Friday Risk Watch: January 24, 2025

Stay ahead of potential risks and ensure the safety of your employees with Friday Risk Watch, a weekly newsletter curated by our Global Intelligence Team.

Expect updates on emerging risks, geopolitical developments, weather forecasts, etc. We’ll notify you of the latest incidents that could impact your organization, allowing you to make informed decisions and mitigate potential risks.

What We’re Watching

Millions in Northwest Europe Impacted by Storm Eowyn: Storm Eowyn is steadily exiting Ireland, leaving a trail of disruption in its wake. Severe winds are nearing their peak in Scotland and Northern England.?

• Ireland: Nearly one million customers are without power, and record-breaking 183 km/h (113 mph) wind gusts have caused significant water supply disruptions and transportation cancellations. ESB Networks warns that restoring power to all areas will take several days.??
• Northern Ireland: Winds reached 148 km/h (92 mph), the strongest in 26 years, resulting in 240,000 power outages, extensive damage, and cancellations to all public transport.?
• Scotland: Red Weather Warnings are in effect into Friday evening for potential gusts of 110-145 km/h (70-90 mph), causing additional road closures, power outages, and transport cancellations. A 100 mph wind gust was measured in Drumalbin.??
• Isle of Man: Gusts of 151 km/h (94 mph) have blocked 30 roads, caused power outages, and disrupted phone service, prompting authorities to declare a major incident.?
• Wales: Thousands of customers are without power as strong winds forced 50 school closures and widespread road and bridge shutdowns.?
• Northern England: Wind gusts of 154 km/h (96 mph) in Northumberland caused power outages, fallen trees, and major train delays, with disruptions expected to continue.?
• Southern England: Winds have peaked south of Birmingham, leading to the downgrading of weather warnings as conditions gradually improve through the evening.?

?

Fatal Stabbing in Germany Raises Tensions Over Immigration During Election Cycle: Multiple German cities will see increased demonstration activity this weekend as campaigning for the February 23 federal elections intensifies. Demonstrators opposed to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have decried the party's embrace of “remigration.” The mass deportation initiative has sparked widespread mobilizations against the AfD since last year. Several politicians, including the AfD’s chancellor candidate, Alice Weidel, called for tougher immigration measures after a fatal stabbing attack in Bavaria on Wednesday.?

• Notable demonstrations against the AfD party will take place this Saturday in Berlin (Brandenburg Gate at 4:30 pm) and Halle (Central Station and Halle Messe event center at 11 am). Large crowds are also expected in Ravensburg, where a similar demonstration last year saw approximately 9,000 participants.?
• Increased campaigning and demonstrations come amid a heightened threat environment, highlighted by recent lone-actor attacks. Wednesday’s attack in Aschaffenburg, which killed two people and injured three others, follows fatal attacks on a Christmas market in Magdeburg and at a festival in Solingen. The Aschaffenburg attack suspect, an Afghan national whose asylum claim was rejected, was supposed to voluntarily leave Germany in December.??
• Immigration is a key election issue. Following the news of the Aschaffenburg attack, the leader of the main opposition party—the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)— promised to tighten immigration policy if elected chancellor.

?

India to Celebrate Republic Day Sunday Amid Protests: On Sunday, India will celebrate its 76th Republic Day, commemorating the adoption of the constitution and India’s transition to a democratic republic. Celebrations are headlined by a parade from Vijay Chowk to the Red Fort in Delhi, which will cause road closures and airspace restrictions. Several groups also use this occasion to hold demonstrations and protests. Expect heightened security at sensitive locations throughout the country.

• Several farmer groups have called for nationwide tractor marches on Sunday as they push the central government on various demands. Activity will center on Punjab, Haryana, and the area around the National Capital Region, although farmers as far away as Karnataka plan to participate. Protest locations will include malls, toll plazas, and the offices and houses of Bharatiya Janata Party politicians.??
• In 2021, farmers breached barricades and stormed Delhi’s historic Red Fort during Republic Day protests over agricultural reforms. The demonstrations resulted in clashes with police, dozens of injuries, and at least one death.??
• At least two groups have called for shutdown strikes in Manipur, in India’s northeast. The strikes come as the state continues to contend with inter-communal violence that first escalated in May 2023. The Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK) has called for a complete shutdown of all but essential services from 6 am to 4 pm. The Coordination Committee has similarly called for a shutdown from 12 am to 6 pm.??

?

Pro-Palestine Demonstration Activity Continues Despite Ceasefire: Pro-Palestine organizations are continuing to stage?demonstrations around the conflict in the Middle East, despite the recent—and so far successful—ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.??

• Pro-Palestine groups plan to join several indigenous organizations in holding demonstrations against Australia Day. Held annually on January 26 to mark the establishment of the colony of New South Wales, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people refer to it as Invasion Day or Survival Day and hold protests against colonialism. Demonstrations are planned for Melbourne (Parliament House at 10 am), Sydney (Belmore Park at 10 am), Canberra (Garema Pl at 9:30 am), and several other cities.??
• Outside of Australia, numerous actions are also scheduled for Europe. In Dublin, over 150 groups will hold a “National Demonstration for Palestine” on Saturday at 1 pm at the Garden of Remembrance. On Sunday, activists will stage a demonstration at Brussels’ North Station at 2 pm. In Turkey, groups plan to march from Istanbul’s Fatih Mosque to Sara?hane Park after midday prayers on Sunday.
• U.S. cities will also see demonstrations this weekend related to the Middle East conflict, including in Chicago (Water Tower Park at 12 pm) on Saturday and New York City (near Central Park W and W 90th St at 11 am).?

Stay in the Know

Don’t miss crucial information that can make a difference. Follow us on X and TikTok for upcoming editions of Friday Risk Watch, and subscribe for weekly reports that can ensure the safety and security of your organization.