News & Reports

Greek authorities have issued weather alerts for multiple regions ahead of a powerful storm system expected to peak on Sunday, February 1, bringing prolonged heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and snowfall in mountainous and some lower-elevation areas. The National Meteorological Service warns of local flooding, landslides, hazardous driving conditions, and transport disruptions, including possible ferry cancellations and road closures. Strong wind gusts are expected in coastal and maritime areas, significantly increasing risks at sea. Snowfall is forecast for higher elevations across mainland Greece, with colder air potentially pushing snow to lower altitudes in parts of northern Greece.

A landslide has collapsed several artisanal mining areas at the Rubaya coltan site in North Kivu after heavy rains, with at least 200 deaths reported and more people believed to be buried. Rubaya is under M23 control and the area is volatile. Mining activity has been suspended locally and people living close to the site have been told to relocate, while injured people have been taken to facilities in Rubaya and moved toward Goma for treatment.

 

Advice:
– Avoid non essential travel to Rubaya and surrounding mining zones, including overland routes that pass near the site.
– If traveling in North Kivu, expect unpredictable roadblocks, delays, and access restrictions, especially on roads linking smaller towns with Goma.
– Recheck transport plans before moving and have a backup overnight stop, detours can be long and services limited outside major hubs.
– Keep essentials for disruption: cash, water, snacks, medications, headlamp, and a charged power bank.
– Stay away from hillsides, riverbanks, and excavated areas during or after heavy rain due to landslide and washout risk.
– If your itinerary includes Goma area transfers, confirm road conditions and accommodation access before departure.

 

A large, silent demonstration by Danish veterans is taking place outside the US Embassy in Copenhagen, following a march from Kastellet. Expect a strong police presence, temporary street restrictions, and short notice changes to vehicle and pedestrian access in the immediate area. Travelers may face slower traffic, detours, and possible disruption to embassy access for consular appointments while crowd management continues.

 

Advice:
– Avoid the immediate US Embassy area and do not move into or through dense crowds.
– If you have an embassy appointment, check for access updates before leaving and arrive early in case of security cordons.
– Plan extra time for travel in northeastern central Copenhagen, detours and congestion are likely.
– Use public transport where possible and be ready for last minute bus reroutes near the protest area.
– Keep your phone charged and have offline directions saved in case mobile networks slow down in crowded zones.

 

Large scale demonstrations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are scheduled across the country as part of a coordinated weekend of action. Travelers should expect crowding and fast changing conditions near downtown areas, federal buildings, and key transport corridors, including sudden street closures, detours, and delays for buses, metros, and rideshares. Some locations may also see short notice access restrictions around hotels, attractions, and venues in central districts.

 

Advice:
– Avoid protest hotspots and do not approach large crowds, counter demonstrations, or police lines.
– Build extra time into city travel, especially for airport transfers and cross town trips through downtown cores.
– Check local transit alerts before leaving and expect reroutes, stop closures, and rideshare pickup changes near demonstration areas.
– If you have bookings in central areas, contact your hotel or venue before heading out to confirm access routes and entry points.
– Keep your phone charged and carry ID, conditions can shift quickly if dispersal orders or cordons expand.

 

Large protests in downtown Los Angeles have led to clashes and a heavy security presence around key government buildings. A citywide tactical alert is in effect and dispersal orders have been used in parts of DTLA. Travelers should expect sudden road closures, blocked access to some streets, delays on nearby freeways, and disruptions to local transit and rideshare pickup zones. Crowding can build quickly near protest routes and around transport hubs.

 

Advice:
– Avoid the DTLA protest area, especially around the Federal Building and Metropolitan Detention Center, and do not approach crowds or police lines.
– If you have a hotel, tour, or dinner reservation in DTLA, confirm access routes first and be ready to reroute.
– Expect sudden street closures and delays, allow extra time for airport transfers and cross city travel.
– Use Metro updates and app based navigation before moving, rideshare pickup points may shift or be restricted.
– Keep your phone charged and carry ID, conditions can change quickly if dispersal orders expand.

 

Tropical Storm Fytia is currently moving southeast across the Mozambique Channel and is forecast to make landfall in Madagascar within the next 24 hours. The system is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to coastal and inland areas along its projected path. Peak winds before landfall may reach cyclone-strength levels before weakening temporarily over land. After crossing Madagascar, the storm may re-enter open waters and could re-intensify. At this stage, no official evacuation orders have been issued, but several coastal areas are under high-risk warnings. Travel disruptions, hazardous sea conditions, flooding, and infrastructure impacts are possible as the system approaches and moves inland.

As floodwaters recede across parts of southern Mozambique, recovery efforts are ongoing. However, significant disruptions to telecommunications remain in affected areas. Authorities report that hundreds of mobile base stations are still out of service due to damaged fiber infrastructure, power outages, and limited access for repair teams, particularly in Gaza Province. Emergency satellite communication systems have been deployed at disaster response centers, provincial offices, and shelters to support coordination and rescue efforts. Mobile operators are providing temporary free call, SMS, and data packages, though service reliability remains inconsistent. Travel conditions may continue to be impacted by limited connectivity, affecting navigation, payments, emergency communication, and access to services.

Tensions remain elevated along the Thailand–Cambodia border following recent clashes and air operations earlier in December. While a ceasefire is currently in place and has been extended for three months, officials from both sides have described the situation as fragile. Military activity has been reported in disputed border areas, alongside evacuations of civilians on the Thai side and temporary school closures in parts of northern Cambodia. Both governments state that operations are being conducted within agreed frameworks, and ASEAN observers continue to monitor the situation.

Ethiopian Airlines has suspended all flights to and from the Tigray region amid growing concerns over renewed clashes between Ethiopian federal forces and regional armed groups. The cancellations follow reports of active military movements, drone activity, and armed confrontations in parts of western and southern Tigray. The security situation has deteriorated in recent days, triggering public anxiety, cash shortages, and movement disruptions in major cities.

Local authorities in northern Morocco have carried out preventive evacuations of residents from multiple rural villages due to rising water levels and an increased risk of flooding. The situation follows heavy rainfall, elevated river levels, and the partial release of excess water from regional dams to reduce pressure on urban areas. Authorities remain on high alert, with additional rainfall expected in the coming days, which will increase the risk of localized flooding, road disruptions, and access limitations.