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Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:

UNITED STATES(BIG ISLAND, HAWAII) - Adverse weather warnings for flash floods have been issued in the US state of Hawaii's Big Island on 13 August, ahead of inclement weather associated with Tropical Storm Hilda. The weather warnings are expected to expire at 06:00 local time on 15 August. The weather system is set to pass to the south of Big Island; however, heavy rain, strong winds and coastal surges are expected to affect southern and eastern parts of the island. The storm system is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the island over the near-term, which may be conducive to flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in elevated regions. Furthermore, coastal storm surges will result in adverse maritime conditions and an elevated risk of flash floods. Maritime, air and road transport services may be affected. Power supply and communication disruptions should also be anticipated. Clients in or planning to travel to the affected area 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 confirm all scheduled services with their travel provider or the local transport authority prior to departure.

ARGENTINA - LAN Airlines pilots affiliated with the APLA union in Argentina initiated a strike at 06:00 local time on 13 August. The strike has mainly affected services at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery and Ministro Pistarini International Airport (also known as Ezeiza International Airport), both serving Buenos Aires. Flights from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, Cordoba, Tucuman and Salta have been affected. The strike was organised over labour issues following unsuccessful negotiations with the company. It is unclear when the strike will end. It should be noted that negotiations between the airline and the union are ongoing. Accordingly, there is a possibility that the strike may be escalated or cancelled with little warning. Flight disruptions, including cancellations and delays, should be anticipated for the duration of the strike. Residual delays should be anticipated once normal flight services resume. Clients intending to fly with LAN Airlines in Argentina are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider to confirm the status of their flight(s).

FRANCE(DIJON) - A public transport strike has been called by workers affiliated to bus and coach company, Keolis Dijon, in the city of Dijon, eastern France, on 14 August. The action is expected to impact on bus and tram services. The strike has been called in a dispute regarding working conditions. Persons travelling in Dijon and its surrounds on 14 August are advised to contact their travel provider or the local transport authority (https://www.divia.fr/) for an update on the status of transport services in the city.

UNITED KINGDOM(LIVERPOOL) - Far-right group, National Action, has called for a demonstration in Liverpool, UK, on 15 August. Further information regarding the start time, assembly point and planned demonstration route are currently unavailable. A counter-demonstration initiated by the activist group, Unite Against Fascism, is expected to commence at 11:00 local time at the St Luke's Church Gardens, located on the corner of Berry and Leece streets. Far-right groups periodically hold protests and demonstrations in the UK; these often prompt counter-demonstrations by rival groupings. Violent confrontations involving participants, counter-demonstrators and/or security forces have taken place in the past. Such unrest may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. The possibility of low-level violence at the upcoming gatherings cannot be dismissed. An increased police presence is likely to accompany the demonstrations. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in demonstration-affected areas on the day. Persons in Liverpool on 15 August are advised to expect an increased police presence and should avoid the vicinity of the upcoming gatherings. Clients should anticipate localised travel disruptions during the demonstrations. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the demonstrations.

NEW ZEALAND(AUCKLAND) - The US Consulate General in Auckland, New Zealand, has warned of a demonstration against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in Auckland, on 15 August. Participants are expected to gather at Aotea Square at 13:00 local time, and then proceed down Queen street and onto Commerce street. The Consulate General has stated that approximately 8,000 people are expected to attend the protest. The protest is likely to conclude peacefully; nonetheless, the possibility of low-level incidents of violence cannot be discounted. Given that the protest is expected to be well attended, localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated along the protest route. Clients in Auckland on 15 August are advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions and avoid all large street gatherings as a precaution against civil unrest.

ITALY(TUSCANY REGION) - A 24-hour union-led retail workers' strike is scheduled to take place across Italy's Tuscany region on 15 August. The strike has been organised by the Unione Italiana del Lavoro (UIL) labour union and will primarily affect supermarkets operating in Tuscany. Members of the UIL are opposing recent trade laws which allow retailers to operate on weekends and public holidays. Italy's public sectors are regularly affected by work stoppages and strike action. The stoppage is likely to be well observed and the possibility of associated demonstrations cannot be discounted. Although any such events are likely to conclude peacefully, the possibility of isolated skirmishes between police and protesters cannot be discounted. The industrial action is expected to result in localised business and service disruptions. Persons in Tuscany are advised to anticipate disruptions to businesses and services on 15 August and plan accordingly. Additionally, adequate consumer supplies should be procured prior to the strike.

CHINA(TIANJIN) - The BBC reported on Thursday that the two massive explosions in Tianjin have killed dozens of people, left hundreds injured and devastated large areas of the port city in northeastern China. The blasts have been traced to a warehouse at the port which was reportedly storing "dangerous and chemical goods." The building where the chemicals were stored is owned by Tianjin Dongjiang Port Ruihai International Logistics. It is not yet clear what triggered the explosion. The China Earthquake Networks Center said the initial explosion had a power equivalent to three tons of TNT detonating, while the second was the equivalent of 21 tons. Local media in China have reported one of the warehouses that was destroyed may have stored a number of toxic chemicals, including sodium cyanide and toluene diisocyanate, said to be "extremely toxic" even after short-term exposure to humans. China's official state news agency, Xinhua, said on Thursday that drains from Tianjin to the Bohai Sea - a gulf in the Yellow Sea - had been closed "to stem chemical leak." There has been no confirmation of what chemicals, if any, were on site. Uncertainty of what type of hazardous material was still at the site led to a temporary suspension of firefighting on Thursday morning. As of Thursday morning, the air in areas near the blast site was still thick with soot and particles. Rescue workers and police officers guarding the site have been wearing face masks, Sina News reported. The port remains partially open as the explosion was contained in one section. However, authorities have imposed stringent checks and movement in and out of the port. CNN reported a chemical odor is noticeable in the air and many in the city fear that the danger was not over. The environmental group Greenpeace released a statement saying, "We are concerned that certain chemicals will continue to pose a risk to the residents of Tianjin." Travelers in or near Tianjin are advised to follow the advice of rescue teams and officials, monitor local radio and other media, and remain aware of safety, security and health developments.

