June 21, 2017

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories for the Atlantic area regarding Tropical Storm Cindy, which has weakened slightly. However, heavy rainfall could produce life-threatening flash flooding across portions of the Northern Gulf Coast. Travel waivers are in place for American, for Delta and for United, primarily impacting travel to/from airports in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

According to the National Hurricane Center:

The Tropical Storm Warning is discontinued north and east of the mouth of the Mississippi River, including Metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

* San Luis Pass Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River

Interests elsewhere along the U.S. Gulf Coast from the central Texas coast to the western Florida Panhandle should monitor the progress of this system.

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

——————–

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The Tropical Storm Warning is discontinued north and east of the

mouth of the Mississippi River, including Metropolitan New Orleans

and Lake Pontchartrain.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

* San Luis Pass Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Interests elsewhere along the U.S. Gulf Coast from the central Texas coast to the western Florida Panhandle should monitor the progress of this system.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK

——————————

At 1000 AM CDT (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Cindy was located near latitude 27.6 North, longitude 92.6 West. Cindy is moving toward the northwest near 10 mph (17 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue today. A turn toward the north-northwest and then toward the north is expected tonight and Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Cindy will approach the coast of southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas late today or tonight, and move inland over southeastern Texas or southwestern Louisiana on Thursday.

Surface observations and reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are now near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in

strength is expected before landfall, with weakening expected thereafter.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km) mainly to the north and east of the center.

The minimum central pressure just reported by the Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 996 mb (29.42 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

———————-

RAINFALL: Cindy is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 6 to 9 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches over southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and western portions of the Florida Panhandle through Thursday. This rainfall could cause life-threatening flash flooding in these areas.

Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 7 inches can be expected farther west across western Louisiana and eastern Texas through Thursday. Rainfall should spread northeastward across Arkansas and into portions of the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys through Friday, with total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts possible.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions should spread westward and northward through the Tropical Storm Warning area today through Thursday.

STORM SURGE: Inundation of 1 to 3 feet above ground level is expected along the coast in portions of the Tropical Storm Warning area. Inundation of 1 to 3 feet above ground level is also possible elsewhere along the coast from southeastern Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle in areas of strong onshore winds.

TORNADOES: A few tornadoes are possible today through tonight from the western Florida Panhandle across southwest Alabama, southern Mississippi, and southern Louisiana.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

June 21, 2017

Bishop International Airport (in Flint, MI) was evacuated and is closed after an airport officer was stabbed.

According to the Detroit Free Press:

An airport police officer is in critical condition and Bishop International Airport in Flint has been evacuated after a reported stabbing Wednesday morning.

The FBI is investigating …

According to the airport’s Facebook page: “An airport police officer has been injured. All passengers are safe and are being evacuated at this time.”

CBS Detroit is reporting:

The incident happened just after 9 a.m. inside the airport along I-75 near I-69

Michigan State Police say the officer involved is in critical condition, adding that the airport will remain closed until further notice.

All passengers are safe, according to a message posted by the airport on Facebook.

Witnesses say the officer was stabbed in the neck, although information as to what led to the incident was not immediately available. State police troopers, along with agents from the FBI and ATF are on the scene investigating.

Passengers are urged to check with their airline for flight cancellations and delays.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

June 20, 2017

A small explosion occurred at Brussels Central Station. Local police tweeted saying “The situation is under control but please follow the instructions [of police].”

The Grand Place, a major tourist site, was evacuated along with the station about 200 meters (656 feet) away.

The Associated Press reports:

Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square.

Broadcaster RTL quoted Fires Services spokesman Pierre Meys confirming that some kind of an explosion had happened in the city’s Central station on Tuesday. Meys could not say what had caused the blast.

He could only confirm that firefighters were at the scene.

The Belgian capital’s Grand Place, a major tourist site, was evacuated along with the station about 200 meters (656 feet) away.

Belgium has been on high alert since suicide bombers killed 32 people on the Brussels subway and at an airport on March 22, 2016.

According to BBC News:

Brussels Central Station has been evacuated after an explosion, with Belgian police saying the situation is under control.

A person wearing an explosive belt was “neutralised” inside the station, reports say.

The city’s main square, the Grand Place, was also evacuated.

In March 2016, 32 people died in attacks on Brussels airport and the metro system which were claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

Soldiers guarding the station neutralised one person inside the station after a small explosion and there are no other casualties, Reuters news agency reports.

