Welcome to news area

Specialising in travel safety awareness training, travel safety and security advice for a wide range of professionals and individuals prior to their travels.

The Middle East

August 23, 2026

The FCDO is currently advising against all travel to Syria, Yemen, Iran and much of isreal and also has area travel warnings for many countries in the region. Whilst many parts such as the UAE, Egypt and Jordan are generally stable and prosperous, this is not the case other areas. The ongoing war beteween Israel & Iran has further de-stabilised the area although Iran and it's proxies; Hamas and Hezbollah have been servely damaged by Israel's military actions since the Hamas 7th October attack on Israel civilains. As a result of that attack the IDF have carried out a massive atack on Hamas's positions in Gaza, the result if that perhaps at least 20,000 civlians have been killed and there is a ongoing humanitarian crisis. The IDF have also reduced Hezbollah's fighting capacity and it's note worthy that Hezbollah has not joined Iran in atacking Israel following the IDF attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities in June 2025.  

Current highlights: 

  • US/Iran: Trump announces pause as talks resume
  • Gaza: Hamas announce disarmament plan
  • Lebanon: IDF continues attacks  
  • West Bank: Four killed in Palestian/settler violence
  • Yemen: Houthis attack Saudi Arabia
READ MORE

South & Central America

August 23, 2026

Prior to travel to the Americas, it's vital to check entry requiements, the FCDO website is a good starting point. The crime rates in many Latin American cities is higher than in Europe and since the covid pandemic, many countries continue to face economic unrest. Inflation was very high in Argentina but has stabilised under President Melei and Brazil is in a state of political unrest following the November 2022 election and the jailing of ex-President Bolonsaro in 2025. Ecuador remains unstable due to gang violence and political instability. Tension between the US and Venezuela have increased in the last quarter of 2025.  

Current highlights:

  • Colombia: Earthquake in Choco region kills over 180
  • Venezeula: Earthquake kills over 3000 around Caracus 
  • Brazil: Elections 4 October
  • Peru: President Fujimori installed
  • Nicaragua: President Ortega vows to hold no new election to stop opposition  
  • Colombia: Far right candidate Esperiella expected to win election 
  • Peru: Possible unrest following close election results 
  • Cuba: Economy close to collapse
  • Guatemala: 30-day state of emergency declared due to gang warfare threat
  • Ecuador: 60 day state of emergency 
  • Venezuela: Tensions post US extraction of President Maduro 
  • Brazil: Trump to impose trade tariffs
  • Ecuador: State of emergency extended and multiple street protests
  • Colombia: Increase paramilitary by some break away rebel groups 
  • Colombia: Yellow Fever health emergency declared
  • Brazil: Significant increase in cases of Dengue Fever
  • Peru: Increased risk Dengue Fever in lowland areas

View our April 2023 South America Briefing

 

 

READ MORE

Indian Sub Continent

August 16, 2026

Travel to the Indian sub-continent is relatively easy provided it is well planned. There are a multitude of different entry requirements and safety and security is an issue in a number of areas such as Kashmir and the tribal areas of Pakistan. Throughout the region, the risk greatest risks are from road traffic accidents and pollution in urban areas. Myanmar (Burma) continues under military rule with sporadic protests and Sri Lanka is beginning to stabilise both politically and economically following the ousting of the Rajapaska presidency. Pakistan is politically and economically unstable and also threatened by growing violence in the NW from the TTP (Tehreek - e - Taliban Pakistan) Islamist group. This group claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Peshawar on 30 January 2023 which killed over 100 security forces officers and associates.

Current Highlights:

  • Pakistan: JAAC protests in Jammu & Kashmir 
  • India: Cockroach protests end
  • India: Increased cases of Dengue Fever in Kamataka
  • Sri Lanka: Increased risk of Denge Fever
  • Myanmar (Burma): FCDO advises against all but essential travel
READ MORE

Travelling in Africa

August 16, 2026

Travel to Africa should be well prepared as there are huge variation in the overall safety situation. At a high level, the risk from disease, especaily malaria in West Africa and parts of Southern Africa should be researched and road traffic accidents remain a constant thrreat.

The Sahel is highly unstable, particulary Mali, Chad, Burkina Fasa, Niger, Northern Nigeria. Parts of Somalia and Ethiopia are also in a flux of conflict. In mid April 23 Sudan descended into open civil war between the government/Army and the Rapid Suppoert Forces (RSF).  A coup in early August 23 disposed the elected goverment in Niger but the region into further crisis.  The risk from terrorism is significant in Kenya, parts of Egypt (Sinai).However, many parts of West Africa and Southern Africa are stable - The key is research. Check out the FCDO and also major global risk management companies such as Sibylline, ISOS/CRG, Salamanca & Worldaware.

South Africa will continue to have extensive power cuts for months if not years to come as the energy supply sector is broken. The state of the Zimbabwean economy is desperate with inflation running at about 200%, daily power cuts and mass unemployment, An election is due and Zanu-PF will do what is necessary, including violent repression to stay in power.  

