UNITED STATES(CALIFORNIA) - Flash flooding triggered by torrential rainfall in the US state of California on 19 July has damaged a section of the Interstate 10 highway, the primary thoroughfare connecting the states of California and Arizona. According to reports, floodwaters caused the collapse of a prominent bridge near Desert Center (Riverside County); at least one person was injured. Access to this particular section of the highway has been restricted as a result. Authorities have directed motorists to employ alternative routes while repair efforts are underway; road closures and associated travel delays are expected to continue until 28 July, at least.  The collapsed bridge along the Interstate 10 highway has disrupted traffic in both directions; motorists travelling between California and Arizona will need to make use of lengthy detours in the coming days. The Interstate 8 and Interstate 40 have both been listed as alternative route options by highway officials. For further information on highway closures and alternative routes, please visit the California Highway Patrol website (https://www.chp.ca.gov). Clients operating in California in the coming days are advised to monitor local media for updates on the status of the Interstate 10 and ongoing road closures. Itineraries should be kept flexible in order to make allowances for detour-related delays when conducting road travel between Arizona and California.

ITALY - Unionised employees of Alitalia airline are expected to stage a 24-hour strike in Italy on 24 July. The strike is scheduled to take place from 00:01 to 23:59 local time. The action is expected to be observed by large numbers of pilots and cabin crew members; significant disruptions to flight services are expected. Italy's aviation sector is regularly affected by work stoppages and strike action. These are generally organised in response to austerity and deregulation reforms implemented by the government, as well as specific labour disputes. Although Alitalia is likely to implement contingency plans to minimise the effects of the upcoming work stoppage, flight disruptions should nevertheless be anticipated. It should also be noted that the strike may be called off or suspended; indeed, similar strike action that had been called for 14 July was cancelled.  Clients intending to fly with Alitalia on 24 July are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider to confirm the status of their flight(s).
 

 

CANADA - It is shaping up to be another rough day at the airport in St. John's. Already this morning, nine flights scheduled to depart between 5:00 and 8:30 a.m. have been cancelled. Since late last night eight flights scheduled to arrive at YYT were unable to land. Again, because of fog and rain causing a low ceiling and reduced visibility, planes are unable to land on a runway that has shortened for renovations. In the last week or so more than 150 flights have been cancelled for the same reason. The airport had warned of the possibility of cancellations when it announced the work would be taking place over a two week period in July. Airport officials have said they did not count on the weather being this bad. Check for cancellations at the St. John's International website.

 

CANADA(TORONTO) - The US Consulate General in Toronto, Canada, has stated that a demonstration is scheduled to be held in Toronto on 22 July. Participants are expected to gather outside the US consulate building, located at 360 University Avenue from 12:00 to 13:30 local time. The consulate general has also stated that local authorities estimate approximately 1,000 protesters will attend. The demonstration has been organised by various civil society organisations in protest against US negotiations with Iran and the recent Iran nuclear deal. Although the protest is expected to be peaceful, the possibility of isolated skirmishes between police and protesters cannot be dismissed. Given that the demonstration is expected to be well attended, localised road travel disruptions should be expected in the vicinity of the protest site. Persons in Toronto on 22 July are advised to avoid all protests and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Furthermore, clients should make allowances for possible transport disruptions in the vicinity of the demonstration.

 

GREECE - Several protests relating to Greece's parliamentary vote on austerity measures are scheduled to take place across the country on 22 July. The main protests are set to take place in the capital, Athens, and Thessaloniki. In Athens, the ADEDY union has organised a protest march from the University of Athens to the parliament buildings near Syntagma Square from 19:30 local time. A protest organised by the PAME union is set to take place at Omonoia Square at the same time. PAME has also organised a protest in the vicinity of the Eleftherios Venizelos statue in Thessaloniki, where participants will gather at 19:30. Protests in other towns and cities are likely to centre on public squares, city halls and government buildings.  The protests are expected to be well attended, given the national concern over the economy. As such, localised road travel disruptions should be expected in the vicinity of protest sites. Anti-austerity protests in Greece have turned violent at times and police have responded with heavy handed tactics. As such, the threat of confrontations at all protests sites is considered elevated. Clients in Greece on 22 July are advised to avoid all large gatherings as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate any potential travel disruptions.