Brussels Central Station is one of three main terminals in the city.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

June 19, 2017

A car intentionally hit a police van on the Champs Elysees and exploded. No officers or pedestrians were injured.

Some news reports state the situation is “under control” but police are still blocking the area. The nearest metro station, Champs-Elysées Clémenceau, has been closed.

Reuters reports:

A French police vehicle was hit on Monday by a car on Paris’ Champs Elysees avenue and the driver was arrested, police said, adding that no officers or bystanders were injured and the situation was under control.

Police cordoned off the area only a short walk away from Elysees presidential palace and the U.S. embassy, Reuters reporters on site said.

A police Twitter account advised the public to avoid the area.

France has been on high security alert following a series of terrorist attacks in recent years, including the shooting of a policeman in an Islamic State-claimed attack on a police bus on the Champs Elysees in April.

According to BBC News:

A car has crashed into a police van before bursting into flames around the Champs Elysees area of central Paris, police officials say.

The driver, who was armed, was knocked unconscious and is seriously injured, French media report.

Police say the situation is now under control, and neither law enforcement nor civilians were injured.

France is currently in a state of emergency after being hit by a wave of deadly terror attacks in recent years.

The national police Twitter account had earlier said (in French) that there was an “ongoing police operation”, warning people to respect the security cordon.

French media, quoting police sources, say the act was deliberate.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

June 19, 2017

Last night, a man drove a van into worshippers near Finsbury Park Mosque and the Muslim Welfare House in north London.

The deliberate nature of the incident is being treated as a terrorist attack.

BBC News reports:

Metropolitan Police’s deputy assistant commissioner Neil Basu said the “terrorist attack” began when the van was driven into a man who was already being given first aid by the public on the pavement.

Several of those in hospital are “seriously injured” and there are currently no other suspects, he added.

Eight people were taken to hospital after the attack outside the mosque, which is also a community centre.

A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Extra police are being deployed to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said.

This is the fourth terror attack in the UK in four months, after incidents in Westminster, Manchester and on London Bridge.

According to the UK’s Guardian:

A van has driven into a crowd of worshippers after they left a mosque in north London.

A man died on the scene but was already receiving first aid from members of the public when the attack took place, police said. It is not yet known whether his death was a result of the attack.

Eight people are in hospital, two with very serious injuries, and two others were treated at the scene.

All of those injured were members of the Muslim community. The attack took place outside the Muslim Welfare House, a few hundred metres away from Finsbury Park mosque.

The van driver – a 48-year-old man – was arrested at the scene by the police on suspicion of attempted murder after being detained by members of the public.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

June 16, 2017

Summary: Turkey-Potential Terrorist Threat in Istanbul

All,

The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul issued a Security Message for Americans. It’s in response to a potential terrorist threat and increased security in the Sisli and Mediciyekoy Districts of Istanbul.

According to the Security Message:

The U.S. Consulate General Istanbul would like to inform U.S. citizens of a heightened Turkish security presence in the Mecidiyekoy district of Istanbul, especially in the vicinity of Sisli Agaoglu Sokak, in response to a possible terrorist threat. At this time, the Consulate General does not have additional information regarding specifics about this threat, but U.S. citizens are reminded to refer to existing guidance in the Travel Warning of March 28 . Americans residing in the area should exercise heightened caution.

U.S. citizens are reminded to be aware of their immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowded places when possible, especially in locations where Westerners, tourists, and expatriates are known to frequent, including but not limited to restaurants, commercial centers, places of worship, and transportation hubs.

We strongly encourage U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance, ensure communication connectivity, be aware of local events, monitor local media for updates, keep your loved ones informed of your welfare and whereabouts, and take the appropriate steps to bolster your personal security.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

June 16, 2017

Summary: As widely expected and reported, there will be changes to U.S. policy on Cuba travel.

According to the White House Fact Sheet on Cuba Policy:

The policy enhances travel restrictions to better enforce the statutory ban on United States tourism to Cuba.

Among other changes, travel for non-academic educational purposes will be limited to group travel.

The self-directed, individual travel permitted by the Obama administration will be prohibited. Cuban-Americans will be able to continue to visit their family in Cuba and send them remittances.

The Department of Treasury has provided FAQs:

1. How will OFAC implement the changes to the Cuba sanctions program announced by the President on June 16, 2017? Are the changes effective immediately?