Current highlights:

  • DRC: Ebola outbreak spreads - over 2300 deaths
  • Uganda: Media outlets shut down by military 
  • South Africa: Anti Immigration protests 
  • Uganda: shut immigration from DRC due to Ebola outbreak
  • Zambia: Fuel distruptin in Lusaka and other cities 
  • Burkina Faso: Leader extends militray rule for 5 years
  • Ethiopia: Flooding in southern areas 
  • Kenya: Heavy rains & flooding in Nairobi
  • Ethiopia: Marburg outbreak
  • Tanzania: Some continued  political unrest
  • Mali: EU countries advice citizens to leave due to worsening security situation 
  • Sudan: RSF capture town of El-Fasher & thousands flee
  • Sudan: Increase political clashes between SAF & RSF
  • Zimbabwe: Power outages continue
  • Mali: Increased attacks on military bases  
  • Sudan: In highly volatile state
  • DRC: M23 rebels enter Bukavu
  • MPox: spreads to DRC, Kenya, Uganda, 14,000 cases
  • Rwanda: Outbreak of Marburg disease
  • Nigeria: increase in cases of Chlorea
  • Mozambique: Elevated malaria risk
  • Zambia: Power cuts anticipated
  • Kenya: Continued risk from terrorism
READ MORE

South East Asia

August 23, 2026

Travel to the Chinese mainland for toursim and some businesses opened up again on 15 March '23. The region is generally easy and safe for both the business and recreational traveller, apart from Myanmar which remains unstable following the military coup of Febrary 2021. The military have systematically crushed civil resistance and the FCDO is currently advising against all but essential to Myanmar except for Yangon. Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand present no significant issues to travellers. UK citizens can generally enter visa free for short stays. In the summer of 2025 conflict broke out between Thailand & Cambodia due to a border issue, the situation has calmed down but travellers should avoid the area in dispute. We assess that Thailand is heading for increased political turbulance and indeed the PM was removed by the high court in late 2025.   

Current highlights:

  • Indonesia: Flores earthquake kills 30 
  • Japan: Earthquake on Kyusha, extensive damage 
  • Thailand: 7 killed in school shooting 
  • Philippines: Flooding im many areas
  • Cambodia: Heavy rain and flooding in some areas
  • China: Flooding in many areas
  • Myanmar: Military claim that Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest.
  • Thailand / Cambodia: Ceasefire agreed
  • Thailand: To cut visa free entry to 30 days 
  • Indonesia: Increased volcanic activity Mount Semeru 
  • Myanmar: Mil retake large areas of territory 
  • Thailand: Some political protests continue 
  • Malaysia: Search for wreckage of MH 370 to start again
  • Vietnam: Increased risk of Dengue Fever in Hanoi
  • Philippines: Increased terrorism threat in Mindanao Province
READ MORE

North America

August 23, 2026

Travellers to the USA and Canada must ensure they have the correct entry permissions/documents. For the USA, most visitors will be able to enter on an ESTA, however, those who have travelled to USA restricted countries such as Yemen, Iraq and Iran must obtain a visa.

The USA is certainly a more challenging country than Canada due to the ever-increasing political divide and the racial and religious tensions and threat of gun violence including mass shootings which can occur in schools, cinemas and shopping areas.

Current Highlights:

  • USA: Multiple tornedo warning across mid & southern states
  • USA: wildfires in Washington state
  • Canada: Over 800 active wild fires burning 
  • USA; Mid term elections 2 November
  • Canada: Massive wildfires in British Colombia 
READ MORE

Australasia

August 23, 2026

The region of Austalasia covers Australia, New Zealand and some of the neighbouring Pacific islands. From a security perspective, both Australia and New Zealand are generally safe in comparison to other parts of the World. Environmental dangers are a concern.

New Zealand is an active seismic area with up to twenty earthquakes a day, however, most are small and are not felt. In recent years Australia has swung from extreme drought and devasting wild fires to torrential rains in the east and west coast in 2023.

READ MORE

World News

August 25, 2026

A range of risks occur for all travellers, the top three are generally from crime, road traffic accidents (RTA's), disease and illness. In most of the large South American and African countries, crime will be the main risk. In South East Asia, it would be road traffic accidents and more recently, urban pollution.

  • The best sources of global news are the BBC, Reuters, The Economist and The Guardian. Currently the war in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza and the Middle East conflict is focusing world attention. Russia is increasing its global voice with a despotic informal alliance with North Korea and Iran and the Ukraine war shows no sign of ending. 
READ MORE

Crisis Management Training

July 01, 2026

Importance of a Crisis Management Strategy for Businesses

Most recently completing a series of sessions for an international NGO with six principle offices around the world. These sessions focused on training their regional Incident Management Teams (IMTs) and also the Global Crisis Management Team (CMT) who were based in New York.

The sessions involved training on the principles of crisis management and structures of teams followed by a scenario-based exercise. The latter varied between the Asia and Latin American IMTs handling a crisis evolving a climatic disaster (with a person being kidnapped to add to the mix!) to the US and EU teams handling employees getting caught up in a terrorist incident. The training was possible as the organisation had already taken strident steps to prepare for such events.

What do organisations need to effectively manage a crisis?

For an organisation to effectively manage a crisis, they need to have procedures and structure in place so that they have the rapid ability to react. To have practiced in advance is also important, so should an event happen, it’s not the IMT’s or CMT’s first outing!  A success outcome, which might be seen as minimising the risk to employees and reputation, will be dependent on whether they have a plan and this doesn't need to be complicated.

READ MORE

Humanitarian Aid Trip to Ukraine February 2026

March 18, 2026

The first thing I notice is the lack of traffic as we cross Kyiv’s ring road. On previous trips the cars have basically been ‘nose to tail’, this time the volume is much reduced. The city’s mayor has suggested that up to 600,00 people have fled the city, the catalyst being an increase in Russian aerial attacks and the lack of power during this savage winter. My travel companion is Jamie Fraser, a very old friend and former soldier. We drive into the city on a beautiful sunny February early afternoon, the temperature is still well below freezing and in two days’ time it will drop to -18. This has been the harshest winter Ukraine has experienced for over 20 years - maybe Putin really is the god that many Russians still think he is, as this winter has been a useful weapon to inflict even more misery on the gallant and defiant Ukrainians.    

READ MORE

We use cookies to provide you with a better website experience.

More Info I Agree