Latest news with #FCDO
Local Germany
7 hours ago
- Local Germany
The travel warnings about Germany ahead of summer 2025
In the last few weeks, the US and Canada have updated their travel advice for visitors to Germany, primarily due to concerns about the possibility of terrorist attacks taking place in the country. In May, the US State Department issued a travel advisory placing Germany at Level 2: "Exercise Increased Caution." The new advice cites the persistent threat of terrorism, warning that attacks may occur with little or no warning in public spaces, including those frequented by tourists. Travellers are advised that: "Terrorist groups and lone actors remain a constant threat in Germany and Europe, attacking people in public locations with knives, small arms, rudimentary explosive devices, and vehicles...' The US has also upgraded advisories for several other European countries to Level 2, including Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, and the UK. Canada, the UK, and Australia The government of Canada updated its advice for Germany soon after the US State Department did, telling travellers to "exercise a high degree of caution," because of concerns about terrorism. Advertisement Travellers are avised that: "Terrorist attacks could occur at any time. Over the past few years, several attacks have occurred in Germany. These have resulted in many injuries and deaths. Further attacks are likely." Advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) states that 'terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Germany. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in public places visited by foreign nationals such as restaurants, markets, shopping centres, places of worship and religious sites, including synagogues, sporting and cultural events, and crowded places and public gatherings.' The website also provides a list of incidents dating back to 2019. While the recent advisories stop short of recommending that people avoid Germany, the relevant authorities in each country urge travellers to be on their guard, monitor local news, and follow instructions from local authorities. At present, the Australian government continues to advise travellers to exercise normal safety precautions in Germany, but refers to 'multiple attacks using vehicles or knives in the last year.'
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Travel warning for six countries where 'airspace could be closed'
The UK government has issued new advice for several countries that could be impacted by 'ongoing hostilities' between Israel and Iran. The fresh warning affects six countries including one that's a major holiday destination for UK travellers. Tourists have been warned they could face delays and cancellations to flights in Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In the update, which was posted to the countries' FCDO pages last night, the government warns that 'ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region'. It adds: 'There is a possibility of travel disruption, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts. 'You should monitor local and international media for the latest information. Be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities. 'Check with relevant airlines for the latest updates before travelling.' The UAE is a major tourist destination for the UK with more than one million Britons travelling to the Middle Eastern country in 2024. In the update, the government warns that 'ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region'. Oman (pictured above) is under the warning While there is no warning against travelling to any of the six countries, Brits should check their flight details for the latest updates. The travel advice for Jordan, another popular holiday destination in the region, has not changed. The UK government advises against all travel to both Israel and Iran. Israel launched its assault on Iran - named Operation Rising Lion' - on Friday June 13. The IDF has targeted the country's nuclear sites and military bases. Iran has retaliated with drone attacks, one of which shut down the country's largest oil refinery in Haifa. Donald Trump has said he will decide whether the US will get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran within the next two weeks. and Germany are set to meet with the Iranian foreign minister today in Geneva in a search for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Concerns mount as Brits in Israel told to stay put while embassy families flown out
The UK government removed families of Foreign Office officials from Israel due to security concerns but is continuing to advise British nationals to remain and follow local guidance – prompting questions over whether the approaches are consistent. While the dependents of diplomatic staff were flown out as a 'precautionary measure', with staff remaining at the embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem, the broader travel advice has not changed. British nationals currently in Israel are being urged to register their presence online, but are not being advised to leave. Instead they are being told to monitor Israeli government alerts and make individual decisions based on their location and circumstances. Although thousands of people currently in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories are understood to have registered their presence with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the government has not moved to advise a general departure. Israel and Iran have exchanged fire over the past six days after Israel launched air strikes which it said were aimed at preventing Iran developing