New Zealand: An Air New Zealand flight which encountered engine trouble minutes after departing from Auckland International Airport, has landed safely back at the airport after making an emergency landing. Air New Zealand flight NZ175 reported severe engine damage to one of its engines, just minutes after departing en route to Perth. Temporary flight disruptions should be expected at the airport in the short term. Travellers are advised to contact the airline or your travel provider for updated flight information. ——From Travel Alert.

India: Several people have been killed, and many more are missing, after a combination of flash floods and landslides affected the Baggar area of India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state. A section of the Batote-Kishtwar Highway has also been rendered inaccessible as a result of the inclement weather, effectively cutting off all access to the mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar, home to a population of around 500,000 people. Due to various security concerns, all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir state is advised against. Clients currently in the region are advised that further heavy rains conducive to both flooding and landslides are possible across the state in the coming days and weeks. It is advisable that travellers monitor local media and defer travel to areas located in proximity to rivers and saturated hillsides during periods of heavy rainfall, as such locales are considered to be at greatest risk of being affected by flash floods and landslides respectively. ——From Travel Alert.

Vietnam: An ongoing hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak has killed at least 20 people and infected another 4,000 others in the country's southern regions since January 2011. The majority of infections and deaths have occurred in Ho Chi Minh City, but health officials in Dong Nai province have also reported several deaths and approximately 700 infections. Most infections have occurred among children, but adults with compromised immune systems have also fallen ill with the disease. HFMD is an infectious disease that is spread through direct contact with the mucous, faeces or saliva of an infected person. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, vomiting, fatigue, oral lesions, and blistering on the hands and feet. There is no specific treatment for HFMD and symptoms pass within seven to ten days. However, in a minority of cases, fatal complications such as viral meningitis and encephalitis, can occur. Clients in Vietnam are advised to practice good hygiene and limit exposure to infected individuals to minimise the risk of infection; clients exhibiting any of the aforementioned symptoms are advised to consult with a health practitioner. ——From Travel Alert.

South Korea: College and university students, parents and a number of civil society groups are set to protest against increased tuition fees on 9 June. The protests have been scheduled to take place in Cheonggye Square in the capital, Seoul, despite police denying permission for the protests to be held there or a number of other locations in the city. As an alternative, authorities have proposed the protests be held in front of the Dongwha Duty Free building. At this stage it is unclear where the protests will be held and how many will attend, but several thousand are expected. If the protests are held in Cheonggye Square, there is a possibility of violence occurring if security forces attempt to disperse the protesters. Accordingly, clients are advised to avoid Cheonggye Square and all possible protests sites, as well as all large demonstrations due to the risk of civil unrest. Clients are also advised to anticipate localised travel delays, and to monitor local media for updates and advisories as to the locations of possible protests. ——From Travel Alert.

Canada: Thousands of people have been left without electricity in Ontario as severe thunderstorms affect the southern parts of the province. As many as 111,000 people have reportedly been left without electricity in the city of Peterborough and the municipalities of Muskoka and Tweed. Power outages have also been reported in parts of the Greater Toronto Area. At least one person was reportedly killed in central Ontario when his float plane overturned on Balsam Lake. Clients should note that severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect across Ontario. Clients in the affected region are advised to monitor local weather developments carefully and should anticipate travel disruptions in the region until the adverse weather conditions dissipate. ——From Travel Alert.

China: Tropical Storm Sarika is due to affect China's southern provinces of Guangdong and Fujian within the next 24 hours. Flooding in low-lying areas, landslides in mountainous regions and coastal storm surges are possible within the next 48 hours. Disruptions to air, maritime, road and rail transport, as well as to utilities (water and electricity), should be expected. Clients are advised to monitor local media for updates and to follow the advisories of the local authorities. Clients should also note that China experiences typhoons between May and December and further storms are likely in the coming months. ——From Travel Alert.

