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Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:
   
INDIA(UTTAR PRADESH, HIHAR, ASSAM & WEST BENGAL) - The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning for heavy rain and associated flooding across parts of the country on 17 August. The warning has been issued for the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and West Bengal, and is in place until 21 August, at least. Authorities further stated that the rainfall is expected to lead to the swelling and possible overflowing of the Kosi, Gandaki and Ghaghara rivers as well as tributaries of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. The affected regions typically experience high levels of monsoon rainfall from June to September. The heavy seasonal rains have likely resulted in saturated ground conditions, which may exacerbate the risk of flooding and resultant landslides in the aforementioned states, particularly West Bengal and Assam, which has been subject to heavy rainfall and flooding in recent days. The flood risk is also elevated on the plains of the eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh. In addition, transport disruptions are likely in the coming days as a result of the inclement weather.  Clients in the affected areas are advised to monitor local media closely for updates and advisories from the local authorities. Travellers should exercise caution in flood-affected areas and in low-lying and mountainous regions due to the respective threats of flooding and landslides. Persons travelling by road or rail should reconfirm all services with their travel provider or the relevant local transport authority prior to departure. Please note that due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Assam and non-essential travel to the rural and remote areas of Bihar and West Bengal.

PARAGUAY(TACUATI) - A Mexican national kidnapped in the settlement of Tacuati, located in Paraguay's San Pedro department, on 8 August has reportedly been released by his captors. According to reports on 17 August, the hostage, who was abducted by suspected members of the Ejercito del Pueblo Paraguayo (EPP) rebel group, was released by his captors in Manitoba on an undisclosed date. The circumstances surrounding his release remain unclear at this stage. The EPP has been operating for a number of years in Paraguay's Concepcion, San Pedro and Canindeyu departments. It is agitating for socialist land reform. The group has been responsible for several security incidents targeting the police and military and local landowners/farmers in recent years. Incidents have previously included kidnappings for ransom. In addition to the EPP, another associated group, which is thought to have broken away from the EPP, the Asociacion Campesina Armada (ACA), also operates in the same areas and is involved in similar armed activity. Persons operating in areas affected by EPP activity are advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness, particularly if travelling in the vicinity of common EPP targets. Foreigners should also maintain a generally low public profile and limit travel to main roads and during the day only. 
 
AFGHANISTAN(KABUL) - According to reports, a German national was kidnapped in the capital, Kabul, earlier on 17 August. Details surrounding the event are minimal; however, it is believed that the victim is female and works for the foreign Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) non-governmental organisation (NGO). The victim was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen in between Qala-e-Fatullah area, near the city centre, and Taimani area, in the north west of the capital. No ransom demands have been made or received neither have there been claims of responsibility. The incident has yet to be confirmed by Afghan or German government authorities. The threat of kidnapping in Afghanistan is considered extreme and abductions take place on a regular basis. The risk stems from both criminal and insurgent groups, including the Sunni extremist Taleban. Criminals and insurgent groups usually target wealthy locals or foreign nationals for ransom. The threat of kidnapping remains highest in the southern and eastern regions of Afghanistan, particularly in areas along the shared border with Pakistan. However, this latest incident further underscores the extreme threat of kidnapping in the country considering that it took place in Kabul, which is assessed as having some of the highest levels of security in Afghanistan. Given the widespread presence of militant groups as well as the significant economic and political gains to be made through kidnapping, further incidents targeting both local and foreign nationals should be anticipated.  Due to various ongoing security concerns, all travel to Afghanistan is advised against. Persons currently in the country should maintain a low profile and refrain from publicising their itineraries. Travel outside of urban centres should only be undertaken following a full security review of the route, ideally in the presence of a security escort familiar with the local conditions and during daylight hours only.
 
THAILAND(BANGKOK) - Incoming reports indicate that a bomb attack in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, on 17 August has resulted in at least five deaths and tens more injured. A second bomb is reportedly in the area remains active and needs to be defused. The number of casualties is likely to increase in the coming hours. The explosion was reported near the Erawan Shrine, which is located at the Ratchaprasong intersection in the city centre. The shrine is in close proximity to the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. There are unconfirmed reports that the explosion was caused by the detonation of a gas canister that had been concealed in a car. The area has been cordoned off and emergency services are on the scene. Further details remain unavailable; it is unclear if any foreign nationals have been affected by the incident. Clients currently in Bangkok are advised to avoid the impacted area in the short-term due to the risk of further explosions. Local developments should be monitored closely and the directives of local authorities followed.  