JAPAN/CHINA/HONG KONG/SOUTH KOREA - Nationalist protest action is possible in Japan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea on 14 and 15 August, marking the day Japan surrendered to Allied forces in 1945. The Japanese prime minister has traditionally issued a statement on 14 August expressing a degree of remorse for Japanese actions against its adversaries during the Second World War. If the statement, which will be delivered by current prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is perceived to not show sufficient regret on the part of the Japanese, significant nationalist protests could take place in China, South Korea and Hong Kong. Such demonstrations have taken place in the past and have centred on demands that Japan makes a full apology for wartime atrocities. Previous protests have usually carried specific anti-Japanese sentiment and have, at times, focused on Japanese diplomatic facilities and interests in the affected countries. Although these have not resulted in widespread violence in the past, the emotive nature of the issue does suggest that low-level scuffles are possible. In addition, these protests are often well attended, resulting in localised travel disruptions. Nationalist protests by right-wing groups are also possible in Japan should Abe's statement be viewed as being too apologetic, or perceived as showing Japan in a negative light. Clients in Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong are advised to monitor local developments and avoid all related possible protest actions as a precautionary measure.

THAILAND(BANGKOK/PHUKET) - Heightened security and travel disruptions are expected in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, due to a biking event, on 16 August. The event is expected to coincide with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's birthday and will be attended by the prime minister and other parliamentary and government officials. Members of the royal family are expected to lead a convoy of cyclists along a 43km route which is scheduled to depart the Royal Plaza at 15:00 local time and proceed to Phahon Yothin Road, located in the Bang Khen district. A smaller associated biking event is scheduled to coincide with the aforementioned event, in Phuket on 16 August. The associated event will commence at Phuket Provincial Hall and conclude at Saphan Hin Park. Although the events are expected to conclude without incident, it should be noted that political tensions are currently elevated in the country due to the postponement of general elections until late 2016. Although not anticipated, the upcoming event may serve as a platform for opposing political and civic groups to voice their grievances against the interim government and continued imposition of restrictions on assembly and public gatherings. Should such protests occur, they are likely to centre on Bangkok. It should be noted that such demonstrations are likely to be isolated and peaceful due to the strict laws pertaining to public gatherings allowing for any protests to be forcefully dispersed by police. Due to the high-profile attendees, an increased police presence should be expected along the entire bike route. In addition, significant traffic congestion in central Bangkok and Phuket should be anticipated as thousands of spectators and participants are expected to attend the event. Clients in the affected areas should note that the upcoming event is expected to cause significant travel disruptions in city centres of Bangkok and Phuket. Clients should make allowances for possible disruptions to their travel itineraries and plan accordingly. Politically motivated gatherings should be avoided as a precaution.

INDONESIA -Indonesia will commemorate its 70th Independence Day on 17 August. A series of parades and official events will be held throughout the country. The main event, in the capital, Jakarta, will see President Joko Widodo participate in a flag-raising ceremony at Merdeka Palace, located on Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara Road, on 17 August. Increased security measures, such as an increased police presence and street cordons are expected to be implemented across the country, particularly in Jakarta. Heightened security measures may also lead to traffic disruptions and travel delays. Travel disruptions and restrictions should be expected in the vicinity of Merdeka Palace on 17 August, as well as near primary thoroughfares, public squares and state facilities countrywide, where commemorations are likely to be held. In addition, there is an elevated threat of petty crime, as large crowds attending these events provide ample cover from which thieves may operate. Although there have been no indications that anti-government elements may seek to disrupt events or target government facilities or personnel during the events, Indonesian security forces have disrupted such attempts in previous years; as such, the possibility cannot be discounted. Clients in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta, are advised to anticipate travel disruptions and plan for an increase in travel times. Clients attending ceremonies and large public events should exercise heightened situational awareness due to the increased risk of petty crime and should report any suspicious people, packages or activities to the authorities immediately.

SRI LANKA - (Update) Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held across Sri Lanka on 17 August amid elevated security, while the campaigning period ends on 14 August. Hundreds of security checkpoints have been erected on main roads, and the deployment of an additional 20,000 police and military members has been reported. Additional deployments are also likely in the vicinity of polling stations on the day. Thus far, the period in the run up to the polls has proceeded relatively peacefully, with only isolated incidents of violence having occurred. The most severe of these took place on 31 July, when two people were killed and 12 others wounded when unidentified gunmen opened fire at an election rally in the commercial capital, Colombo. Nonetheless, there is the possibility of further violence on election day and in the days following the release of results. Such actions are likely to remain localised and small-scale in nature and thus only pose a limited incidental threat to foreign nationals in the country. Demonstrations by various political party supporters are expected following the release of results. These may be victory celebrations by some supporters or protests against perceived unfavourable results by other supporters. The increased security force presence and election-related rallies are also likely to result in localised disruptions in the coming days. Clients in Sri Lanka are advised to exercise heightened caution and avoid all polling stations, political party offices and other election-related facilities on 17 August, as well as the period that immediately follows. Local developments should be closely monitored.

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