Philippines: Independence Day will be commemorated on 12 June with a series of parades and official events throughout the country. The main commemorative events will take place in Rizal Park in the capital, Manila, and the nearby town of Kawit where independence was first declared in1898. Other events within metropolitan Manila will take place at Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion at the Manila North Cemetery, Gat Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan and Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan. Elsewhere, events are planned at Pamintuan Mansion in Angeles City, the Barasoain Church in the city of Malolos, Bulacan province, and selected sites in the cities of Tacloban and Cebu. Accordingly, clients in the Philippines are advised to expect travel disruptions in the vicinity of commemorative events, such as in downtown areas and primary thoroughfares, public squares and outside sporting stadiums. In addition, there is also a possibility of anti-government protests, especially in the southern Muslim-majority Mindanao region, due an ongoing low-level separatist insurgency there, anti-government sentiment is high. Due to this and a number of other security concerns, all travel to Mindanao, including the Sulu archipelago, is advised against. Clients in Mindanao are advised to implement robust security protocols and avoid any commemorative events or protest action. ——From Travel Alert.

India: Security has been heightened in and around the Somaiya grounds area of Mumbai ahead of a National Congress Party (NCP) rally which is scheduled to take place in the area on 10 June. Additional security personnel have been deployed in and around the rally venue while several surrounding roads have also been cordoned off for the event. Clients in Mumbai who will be travelling in the vicinity of the Somaiya grounds are advised to make allowances for possible travel delays as a result of the increased security measures and road closures. While the rally itself is anticipated to conclude without incident, clients are nonetheless advised to exercise caution and avoid all public gatherings related to the event. ——From Travel Alert.

India: Hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has called for a state-wide general strike in India's restive Jammu and Kashmir state on 11 June to commemorate the lives of all separatist protesters who have been killed during violent confrontations with Indian security personnel. The strike action will also coincide with the one year anniversary of the death of a local youth, reportedly killed by state police, which resulted in a protracted anti-government protest campaign which claimed the lives of at least 112 people over the course of five months. Transport, business and other public services are anticipated to be suspended across Jammu and Kashmir under the strike conditions, while large-scale pro-separatist rallies are likely to occur in the summer capital, Srinagar, and the flashpoint districts of Anantnag and Baramulla. Jammu and Kashmir, which forms part of the wider Kashmir region on the India-Pakistan border, is a volatile region that has been the source of a long-standing dispute between the two countries, in which each country claims Kashmir as a part of its territory. This has resulted in violent civil unrest and frequent terrorist attacks by separatist groups who favour the entire region to be annexed to Pakistan. The current situation in Indian-administered Kashmir is tenuous and, presently, concessions remain elusive. Consequently, all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir is advised against. If travel is undertaken, clients are advised to maintain a low profile and to avoid all protest gatherings as a precaution. Severe transport disruptions are also likely and travellers should plan accordingly. ——From Travel Alert.

Vietnam: Tensions with China are heightened as Vietnam announces the holding of live fire drills in South China Sea on 13 June. Vietnamese military officials announced that the drills will be held near Hon Ong island, approximately 40km off the coast of Quang Nam province in central Vietnam, and would last for approximately six hours. This latest announcement is likely to escalate already heightened tensions between China and Vietnam, who have engaged in numerous territorial disputes over the Spratly and Paracel Islands in the South China Sea in recent years. Both states have accused the other of illegally entering areas of the South China Sea that each of them claim as their own territorial waters. In the last two weeks Vietnamese officials have accused Chinese vessels of intentionally ramming Vietnamese oil and gas survey vessels on two separate occasions, while most recently, Chinese officials accused Vietnamese naval vessels of chasing Chinese fishing vessels out of the disputed waters on 9 June. The holding of live fire drills is likely to escalate tensions further between the two states; however, the risk of armed conflict between Vietnam and China is assessed as being low at present. As the drills will take place offshore, they are unlikely to directly impact upon clients in Vietnam; however, mariners in the vicinity are advised to avoid the area before and during the live fire exercises due to the increased security force presence and incidental risk of being hit by live ammunition. ——From Travel Alert.

China: Heavy rainfall since 6 June has led to widespread flooding in central China. Resulting flash floods and landslides have left at least 40 people dead and thousands displaced in the provinces of Hubai, Hunan, Jiangxi and Guizhou. Major infrastructural damage and casualties have been reported in Xiangyang, Huanggang and Xianning prefectures of Hubai province and in the cities of Yueyang and Changde in Hunan province. Heavy rainfall has also affected Xiushui county in Jiangxi province and Wangmo county in Guizhou province, where dozens of people are missing following flash floods on 8 June. Further rainfall conducive to flooding and landslides is likely in central and south east China in the coming days, and travellers are advised to exercise caution in vulnerable locations, especially on mountainsides, in low-lying areas and near major rivers. In addition, travellers are advised to defer travel to the flood affected areas for the short-term. Localised travel disruptions due to washed away roads and bridges are possible. ——From Travel Alert.