YEMEN/SAUDI ARABIA(NAJRAN, ASIR & JIZAN REGIONS) - (Update) Military forces loyal to and allied with President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, including a Saudi Arabia-led coalition, continue to make gains against an alliance of Houthi fighters and military forces loyal to former president, Ali Saleh, in southern Yemen. On 15 and 16 August, pro-Hadi forces claimed to have captured the city of Taiz. In addition, unconfirmed reports indicate that Houthi fighters have withdrawn fully or are withdrawing from positions in the Shabwah and Ad Dali governorates. Saudi naval vessels also reportedly engaged ground-based Houthi positions in the Ad Durayhimi area of Ad Hudaydah governorate on 14 August. Elsewhere, fighting between Houthi forces and Saudi ground forces is ongoing along the shared Saudi Arabia-Yemen border. On 16 August, clashes were reported near the Saudi regions of Najran and Jazan.  Pro-Hadi forces have made significant gains since capturing Aden in mid-July and currently control Aden, Lahij and Abyan governorates. Pro-Hadi forces are also in near or full control of Shabwah and Ad Dali and are taking ground in Ibb and Al Bayda. The momentum remains on the side of the pro-Hadi forces and further gains are anticipated. The force is expected to continue its drive towards the Yemen capital, Sanaa. Further ground fighting along the Saudi Arabia-Yemen border, sea to ground confrontations along the Ad Hudaydah governorate coastline and Saudi coalition air strikes against Houthi positions countrywide are anticipated.  Clients are advised against all travel to Yemen, excluding the Socotra archipelago. Clients are advised against all travel to within 10km of the shared Saudi Arabia-Yemen border in southern Saudi Arabia. Clients are further advised against all non-essential travel to 20km beyond the 10km extreme-risk zone. Persons in these areas should travel with a close protection officer. Crisis management plans (evacuation and contingency) should be regularly reviewed and updated. Travellers should request regular route risk assessments from their security provider. 
 
KOREAN PENINSULA - South Korea and the US have begun joint military drills and exercises in and around South Korea on 17 August. Ulchi-Freedom Guardian, as the drill is known, is scheduled to end on 28 August. The operations will entail deployments of 80,000 South Korean and US troops to several locations in and around South Korea, and will simulate a defensive exercise to test the ability of South Korean and US forces to defend South Korea from a North Korean invasion.  The operation, which has been conducted on an annual basis, has historically been a source of tension between North Korea and South Korea. Indeed, during past military drills, tensions escalated significantly over North Korean opposition to the drills, resulting in belligerent rhetoric from the two countries and particularly from North Korea. In addition, North Korea also carried out a number of aggressive, if only symbolic actions in the recent past in response to the military drills; however, no open conflict or clashes arose from these tensions. It should be noted that in the nearly 60 years since the signing of the Armistice Agreement that ended open conflict in the Korean War, there have only been isolated incidents of military action between the two countries. It is currently assessed that the threat of open conflict between the two Koreas is low. Clients travelling to the Korean Peninsula are advised to monitor local media for any relevant security developments. 
 
GUINEA-BISSAU(BISSAU) - Activists are expected to participate in a demonstration in the vicinity of the presidential palace in Guinea-Bissau's capital, Bissau, at 14:00 local time on 17 August. The demonstration has been called as a show in solidarity with the former prime minister, Domingos Simoes Pereira, who was dismissed by President Jose Mario Vaz on 12 August following a period of political infighting. As the scheduled demonstration is likely to carry a strong anti-government sentiment, there is a credible threat that it could be forcibly dispersed by security forces. Additionally, the possibility of violent unrest cannot be discounted. Localised traffic disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the presidential palace on 17 August. Protests opposing the dismissal of the Pereira government are likely to continue in the near-term. Due to ongoing political instability, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Guinea-Bissau. Persons currently in the country should monitor local developments closely, ensure that food and water stocks are replenished and that electronic equipment is fully charged. Movement in public areas should be limited and should be undertaken during the day only. Street protests and concentrations of security force personnel should be avoided. Persons intending to travel to the country in the near-term should consider postponing travel until the political and security situation is clearer. 
 
