April 29, 2009 by Tim McDowell.

The Mexican government continues to take measures to prevent the further spreading of swine flu, which has infected more than 2,000 people and has killed more than 150 so far. The Mexican Interior Ministry has closed all dine-in restaurants until 6 May, although restaurants will still be allowed to serve takeout food. All movie theaters, zoos, museums, gyms, sports clubs, swimming pools and pool halls also must remain closed. The virus has infected more than 150 people in the United States. U.S. officials have confirmed the death of at least one child in Texas as a result of swine flu. The virus has spread to several other countries in recent days, including Costa Rica, Germany and Austria.

The European Union has a travel advisory in place against nonessential travel to the United States and Mexico, while the United States has a travel advisory against nonessential travel to Mexico. The World Health Organization has not recommended any travel restrictions. Cuba has suspended flights to and from Mexico until 30 April. Argentina has announced a ban on direct flights to and from Mexico until 4 May. Canada’s Air Transat has suspended flights to Mexico from Canada and France through 1 June. Canada’s West Jet and Air Canada will suspend flights until June 2009. France will ask the European Union on 30 April to ban flights to and from Mexico. Most U.S. carriers are waiving cancellation penalties and rescheduling fees for passengers scheduled to depart to Mexico, but there have been no indications that any major carriers will suspend flights. Several cruise ships have canceled planned stops at Mexican ports.

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April 28, 2009 by Tim McDowell.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City issued the following Warden Message on 25 April 2009: “The governments of the United States and Mexico are working closely together to contain the current outbreak of H1N1 influenza. In accordance with measures announced by the City of Mexico to limit the congregation of large crowds, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City will suspend all non-essential consular services from Monday, April 27, 2009 through Thursday, April 30, 2009. On Friday May 1st the Embassy is closed for a local holiday.

“From Monday, April 27 to Thursday, April 30th, consular services for U.S. citizens will be limited to citizenship applications (passports and consular reports of birth abroad, or CRBA) and emergency assistance only. Notarial and other routine services will not be available; anyone with passport or CRBA appointments is encouraged but not required to reschedule to a later date. Additionally, the Federal Benefits Unit is requesting all persons to postpone interviews on Social Security claims.

“The Visa Unit will also suspend normal operations during this week. The Embassy will reschedule all visa applications which have been made for the week of April 27th. Our call center will call or e-mail applicants to reschedule appointments. Alternatively, applicants may re-schedule visa appointments without being charged by calling 01-800-719-2525. If there is an emergency visa issue please email visas_mexico@state.gov.

“Finally, the Benjamin Franklin Library will be closed to the public next week.

“These are precautionary measures only, taken to best assure the well-being of our clients and staff.

“The United States has imposed no additional constraints or limitations on travel between the United States and Mexico. Travelers are encouraged to comply with suggestions by Mexican public health officials and to be alert to good health and sanitation practices.

“The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Mexico that most cases of influenza are not ‘swine flu;’ any specific questions or concerns about flu or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Mexico City medical authorities urge people to avoid hospitals and clinics unless they have a medical emergency, since hospitals are centers of infection; instead, those with health concerns are encouraged to stay home and call their physicians to avoid potential exposure. Although the U.S. Embassy cannot give medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at the following links: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/sacs_medical_info.html (Spanish)http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_medical_info.html (English)

“At this time the Mexican Secretariat of Health urges people to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting, or using the subway. Maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other persons may decrease the risk of exposure. In addition, the following prevention tips are from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website:

1. Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.

If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4. Clean your hands.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits.

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

“The U.S.-based call center for U.S. citizens can be reached from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, M-F, at 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from outside the U.S., at (202)-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy will also post additional information as it becomes available at: www.usembassy-mexico.gov.”

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April 28, 2009 by Tim McDowell.

As of 27 April 2009 several countries are taking urgent steps to control the spread of swine flu. The new strain of influenza may have killed up to 103 people in Mexico; more than 1,600 people are believed to have been infected, with 400 of those requiring hospitalization. Fifteen states in Mexico and Mexico City have reported possible swine flu cases, with the highest numbers in San Luis Potosi, Mexico state and Mexico City. To prevent the spread of the virus, on 24 April Mexico City officials canceled all public events for 10 days. In addition, authorities have closed schools in Mexico City and in the states of Mexico and San Luis Potosi, intending to reopen them on 6 May.

In the United States, cases have been reported in California, Texas, New York, Ohio and Kansas. There have been no deaths in any of the confirmed infections, but health officials have expressed concern that a widespread outbreak could lead to more serious cases. U.S. officials have not indicated that a closure of the U.S.-Mexico border is planned, but airlines and border patrols have stepped up screenings of travelers from Mexico. The Department of Homeland Security has declared a national public health emergency.

Confirmed cases have also been reported in Canada, Spain and New Zealand, and suspected cases have been reported in the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Hong Kong and Israel. So far, no governments or international institutions have banned travel to Mexico; however, officials in several countries have instituted measures to detect and screen passengers from Mexico and the U.S. who exhibit flu-like symptoms. Passengers with such symptoms may be quarantined. The European Union health commissioner has encouraged Europeans to postpone nonessential travel to the United States and Mexico.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will meet with medical experts on 28 April to discuss the possibility of raising its pandemic alert level. The alert level is currently at three, which denotes the discovery of a new strain of influenza. WHO officials stated that more epidemiological information was needed on the strain before a change to the current level could be considered.

