UNITED AIRLINES - United Airlines will be offering its customers from Northern Ireland year-round nonstop service from Belfast to its New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport. "We're pleased to offer our Northern Irish customers a year-round direct link to New York," said Bob Schumacher, United managing director sales, UK and Ireland. New York remains a popular destination for travellers and our Newark Liberty hub provides the most convenient route into the city as well as easy connections to hundreds of other destinations across the United States and beyond.  With this schedule change, we are offering our customers even more choice.  In addition to its current schedule, the airline will now also operate the service from January 7th through to March 10th, 2016, three times weekly. The decision by United to return to full year-round service is of great significance to the Northern Ireland economy.  Our one and only direct, scheduled trans-Atlantic service to Newark Liberty is a 'lifeline' for US-owned firms and adds massively to efforts by Invest NI to attract additional and highly prized US investment.  United are to be applauded, and we will do all we can to promote and market the service.

 

INDONESIA/AUSTRALIA - Indonesian authorities ordered a fresh shutdown of the airport on the resort island of Bali Thursday, sparking flight cancellations and travel misery for tourists during peak holiday season. Transport ministry spokesman J.A. Barata said Ngurah Rai airport would be closed for several hours from midday (0400 GMT) due to ash drifting from Mount Raung, on Indonesia s main Java island. Australian carriers Jetstar and Virgin Australia announced they were cancelling flights in and out of Bali Thursday, a popular holiday destination that attracts millions of tourists from around the world every year. The closure was the fourth shutdown of Bali airport in recent weeks due to the volcano, which has been spewing ash and lava high into the air since late June. The disruption has come during peak holiday season, leaving thousands of tourists stranded. The most serious period was between July 9 and 12, when two closures forced almost 900 flights to be cancelled or delayed and created a backlog that took days to clear. Indonesian government vulcanologist Gede Suantika told AFP that the volcano was Thursday shooting out ash clouds that were larger than those it had recently been emitting. "The volcano normally shoots out ash 700 (2,300 feet) to 800 metres but it s around 1,000 metres today," he said. Air traffic is regularly disrupted by volcanic eruptions in Indonesia, which sits on a belt of seismic activity running around the basin of the Pacific Ocean and is home to the highest number of active volcanoes in the world, around 130.

UNITED KINGDOM(LONDON) - Commuters are dealing with long queues and delays as they try navigating London during a strike that has shut down the whole Tube network. About 250 extra buses have been laid on but there are reports of 200 miles of tailbacks as commuters switch to cars. The 24-hour strike by four unions began on Wednesday evening and there will be no Tube service until Friday. Unions are unhappy at conditions offered to drivers on a new Night Tube service due to start next month.

 

ITALY(VENETO REGION) - Italy's official weather service has issued an adverse weather warning for flash floods and landslides in the mountainous Veneto region; the warnings are set to expire at 17:00 local time on 7 August. Inclement weather on 4 and 5 August resulted in numerous rivers bursting their banks and resultant flash floods, as well as multiple landslides, which claimed the lives of three people, including a Czech national. The worst affected areas include San Vito di Cadore, Borca di Cadore, Cortina d'Ampezzo and Vodo di Cadore Auronzo. The adverse weather conditions are expected to persist in the coming 48 hours at least. Additionally, inclement weather in recent days has left large parts of the country saturated with numerous rivers overflowing. As such, even moderate levels of rainfall have the potential to cause further flooding and exacerbate the situation in flood-affected areas. Disruptions to road, rail and possibly air travel are anticipated as a result of the adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, disruptions to utilities such as electricity cannot be discounted. Clients in the affected parts of Italy are advised to anticipate weather-related disruptions to transport services, and should confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.

 

TAIWAN(EASTERN TAIWAN) - Tropical Storm Soudelor is forecast to increasingly affect eastern Taiwan over the next 24 to 48 hours. The storm system is currently moving in a north westerly direction and is expected to increase in intensity, possibly to a category 2 or 3 storm, on 6 and 7 August respectively. Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau (http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/) has issued heavy rainfall advisories for a number of counties in the eastern half of the country, including Pingtung County, Taitung County and Hualien County, ahead of the storm.  The Northern Mariana Islands were earlier impacted by the tropical storm on 2 and 3 August; a state of emergency has since been declared on the island of Saipan due to the significant damage caused by Soudelor when it passed directly over the island. The storm system is likely to bring heavy rainfall in Taiwan over the near-term, which may be conducive to flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in elevated regions. Strong winds, coastal storm surges and adverse maritime conditions are also anticipated. In addition to ferry service disruptions, air and road transport services may be affected. Power supply and communication disruptions should also be anticipated.  Clients in or planning to travel to Taiwan over the near-term are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. Caution is advised in low-lying and elevated regions due to the risks of flooding and landslides, respectively. Travellers should reconfirm all scheduled services with their travel provider or the local transport authority prior to departure.