Australia: Qantas airlines has cancelled at least four flights between Australia and New Zealand on 12 June due to the approach of a volcanic ash cloud in airspace over New Zealand's South Island. Flights which have been cancelled include two flights between the cities of Sydney, Australia, and Christchurch, New Zealand, and a further two between Sydney and the city of Queenstown, New Zealand. A domestic Qantas flight connecting the Australian cities of Melbourne and Hobart has also been cancelled. The flight disruptions have come amid fears that volcanic ash, which was emitted following an eruption at Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano on 3 June, may pose a hazard to aircraft flying through the ash cloud which has since moved over New Zealand airspace. To date, the ash cloud has caused significant disruptions to air travel across the South American region, with flight cancellations and/or total airport closures reported across large parts of Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. While Qantas has, to date, been the only airline to cancel flights to New Zealand's South Island, clients should be aware that several other airline companies may also seek to limit or suspend all commercial air flights services in light of the arrival of the ash cloud over New Zealand airspace. Clients conducting travel to or from New Zealand are advised to contact their travel provider or airline for further information on the status of their flight(s). ——From Travel Alert.

Bangladesh: The country's opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), supported by the Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) and Islami Oikya Jote (Aminee) political organisations, have called for a 36-hour countrywide strike to commence on 12 June. The strike, locally referred to as a hartal, has been called as part of an ongoing protest campaign against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's decision to abandon the country's political tradition of appointing a caretaker government during electoral periods. A similar general strike held on 5 June descended into violent confrontations between opposition protesters and security forces in the capital, Dhaka, and the towns of Begumganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj. Due to various security concerns, particularly the elevated threat of politically motivated civil unrest, all non-essential travel to Bangladesh is advised against. Clients currently in the country are advised to adhere to the strike conditions which usually include the suspension of all public transportation and business services and the restriction of both inter- and intra-city travel. Associated protests and gatherings are also likely to accompany the general strike; these should be avoided as the potential for violence at these events are considered high. ——From Travel Alert.

Pakistan: Dozens have been wounded after a series of explosive devices detonated at the Khyber Super Market area of Pakistan's north western city of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. There have been no immediate claims of responsibility for the attacks. Due to various security concerns, including the extreme threat of terrorism, all travel to Pakistan is advised against. Persons currently in Peshawar are advised to exercise heightened security awareness at this time and should ideally defer all travel to the affected area, particularly due to the fact that a secondary attack, targeting emergency personnel and/or large crowds which have gathered at the scene of the incident, cannot be discounted. In addition, clients should also be aware that the attack may likely prompt a significant increase in security measures across Peshawar and the implementation of security checkpoints, random identification checks and vehicle searches should be anticipated at sensitive sites such as government buildings, security installations, major transportation hubs, foreign diplomatic missions and crowded public areas. As such, it is advisable that travellers ensure that certified copies of all relevant identification information are kept on their person at all times if they intend on transiting to the aforementioned areas. ——From Travel Alert.

India: Tropical Storm One is currently affecting the coastal areas of southern Gujarat and north western Maharashtra state. Flooding in low-lying areas and coastal storm surges are possible over the course of the next 36 hours. Disruptions to air, maritime, road and rail transport, as well as to utilities (water and electricity), should be expected. Travellers are advised to monitor local media for updates and to follow the advisories of the local authorities. ——From Travel Alert.

New Zealand: A 6.0 magnitude earthquake has been reported approximately 14km north east of the city of Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island. This latest earthquake follows an earlier 5.2 magnitude earthquake on 13 June, which struck 9km east of Christchurch, causing infrastructural damage and minor injuries were also reported. In addition, interruptions to utilities, including electricity and telecommunications, were also reported. Clients currently in the region are advised to monitor local media and emergency broadcast channels for possible updates and advisories from the authorities. Clients should also note that aftershocks are possible in the short-term. ——From Travel Alert.

China: Tensions are currently elevated in the city of Zengcheng in southern China's Guangdong province following violent protests on 12 June. Media reports indicate that at least 1,000 migrant workers protests in the city and attacked vehicles, government buildings and security force assets in protest against the harassment of a pregnant street hawker by security guards on 10 June in the nearby village of Dadun. Police responded to the unrest by firing tear gas at and arresting scores of protesters, who are mainly migrant workers from Sichuan province. It remains unclear if there were any casualties caused by the unrest or if the protests are ongoing. Clients in or planning to travel to the affected city are advised to exercise caution and vigilance in public areas and should avoid all street demonstrations as a precaution. ——From Travel Alert.