OFAC will implement the Treasury-specific changes via amendments to its Cuban Assets

Control Regulations. The Department of Commerce will implement any necessary

changes via amendments to its Export Administration Regulations. OFAC expects to

issue its regulatory amendments in the coming months. The announced changes do not

take effect until the new regulations are issued.

2. What is individual people-to-people travel, and how does the President’s announcement impact this travel authorization?

Individual people-to-people travel is educational travel that: (i) does not involve

academic study pursuant to a degree program; and (ii) does not take place under the

auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction that sponsors such

exchanges to promote people-to-people contact. The President instructed Treasury to

issue regulations that will end individual people-to-people travel. The announced

changes do not take effect until the new regulations are issued.

3. Will group people-to-people travel still be authorized?

Yes. Group people-to-people travel is educational travel not involving academic study

pursuant to a degree program that takes place under the auspices of an organization that is

subject to U.S. jurisdiction that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people

contact. Travelers utilizing this travel authorization must maintain a full-time schedule of

educational exchange activities that are intended to enhance contact with the Cuban

people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from

Cuban authorities, and that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and

individuals in Cuba. An employee, consultant, or agent of the group must accompany

Travel Leaders • 3033 Campus Drive Ste W320 • Plymouth, MN 55441

each group to ensure that each traveler maintains a full-time schedule of educational

exchange activities.

4. How do the changes announced by the President on June 16, 2017 affect individual people-to-people travelers who have already begun making their travel arrangements (such as purchasing flights, hotels, or rental cars)?

The announced changes do not take effect until OFAC issues new regulations. Provided

that the traveler has already completed at least one travel-related transaction (such as

purchasing a flight or reserving accommodation) prior to the President’s announcement

on June 16, 2017, all additional travel-related transactions for that trip, whether the trip

occurs before or after OFAC’s new regulations are issued, would also be authorized,

provided the travel-related transactions are consistent with OFAC’s regulations as of June

16, 2017.

5. How do the changes announced by the President on June 16, 2017 affect other authorized travelers to Cuba whose travel arrangements may include direct transactions with entities related to the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services that may be implicated by the new Cuba policy?

The announced changes do not take effect until OFAC issues new regulations.

Consistent with the Administration’s interest in not negatively impacting Americans for

arranging lawful travel to Cuba, any travel-related arrangements that include direct

transactions with entities related to the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services

that may be implicated by the new Cuba policy will be permitted provided that those

travel arrangements were initiated prior to the issuance of the forthcoming regulations.

6. How do the changes announced by the President on June 16, 2017 affect companies subject to U.S. jurisdiction that are already engaged in the Cuban market and that may undertake direct transactions with entities related to the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services that may be implicated by the new Cuba policy?

The announced changes do not take effect until OFAC issues new regulations.

Consistent with the Administration’s interest in not negatively impacting American

businesses for engaging in lawful commercial opportunities, any Cuba-related

commercial engagement that includes direct transactions with entities related to the

Cuban military, intelligence, or security services that may be implicated by the new Cuba

policy will be permitted provided that those commercial engagements were in place prior

to the issuance of the forthcoming regulations.

7. Does the new policy affect how persons subject to U.S jurisdiction may purchase airline tickets for authorized travel to Cuba?

No. The new policy will not change how persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction traveling to

Cuba pursuant to the 12 categories of authorized travel may purchase their airline tickets.

8. Can I continue to send authorized remittances to Cuba?

Yes. The announced policy changes will not change the authorizations for sending

remittances to Cuba. Additionally, the announced changes include an exception that will

allow for transactions incidental to the sending, processing, and receipt of authorized

remittances to the extent they would otherwise be restricted by the new policy limiting

transactions with certain identified Cuban military, intelligence, or security services. As

a result, the restrictions on certain transactions in the new Cuba policy will not limit the

ability to send or receive authorized remittances.

9. How does the new policy impact other authorized travel to Cuba by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction?

The new policy will not result in changes to the other (non-individual people-to-people)

authorizations for travel.

Following the issuance of OFAC’s regulatory changes, travel-related transactions with

prohibited entities identified by the State Department generally will not be permitted.

Guidance will accompany the issuance of the new regulations.

10. How will the new policy impact existing OFAC specific licenses?

The forthcoming regulations will be prospective and thus will not affect existing

contracts and licenses.