a nuclear weapon. Iranian officials insist the country's nuclear programme is peaceful. The disparity in approach has prompted confusion and a growing sense of unfairness, particularly among those questioning why the government acted pre-emptively to protect its own personnel but not ordinary citizens. It is understood that the department believes the two positions are consistent, citing a distinct duty of care to diplomatic staff. The decision to remove family members was based on the view that they are non-essential and more exposed to movement-related risks. For the wider public, the guidance remains to monitor Israeli government alerts and remain close to shelters where advised. Ministers say the overall threat level is being closely monitored, with consular teams deployed across Israel and neighbouring countries. The Foreign Office has said land borders with Jordan and Egypt remain open, and consular teams are in a position to provide assistance to British nationals who choose to leave Israel by land. But officials maintain that the threshold for advising a general departure has not yet been reached, pointing instead to the continued availability of commercial flights and overland border crossings into Egypt and Jordan. The prime minister chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Wednesday to assess the escalating situation in the Middle East and review contingency planning. A senior government source described the situation as 'grave and volatile', and said ministers were 'working round the clock' with international partners to support de-escalation and keep British nationals safe. 'We want to de-escalate and do our first job – keep British nationals safe,' the source said. More than a thousand people have now registered their presence with the FCDO. Ministers say this does not indicate that assisted departures are being prepared, but that it enables the UK to better assess who is on the ground and what kind of support may be required if the situation worsens. While many of those registered are thought to be dual British-Israeli nationals who may not seek UK consular assistance, a smaller number of people have made active requests for support. The government has deployed extra consular staff to Jordan and Egypt, with rapid deployment teams on standby. For now ministers continue to rely on commercial options and Israeli public safety instructions as the basis of their advice to British nationals – a stance that has prompted unease given the parallel decision to evacuate diplomatic families. Keir Starmer has said that Donald Trump was interested in de-escalation in the Middle East, saying 'nothing' he had heard from the president suggested Washington was poised to get involved. However the US president told reporters outside the White House on Wednesday that he was considering strikes. 'I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Funeral for Air India crash victim after DNA match
A DNA sample has matched to a man loved ones feared was on board the Air India flight which crashed in Ahmedabad, family members have told the BBC. A funeral was held in Dagachi Dui, India, at 10:30 BST on Wednesday for Faizan Rafik, 25, who was travelling home to Leicester when the plane crashed on Thursday. Mourners are also due to gather at the Faizan e Madina mosque in Leicester on Thursday, when prayers will be said. Mr Rafik's cousin, Sameer Rafik, told the BBC on Tuesday loved ones had still been "hoping to hear some good news" but they "weren't getting any updates from anywhere". Sameer also backed calls for the UK government to provide more support to the families of the victims involved in the crash. "It feels very awful," he said. "He's nothing to the government – just a piece of paper, feels like tearing it up and throwing it in the bin. "We don't know what to do because we're completely blank. We need some kind of support from someone, we need a guide about what to do but we don't have that at the moment." In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: "Our staff continue to work around the clock in the UK and India to support the families and loved ones of all those impacted by the crash." Air India has been approached for a comment. Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Family desperate for news after India plane crash
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Funeral for Air India crash victim after DNA match
A DNA sample has matched to a man loved ones feared was on board the Air India flight which crashed in Ahmedabad, family members have told the BBC.A funeral was held in Dagachi Dui, India, at 10:30 BST on Wednesday for Faizan Rafik, 25, who was travelling home to Leicester when the plane crashed on are also due to gather at the Faizan e Madina mosque in Leicester on Thursday, when prayers will be Rafik's cousin, Sameer Rafik, told the BBC on Tuesday loved ones had still been "hoping to hear some good news" but they "weren't getting any updates from anywhere". Sameer also backed calls for the UK government to provide more support to the families of the victims involved in the crash."It feels very awful," he said. "He's nothing to the government – just a piece of paper, feels like tearing it up and throwing it in the bin."We don't know what to do because we're completely blank. We need some kind of support from someone, we need a guide about what to do but we don't have that at the moment." In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: "Our staff continue to work around the clock in the UK and India to support the families and loved ones of all those impacted by the crash."Air India has been approached for a comment.