 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO(NORTH KIVU PROVINCE) - According to recent reports, suspected rebels of the Hutu extremist Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebel group have kidnapped eight Tanzanian nationals and their local driver in Katwiguru, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s eastern province of North Kivu, on 2 August. The victims, a group of Muslim imams, were travelling between Rutshuru and Katwiguru when the incident took place. The incident underlines the extreme-risk travel and operating environment in the DRC's North Kivu region, which is host to a number of disparate rebel forces. These armed groups regularly engage in acts of kidnapping, banditry and other acts of criminality. Although the majority of victims are locals, the threat extends to foreign nationals travelling in the region without adequate security detail. Due to various security concerns, particularly those relating to conflict and rebel activity, clients are advised against all travel to North Kivu. Persons currently in or intending to travel to the region are advised to register their presence with their respective diplomatic representations, restrict movements to major urban centres, and ensure that robust travel, residential and personal security measures are in place at all times.

 

UKRAINE(DONETSK & LUHANSK REGIONS) - At least five soldiers and one civilian were killed during clashes between the Ukrainian armed forces and pro-Russia separatist militants in the country's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk on 5 August. Intermittent clashes and shelling have been reported most frequently near the Donetsk Airport, Horlivka and Marinka. Although the civilian fatality was reported in Horlivka, it is currently unclear where the remaining casualties took place.  Although a February 2015 ceasefire brought a relative lull in hostilities between Ukrainian troops and rebels vying for secession, conflict between the opposing groups resumed in late May when heavy fighting broke out in and around the separatist-held town of Shyrokyne, 25km east of the strategic port city of Mariupol. Ceasefire violations, particularly retaliatory shelling and mortar fire, have also been reported at many other settlements across the conflict zone. Nonetheless, sustained confrontations between the parties have not been reported and the ceasefire agreement, while tentative, remains enforced. Talks aimed at finding a political settlement to the conflict broke down on 3 August; however, the pattern of intermittent clashes has not escalated notably and is likely to persist over the short-term. Clients are advised against all travel to Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk due to instability and frequent clashes involving armed forces and separatist militants. Persons currently in or intending to travel to the region despite this advisory should coordinate all movements in the presence of a security escort.

 

SAUDI ARABIA(ABHA, ASIR REGION) - An explosion has been reported at a mosque in Abha, located in southern Saudi Arabia's Asir region, on 6 August. The incident has been described by the media as a suicide bombing targeting the security forces. The exact number of casualties is unclear with reports varying between 10 and 17 fatalities and at least 20 wounded. The incident follows Islamic State (IS)-claimed suicide bombings against Shiite Muslim mosques in eastern Saudi Arabia on 22 and 29 May and a failed car bombing in Riyadh on 16 July. A connection between the incident on 6 August and recent IS activity is possible. The location of the incident on 6 August may also suggest a possible link to the ongoing conflict in nearby Yemen. Sunni extremists, including IS-linked groupings, are present in Yemen and have threatened to attack Saudi Arabia in the past. Saudi Arabia is also involved in an ongoing confrontation with Shiite rebels, the Houthis. While this grouping does not utilise suicide attacks, its forces could, theoretically, target Saudi interests in conventional bomb attacks. In light of the 6 August attack, an increased security force presence, including additional patrols and checkpoints, should be anticipated in the affected area. These could result in road travel disruptions. Clients in the affected area should avoid concentrations of security force personnel and facilities. Clients should travel with identification documents and ensure itineraries cater for potential road travel delays due to the elevated security posture in the area. Please note that due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to within 10km of the shared border with Yemen and against all non-essential travel to a further 20km beyond the 10km extreme-risk zone due to the risks of conflict and terrorism. Abha falls outside of this advisory area.