11. How will U.S. companies know if their Cuban counterpart is affiliated with a prohibited entity or sub-entity in Cuba?

The State Department will be publishing a list of entities with which direct transactions

generally will not be permitted. Guidance will accompany the issuance of the new

regulations. The announced changes do not take effect until the new regulations are

issued.

12. Is authorized travel by cruise ship or passenger vessel to Cuba impacted by the new Cuba policy?

Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction will still be able to engage in authorized travel to

Cuba by cruise ship or passenger vessel.

Following the issuance of OFAC’s regulatory changes, travel-related transactions with

prohibited entities identified by the State Department generally will not be permitted.

Guidance will accompany the issuance of the new regulations.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

June 14, 2017

A shooting has taken place at a park less than two miles from our offices in Alexandria, VA.

 

 

Multiple news sources are reporting that Congressional members were at baseball practice when a shooter opened fire. Among the injured is House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

According to WUSA-TV:

A Congressman is among the people injured in a “multiple shooting” at a baseball field in Alexandria Wednesday morning, according to a CBS News Special Report.

The shooting happened in the 400 block of E Monroe Street, according to police. The incident happened at a Congressional baseball practice behind the YMCA.

CBS New reports Rep. Steve Scalise (R) from Louisiana was shot. At least for other people were shot. Some 50 shots were reportedly fired.

Authorities report that at least one person was taken to the hospital.

A suspect is believed to be in custody, Alexandria police reported.

CNN.com reports:

Rep. Steve Scalise was shot Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia, a House colleague told CNN, in what sources are calling an apparent “deliberate attack.”

Rep. Mo Brooks told CNN he was on deck at a practice for the congressional baseball team when the shooting occurred. Scalise, a member of the House Republican

leadership as the majority whip, appeared to have been shot in the hip and it appeared two Capitol Hill police agents were shot, Brooks added.

According to both congressional and law enforcement sources, the shooting appears to be a “deliberate attack.” Alexandria police said earlier Wednesday they were responding to a “multiple shooting” in the city. The tweet also said the suspect is in custody “and not a threat.”

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

June 13, 2017

Yesterday afternoon a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Greek island of Lesbos, killing at least one person. Tremors from the earthquake were also felt in Turkey, including Istanbul.

According to the BBC:

A strong earthquake has struck off the Aegean coast of western Turkey and the Greek island of Lesbos, with tremors felt in Istanbul and Athens. The epicentre of the 6.3 magnitude quake was 5km (3 miles) south of Plomari, a town on the coast of Lesbos, the US Geological Survey said. Several buildings were damaged but the village of Vrisa was worst hit with 10 people taken to hospital.

The initial quake struck at 15:28 (12:28 GMT) on Monday and was followed by two aftershocks minutes later. Details of damage and casualties in Vrisa took some time to emerge, but the mayor told Greek media the place looked like it had been “flattened by bombs”.

Time writes:

Earthquakes are frequent in Greece and Turkey, which are on active fault lines… Experts in both countries said more aftershocks are to be expected.

Senior Greek government officials, seismologists and response teams are heading from the capital, Athens, to Lesbos to assess the damage.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

June 12, 2017

Two individuals contracted Legionnaires’ disease after staying at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, in March and April.

According to the Southern Nevada Health District on Friday:

The Southern Nevada Health District is investigating two cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported in guests who stayed separately at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV in March and April. The hotel is assisting in the investigation and taking steps to provide information to past and current guests of the property.

In response to the initial illness report, the property arranged for environmental testing of its water system. Facility testing results did indicate a presence of the Legionella bacteria, and the property initiated the appropriate remediation response of chlorine disinfection. Following reports of the additional case, the Health District conducted sampling of the water system and identified Legionella bacteria throughout the system. The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino and the Health District are working together to conduct remediation and follow up sampling to ensure remediation efforts are effective.

CNN.com reports:

The hotel is disinfecting the system with chlorine … Guests were relocated from rooms served by that system, and those rooms won’t be occupied until the system is properly flushed, he said.

Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, develops when people breathe small droplets of water infected with legionella bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most healthy people who are exposed to legionella don’t get sick, the CDC says. But those who do usually develop fever, cough, chills or muscle aches. Symptoms usually begin within two to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria.

“Guests who stayed at the Rio more than two weeks ago and have not developed symptoms are not at risk for disease,” the health district said in a statement.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.