Committee Hotspots

 

Concerns and prayers to our friend OZspeakup and the great folks down under during this serious flooding.

Australia (Country threat level - 2): Australian authorities urged residents on Brisbane's western border to evacuate on 11 January 2011 as floodwaters continued to move toward the city. At least 20 people in Queensland state have been killed and dozens more have been reported missing since the flooding began in late December 2010. At least three-quarters of the state has been declared a disaster area, and the rainfall is expected to continue in the coming days. State officials warned of continued severe flooding, food shortages and other disruptions in the region.

Brazil (Country threat level - 3): Heavy rains have affected much of Brazil since 10 January 2011, resulting in flooding and mudslides that caused serious transportation disruptions throughout Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states, killing at least 38 people. Several rivers and streams burst their banks, while mudslides buried houses and blocked roads across both states, causing major traffic jams in several locations. The Municipal Civil Defense on 12 January declared a state of alert due to landslides in 25 areas of Sao Paulo, whereas the flooding in the Rio de Janeiro state primarily affected the mountainous region, particularly in Teresopolis and Nova Friburgo.

Weather conditions resulted in delays and cancellations at Sao Paulo-Garulhos Airport (SBGR/GRU) on 11 January, with almost 50 percent of flights delayed more than half an hour and 10 cancellations. Operations at Congonhas Airport (SBSP/CGH) were also affected, with 28 delays and 30 cancellations reported. However, no air traffic disruptions have been reported on 12 January.

Chile (Country threat level - 2): Two women were run over by a truck and killed during a protest against a hike in fuel prices in Punta Arenas on 11 January 2011, and another four people suffered injuries. The protest, which was otherwise peaceful, was the latest in a series of demonstrations in the southern Magallanes region, where an indefinite regional strike began on 12 January to protest the government's decision to raise gas prices in the region by almost 18 percent.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Egypt (Country threat level - 3): The Egyptian government is downplaying any possibility that a shooting incident on a passenger train in Minya province on 11 January 2011 was related to growing sectarian tensions in the country. According to the most recent reports, an off-duty police officer boarded the train in Salamout, a town located approximately 160 mi/260 km south of Cairo, at approximately 1730 local time and opened fire on passengers, killing one and injuring five others. Initial reports suggested that the shooter first identified Coptic Christian passengers before shooting, but later reports indicated that while the victims were Christians the shooter also attempted to shoot two Muslim passengers -- possibly as they tried to subdue him -- but ran out of ammunition. The shooter was apprehended shortly after the incident, and the government has since stated that the off-duty police officer suffered from an unspecified mental illness and had previously been banned from carrying a weapon.

Analyst Comment: Regardless of the government’s efforts to stem an outcry from the Coptic community, the shooting attack will likely be viewed as having been directed at the minority Christian community, particularly as it comes amid heightened sectarian tensions and lingering concerns regarding the potential for attacks against Christians. Immediately following the incident there were concerns that it would spark renewed protests by Christians, who staged a series of protests following a 1 January suicide bombing attack on a Christian church in Alexandria; these concerns materialized later on 11 January, when protesters gathered outside the hospital in Salamout where those injured in the shooting were taken. Disturbances were reported as demonstrators clashed with security forces, who used tear gas to disperse them. While there have thus far been no reported demonstrations or unrest on 12 January, it is likely that further protest actions will occur in the near term.

Sudan (Country threat level - 4): On 11 January 2011 unidentified armed men killed 10 civilians in an ambush on the border between northern and southern Sudan. The attack targeted a group of southern Sudanese who had been displaced to the north but were returning to the south to vote in the referendum on southern secession. The motive of the attack is unknown.

Lebanon (Country threat level - 4): Hizballah and its allies in the Lebanese opposition are threatening to withdraw from the government over a longstanding dispute over the U.N.-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Hizballah is opposed to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and has of late pressured the pro-Western ruling coalition to abandon its support for it as well as to launch an investigation into alleged “false witnesses” who may have provided false testimony to investigators. Tensions related to the STL have reached worrying levels in recent months, and there have been serious concerns that internal conflict may occur should members of Hizballah be among those indicted when indictments are released. The ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Saad Hariri has thus far resisted pressure from the opposition and continues to support the tribunal; however, internal tensions are very high and the government has been paralyzed by the crisis, meeting only a few times since late 2010. Hizballah threatened on 12 January 2011 that it is considering tendering the resignation of 11 opposition members from the Cabinet -- which would result in the government's collapse -- unless Hariri holds talks with Hizballah to discuss how the government will react should Hizballah members be indicted. Hariri is currently on a visit to the United States and has not yet responded to the ultimatum. The situation on the ground in Beirut is said to be calm at present, but should Hizballah and its allies withdraw from the Cabinet there is a potential for demonstrations to occur.

http://cotocrew.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/the-winds-of-2011/