UNITED STATES (CHICAGO) - Taxi drivers belonging to the United Taxi Drivers Community Council (UTCC) union are expected to embark on a 24-hour strike, on 8 October. The strike action is scheduled to commence at 06:00 local time, concluding at the same time the following day. The strike action has been organised in a call the authorities to sanction the use of ride-sharing services, such as Uber, in the city which the UTCC claims has significantly curtailed Chicago's taxi service. The strike action is expected to be well-attended and is likely to increase the demand for alternative forms of public transport. Consequently, travellers in Chicago on 8 and 9 October should ensure that itineraries are kept flexible to accommodate potential travel delays. Clients are further advised to pre-book transport, if possible, due to the increased demand for these services.

 

UNITED KINGDOM - British trade union, GMB, has called for strike action at London Stansted Airport in Essex. Security workers affiliated with the union are expected to participate in the strike action from 10 October at 03:45 to 11 October at 13:45 local time. The strike has been called in response to an ongoing wage dispute. Strikes occur frequently in the UK. These often result in disruptions to public services, including transport systems. The strike action is not anticipated to cause significant travel disruptions; however, possible delays should be expected.

 

FRANCE - Various unions, including the National Union of Teaching Second Degree (SNES) and Force Ouvriere (FO), have called for a mass demonstration in France's capital, Paris, on 10 October. The action has been organised to protest against government-initiated reforms at colleges across the country. Participants are set to gather at the Port-Royal railway station at 13:30 local time, from where they intend to march towards the Ministry of National Education.The upcoming demonstration forms part of an ongoing agitation against the government's education policy, with the most recent protest action taking place in Paris on 17 September. The 10 October event is likely to be well attended; as such, localised travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the demonstration. Although the risk of violence at the demonstration is considered low, the possibility of civil disorder cannot be discounted. Persons in Paris on 10 October are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration and all related events as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored to remain cognisant of developments regarding the march route, as well as advisories from the authorities. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries to make allowances for possible travel delays in the vicinity of the demonstration.

 
ISRAEL - Three separate stabbing incidents were reported in Israel on 8 October. In Tel Aviv, an assailant stabbed and wounded four people near the Azrieli Towers on Menachem Begin Boulevard. The assailant was later fatally shot by the security forces. A security operation has been launched in the area after concerns were raised over a second suspect in the area. Some roads have reportedly been closed in the downtown area. In Jerusalem, an assailant stabbed and wounded a Jewish religious student and one other person at a light rail station near a police facility in the vicinity of Ammunition Hill. The assailant, who has fled, has been identified as a resident of the Palestinian community of Shuaaft in East Jerusalem. Elsewhere, an attempted stabbing was reported at the corner of Ben Yehuda and King George streets in Jerusalem. The incidents coincide with an increase in anti-Israel Palestinian agitation across the West Bank and East Jerusalem in recent days. Dozens of violent low-level protests and clashes between protesters and Israeli security forces have been reported. These incidents have been accompanied by a number of low-level acts of violence directed towards Israeli nationals/Jews. The spate of incidents on 8 October is concerning. The tactic (and others, such as using vehicles to ram into groups of people) has been utilised in the past; however, these have typically been once-off incidents. The recent unrest is viewed as a possible catalyst for the increasing frequency of incidents. Further assaults are possible. In addition, violent and disruptive protests are likely to persist, particularly on Friday 9 October following Muslim midday prayers. Towns across the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Palestinian/Arab communities in Israel, such as Jaffa in Tel Aviv, are likely protest hotspots. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the West Bank. Persons in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Palestinian/Arab areas in Israel should exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness and avoid all street protests and concentrations of security force personnel. Caution is advised in the vicinity of all areas affected by stabbing incidents on 8 October.

AUSTRALIA - The United Patriots Front has called for anti-mosque protests in Bendigo city, in Australia's south eastern Victoria state, on 10 October. Participants are expected to gather at the intersection of Forest and Mackenzie streets at 14:30 local time. Protests are also anticipated in the vicinity of mosques; police officials have stated that the security will be increased in these areas on the day. The potential risk of violence at the upcoming rally is considered elevated. On 29 August, anti-mosque protesters clashed with rival protesters over the construction of a mosque in the city. Several roads were also closed in the city as a result; further such disruptions are possible. Localised disruptions should be anticipated due to the increased security force presence. Clients in Bendigo on 10 October are advised to abide by any directives issued by local authorities, and to plan for potential disruptions. All street gatherings should be avoided as a precaution.

