach an FBI field office in Cincinnati, Ohio, then fled the scene after agents stationed at the office confronted him. A state trooper traveling on Interstate 71 spotted the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to pull him over, but the suspect again escaped. Police officers later engaged in an hours-long standoff with the suspect on a rural road in Clinton County before shooting and killing him shortly before 1600 local time. Authorities believe the deceased was a “suspected domestic violent extremist.”

SOUTH AMERICA

Brazil (Security threat level – 3): On 11 August 2022, thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators gathered in multiple cities across Brazil, including São Paulo, to demand that President Jair Bolsonaro respect the outcome of the upcoming 2 October presidential election. Bolsonaro recently criticized electronic voting systems and accused the Supreme Court justices of favoring his political opponents. Meanwhile, nearly 900,000 Brazilians signed a petition in support of democratic institutions amid fears that Bolsonaro may not accept the election outcome.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Burkina Faso (Security threat level – 4): On 11 August 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows: “Demonstrations are expected in Ouagadougou at the French Embassy on Friday, August 12, from 08:00 to 16:00. The demonstration is organized by Mouvement M30 Naaba Wobgo and La Coalition des Patriotes Africains du Burkina Faso (COPA-BF). Burkinabe authorities have not granted a permit for this demonstration. As a result, the demonstration may relocate to the Conseil Burkinabe des Chargeurs. Expect roadblocks or large groups of demonstrators in downtown Ouagadougou and surrounding areas.”