PANAMA - The Ngobe-Bugle indigenous activist group, Movimiento 10 de Abril (M-10), has called for countrywide protests in Panama on 17 August. The action has been called to oppose the construction of the Barro Blanco hydroelectric dam on Tabasara River, located in the country's western Chiriqui province. It is unclear whether any associated demonstrations are set to take place; precedent suggests that Tole (Chiriqui province) may serve as the focal point for unrest. Contention over the construction of Barro Blanco has been longstanding between the Ngobe-Bugle people and the government. The reservoir of the dam will reportedly encroach on Ngobe-Bugle territory along Tabasara River; negatively impacting the group's ability to fish and farm in the area. In addition, activists assert that the dam may result in flooding in nearby villages and threaten local wildlife. Although the upcoming protests are expected to conclude without major incident, it should be noted that unrest of this nature has resulted in localised travel disruptions in the past. Protesters may attempt to block roads in the vicinity of any unrest; while traffic disruptions are usually the main effect of blockades, it should be noted that road blockades of this nature have the potential to turn violent should security forces or vehicle drivers attempt to forcibly remove blocks on the route. Persons in Panama on 17 August are advised to avoid the upcoming protests and any associated large street gatherings as a precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates and directives from the local authorities. Clients are further advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of any protest action. 
 
URUGUAY - Teachers union, National Federation of Secondary School Teachers (FENAPES), has called for countrywide strike action in Uruguay from 17 to 20 August. The strike action is expected to include a work stoppage and related protests. One of the areas likely to be affected by the strike is Montevideo. Details relating to the planned protests are not available. The strike was originally called for 12 and 13 August over wages and other issues. Disruptions in education sector activities and associated protests are likely to occur and result in localised road travel disruptions. The risk of violence at strike-related protests is considered low; however, confrontations between demonstrators and the police remain a possibility. Persons in Uruguay on 17 to 20 August should monitor local 

INDIA(WEST BENGAL STATE) - The Indian National Congress (INC or Congress) party has called for a 12-hour general strike, known locally as a bandh, across India's West Bengal state on 18 August. The action has been called to protest against the perceived deteriorating security situation in West Bengal, which the Congress claims has been exemplified by the recent killings of female students in the state. Further details regarding the upcoming strike action or associated demonstrations have not been disclosed. The agitation is likely to be well supported; as such, disruptions to transport and business services are anticipated for the duration of the strike. Prominent urban centres in the state, such as the capital, Kolkata, and Asansol are likely to be worst affected by the strike and any associated demonstrations. There is a credible risk of violence at all protests in India; confrontations between protesters and security forces may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. Persons in West Bengal state on 18 August are advised to monitor local media for developments and updates regarding the strike action and possible associated demonstrations. All street demonstrations and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution. Localised disruptions should be expected in the vicinity of any protest action. In addition, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the rural and remote areas of West Bengal due to an ongoing Maoist insurgency. 

AFGHANISTAN - Afghanistan will commemorate Independence Day on 19 August amid a heightened threat of attacks from non-state armed groups, which, among others, include the Sunni extremist Taleban and the Haqqani network. Such groups may seek to disrupt commemorative public events with bombings and other acts of violence. Attacks stemming from Islamist extremist groups have taken place on previous Independence Day celebrations, including between 2008 and 2011. Due to this threat, security is likely to be significantly heightened, particularly in the capital of Kabul, which has been subject to a sharp increase in incursions by insurgent groups in recent months. Elsewhere in the country, the southern and eastern provinces have traditionally been considered as being at the highest risk of a potential terrorist attack; however, the high level of militant activity in the north of the country since the start of the 2015 fighting season has shown both the intent and operational capability of militants to strike well-guarded facilities throughout Afghanistan. As such, no area of the country is immune from the threat of an attack, which may take the form of gun and bomb attacks on commemorative events or on state and military personnel and infrastructure.  Due to various security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to Afghanistan. Clients in the country on 19 August should exercise heightened security awareness and avoid all public festivals and other commemorative events, as well as state and military installations and personnel, as these are at an elevated risk of being targeted in a terrorist attack. Furthermore, all possible protest action should be avoided as a precaution against violent civil unrest.

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