In Ethiopia, the FCDO widened its Afar warning again on Thursday evening. It now advises against all travel within 20km of the Eritrean border and within 50km of the Tigray-Afar border, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Afar. The first change, just after midnight, had set those strips at 10km and 20km. The FCDO also says foreign nationals currently cannot travel to airports in Afar, and reports clashes along the main Addis Ababa to Djibouti road. Our lead has the detail.
Our tradecraft piece sets out what the FCDO says it will and will not do in a crisis abroad. It has no general duty of care, you should not expect an evacuation, and its Exceptional Assistance Measures for terrorism victims are not available to anyone who travelled where it advised against all travel. The practical answer is a team plan that stands on its own.
In Kosovo, the FCDO updated its advice on Wednesday 23 September about large gatherings in Pristina and other urban areas, including in the evenings. It says they could disrupt traffic and public transport, and advises allowing extra time and staying away from crowds and demonstrations.
In Mexico, the FCDO says Hurricane Polo is affecting the southwestern coast, with heavy rain that "may cause life-threatening flooding and landslides". It is forecast to move towards Baja California over the weekend of 26 and 27 September. A tropical cyclone warning is in place.
Both main pieces are in full on the site today, and the weekly podcast reviews the week.