RUSSIA - Disruptions to rail services are expected in Russia's capital city, Moscow on 10 October. Rail services on the central sections of Moscow Metro's Sokolnicheskaya Line will be suspended, due to maintenance and construction works. Affected stations include the Red Gate, Chistye Prudy, Lubyanka, Okhotny Ryad, Lenin Library and Kropotkinskaya stations. Rail services on the affected line are anticipated to resume on 11 October from 05:30 local time. Persons in Moscow intending to use the affected line are advised to contact their travel provider and/or Moscow Metro (http://mosmetro.ru/) to enquire about the status of services. Furthermore, clients are advised to monitor local media for any further developments.

 

POLAND - Activist and civil society groups have called for an anti-government demonstration in Poland's capital, Warsaw, on 10 October. Participants are expected to gather in front of the Presidential Palace from 14:00 to 17:00 local time. The protest has been called to oppose foreign currency mortgage banking policy reforms. Public opinion in Poland is divided over the foreign currency mortgage banking policy reforms. The majority believe these reforms only stand to benefit the elite. Protests and marches occur frequently in the country over various international and domestic issues. Poland has been affected by the Eurozone debt crisis. Government proposed austerity measures have prompted numerous anti-government demonstrations, which have formed part of various civic campaigns. Most of these events have concluded without major incident; however, the threat of violent unrest cannot be discounted. Clients in Warsaw on 10 October are advised to avoid all street protests and related gatherings. Localised travel disruptions the vicinity of the protest should be anticipated.

 

INDIA - Opposition forces have called for a state-wide general strike (known locally as a bandh) in India's southern Telangana state on 10 October. A number of opposition parties have expressed their intention to support the strike action, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Yuvajana, Shramika, Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC). The action has reportedly been organised in response to the perceived inefficacy of the government in preventing farmer suicides in Telangana, as well as to demand the implementation of a crop loan waiver scheme. The upcoming strike action is likely to be well supported; as such, disruptions to transport and business services are anticipated for the duration of the strike. It should be noted that there is a possibility for protest gatherings to accompany the upcoming agitation. Prominent urban centres in the state, such Hyderabad and Warangal, are likely to be worst affected by the strike and any associated demonstrations. There is a credible risk of civil unrest at all protests in India; confrontations between protesters and security forces may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. Persons in Telangana on 10 October are advised to monitor local media for updates on the strike and advisories from the authorities. All related demonstrations and large street gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients are reminded that, due to an ongoing Maoist insurgency, all non-essential travel to the rural and remote areas of Telangana is advised against.

 

SOUTH AFRICA - A technical malfunction of the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) has caused ongoing flight disruptions at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Although the malfunction has reportedly been rectified, continued disruptions should be expected in the coming hours. Clients scheduled to transit through OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October are advised to contact their travel provider or airline for updates on the status of their flight(s) prior to departure.

 

EGYPT - Egypt will hold elections for its House of Representatives from 18 October. The election will be held over two phases. Phase one will be held in the Giza, Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Asyut, New Valley, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea, Alexandria, Beheira and Matruh governorates on 18 and 19 October with a run off vote scheduled for 26 and 27 October. Phase two will be held in the Cairo, Qalyubia, Dakahlia, Monufia, Gharbia, Kafr el-Sheikh, Sharqia, Damietta, Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, North Sinai And South Sinai governorates on 22 and 23 November with a run off vote on 1 and 2 December. Travellers should anticipate an increase in politically motivated gatherings and protests during the current election cycle and increased security, particularly on voting days. The election period coincides with ongoing insecurity in numerous areas of the country and attempts by the military-backed government to stabilise the political system, encourage economic growth and eliminate its domestic opponents following the military-led takeover of the Islamist-dominated government in 2013. The forthcoming election is unlikely to result in any meaningful changes to the political system given that the largest political grouping, the Muslim Brotherhood, is unlikely to participate in the poll. Parties and representatives loyal to the military and current president or opposed to the Islamists are likely to emerge victorious. In addition to protests linked to competition between candidates and parties, boycotting groups may seek to disrupt polling or increase protests ahead of or on voting days. The risk of violence at all anti-election and anti-government events is considered elevated. Non-state armed groups may also seek to disrupt the voting and any state-initiated election events as part of their overall strategy to undermine the military-backed regime. Possible protests and acts of violence are not expected to deviate significantly from the current baseline security risks. Clients are advised against all travel to the North Sinai governorate. Heightened caution is advised outside of resort and tourist areas in the South Sinai governorate. Heightened caution is advised in the western half of Egypt, extending towards the shared border with Libya, particularly outside of major cities. Travellers in Egypt during the current election cycle should monitor local media closely and obtain regular updates from their security provider regarding possible election-related or security events in their area of travel or operation. All street protests and concentrations of security force personnel should be avoided.

