The US State Department on Thursday issued a rare “worldwide caution” for US citizens, giving no specific reasons, as tension has grown over the Israel-Gaza war in the Middle East.
“Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against US citizens and interests, the Department of State advises US citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” the warning read.
A militant attack in southern Israel sparked a new war between Hamas and Israel.
About 1,400 people were killed in Israel on October 7, and at least 3,700 people in Gaza have been killed in retaliatory Israeli strikes since.
Protests, including at US embassies, swept cities in the Middle East and beyond after a blast at a hospital in Gaza.
Local authorities said more than 470 people were killed in an Israeli air strike. Israel has denied the claim and said Islamic Jihad militants launched a failed rocket attack that hit the hospital.
The last time the US has issued a “worldwide caution” alert was in August 2022, after the death of Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al Zawahiri from a US drone strike in Afghanistan.
The State Department advised American citizens to be “alert in locations frequented by tourists” and sign up for emergency alerts from embassies.
“We're monitoring conditions around the world from our conditions in the region,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
"We take a number of factors into consideration when making that determination. It's not necessarily any one thing, but everything that we're watching around the world."
In the Middle East, the Department has elevated its travel advisory for Lebanon, suggesting that US citizens make plans to leave the country or avoid travel there.
“Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon,” its warning read.
“The Lebanese government cannot guarantee the protection of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.”
The department is also offering evacuation routes for US citizens in Israel and the West Bank, while diplomatic negotiations continue for the safe departure of Americans in Gaza.
Other western countries, including Canada, Germany and the UK, have also advised people to avoid travel to Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia said its citizens should leave Lebanon.
Jihan Abdalla contributed reporting from Washington
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
We Weren’t Supposed to Survive But We Did
We weren’t supposed to survive but we did.
We weren’t supposed to remember but we did.
We weren’t supposed to write but we did.
We weren’t supposed to fight but we did.
We weren’t supposed to organise but we did.
We weren’t supposed to rap but we did.
We weren’t supposed to find allies but we did.
We weren’t supposed to grow communities but we did.
We weren’t supposed to return but WE ARE.
Amira Sakalla
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
SHALASH%20THE%20IRAQI
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Shalash%3Cbr%3ETranslator%3A%20Luke%20Leafgren%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20352%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20And%20Other%20Stories%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Real Madrid 1
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Company%20Profile
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29 – Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30 - UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1 - UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2 – Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4 - Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6 – Final
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