India: An undisclosed number of casualties have been reported following a protracted gun battle between suspected Maoist rebels and security forces in Chhattisgarh's restive Dantewada district. Violent confrontations between the two groups flared when a group of heavily armed insurgents attacked a police station in the district, marking the fourth rebel attack in the region since 9 June. Maoist rebels, known as Naxalites (a broader term for all groups waging a war for the oppressed and landless), are active in large parts of several of India's eastern states, particularly Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Maoist terrorism rarely affects foreign travellers or large urban centres; however, sporadic attacks against visitors are possible. All non-essential travel to the rural and remote areas of the above-mentioned regions should be avoided; specifically remote villages, police and army patrols, security force bases, government buildings, and transport and telecommunications infrastructure, as these are primary targets for attacks by the group. Persons intending to travel to the aforementioned regions despite this advisory should implement robust security measures, such as travelling in armed convoy and limiting all movement to daylight hours. ——From Travel Alert.

Canada: A strike by members of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union is to commence on 13 June and will affect Air Canada operations at several airports across Canada. The strike by customer service, ticketing and call centre agents is expected to commence unless a last minute agreement between CAW and Air Canada can be reached. CAW members are protesting decreases in pension contributions and the increase in the overtime workforce. Air Canada has set several contingency plans in place and has assured clients that the airline will operate a full service schedule and that all tickets will be honoured. Nevertheless, should the strike action commence, significant disruptions to travel are expected at all major airports, including Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto Pearson, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St John's. Clients intending to travel with Air Canada in the short-term are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider prior to departure to check on the status of flights. ——From Travel Alert.

United States: (Update) An ongoing wildfire in the US state of Arizona has spread across the state line into New Mexico, and is now affecting air quality and threatening dozens of communities across the state. The wildfire, which originated in the Bear Wallow Wilderness on 29 May, has continued to spread, helped by strong winds, low humidity and dry conditions. Thousands of people have been evacuated from communities in the fire's path, and over 3,000 firefighters have been called to assist in fighting the runaway fire. The fire crossed the state line into New Mexico on 10 June and authorities have warned that the thick smoke is hazardous, particularly for young children, the elderly and people who suffer from respiratory problems. Although no community in New Mexico is currently directly affected, evacuations as the fire spreads and strengthens cannot be ruled out entirely. The wildfire, the second largest in Arizona's history, is expected to continue burning in the short-term and remains almost entirely uncontained. Clients are advised to defer travel to the affected areas of eastern Arizona and New Mexico until the fire has been contained. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates and adhere to the advisories of the local authorities.——From Travel Alert.

Indonesia: A 6.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported approximately 210km east of North Sulawesi's capital, Manado. There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties and no tsunami warning has been issued. Nevertheless, clients currently in the region are advised to monitor local media and emergency broadcast channels for possible updates and advisories from the authorities. Clients should also note that aftershocks are possible in the short-term. ——From Travel Alert.

Myanmar: Several people have been killed and thousands more displaced in ongoing clashes between government troops and rebels from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), near the town of Momauk, in the north eastern Kachin state. The clashes have been ongoing since 9 June, marking one of the most severe outbreaks of violence since March, when the military nominally handed over power to a civilian government. The KIA is one of a number of ethnic minority groups seeking regional autonomy; it has been waging a low-level conflict with the central government for decades, and continues to control large parts of Kachin state since the signing a ceasefire agreement in 1994. Despite the fact that the latest round of clashes indicate an escalation in levels of conflict, the threat of civil war is currently assessed as low. Nonetheless, clients in the country are advised to avoid Momauk in the short-term, and exercise heightened caution in Kachin state. In addition, due to conflict between other rebel groups and the army, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the Myanmar side of the Myanmar-Thailand border, particularly near Tachilek and Karen; caution is also advised in Shan, Karenni, Chin and Arakanese states. ——From Travel Alert.