MEDEX Global Group has issued the following recommendations:

Travelers should take precautions against infection by avoiding large crowds, limiting physical contact with others, avoiding public transportation and using proper hand washing techniques.

MEDEX also advises that generally, empiric treatment with Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or Zanamivir (Relenza) is recommended.

Anyone who comes into contact with a person experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact a health professional.

Travelers should follow local public health recommendations, particularly with the number of reported cases on the rise.

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April 14, 2009 by Tim McDowell.

On 14 April 2009 anti-government protesters in Bangkok ended their siege at the Government House complex. Protest leaders stated that the demonstrators were encouraged to disperse amid fears that the situation would again become violent as troops surrounded the complex. According to reports, approximately 2,000 protesters were gathered at the Government House before the protests ended. The protesters used trees and natural gas tanker trucks to blockade the entrances to the complex so that troops would not interfere. Protest leaders eventually called off the demonstration, and the protesters were allowed to peacefully vacate the premises. A state-owned transport company is providing free buses to transport the protesters to their various home provinces. Protesters were instructed to gather at the Equestrian Statue in the Royal Plaza to be picked up. Numerous banks, shopping malls and markets have begun to reopen as of 14 April, and the Songkran New Year Holiday for civil servants has been extended until 17 April in order to repair and clean up areas in the capital that were affected by the violent protests that have occurred in the capital for three weeks. Authorities advised state enterprises, financial institutions and private firms to make their own decisions regarding a possible holiday extension beyond the evening of 15 April. Transportation services and routes have returned to normal (aside from some bus routes being detoured due to debris in the streets) and the airports continue to operate without disruption. Although the state of emergency remains in effect for now while authorities evaluate the security situation, it will likely be lifted within the next 24-48 hours.

ASI Comment: As the crisis has abated for the present time, non-essential travel to Bangkok can resume as planned after the state of emergency is lifted. Despite this, travel to the country should be undertaken with caution, as the situation in the capital remains fluid.

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April 8, 2009 by Tim McDowell.

Somali pirates on Wednesday hijacked a U.S.-flagged cargo ship with 20 American crew members aboard, FOX News has learned.

The 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama was carrying emergency relief to Mombasa, Kenya at the time it was hijacked, said Peter Beck-Bang, spokesman for the Copenhagen-based container shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk.

A Kenya-based diplomat identified the vessel and told the Associated Press all crew members are American. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The U.S. Navy confirmed the hijacking early Wednesday off the eastern coast of Somalia and said it is monitoring the situation with its own ships.

Spokesman Lt. Nathan Christensen said the attack happened in the early hours of the morning, about 280 miles northeast of Eyl, a town in the northern Puntland region of Somalia.

“The area, the ship was taken in, is not where the focus of our ships has been,” Christensen told The Associated Press on the phone from the 5th Fleet’s Mideast headquarters in Bahrain.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,513183,00.html

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April 8, 2009 by Tim McDowell.

WASHINGTON —  Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to current and former national-security officials.

The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, these officials said, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls. The intruders haven’t sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, but officials warned they could try during a crisis or war.

“The Chinese have attempted to map our infrastructure, such as the electrical grid,” said a senior intelligence official. “So have the Russians.”

• Click here to visit FOXNews.com’s Cybersecurity Center.

The espionage appeared pervasive across the U.S. and doesn’t target a particular company or region, said a former Department of Homeland Security official. “There are intrusions, and they are growing,” the former official said, referring to electrical systems. “There were a lot last year.”

Many of the intrusions were detected not by the companies in charge of the infrastructure but by U.S. intelligence agencies, officials said. Intelligence officials worry about cyber attackers taking control of electrical facilities, a nuclear power plant or financial networks via the Internet.

Authorities investigating the intrusions have found software tools left behind that could be used to destroy infrastructure components, the senior intelligence official said. He added, “If we go to war with them, they will try to turn them on.”

Officials said water, sewage and other infrastructure systems also were at risk.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123914805204099085.html

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April 7, 2009 by Tim McDowell.

Members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) began a nationwide strike on 7 April 2009. Approximately 30,000 freight and long-haul drivers are expected to participate in the strike, which is proceeding despite ongoing negotiations with the Road Freight Association (RFA) to address drivers’ salary grievances. SATAWU has stated that its members will continue the strike until their demands are met. The labor action has raised concerns about nationwide fuel shortages. Although some fuel distributing companies — including Engen and Chevron South Africa — have stated that they have put contingency plans in place to ensure fuel delivery to their depots, authorities expect most petrol stations to have limited fuel supplies once their current supplies run out.

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April 4, 2009 by Tim McDowell.

BREAKING NEWS —  North Korea defiantly carried out a provocative rocket launch Sunday that the U.S., Japan and other nations suspect was a cover for a test of its long-range missile technology.

Liftoff took place at 10:30 p.m. EDT Saturday from the coastal Musudan-ri launch pad in northeastern North Korea, the South Korean government said. In Washington, the State Department also confirmed the launch.

“We look on this as a provocative act,” U.S. State Department spokesman Fred Lash said.

The launch “will prompt the United States to take appropriate steps to let North Korea know that it cannot threaten the safety and security of other countries with impunity,” Lash said.

“North’s Korea’s development, deployment and proliferation of missiles, ballistic missile-related materials, equipment and technologies pose a serious threat to the northeast Asia region and to the international community,” Lash said.

 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512583,00.html

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