News & Reports

The Guatemala City water company has announced that on September 21 and September 28, there will be interruptions to the city's drinking water supply. This is due to maintenance work. The interruptions are expected to occur in zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, and 21 On September 21, from 6AM to 12PM On September 28, from 6AM to 6PM. There will be temporary water outages and low water pressure on these days.   Advise: - Residents and travelers in affected areas should store safe water for hygiene and drinking needs. - Check with your hotel staff to see if there are water containers available for guests to use during the water outage. - Avoid unnecessary water usage; prioritize essential uses.  

Tropical Storm Nando is rapidly intensifying and is expected to continue intensifying, affecting the following areas: Batanes, Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, the northeastern portion of Isabela, and the eastern portion of Kalinga, with severe weather conditions expected to persist until September 25. The storm is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rains, potential flooding, high waves, and strong storm surges along the coastline. Flight and ferry cancellations and changes may occur. Advice: - Avoid non-essential travel to Batanes, Babuyan, and Northern Cagayan during this period. - Flight and ferry schedules may be subject to changes and cancellations. Confirm schedules with airlines or ports before traveling. - Expect road closures and power outages in affected areas - Pre-charge electrical appliances and portable chargers, and stay updated on road conditions. - Stay updated on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) website

Severe weather in the country over the past few days has now led the British Met Office to issue severe flood warnings for the East Coast and Midlands of the UK. This is accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain. Advice: - Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary outings - Avoid unnecessary travel and driving on flooded or slippery roads. - In the event of flooding, move to higher ground or an upper floor of a building and unplug electrical appliances. - Stay up to date with the latest news and listen to the advice of local authorities. - Check the UK Environment Agency's flood warning map for your area.

Armed clashes intensified in the Amhara Region as Fano militia forces seized Jara Camp, a military training center, a few days ago. Reports indicate the camp was overrun, leaving 140 government soldiers killed and 19 captured. This incident marks one of the deadliest confrontations in recent months and highlights the volatile security situation in the North Wollo Zone.   Advice: *Avoid all non-essential travel to the Amhara Region, particularly the North Wollo Zone, due to active armed clashes. *Anticipate military checkpoints, road closures, and possible disruptions to transport and communication. *Closely monitor official advisories and international news for updates. *Ensure contingency plans are in place for rapid evacuation if the situation deteriorates.  

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has scheduled major freeway closures and lane restrictions across the Phoenix Valley between Sept 19–22 for maintenance and improvement projects. These closures will affect access to central Phoenix and may cause heavy traffic delays, detours, and longer travel times, especially for those heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.   Advice: *Plan routes in advance and use navigation apps for real-time detours. *Plan extra travel time for airport transfers and intercity connections. *Avoid nighttime drives in closure zones if possible, as most works occur overnight. *Check the official ADOT Weekend Travel Advisory for updated closure details.  

Large-scale demonstrations are scheduled, with the main rally at Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila and a march toward the People Power Monument along EDSA. The protests are driven by public outrage over alleged corruption in government flood-control and infrastructure projects. Similar rallies are expected in major cities nationwide. Authorities have placed the police on full alert. Protests could continue into Sept 22 in some areas. Organizers have also called on groups in other provinces to stage parallel rallies, raising the possibility of protests in cities such as Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Baguio.   Advice: 1. Avoid protest-prone areas in Metro Manila and other main provinces to minimize exposure to unrest. 2. Allow extra time for airport transfers and intercity travel; road closures and rerouting are likely. 3. Monitor advisories from the Philippine National Police (PNP), local news, and official embassy alerts. 4. If caught near a protest, remain calm, move away promptly, and avoid taking photos or engaging with demonstrators. 5. Consider rescheduling non-essential travel into downtown Manila on Sept 21–22.  

A 24-hour general strike has been called by unions for September 22 in solidarity with Gaza, with protests planned in over 60 cities. Expect major disruption to transportation and logistics. Rail services will be impacted from 9 PM on September 21 to 9 PM on September 22, with limited guaranteed trains running from 6-9 AM and 6-9 PM. Local transport, such as Rome's ATAC, may also be disrupted from 8:30 AM to 5 PM and after 8 PM, and ports could face delays or blockages.   Advice: - Avoid booking or relying on public transit from 9:00 p.m. Sept 21 through Sept 22. - Secure alternative transport early (flights or car rentals), as demand will rise sharply. - If already holding rail tickets, monitor Trenitalia and Italo channels for cancellation or refund options. - Allow extra time for road journeys, particularly around major hubs like Rome, Milan, and Florence, where congestion is likely. - For cross-border travel, confirm schedules directly with international operators before departure. - Stay updated via official railway operator websites and local news for strike duration or changes. - Refrain from engaging in geopolitical discussions with protesters or bystanders. If tensions escalate, leave the area immediately. - Protest dynamics can shift unexpectedly. Maintain a safe distance and follow the directions of law enforcement.    

Tropical Storm Ragasa is set to strike Vietnam’s coast around Sept 25, after rapidly crossing Hainan Island. Winds are expected to reach dangerous levels (14–16), with gusts exceeding 17 and waves surging over 10m. From September 23 onward, conditions in the northern and central East Sea will become extremely hazardous, especially around the Hoang Sa archipelago (Paracel Islands). Advice: - Immediately suspend all sea and coastal travel in northern and central Vietnam. - Do not stay near beaches, river mouths, or low-lying coastal areas. These zones face the highest risk from storm surge and flooding. - Significant delays and cancellations of flights and ferries are likely in areas near the storm’s landfall, particularly along the northern and central coast. - Check with airlines and ferry operators for the latest updates before departure. - Stay updated via Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.  

Operations at several airports across Europe faced disruptions on Saturday after an apparent cyberattack targeted the automated systems, making them inoperable, allowing only manual check-in and boarding procedures. Several flights were delayed or canceled at airports in London, Berlin, and Brussels. Passengers with a flight scheduled for Saturday were advised by the affected airports to confirm their travel with airlines before heading to the airport. Advice: - Confirm flight status directly with your airline before traveling to the airport. - Expect long queues and delays at manual check-in and boarding; arrive well in advance. - Carry printed or offline copies of tickets, booking confirmations, and ID. - Monitor official airport and airline channels for live updates. - If possible, consider rebooking or rerouting through unaffected airports.  

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island, eastern Indonesia, has erupted several times since Friday night. Authorities raised their alert to the highest level and warned residents and tourists to stay at least six kilometers away from the area. The eruptions sent massive ash plumes into the sky and forced the suspension of flights at Maumere’s Frans Seda Airport. Bali’s airport remains unaffected. Officials also cautioned of possible lahar floods during heavy rain. Advice: - Stay at least 6 km away from the volcano’s crater due to the risk of falling ash, rocks, and pyroclastic flows. - Wear masks or cloth coverings when outdoors to protect against inhalation of volcanic ash. Avoid using contact lenses in areas with ashfall. - Keep windows and doors closed, and cover water sources to prevent contamination from ash. - Monitor airline and airport updates, as flights may face sudden cancellations or delays in Flores and nearby regions. - Avoid rivers and valleys downstream of the volcano, especially during heavy rain, due to the risk of fast-moving lahars (mud and debris flows).