Australia: Severe storms are causing travel delays in the coastal regions of New South Wales, with the Pacific Highway being closed at Kempsey, Corindi and Macksville. Local meteorological authorities have issued a flood watch from the Clarence to Wyong river valleys, and flood warnings are in place for the Bellinger and Hastings rivers. In addition, a number of secondary roads have been flooded and smaller bridges closed as a precautionary measure. As a result of the closures along the Pacific Highway, local authorities have advised motorists travelling between Sydney and Brisbane to use the New England Highway. Further inclement weather is expected in the coming 24 hours. Clients are advised to exercise caution, monitor news media for updates and advisories, and follow the directives of local authorities. ——From Travel Alert.

Pakistan: Shiites in Pakistan are expected to commemorate the birth of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib on 15 June (Rajab 13 on the Islamic calendar). Imam Ali is a major Muslim figure and is revered by both Sunnis and Shiites. Religious events and processions in Shiite communities across the country are likely on the day and possibly on 16 June. There is an elevated threat of violence at all Shiite processions in Pakistan. Sunni extremists have conducted numerous attacks against Shiite gatherings in the past resulting in high casualty numbers. In the most recent significant attack, at least 16 people were killed and more than 50 others wounded when a suicide bomber targeted a Shiite procession in the Urdu Bazaar area of Lahore on 25 January 2011. On the same day, a suicide bomber riding on a motorcycle drove into a police van protecting a Shiite procession in the Malir Halt area of the Karachi, leaving at least two people dead. Both attacks coincided with the Arbaeen Islamic event. Bombings targeting such religious events are common in Pakistan where simmering tensions between minority Shiite communities and the majority Sunni population often lead to attacks or clashes, particularly in the southern Sindh and Punjab provinces. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, including an extreme risk of terrorism, all travel to Pakistan is advised against. Persons already in Pakistan are advised to avoid all religious processions and related symbolic sites as a precaution as these remain potential targets for future attacks. Robust personal security measures should be implemented at all times. ——From Travel Alert.

Pakistan: At least 12 people have been killed since 12 June in incidents of politically motivated violence in Pakistan's port city of Karachi. Targeted killings and brazen public shootouts have been reported in the city's restive Orang Towni, Banaras, Qasba Colony and Ali Garh areas, which are believed to form part of ongoing tensions between activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the rival Awami National Party (ANP). Additional security personnel have since been deployed to the affected areas in a bid to stymie any further outbreaks of violence. Politically motivated targeted killings have escalated in Karachi since the beginning of 2009, primarily involving loyalists of the Urdu-speaking MQM and the Pashtun-based ANP movements. Dozens of people have been killed in the violence and ongoing tensions in the city have the potential to lead to a rapid deterioration in the security situation. Although there are no indications to suggest that foreigners have been targeted during the recent upsurge in targeted killings, the violence has resulted in the deaths of several innocent bystanders. Due to various security concerns, travel alert advises against all travel to Pakistan, including Karachi. Clients in the city are advised to maintain a low profile, defer travel to city's Orang Towni, Banaras, Qasba Colony and Ali Garh areas, and exercise extreme caution in and around locales situated in proximity of political party offices and state-aligned buildings and installations. ——From Travel Alert.

Philippines: Several people have been killed and at least 49 more infected in an ongoing leptospirosis outbreak in the Eastern Visayas region. This is a significant increase in the number of infections compared to 2010, when only 24 cases were reported over the whole year. The increase is believed to be related to widespread flooding that affected the region during March 2011. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the Leptospira bacterium and is contracted through contact with contaminated water, food or soil. The disease can occur in two phases; symptoms of the first phase include fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases, the patient may seem to recover, only to become ill again later. Symptoms of the more severe second phase, also referred to as Weil's disease, are kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure and respiratory distress. In rare cases, death occurs. In order to prevent infection, water and food that is potentially contaminated should be avoided. Clients in the Eastern Visayas region are advised to only drink water that is bottled or has been boiled or otherwise sterilised, and ensure that fruit and vegetables are washed with purified water or are peeled before ingestion. Clients in the Philippines or who have recently travelled to the Philippines and are exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms are advised to consult with a health practitioner immediately. ——From Travel Alert.

Papua New Guinea: A 6.6 magnitude earthquake has been reported off the coast of Papua New Guinea's island of New Britain; the epicentre of the earthquake is believed to have been some 115km south east of Kimbe. There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties and a tsunami warning has not been issued. Clients are advised to brace for aftershocks in the affected area. Clients are further advised to monitor local media and emergency broadcast channels for updates and advisories from the local authorities. ——From Travel Alert.