AFRICA Ethiopia (Security threat level – 5): On 12 November 2022, the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) militant group signed a peace agreement in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. The agreement establishes the formation of a joint committee to oversee the peace process and includes security guarantees for aid workers, unhindered humanitarian aid to residents in the Tigray region, civilian protection measures and the disarmament of the TPLF. The truce — which follows the conclusion of negotiations in Pretoria, South Africa, the previous week — is aimed at ending fighting between the Ethiopian military and TPLF forces that has occurred periodically since 2019. ________________________________________ ASIA China (Security threat level – 3): On 11 November 2022, Chinese health officials announced that coronavirus-related mandatory quarantine periods for inbound travelers will be reduced from 10 days to eight, effective immediately. Under the newly announced quarantine rules, travelers will be required to spend five days at a government-designated isolation center followed by three days of self-isolation at lodging accommodations of their choice. Inbound arrivals are still required to take six nucleic acid tests before ending their quarantine period. Additionally, incoming travelers to China will now only be required to show proof of one negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at least 48 hours prior to arrival instead of two COVID-19 tests. Furthermore, airlines will no longer be penalized for unknowingly transporting passengers who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in China. ________________________________________ EUROPE Albania (Security threat level – 3): On 12 November 2022, thousands of anti-government demonstrators gathered in front of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office in central Tirana to protest corruption and heightened poverty rates. Protesters attempted to break through police barriers surrounding the prime minister’s office and threw paint at the building. Police officers at the scene used force to prevent demonstrators from further vandalizing the building. At least one demonstrator was detained during the incident. Portugal (Security threat level – 2): On 12 November 2022, dozens of climate activists stormed the Order of Accountants building located on Defensores de Chaves Avenue in the capital Lisbon during an event attended by Portugal’s minister of economy and maritime affairs. Police officers removed the protesters from the building and cordoned off the area while the minister reportedly left the building through a back door. Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered outside of the building to call for increased government action against climate change and to demand the minister’s resignation; the protest occurred amid the United Nations COP27 climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Spain (Security threat level – 2): On 13 November 2022, approximately 200,000 demonstrators gathered at the Plaza de Cibeles in the capital Madrid in support of public health care. Multiple groups of protesters marched to the plaza from the Atocha train station, Hospital de la Princesa, Nuevos Ministerios and the Ópera subway station. Left-wing parties and unions organized the demonstration to express displeasure with the regional government’s plans to further privatize health care due to a shortage of public health care employees. Spain (Security threat level – 2): On 12 November 2022, officials temporarily suspended operations at Valencia Airport (LEVC/VLC) due to flooding on the runway. Authorities stated that at least 28 flights were canceled and 10 more were diverted to airports in the cities of Alicante, Ibiza and the capital Madrid amid heavy rains and strong wind gusts. Operations at the airport were suspended for more than four hours. Meanwhile, widespread flooding inundated bridges and roads and disrupted transportation services in Valencia and the nearby municipality of Castellón. ________________________________________ MIDDLE EAST Turkey (Security threat level – 3): At approximately 1620 local time (1320 UTC) on 13 November 2022, an explosion occurred on Istiklal Avenue near Taksim Square in the city of Istanbul. Six people were killed in the blast and 81 more were injured. Turkey’s interior minister stated that the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) was responsible for the attack. Officials later announced the arrests of 46 people believed to be associated with the PKK — including the alleged bomber. The PKK has denied any involvement in the bombing. ________________________________________ NORTH AMERICA United States (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 1320 local time (1920 UTC) on 12 November 2022, two vintage military aircraft collided in midair and fell to the ground at Texas’ Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD/RBD), located approximately 10 mi (15 km) southwest of downtown Dallas, during an air show being held to commemorate Veterans Day. A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber collided with a Bell P-63 Kingcobra aircraft at low altitude, causing both aircraft to break apart and burst into flames, scattering debris on the airfield, a nearby highway and a strip mall. Six people aboard the two aircraft were killed in the event, but there were no reports of injuries on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have launched investigations to determine the cause of the collision. United States (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 2230 local time on 13 November 2022 (0330 UTC on 14 November), a gunman opened fire on the premises of the University of Virginia in the city of Charlottesville. Three people were killed and two others were wounded in the shooting. Authorities have identified the suspect as a former student-athlete, who remains at large. No information is available regarding a possible motive for the shooting. ________________________________________ SOUTH AMERICA Chile (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 2325 local time on 12 November 2022 (0225 on 13 November), a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 20 km (12 mi) north-northwest of Lebu — located about 93 km southwest of Concepción — at an estimated depth of 18 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Strong shaking was felt in Lebu, while moderate shaking was felt up to 180 km southeast of the quake’s epicenter in Vilcún. Power outages were reported in Lebu and Coronel — located approximately 80 km northeast of Lebu. There were no immediate reports of further damage or casualties following the tremor, and no tsunami warning was issued. ________________________________________ SOUTHEAST ASIA Indonesia (Security threat level – 4): On 13 November 2022, dozens of rioters set fire to several local government buildings, homes and vehicles in the Kamu district of Dogiyai Regency in eastern Papua province following the death of a local youth in a traffic accident near Ikebo village. After burning the vehicle involved in the accident, armed individuals clashed with and eventually overwhelmed police officers, who were forced to retreat. The mob then proceeded to burn several local government buildings along the Jalan Trans Nabire-Enarotali roadway, including the Education Office, the Finance Office, the Inspectorate Office and the Environment Office. A Papuan Regional Police spokesperson reported that at least two police officers and five rioters were injured in the violence. Travelers should expect an increased security presence throughout Kamu district in Dogiyai regency.