News & Reports

Air Canada flight attendants are continuing their strike despite a government order to return to work, leaving more than 100,000 travelers stranded during peak summer season. The airline has canceled nearly 500 flights and warns disruptions could last 7–10 days until operations stabilize. Refunds and limited rebooking through other airlines are available, but seats are scarce.   Advice: - Check your flight status frequently on the airline’s website or app before traveling to the airport. - Expect delays, cancellations, and limited availability on alternative carriers. - Allow extra time at airports and prepare contingency plans, including overnight stays. - Monitor Air Canada’s official updates https://www.aircanada.com/il/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2025/ac-action.html#/  

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch through Monday evening as outer bands of Tropical Storm Erin bring heavy rainfall, mainly across southern and eastern Puerto Rico. Urban, stream, and coastal flooding are possible, along with landslides or mudslides in hilly terrain. Poor drainage areas and low-water crossings are at heightened risk.   Advice: - Avoid non-essential travel in flood-prone or low-lying areas. - Prepare for possible road closures, flash floods, and disruptions to transport. - Monitor NWS updates: weather.gov/safety/flood - Prepare emergency supplies, charge devices, and secure important documents.  

Local sources indicated that continuous heavy rainfall since the evening of August 16 has triggered multiple landslides, blocking several sections of the Karnali Highway in Gaganekhola and Bihani in Kalikot district, Khidki Jyula in Dailekh district, and in parts of Jumla district, Karnali province, since late evening hours local time on August 16 due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall.   Advice: - Avoid all non-essential travel on the Karnali Corridor - particularly in affected segments between Kalikot, Dailekh, and Jumla. - If travel is unavoidable, verify passable routes; avoid attempting crossings through flooded or debris-laden areas. - Expect prolonged delays, roadblocks, and transportation halts - plan for possible overnight stranding. - Keep mobile devices fully charged and remain in contact with local contacts and authorities for real-time updates.  

Heavy monsoon rains and resultant flash floods and landslides have severely damaged infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh. Local authorities report 374 roads blocked, including key sections of NH-305 near Jhed (Kullu) and NH-05 in Kinnaur. Districts of Mandi, Kullu, and Kinnaur are particularly hard-hit. Power and water supply systems have also been severely affected.   Advice: - Avoid non-essential travel - especially in affected districts and along landslide-prone routes. In case of walking or necessary travel, avoid riverbanks, unstable slopes, and unsanctioned detour routes. - Expect disruptions: Road closures, public transport suspension, and difficulty in emergency access. - Prepare for basic service interruptions: Water and electricity may remain unavailable for extended periods. Keep mobile devices charged and stock up on bottled water.  

Spain's national meteorological agency, AEMET, has issued widespread heat alerts across nearly all of Spain, with red warnings for temperatures reaching up to 45 °C in key areas such as Andalusia, Valencia, Murcia, and parts of Catalonia, supported by numerous amber and yellow alerts elsewhere. These conditions are expected to continue until at least Tuesday, August 19, with a "very high to extreme" wildfire risk across nearly the entire country.   Advice: - Avoid outdoor activity between 12:00 and 18:00, especially in red and amber alert zones. - Stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and wear light, breathable clothing. - Seek cool environments - use shaded areas, or air-conditioned indoor spaces. - Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke - dizziness, cramps, nausea - and seek medical attention promptly. - Follow local emergency guidance, including evacuation notices or instructions related to wildfires and heat exposure. - Monitor official weather updates via AEMET. - Report any signs of wildfire (smoke, flames) to emergency services immediately (112).  

A mass shooting occurred early this morning at Taste of the City Lounge, a restaurant in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood. The incident took place just before the establishment's 3 a.m. closing time, prompting a response from the NYPD around 3:30 a.m. At least seven individuals were injured and transported to local hospitals; their conditions remain undisclosed. The suspect is still at large.   Advice: - Avoid the area - refrain from entering the vicinity of 903 Franklin Avenue until further notice. - In an active shooter attack, quickly move away from the sound of the gunfire or/armed person. If it is safe to do so, run out of the building and move far away until you are in a secure place to hide. - Expect an increased security presence and road closures in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood. - Stay alert to your surroundings, especially near Jewish institutions and events. - Contact 911 for immediate assistance if in danger.  

Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its top-tier (two-level scale) heavy rainfall warning for Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, effective through the morning of August 18 - a result of a strengthening southwest monsoon and active monsoon trough. These areas are expected to experience heavy to hefty rainfall, with heightened flash flood and overflow risks.   Advice: - Avoid low-lying areas along waterways and foothills, especially in Chanthaburi, Trat, and the eastern region - flash floods and overflows are likely. - Expect disruptions: Heavy rain may lead to road closures, travel delays, and possible evacuation alerts. - Do not cross flooded streets or landslide zones. Move to higher ground if needed and follow evacuation orders. - Keep mobile devices charged with backup power sources ready. - Monitor TMD updates and heed local authority guidance.  

A tropical depression northwest of the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Islands is expected to bring heavy rainfall to northern and central regions, including Huế, through August 19. It is forecast to weaken into a low-pressure area by the morning of August 19. Conditions include moderate to heavy rain, flash flood risks in low-lying areas, landslides in mountainous regions, and thunderstorms with strong winds along coastal and inland areas.   Advice: - Avoid non-essential travel in affected areas and stay indoors during thunderstorms. Don't shelter under trees or near metal structures. - Do not cross flooded streets or landslide zones. Move to higher ground if needed and follow evacuation orders. - Keep mobile devices charged with backup power sources ready. - Monitor forecasts and alerts from Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological.  

In preparation for today’s general elections, Bolivian authorities have enforced nationwide restrictions effective August 17. All border crossings with Argentina have been closed, and the measures prohibit both public and private vehicle traffic, as well as river transport. These restrictions are part of a broader set of control protocols for election day.   Advice: - Avoid all border crossings with Argentina or the entirety of August 17. - Consider alternative routes: explore air travel, inland paths, or postpone border crossing to another day since land crossings are currently inaccessible. - Plan for extended travel times when crossing before or after shutdown days.  

Hurricane Erin has been downgraded to Category 3 as its wind speed decreases. The storm is moving west-northwest but is expected to slow and turn north in the coming days. Dangerous swells, rip currents, and high surf remain a threat across the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and will extend to the Turks and Caicos Islands, southeastern Bahamas, U.S. East Coast, Bermuda, and parts of Atlantic Canada. Tropical storm watches are lifted for St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, and Sint Maarten, but a watch remains for the British Turks and Caicos Islands.   Advice: - Avoid swimming or beach activities in affected regions - dangerous rip currents and surf persist even without direct landfall. - Expect coastal travel disruptions, including ferry delays and port warnings. - Prepare for possible evacuations and infrastructure disruptions in coastal and elevated terrain. - Follow all local emergency and maritime authorities' instructions. - Continue monitoring official updates from the U.S. National Hurricane Center.