U.S. Issues Level 4 Do-Not-Travel for Niger

The U.S. State Department raised Niger to a Level 4 “Do not travel” advisory citing crime, unrest, terrorism, health risks and kidnappings, authorized departure of family members of U.S. government employees, and warned it cannot provide routine or emergency services outside Niamey; officials also noted an American missionary was abducted. Broad National Weather Service wind advisories affect more than 46 million people across the Northeast and Mid‑Atlantic (and pockets elsewhere), with sustained west winds of 15–30 mph and gusts up to 40–55 mph that could down tree limbs, cause localized power outages and make driving hazardous for high‑profile vehicles. Meteorologists said the strong winds are from a separate fall storm (not Hurricane Melissa) and will peak Friday into Friday night before diminishing. A Frost Advisory for central Alabama (27 counties) warns overnight temperatures near 34–38°F could damage sensitive vegetation and disrupt outdoor plans for over 1 million residents. Dense fog advisories in nine states have reduced visibility to a quarter mile or less for more than 1 million travelers, creating dangerous driving conditions on major highways and interstates.