The Week Ahead: August 18, 2025

Date

Europe
  • Portugal: Weather Advisory | Exercise caution amidst ongoing wildfires in Centro and Norte, Portugal, which are expected to continue through August 19. Emergency services are currently working to contain a wildfire blazing through Centro and Norte regions. Several evacuations and road closures have been reported. High temperatures and low humidity are causing elevated fire risk, as reported by the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere. Elevated fire risks are expected to continue through August 26. Travelers are advised to monitory the developments on local media, and prepare for heavy traffic as the fires close roads and re-route others.
  • London, United Kingdom: Travel Advisory | Baggage screening and security employees at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) will strike August 22-26 and August 29-September 2. International Consultants on Targeted Security (ICTS) staff are organizing both strikes due to pay disputes. The strike is expected to cause delays to screening, baggage drop off and check in times at the airport. Travelers are advised to reconfirm their flight schedules, and expect residual delays.
  • Serbia: Security Advisory | Increased security measures are expected to be implemented across Serbia over the next week, following a wave of protests that have grown increasingly violent. Last week a series of protests, which grew out of initial protests following a train station collapse in September that killed 16, saw riot police deployed. A heavy handed police response put the protests down, and Serbia’s president recently vowed to “punish the bullies” with increased measures to be announced soon. Travelers are advised to avoid large-scale protests and to monitor the local news for updates.
Americas
  • Peru: Travel Advisory | Expect travel disruptions amidst a nationwide public transport worker strike in Peru on August 21 over rise in gang violence. The strike was originally scheduled for August 11 but was pushed back to allow further time for negotiations. Workers are striking due to rising attacks against drivers and other transport workers by criminal gangs. Protesters are calling for a strong government response to these concerns. Travelers should expect disruptions in public transport and plan alternate routes if necessary.
  • Paraguay: Protest Advisory | Protesters will gather in Asuncion, Paraguay on August 18 near Plaza Uruguaya. Protesters will gather in Asuncion, Paraguay on August 18 near Plaza Uruguaya. It will then travel to the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Ministry of Education and Science. It was organized by the National Union of Principals (SINADI) to demand better pay for principals and for the repair of school facilities. Travelers should avoid the protest and plan alternative travel routes and destinations within the city of Asuncion.
  • Lima, Peru: Protest Advisory | Teachers will gather at 2:30 PM and then march to National Congress in Lima, Peru on August 20. Teachers will gather at Sindicato Único de Trabajadores de la Educación del Perú’s (SUTEP) historical headquarters before marching to the National Congress building. The demonstration is being organized to support a bill proposing increased pensions. Though the demonstration is expected to be peaceful, localized disruptions are expected. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid the demonstration and plan alternate routes. Expect heightened security and travel delays if traveling near the march.
Asia & Pacific
  • Mumbai, India: Protest Advisory | Crowds will protest the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict on August 20 in Mumbai starting at 3:00. A previous protest was attempted on June 19 but was broken up by force; a court has ruled that this protest is legal and therefore violence is not expected at this time. Travelers should avoid the protests yet, as the potential for escalation to violence is still possible. They should also prepare for delays in travel as localized traffic disruptions are expected.
  • South Korea: Security Advisory | South Korea will conduct nationwide civil defense drills from 2:00 PM to 2:20 PM on August 20. The drill will start with an air raid siren, and authorities will order residents to shelter in place for 15 minutes and halt all vehicular traffic. Civil defense drills are relatively common in South Korea. Travelers are advised to follow government instructions and to plan around the prepared drill.
  • Okinawa, Japan: Weather Advisory | A tropical depression will likely turn into a typhoon in the coming hours and hit Okinawa on June 19. Flooding and traffic delays are possible as heavy rain and strong winds hit the island. Travelers are advised to monitor local news for updates and to keep essential items in waterproof containers.
Africa & Middle East
  • Kenya: Security Advisory | Power outages are expected to cause disruption on August 18, 2025 in several regions of Kenya. The Kenya Power and Lighting Company announced the outages are happening due to routine maintenance works. Areas affected include Kericho, Kisii, Laikpia, Nairobi and Nyeri counties. Outages range from 2:00am to 10:00am in Kericho and Kisii, 2:00am to 5:00am in Lakipia, 12:00am to 10:00am in Nairobi and 1:00am to 10:00am in Nyeri. Short-term disruption to travel and essential services in likely in affected locations.
  • Tunisia: Protest Advisory | A nationwide protest will take place across Tunisia on August 21. Protesters are organizing against the government to protest the reduction of workers rights. The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) has called for this protest after pro-government supporters stormed the union’s headquarters during a previous strike. Travelers are advised to avoid protests as the risk for escalation to violence is high.
  • Israel: Protest Advisory | Protesters will likely continue to gather throughout Israel in the coming weeks due to the government’s proposed expansion of the war in Gaza. A recent protest on August 17 saw hundreds of thousands turn out in Tel Aviv. While these protests have remained largely peaceful, there is a risk for violence due to the large divides within Israeli society. Further protests are likely to correspond with the release of more information by the government for their proposed plans. Travelers are advised to avoid these protests and to monitor the local news for any updates of escalation.

Recent
Advisories

Rock en Seine Music Festival will draw hundreds of thousands to Paris, France, from August 26-30; expect travel delays.

Rock en Seine is an annual five-day, multi-genre music festival that will take place from August 26 to 30 at the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud. The festival drew approximately 150,000 attendees in 2025 and will increase security and crowd density around the venue. During the festival, public transportation will experience heavy congestion, resulting in transit delays, especially through the Boulogne – Pont de Saint-Cloud subway station.

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The Canadian National Exhibition will draw large crowds to Toronto, Canada, from August 21–September 7; expect travel disruptions.

aiwan’s annual ‘Han Kuang’ military exercises will continue through August 14, with urban resilience drills and live-fire exercises in densely populated areas from August 7 to 13. Heightened security presence, localized access restrictions, and temporary internet disruptions are likely in areas affected by air-raid drills. Military activity and cross-Strait tensions will likely increase as China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) activity rose after previous Han Kuang iterations.

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Expect travel disruptions from August 16 to 18 due to the Southern African Development Community Summit in Durban, South Africa.

The 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit will occur in Durban at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) from August 16 to 17. The summit aims to address regional cooperation, peace, and South African development progress. Walnut Road is confirmed to be closed until August 18, while official motorcades may cause short-notice closures near King Shaka International Airport (DUR) as delegations arrive and depart.

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