HOT SPOTS Snapshots of Today's Events Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Posted on Aug 20, 2008

IN TODAY'S ISSUE

AMERICAS
United States


ASIA
China
Georgia
India
Philippines


EUROPE
Spain
Turkey


MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Algeria


SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Democratic Republic Of Congo



AMERICAS

United States (Country threat level - 3): Tropical Storm Fay weakened on 20 August 2008. As of 0900 UTC the storm was located near Cape Canaveral, Florida. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph/43 kt and is moving north at 7 mph/6 kt. The storm has spawned at least seven tornadoes across Florida. More than 95,000 homes are currently without power in south Florida. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, the storm may regain some of its intensity over the next 24 hours as it moves over warm waters along the eastern coast of Florida. However, the possibility of it becoming a hurricane has significantly diminished. The storm will likely remain near the east-central and northeastern coast of Florida through 21 August. The storm is expected to produce significant rainfall over the eastern coast of north Florida and Georgia.


ASIA

China (Country threat level - 3): A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck in an area on China’s border with Myanmar on 20 August 2008 at 0535 (2135 UTC). The tremors hit approximately 140 mi/225 km west of Dali, a city in China's southwest region. The earthquake impacted at a depth of approximately 5 mi/8 km. Sources indicate that approximately 1,200 people were forced to evacuate the area, which is near the epicenter of the devastating May 2008 earthquake. In the town of Sudian, many homes collapsed, but no casualties were reported.


Georgia (Country threat level - 4): Reports on 20 August 2008 indicate that Russian forces are continuing their slow withdrawal from Georgian territory. Two Russian checkpoints near the city of Gori -- one on the Mtkvari River bridge and one on the Liakhvi River bridge -- have reportedly been removed, but at least two others remain in place.

Russian troops remain in the village of Igoeti, approximately 27 mi/43 km from Tbilisi. There also continues to be activity at various Georgian military bases, where Russian forces have allegedly been taking equipment and destroying facilities. Several explosions were reported at the military base in Osiauri overnight and on the morning of 20 August.


India (Country threat level - 3): A strike involving millions of transportation workers employed at airports, rail stations and banks severely disrupted the country on 20 August 2008. The participants were protesting over the increased inflation rate in India. The event was organized by Communist Party-affiliated unions.

Flights between New Delhi and Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state, were suspended, and officials at Kolkata airport (VECC/CCU) stated that flights will remain canceled until 21 August 2008. Transportation by rail and road was severely disrupted in West Bengal, while banking services were slim; 10,000 security personnel have been stationed throughout West Bengal "as a precautionary measure.” Other areas such as Chennai and areas of Tamil Nadu were also affected, but not to the extent as was seen in West Bengal (as the Communist Party is influential in the state).


Philippines (Country threat level - 4): Typhoon Nuri made landfall in the northeastern province of Cagayan on 20 August 2008. Much of Luzon Island was affected by heavy rainfall, and mudslides killed at least five people. There were reports of minor flooding and tornado warnings in Metro Manila. Authorities closed schools in the capital.

As of 0000 UTC, Nuri was located approximately 280 mi/450 km north-northeast of Manila and was moving north-northwest at 12 mph/11 kt. Maximum sustained wind speed was 110 mph/95 kt, with gusts of up to 132 mph/115 kt.


EUROPE

Spain (Country threat level - 3): A Spanair passenger aircraft has reportedly run off the runway as it was taking off at Barajas Airport (LEMD/MAD) in Madrid shortly before 1500 local time (1300 UTC) on 20 August 2008. The aircraft -- flight number AJK 5022 -- was departing from Terminal 4 on Runway 36. It was en route to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria and had 163 passengers on board. The aircraft is currently on fire. No adverse weather conditions have been reported. At least two people have been killed and more than 40 injured; additional casualties are possible. Major delays are expected at the airport, as August is typically a busy period for travel and vacations.


Turkey (Country threat level - 4): A suspected suicide bomber attempting to flee from police officers detonated explosives at a checkpoint outside of Mersin on 19 August 2008. The blast killed the bomber and injured 12 police officers. Turkish authorities were reportedly pursuing the vehicle based on information concerning an impending bomb attack in Mersin. There was no immediate confirmation on the identity of the bomber. Islamic militants motivated by al-Qaeda and separatists with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have both been blamed for carrying out recent attacks in Turkey.


MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Algeria (Country threat level - 4): Two near-simultaneous car bombings occurred in the town of Bouira, located approximately 90 mi/150 km east of Algiers, on 20 August 2008. The first device exploded at around 0600 local time, targeting a military command post. The second bombing occurred outside Hotel Sofi, the largest hotel in Bouira, approximately 15 minutes after the initial attack. The car bomb exploded next to a bus picking up passengers from the hotel, reportedly for transportation to a nearby dam construction project; the bus was the apparent target. According to unconfirmed reports, the passengers may have been Canadian nationals working at the project. At least 11 people were killed and 31 others were injured in the two attacks; most of the casualties resulted from the attack at the hotel and involved civilians. At this point, no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they were more than likely perpetrated by militants from the al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The group has carried out numerous attacks in the country since early 2007, several of which targeted foreign personnel. It remains unknown whether the bombings were perpetrated by suicide bombers or via remote control. The 20 August attacks come one day after a bombing attack targeted a military training school in Issers, located 34 mi/55 km east of Algiers.


SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Democratic Republic Of Congo (Country threat level - 5): Reports on 19 August 2008 indicate that a doctors' strike in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has spread from its initial concentration in the capital, Kinshasa, to hospitals and clinics nationwide. The National Syndicate of Doctors (SYNAMED) reports that all doctors in Kinshasa are observing the strike -- which officially began on 17 August -- and that medical workers in several other cities are also participating in the strike to protest over low pay and poor working conditions. SYNAMED officials have stated that the strike will last for two weeks.

ASI Comment: Because of the low standards of medical care in the DRC, medical evacuation is usually necessary for any serious medical problems. However, visitors to the DRC should be aware that, with the nationwide strike currently ongoing, even basic medical care will be non-existent.


SIGNIFICANT DATES

20 August

China: Olympic Games being held in Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Shenyang, Qinhuangdao; increased security throughout Olympic cities.
Argentina: Anniversary of Gen. Jose de San Martin's Death (Public Holiday)
Estonia: Day of Restoration of Independence (Public holiday)
Hungary: National Day / Feast of St. Stephen (Public holiday. Offices and businesses close. Outdoor celebrations organized.)
Morocco: King's and People's Revolution Day (Marks the struggle of the deceased king Mohamed V and the Moroccan people against the French occupation.)


23 August

China: Olympic Games being held in Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Shenyang, Qinhuangdao; increased security throughout Olympic cities.
Worldwide: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition


24 August

China: Olympic Games being held in Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Shenyang, Qinhuangdao; increased security throughout Olympic cities.
India: Krishna Janamashti/Janmastami (Hindu festival to commemorate the birth of Krishna. Marked by fasting and prayer).
Liberia: National Flag Day
Ukraine: Independence Day (Public holiday; government offices and businesses closed. Official ceremonies and parades planned.)


25 August

Paraguay: Constitution Day
United Kingdom: Bank Holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
United States: Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center and INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado (Protests/transportation delays likely)
Uruguay: Independence Day (Public holiday; government and business offices close.)


26 August

United States: Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center and INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado (Protests/transportation delays likely)
Malaysia: Controversial parliamentary by-election (protests and unrest possible)
Namibia: Heroes Day (Public holiday; government and business offices close.)


27 August

United States: Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center and INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado (Protests/transportation delays likely)
Bangladesh: Anniversary of 2005 bomb attacks (Probability of political rallies or strikes.)
Moldova: Independence Day (Public holiday; government and commercial offices closed.)


28 August

United States: Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center and INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado (Protests/transportation delays likely)
Tajikistan: Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit being held in Dushanbe (increased security measures likely)


29 August

Slovakia: Slovak National Uprising (Public holiday. Most offices and businesses close. Outdoor rallies organized.)


30 August

Kazakhstan: Constitution Day (Businesses and government offices closed)
Peru: St. Rose of Lima (Public holiday. Festivals held; government and business offices close.)
Turkey: Victory Day (Public holiday. Offices and businesses close. Military parades organized in larger cities.)



ASI THREAT LEVEL DEFINITIONS

1 - A minimum threat of physical harm. Petty crime is the most common threat.

2 - A low threat of physical harm. Petty crime and infrequent demonstrations are the most common threats.

3 - A medium threat of physical harm. Petty crime and demonstrations are common and violent acts do occur.

4 - A high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, demonstrations or terrorism.

5 - A very high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, terrorism, demonstrations or war.