ISRAEL(RAFAH(GAZA STRIP)) - An explosion was reported in Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, on 6 August. The blast left at least four people dead and 20 others wounded. The affected individuals were reportedly clearing rubble from houses destroyed during a previous conflict when the explosion occurred. The local authorities have stated that the blast was caused by Israeli ordnance left over from the conflict. Unexploded military ordnance from previous conflicts, the most recent of which was in July/August 2014, continues to pose a security risk across the Gaza Strip. The risk is higher in areas damaged by conflict and areas near the shared Gaza Strip-Israel border.  Clients are advised against all travel to the Gaza Strip. Persons travelling to the territory should do so following consultation with their security provider. Clients operating in the area are advised to abide by the directives of authorities and avoid travel near all areas damaged by previous conflict.

EL SALVADOR(SAN SALVADOR) - At least four civilians were killed when gunmen, believed to be gang members, opened fire on a bus in the town of San Pedro Perulapan, east of the capital, San Salvador, on 5 August. According to reports, at least five gunmen posed as passengers before killing the driver and turning their weapons on passengers. Elsewhere, in the north of the capital, another bus driver was shot and wounded in a similar attack on the day. In a separate incident, a police official was killed in an ambush in the rural municipality of San Juan Nonualco, south east of the capital. Although a gang truce was brokered in El Salvador in 2012, recent evidence suggests that inter- and intra-gang conflict is on the rise. In recent weeks repeated attacks targeting busses killed several bus drivers, prompting bus drivers to boycott their routes pending increased deployments of security forces. Despite armed police accompanying many busses in the capital, attacks on these have continued in outlying and regional settlements. Accordingly, bus drivers have threatened to stage another walk out if the situation remains unresolved. The gangs orchestrating the attacks are seeking to pressure the government into negotiating the release of several incarcerated senior gang members. Although the majority of the gang-related violence does not generally affect foreign visitors, the bus attacks pose and indiscriminate risk to all commuters. Persons operating in the aforementioned areas and areas surrounding the capital in the upcoming days are advised to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times. In addition, if in the vicinity of an area affected by violence, seek secure accommodation or leave the area, where safe to do so.
  

BOLIVIA(POTOSI(POTOSI DEPARTMENT)) - The Potosi Civic Committee (Comcipo), an alliance of unions and other social organisations in Potosi department, has called for a street march in Potosi city on 6 August, coinciding with Bolivia's National Day. Participants will congregate at a number of areas in the city, including Plan 40, Huachacalla, Plaza El Minero and Cementerio General, before walking to Avenue Tinku. Comcipo has been agitating for greater economic development in Potosi department for a number of weeks. In July, the group participated in a highly disruptive strike in Potosi and led numerous protests elsewhere in the country. The protest march on 6 August forms part of this ongoing agitation. The risk of violence is considered low; however, confrontations with local police cannot be discounted. Disruptions to traffic should also be expected. Clients in Potosi city should exercise caution in likely demonstration areas and should avoid all street protests on 6 August.

MOLDOVA(CHISINAU) - The US Embassy in Moldova's capital, Chisinau, has issued a statement warning that a demonstration is set to be held in Chisinau on 6 August. Participants are expected to gather in front of the Court of Appeals, located on 73 Stefan cel Mare Boulevard between 13:30 and 16:00 local time. The demonstration has been organised by the Liberal Reformist Party against the contract between the Chisinau International Airport and the Russian-owned company, UK Komaks. The upcoming rally is expected to conclude peacefully; however, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated in the protest affected area.  Persons in Chisinau on 6 August are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration as a precaution and plan for localised road traffic disruptions.

 

CZECH REPUBLIC(PRAGUE) - A protest against the government's immigration policy is expected to take place in Old Town Square, in central Prague, on 8 August. Participants are expected to gather in the square from 14:00 local time. A large police presence and other security measures are expected to accompany the protest. Counter-demonstrations in the vicinity of the anti-immigration rally are possible. Demonstrations related to immigration issues in the Czech Republic have been marred by incidents of civil unrest in the past. Furthermore, events organised by far-right organisations are often infiltrated by disruptive elements. Accordingly, the demonstrations will proceed under close police supervision. Travel disruptions due to associated road closures and police barriers should be anticipated. Clients in Prague on 8 August are advised to avoid all protest gatherings and concentrations of security forces, if practically possible.

 

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