 

PERU - Indigenous and other civic groups will hold a protest in Peru's capital, Lima, on 9 October. Activists are expected to gather at the city's Plaza San Martin at approximately 09:00 local time. The rally will coincide with Lima's hosting of the 2015 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Protest organisers are using the event as a platform to raise various socio-economic grievances of both a local and international nature. Although anticipated to conclude peacefully, the gatherings will likely draw a significant security presence, and the potential for unrest cannot be discounted entirely. Clients in Lima are subsequently advised to avoid the gatherings and should anticipate possible disruptions if itineraries require transit in and around the Plaza San Martin.

 

BOLIVIA - The World People's Summit on Climate Change is scheduled to take place in the Tiquipaya area of Bolivia's Cochabamba department from 10 to 12 October. The summit is being held to present proposals on international protocols to address the climate change issue; the conclusions of the event will be presented at the upcoming UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris. Various heads of state and other high-profile dignitaries are expected to be in attendance at the summit. Authorities have announced that 3,000 security force personnel will be deployed to Tiquipaya for the duration of the summit. Although unconfirmed, in addition to the increased security force deployment, heightened security measures may also include police checkpoints, random identification checks, exclusion zones and other movement-restrictive measures. There have been no explicit threats to the summit; however, any gathering of a high number of political leaders is seen as a potential target; summits and meetings of regional and international organisations are often specifically targeted by demonstrators. Persons in Cochabamba during aforementioned times are advised to plan for possible travel disruptions and abide by the directives of local authorities. All large gatherings and related demonstrations should be avoided as a standard precaution.

 

PARAGUAY - (Update) A countrywide strike organised by the Paraguayan Confederation of Cooperatives (CONPACOOP), which was scheduled to take place on 8 October in Paraguay, has been postponed. The new date has been set for 19 October. As part of the industrial action, a protest will be held in the capital, Asuncion; participants are expected to gather at Plaza de Armas, near the National Congress, at 07:00 local time on 19 October. Protests are also possible in the departments of Itapua and Alto Parana, where cooperatives have confirmed their participation in the strike. The agitation is in protest against laws relating to the taxation of cooperatives in Paraguay. While the 19 October demonstrations are expected to conclude peacefully, the possibility of low-level confrontations cannot be discounted. Furthermore, localised disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of Plaza de Armas and all other protest sites. Clients in Paraguay are advised to monitor local media for updates

 

YEMEN - A suspected air strike hit a wedding ceremony in Sanban, located in Yemen's central Dhamar governorate, on 7 October, leaving 30 people dead and dozens more wounded. The incident follows a similar air strike on a wedding party in Mocha, along the Red Sea coastline, on 28 September, which killed 131 people. The affected areas are all within Houthi-controlled territory and it is likely that the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, which is currently battling the Houthis and its allies, conducted the strikes. The coalition has led numerous sorties over Yemen since it entered the conflict in March. The air strikes have resulted in hundreds of casualties. This recent incident underscores the elevated security risks present in Yemen, even outside of active conflict zones or disputed areas. Clients are advised against all travel to Yemen, excluding the Socotra archipelago, due to severe political instability, ongoing heightened conflict levels since March, and the elevated risks of terrorism and kidnapping. Persons operating in Yemen should do so with a close protection officer. Crisis management plans (evacuation and contingency plans) should be regularly reviewed and updated.

 

BELARUS - : Opposition parties have called for a political rally in Belarus' capital, Minsk, on 10 October. The demonstration has been called in protest against the establishment of foreign military bases in the country. Participants are expected to gather in Freedom Square from 17:00 local time. A related protest held on 4 October concluded without incident; as such, the upcoming rally is expected to conclude peacefully. Nonetheless, a significant police presence is anticipated and localised traffic disruptions are likely. Persons in Minsk on 10 October are advised to avoid the upcoming protest and related gatherings, as well as all concentrations of security forces, as a general precaution.

 

SYRIA - Fighting in Syria continues across multiple fronts and governorates. Reports on 7 October indicate that Syrian military forces have launched a ground offensive in northern Hama governorate and southern Idlib governorate. These forces are supported by the Russian military, which has conducted numerous air and naval strikes against rebel ground targets in recent days. The primary rebel groups in the area are Ahrar al Sham and Jabhat al-Nusra. The Russian strikes coincide with the deployment of Russian military assets to Syria in recent weeks in support of the Bashar al-Assad government. Prior to the Russian involvement, the Syrian military was facing severe pressure in the north after the fall of Idlib governorate and deep militant and rebel incursions into its coastal Latakia governorate stronghold. The Syrian military still faces severe manpower restraints and its ability to retake territory in Idlib is uncertain; however, should Russia increase its air and possibly, ground role in the north, the potential for regime victories increases. The Russian involvement will also, at a minimum, decrease the likelihood of deeper militant assaults into Latakia or regime-held areas in Hama and Tartus governorates. Clients are advised against all travel to Syria due to the ongoing conflict and associated risks of terrorism, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest.