News & Reports

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has called for a protest march in Nairobi on March 5 amid an ongoing strike demanding better working conditions. Participants will convene at Green Park at 14:00 local time, proceeding to the Ministry of Health, Social Health Authority, Parliament, and the Office of the Deputy President. This action coincides with a strike by over 300 Nairobi County doctors, which began on February 27.   Advice: Anticipate significant traffic disruptions along the protest route. If you require medical services, consider seeking care from private healthcare facilities or hospitals in neighboring counties not affected by the strike. Exercise caution, avoid areas with large gatherings, and follow instructions from local authorities.  

On February 28, 2025, around 03:00 AM, an ambush occurred on trucks transporting sesame from Gondar to Bahir Dar in the Amhara region's Tara Gedam area. The assailants, identified as Fano militants, set fire to over six vehicles, resulting in one driver's death and several injuries.   Advice: Stay informed about local security conditions and follow the guidance of local authorities. If you are in a similar situation, prioritize your safety by seeking immediate shelter and avoiding confrontation. Avoid traveling at night, and consider using convoys for added protection. Keep your communication devices charged and easily accessible to receive timely updates.  

A 24-hour national general strike is scheduled from 21:00 on March 7 until 21:00 on March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women's Day. This industrial action is expected to disrupt various sectors, notably rail transport. Operators such as Trenitalia and Trenord anticipate delays and cancellations across regional, suburban, airport, and long-distance services. Essential services are guaranteed during peak commuter hours: 06:00-09:00 and 18:00-21:00 on March 8.   Advice: If you plan to travel by train during the strike period, verify train schedules in advance and consider alternative transportation options. Allow extra time for your journeys and anticipate potential delays or cancellations. Stay informed through official channels, including the Trenitalia and Trenord websites, for real-time updates.  

Areas around Jalan Kebon Pala II, Kampung Melayu, and West Jatinegara Street in East Jakarta are experiencing significant flooding due to the overflow of the Ciliwung River. Floodwaters have reached depths ranging from one to two meters, inundating residential neighborhoods, and traffic disruptions were reported.   Advice: Avoid affected areas and postpone non-essential travel. Do not attempt to cross flooded streets or landslide-prone zones. If in the vicinity of a flooded area, move to higher ground and follow evacuation orders. Be prepared for road closures and power outages. Monitor weather updates and official alerts for real-time developments.  

The Hungarian Medical Chamber (MOK) and the Hungarian Doctors' Trade Union (MOSZ) have called for a demonstration in central Budapest on March 8 from 14:00 to 16:00 (local time). Approximately 5,000 participants are expected to gather at Kossuth Lajos tér to demand increased support for the healthcare sector. Authorities may implement security measures, and localized traffic and public transport disruptions are possible.   Advice: Avoid the demonstration area to minimize disruptions. Monitor local media for updates and follow instructions from local authorities. If in the vicinity, allow extra travel time due to potential road closures or congestion.  

Severe thunderstorms are set to strike nearly half the U.S., impacting 170 million people across 22 states from Tuesday into Wednesday. The greatest threat—tornadoes, hail, and wind gusts of 65-75 mph—targets northeastern Texas, northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas, and central Mississippi on Tuesday afternoon through night. Over a dozen tornadoes are possible, alongside damaging winds that could topple trees, damage structures, and cut power. The storm system stretches from Texas to Pennsylvania, hitting states like Oklahoma, Alabama, and the Carolinas.   Advice: Thunderstorms packing tornadoes, hail, and high winds can snarl travel, close roads, and knock out power across the South and beyond. Avoid driving Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday in high-risk zones—reroute around northeastern Texas (e.g., via I-10 south of I-20) or delay trips. If on the road, watch for sudden wind shifts or hail; pull over away from trees or power lines and stay inside your vehicle. Charge phones and pack a flashlight, blanket, and snacks—outages could strand you. Nighttime tornadoes (post-sunset Tuesday) are 2.5 times deadlier—set phone alerts for NOAA warnings (dial 911 for emergencies) and know your nearest sturdy building or basement, not a car or mobile home. Stock water and a first aid kit if sheltering. Monitor AccuWeather or local news for closures; updates will follow as the storm tracks east.  

A man was stabbed to death in the middle of the street on Monday afternoon near Square de la Galerie, Vitry-sur-Seine, shortly before 6 p.m. A second man was seriously injured, his life in danger, and was rushed to hospital in critical condition. Two suspects fled the scene on a scooter, and the motive remains unclear.   Advice: Stabbings in public spaces like Vitry-sur-Seine’s Square de la Galerie can signal heightened local tensions or random violence, posing risks to bystanders. Avoid the area around Avenue de l'Abbé Roger-Derry and nearby streets—reroute via Avenue Paul Vaillant-Couturier or Rue de Choisy if traveling through Vitry. Stick to well-lit, busy areas after dark, and don’t walk alone near quieter squares or residential zones. Keep a charged phone with France’s emergency number (112) programmed, and note your location for quick reporting if you see trouble. Don’t engage with or photograph groups—fleeing suspects may react violently if spotted. Police are investigating, with updates likely as they hunt the suspects.  

A truck collided with a bus early Monday morning on a highway in southern Bolivia, forcing the bus off the road and into a 500-meter (1640 ft) ravine. At least 15 people were killed, with 19 others injured and transported to a local hospital. Rescuers estimate the death toll may rise to 20 as recovery efforts continue. The truck driver is in custody, and police are investigating the cause.   Advice: Bolivia’s mountainous highways are prone to deadly accidents, worsened by narrow roads, steep drops, and poor oversight. Avoid travel on rural southern highways until this incident clears—check local sources like Unitel or Bolivian police updates for road status. If driving, stick to daylight hours, slow down on curves, and keep a 50-meter gap from heavy vehicles like trucks, which can lose control. Carry a first aid kit, spare tire, and satellite phone, as ravine crashes often delay rescue. Don’t overtake on two-lane roads—head-on collisions are common. If near the crash site, expect delays and detours; turn back if you see smoke or emergency lights ahead. Authorities are still assessing, with updates likely as recovery progresses.  

A RED weather alert has been issued for Ronda, Malaga Province, as a severe deluge sweeps across southern Spain. State weather agency Aemet warns of up to 120mm of rain in 12 hours, posing a serious risk of flooding and endangering lives and property. The red alert is in effect until 6:59 PM today. Nearby, an orange-level alert covers Malaga city, Marbella, Estepona, and Coin, with up to 80mm of rain expected until 5:59 PM.    Advice: Aemet’s red alert is its top warning, signaling extreme danger. Torrential rain can flood homes, collapse roads, and trigger mudslides. Stay out of basements, garages, or ground floors near rivers and ravines—move to upper floors or rooftops if water rises. Don’t drive. If you must travel, carry a flashlight, phone charger, and waterproof bag with ID and cash. Block door gaps with towels or sandbags, move electronics and furniture off floors, and turn off electricity if water enters. Keep rain gear and boots handy, and charge phones now—Aemet expects outages. If stranded, call 112 and signal with bright cloth or light. Authorities are monitoring, with more updates to come.  

Three people have reportedly died with 29 hospitalized following an outbreak of Kala-azar in Laisamis, Marsabit County. Of the 29 cases, 17 were adults and 12 were children.    Advice: Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, is a parasitic disease spread by sandflies, often thriving in arid and semi-arid regions. Symptoms include prolonged fever, weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, and anemia. If untreated, the disease can be fatal. Travelers to Marsabit County should take precautions against sandfly bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent with DEET, and sleeping under treated mosquito nets, especially at night when sandflies are most active. Avoid outdoor activities during dusk and dawn when transmission risk is highest. Those experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention promptly, as early treatment significantly improves recovery chances. Authorities and health organizations continue monitoring the outbreak, and further updates are expected.