Mexico (Security threat level – 4): On 16 May 2019, Mexico City officials extended the city’s environmental alert and announced a second day of school closures, as heavy pollution continued to affect air quality in the city. Authorities have restricted the use of older vehicles, shut down some construction sites and ordered certain industries to cut emissions by 30 to 40 percent in an effort to bring pollution levels under control. Several major outdoor events, including several sporting events, have been postponed or relocated. It is unclear how long these measures will remain in effect.
United States (Security threat level – 2): On 16 May 2019, an F-16 fighter jet crashed into a warehouse located outside the March Air Reserve Base, approximately 65 mi (105 km) east of Los Angeles, California. The crash triggered a small fire, which the warehouse sprinkler system was able to contain. The pilot ejected from the aircraft prior to the crash and was not seriously injured. At least 12 people inside the warehouse sustained minor injuries. The cause of the crash remains unclear, although U.S. Air Force officials stated that it may have been due to a problem with the aircraft’s hydraulic system.
France (Security threat level – 3): As of 17 May 2019, “yellow vest” demonstrations are expected to occur nationwide on 18 May for the 27th consecutive weekend. Yellow vest organizers have called on supporters to gather in Lyon and Paris. Turnout in Paris is expected to be lower than the 18,600 people who attended the previous weekend’s demonstrations. French authorities have announced continued bans on demonstrations on Paris’ Champs-Elysées, at Place de l’Etoile and near the Élysée Palace, the National Assembly and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Officials have also banned protests in other parts of France, including in the city centers of Alès, Caen, Dijon, Le Mans, Lyon, Montauban, Nancy and Toulouse.
Despite the bans, protests are likely to occur in the aforementioned cities. Demonstrations are currently scheduled to take place in Amiens, Bordeaux, Le Mans, Montpellier, Reims, Rouen, Strasbourg and Villefranche-sur-Saône. In Paris, demonstrators intend to march from the Esplanade de La Défense — located on the outskirts of the city — to Sacré-Cœur — located in the 18th arrondissement. In Lyon, organizers called on protesters to gather at Place Antonin-Poncet in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon.
Germany (Security threat level – 3): As of 17 May 2019, tens of thousands of people are expected to hold demonstrations across Germany on 19 May to protest against the rise of nationalism and the far-right. Demonstrations are scheduled to occur in Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart; more than 50,000 participants are expected to attend the demonstration in Berlin. Travelers should avoid all large gatherings, as even peaceful demonstrations can quickly turn violent
United Arab Emirates (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 1945 local time (1745 UTC) on 16 May 2019, officials at Dubai International Airport (OMDB/ DXB) briefly suspended flights at the facility after a small private aircraft crashed there. The crash killed all four people on board the U.K.-registered DA42 aircraft, including three British nationals and one South African national. Disruptions to services lasted until approximately 2050 local time. The cause of the crash remains unclear.
Mali (Security threat level – 5): On 16 May 2019, heavy flooding has severely disrupted traffic throughout Bamako. The government has dispatched emergency response teams to help rescue people stranded by the flood waters. The flooding has damaged a number of buildings, and at least 15 people have died and two others have been injured. It is not known if the flood waters will continue to disrupt all activities throughout Bamako on 17 May.
Côte d’Ivoire (Security threat level – 4): On 16 May 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Côte d’Ivoire, which reads in part as follows:
Georgia (Security threat level – 3): On 16 May 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Georgia, which reads in part as follows:
Ireland (Security threat level – 2): On 16 May 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Dublin issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:
Moldova (Security threat level – 3): On 16 May 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:
Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 16 May 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Sudan, which reads in part as follows:
Zimbabwe (Security threat level – 4): On 16 May 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe issued a Security Alert regarding vehicle safety tips, which reads as follows:
Security threat levels range from 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High) and are determined using a comprehensive system that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary factors used to determine a location’s security threat level are Armed Conflict, Crime, Demonstrations/Strikes, Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions, Graft/Corruption, Kidnapping, Political Instability, Government Restriction and Terrorism.
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