Headlines From This Week
- Nawaz Sharif Returns to Pakistan and Election Update – The Pakistan election season is in full swing. The former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, will return to the country late on 13 July after a court in Pakistan found him guilty on corruption charges which he argues are politically-motivated. His arrival will be met by a large crowd of supporters. In a separate incident, an election event in Peshawar held by the leftist, secularist ANP was attacked by the Pakistani Taliban. 20 were killed including a leader of the party. Further violence has occurred and should be expected until the 25 July polling day.
- Unrest in Haiti – The poorest country in the Americas faced days of unrest after a 50 per cent hike in the price of fuel. Protesters set cars alight in the capital and other cities, resorting to looting in places. At least four people have been confirmed dead and many others injured. Despite the price hike, agreed with the IMF, being scrapped, protests look set to continue and further violence may also occur. A vote of no-confidence in the prime minister is set to be held on 14 July.
- NATO Summit – President Trump publicly recommitted US support for NATO at the annual summit this week, though it was a tense affair given Trump’s recent actions and rhetoric. Indeed, behind closed doors, Trump reportedly ruffled a number of feathers, notably those of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. There has also been some disagreement over the commitments to be made regarding defence spending. President Trump followed the trip to Brussels with his first to the United Kingdom, where he has been greeted with protests. He has also induced friction with Prime Minister Theresa May, criticising her plans for Brexit and praising the former foreign minister, Boris Johnson, who left his post earlier in the week.
- Unrest in Northern Ireland – 12 July marked the annual commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, with marches by Orangemen in various locations across Northern Ireland. The marches were preceded with days of unrest. In Belfast 13 vehicles were set on fire, while there were five nights of violence in the Bogside area of Derry, including the throwing of petrol bombs at police. Police also warned that the loyalist paramilitary force the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) planned to “orchestrate and participate in serious disorder” in east Belfast. While unrest was expected, events were more violent than in 2017.
- Flooding in Japan – More than 200 people were killed and 54 are missing after heavy rains led to flash floods and landslides across central Japan. Those most severely hit were villages in the countryside and the area was unprepared for a series of meteorological phenomena all occurring at the same time.
What To Look Out For Next Week
- Putin and Trump to Meet – The long-awaited meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin will take place from 16 July in the Finnish capital of Helsinki. President Trump has already said that the meeting with Putin may be his easiest while in Europe. Some American policymakers have reported fears that the US president will be outmatched by his Russian counterpart. Issues of Russian involvement in the 2016 US election, Ukraine, Syria, Iran, sanctions on Russia, and perhaps North Korea will feature heavily at the summit.
- FIFA World Cup Final – After a month of competition, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia comes to end as France plays Croatia on 15 July. The game will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia’s capital, Moscow, beginning at 1600hrs local time. Travellers can expect disruption in this area, and in France and Croatia where the game is likely to be most closely followed. The competition has been spared many of the security threats that were expected beforehand, though isolated incidents have occurred.
- Bastille Day in France – France celebrates its national day, also known as Bastille Day, on 14 July. It marks the storming of the Bastille prison, where political prisoners were held, by rebels in 1790. This began an uprising which led to the overthrow of the monarchy. In Paris, the day is celebrated with a military parade from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde where President Macron will be assembled with other dignitaries. In 2016, a terrorist drove into crowds along the Promenade des Anglais. Bastille Day will also be celebrated in French overseas territories, including French Guiana.
- Sandinista Revolution Anniversary – Nicaragua commemorates the victory of the National Liberation Army over the Somoza dictatorship on 19 July. This is likely to have greater meaning and impact this year as the country is in the throes of a civil uprising which has been ongoing since 18 April 2018, during which time at least 264 people have been killed in clashes. Unrest is ongoing, with the 19 July expected to be a day of heightened protest as it is the third and final day of a general strike.
- Protests in Guinea – Protests are set to take place in Conakry, Guinea on 16 July. Previous protests have been deadly. It is strongly advised to avoid all large gatherings and maintain heightened levels of situational awareness in Guinea at all times. Travellers can also expect heightened security measures and travel disruption. It is unclear how well attended any demonstrations will be.
Significant Dates and Events
- 07 to 29 July – France – Tour de France Cycle Race
- 14 July – Italy – Pro-migrant rally to take place in Ventimiglia
- 14 July – Iraq – Republic Day
- 14 July – Israel – Anti-Netanyahu rally in Tel Aviv
- 14 July – South Korea – Anti-refugee rally in Seoul
- 14 July – Serbia – Anti-corruption march planned in Belgrade
- 14 July – Spain – Pro-Catalan independence march in Barcelona
- 15 July – Brunei – His Majesty the Sultan’s Birthday
- 15 July – Turkey – Democracy and National Solidarity Day (Anniversary of 2016 attempted coup)
- 16 July – Chile – Virgen del Carmen Day
- 16 July – Brazil – Doctors to strike in Porto Alegre
- 16 to 17 July – Botswana – President’s Day
- 17 July – Lesotho – King’s Birthday
- 17 July – South Korea – Constitution Day
- 18 July – Uruguay – Constitution Day
- 18 July – Argentina – Anniversary of the 1994 terror attack on the Jewish community centre, Buenos Aires
- 19 to 22 July – United States – Summer X Games in Minneapolis
- 19 to 22 July – United Kingdom – The Open golf championship at Carnoustie
- 19 July – Myanmar – Martyr’s Day
- 20 July – Greece – Rail workers to strike
- 20 to 22 July – United Kingdom – Baggage handlers plan to strike at London Luton Airport
- 20 and 24 July – Ireland – Ryanair pilots to strike
- 20 July – Spain – Security staff to strike at Ibiza Airport
- 20 to 22 July – United States – Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
- 20 July – Colombia – Independence Day
- 21 July – Belgium – National Day
- 22 July – Gambia – Revolution Day
- 23 July – Egypt – Anniversary of the Revolution
- 23 July – Oman – Renaissance Day
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Weekly Risk Roundup – Week 28
The Weekly Risk Roundup highlights significant events from the last week and what to look out for next week. Week 28 Weekly Risk Roundup was compiled by Solace Global’s in-house intelligence team.