 

 

SYRIA/LEBANON(ZABADANI(RIF DAMASCUS GOVERNORATE)) - (Update) Conflict between Hezbollah and the Syrian regime against Sunni rebels in the Zabadani area of Syria's Rif Damascus governorate continues to be reported. The fighting, which began in early July, has left at least 70 combatants dead. The outcome of the Zabadani conflict is important for both sides. Zabadani lies near the highway connecting the Lebanese capital, Beirut, with the Syrian capital, Damascus. The area has also been a staging ground for Sunni rebels. Losing the town would deal a major blow to rebels, who are seeking to pressure Damascus and Syria's western front. In recent months, rebels have experienced a series of losses along the Lebanon-Syria border. Hezbollah forces, which maintain a position of strength in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa governorate have deployed large numbers of fighters to this area and have dislodged rebels from numerous areas in the Qalamoun region. Clashes have occurred on both sides of the border. The potential for conflict spill over into Lebanon's Bekaa governorate remains a high risk. Clients are advised against all travel to Syria due to the ongoing conflict. Clients are further advised against all travel to within 15km of the shared border with Syria in Lebanon's Bekaa governorate. Persons travelling in the vicinity of the shared border, including on routes between Beirut and Damascus, should travel with a close protection officer. Crisis management plans should be regularly reviewed and updated in conjunction with your security provider.

 

PARAGUAY(ASUNCION) - A protest against changes to tax policy has been called in Paraguay's capital, Asuncion, on 21 July at 14:00 local time. The gathering will be held in Plaza De Armas near the Congreso Nacional. The protest follows a related gathering on 20 July in the capital, which led to traffic disruptions along Avenue Eusebio Ayala. The risk of violence at the protest on 21 July is considered low but cannot be fully discounted. The potential for road blockages and traffic disruptions in the vicinity of Plaza De Armas through the course of 21 July remains a possibility. Clients in Asuncion on 21 July should exercise caution in the planned protest area and should avoid all street protests as a standard precaution.

 

HAITI(PORT-AU-PRINCE) - Civil society groups are planning to hold an anti-discrimination march in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on 21 July. The protest march is expected to commence at the Dessalines Square where activists will march to the offices of the prime minister via the Champ de Mars. The rally is the latest of its kind organised to protest against the alleged mistreatment of Haitian migrant workers in the neighbouring Dominican Republic. In recent weeks, several Haitian workers have been subject to a number of violent attacks which are claimed to be ethnically motivated. Although expected to conclude peacefully, the protest is likely to be emotive. Consequently, the threat of unrest cannot be discounted entirely. Moreover, the rally could lead to localised travel disruptions.  Due to various security concerns, all non-essential travel to Haiti is advised against. Clients in Port-au-Prince should avoid the protest rally and ensure that their itineraries are kept flexible to accommodate any disruptions along the protest route.
 

BANGLADESH - The student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal (JCD), has called for countrywide protests in Bangladesh on 21 and 22 July. The protests have been called in response to the arrest of JCD President Rajib Ahsan on 19 July in the Patuakhali district. The JCD plans to gather at tertiary education facilities countrywide. Further details regarding the location of the planned protests are unavailable. The BNP is the country's largest opposition party. As such, the JCD protests, should they proceed, are likely to be well attended. The protests are expected at universities countrywide; however, BNP and JCD offices are also likely gathering points. The risk of violence at all politically-motivated protests in Bangladesh, particularly at events linked to the BNP or affiliated groupings, is considered high. The risk to foreign nationals is considered to be incidental only. Clients in Bangladesh on 21 and 22 July are advised to monitor local developments and should avoid all street protests as a precaution. Particular vigilance is advised if visiting tertiary education facilities.

 

CYPRUS(NICOSIA) - Taxi drivers are scheduled to hold a work stoppage in Nicosia, capital of Cyprus, on 22 July. The strike action is set to commence at approximately 07:00 local time, when drivers will gather at Makarios stadium. From there, they plan to blockade four as yet undetermined major roads, and following that, will proceed to a demonstration at Solomos Square, located on Rigenis Street and Omirou Avenue. The strike is being held to protest working conditions and to pressure the government to take action over various grievances. It is currently unclear if the strike will last for four hours from 07:00 local time, or if it will last for the whole of 22 July. Severe disruptions to taxi services are expected on 22 July. In addition, disruptions to road traffic in Nicosia should be anticipated through 22 July. Increased demand for alternative forms of transport should be expected. The taxi drivers' strike is not expected to result in clashes; however, low-level confrontations at the Solomos Square demonstration remain a possibility. Clients in Nicosia planning to make use of taxi services on 22 July should anticipate travel disruptions, and should consider alternative modes of transport, including bus and rail services. All associated demonstrations should be avoided as a precaution.

POLAND(WARSAW) - Uniformed service personnel, including police, firefighters, border guards and prison employees are scheduled to hold a demonstration in Poland's capital, Warsaw, on 23 July. The demonstration is scheduled to be held outside the executive offices of the Prime Minister, on Aleje Ujazdowskie (Ujazdow Avenue), from 11:00 local time. The protest is being held over dissatisfaction with salaries.  Although the upcoming demonstrations are anticipated to conclude peacefully, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Localised road travel disruptions should also be anticipated. Persons in Warsaw on 23 July are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstrations as a precaution against civil unrest. Clients should also expect localised traffic disruptions.

 

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