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Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:
   
UNITED STATES/MEXICO - Phoenix officials announced Wednesday that Volaris airline will offer flights between Hermosillo, Mexico and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport twice a week starting in November. Vice Mayor Daniel Valenzuela says the flights will mean a greater connection to one of Phoenix's top trading partners. Volaris is Mexico's second largest airline.

UNITED STATES/CANADA/MEXICO - The Department of Homeland Security is partnering with Public Safety Canada and the Secretariat of Governance of Mexico to outline the first steps in the creation of a North American Trusted Traveler network, according to a recent DHS release. To help make it easier for eligible travelers in all three countries to apply for expedited screening programs.  Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security and his counterparts in Canada and Mexico signed the agreement for this new program on July 10.  The hope is to promote legitimate travel across the continent. "Trusted Traveler programs are a vital tool to facilitate international travel and trade," said Secretary Johnson, in the release. "I am pleased to work together with Canada and Mexico to lay the groundwork for expedited arrival screening for pre-approved travelers from all three countries.  We are committed to enhancing the travel experience through our risk-based approach to aviation security, and this expanded partnership will benefit travelers all across North America." According to the release: 'Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico's Viajero Confiable program will be able to apply for the U.S. - Canada NEXUS trusted traveler program, making them eligible for expedited screening benefits upon arrival at international airports in the United States and Canada.  The arrangement will also allow Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS to apply for Viajero Confiable, making them eligible for expedited screening benefits upon arrival at select international airports in Mexico.  U.S. citizens are currently eligible to apply for the NEXUS and Viajero Confiable trusted traveler programs through existing partnerships between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Public Safety Canada and Mexico's National Institute of Migration.' Travelers eligible for each of the programs will be able to apply starting in 2016. 

UNITED STATES(FERGUSON,MISSOURI) - (Update) Protests commemorating the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black teen continued for a second successive day in the town of Ferguson, located in the US state of Missouri, on 10 August. An estimated 200 people took to the streets of Ferguson despite authorities declaring a state of emergency on 9 August, after a similar gathering was marked by an exchange of gunfire between a police officer and an alleged protester, leaving the latter critically wounded. Although the 10 August gathering was largely peaceful, minor confrontations between riot police and groups of activists were sparked; at least nine people were arrested. Although unconfirmed, further commemorative gatherings are likely to be held in the coming days. Precedent suggests that these gatherings have the potential to turn violent with little to no warning. Persons operating in Ferguson in the coming days are advised to avoid all large gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories related to any protest action; all directives issued by local authorities should be followed. In the event of further unrest, clients should avoid all non-essential road travel and restrict all movements to secure locales.

UNITED STATES(NEW YORK CITY,NEW YORK) - (Update) An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the South Bronx area of New York City has now left 12 people dead and 113 more infected since 10 July. The local authority's efforts to eliminate the Legionella bacteria are ongoing in multiple parts of South Bronx. Despite the increased death toll, local officials have stated that no new cases have been reported since 3 August. Legionnaires' disease is a respiratory bacterial infection usually spread through mist that comes from a water source, such as cooling towers, air conditioning or showers. Although the disease is not transmittable from person to person, it presents with pneumonia-like symptoms, including fever, chills, headaches, fatigue and confusion. For further information on the current outbreak, travellers in South Bronx can access the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/index.html). Travellers in the affected area should also monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. Persons who have recently travelled to the South Bronx and who develop symptoms should contact their medical practitioner immediately.

KENYA - As many as 400 members of the Kenya Aviation Workers' Union (KAWU) will participate in an open-ended strike across Kenya as of 12 August. The strike action has been organised amid an ongoing labour dispute between KAWU and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).  It remains unclear how much of an impact the strike action will have on commercial air travel in Kenya; however, service disruptions should be expected. Clients scheduled to conduct commercial air travel within Kenya in the near-term are advised to contact their travel provider or airline for an update on the status of their flight(s).

IRAQI AIRWAYS - Iraqi Airways has reportedly been temporarily banned from flying to and from all European Union (EU) states, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The airline was notified of the ban in July; however, the measure was only enforced over the weekend of 8 and 9 August and after Sweden enforced the ban and prevented the airline from entering its airspace. The ban is in response to safety concerns. The duration of the ban is unclear. Persons intending to travel to and from Iraq with Iraqi Airways via the EU or Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein are advised to contact their travel provider or the airline for updates on the status of their flight(s) and for travel alternatives. Please note due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against travel to a number of central Iraq governorates, including Baghdad, and against all non-essential travel to most of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) region in northern Iraq and southern Iraqi governorates, including Basra.

CHINA - According to reports, security measures have been increased at several airports across China in recent days, resulting in increased transit times at these facilities. Security staff have been individually searching all carry-on times and then removing and scanning all electronic items separately as well. Facilities where these measures have been implemented include Shanghai, and Tianjin; Qingdao (Shandong province); Xi'an (Shaanxi province), and Nanjing (Jiangsu province). Although no reason has been given for the increased security screening, they may have been implemented following an incident on 26 July, when a passenger on a domestic flight smuggled a lighter, knife and petrol onto his flight and then attempted to light a fire. It is also possible that the measures may be in response to large-scale commemorative actions scheduled for several urban centres on 3 September. Irrespective of the reason, the measures are expected to result in increased transit times through facilities, possibly resulting in disruptions to travel. Clients planning to make use of airports in the aforementioned cities in the coming days are advised to make allowances for increased transit times and arrive at the airports in good time in order to facilitate travel.

PHILIPPINES - Heavy rain and associated flooding has left at least nine people dead across the Philippines in recent days, according to reports released on 10 August. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued a 24-hour flood advisory for the island of Luzon which is expected to remain in effect until late 11 August. Worst affected by the flooding and flash floods have been the Bohol, Bukidnon and Maguindanao provinces. A Typhoid fever outbreak has been reported in the city Borongan, located in the Eastern Samar province. As of 9 August at least 100 cases had been reported by the Regional Epidemology Survaillance Unit (RESU). Flooding has been caused by the passage of a recent tropical storm, while rain from the current monsoon season has further exacerbated the situation. Given this dynamic, further heavy rainfall conducive to flooding is possible in the short-term; as such, flood-related disruptions and outbreaks of water born disease are expected to persist in the near-term. In addition to travel delays, disruptions to amenities such as water, electricity and telecommunications are also possible. Typhoid is a life-threatening illness caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacterium, it is transmitted through ingesting contaminated food or water. Food or water can also become contaminated if handled by an infected person. Symptoms generally appear one to three weeks after exposure and may include a sustained fever, headache, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and constipation. Persons in the above mentioned flood-affected areas are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. Clients should maintain contact with their travel provider for updates on the status of their travel arrangements for the near-term at least. Furthermore, clients are advised to contact a local healthcare provider should they experience any symptoms of typhoid.

BURKINA FASO(OUAGADOUGOU) - Flooding, triggered by heavy seasonal rains, has displaced an estimated 3,700 people in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou. Emergency relief personnel have since been deployed to Ouagadougou as further inclement weather conducive to flooding has been forecast for the city. As with much of West Africa, Burkina Faso experiences its annual rainy season between the months of June to September. During this time, flooding is commonly reported, particularly in low-lying areas and in regions located along the country's major rivers. In addition to causing flooding, the rainy season also commonly leads to outbreaks of waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases, such as cholera and malaria respectively. Persons in Ouagadougou are advised to monitor local weather developments and defer travel to flood-affected areas until the situation improves. It should be noted that many of the country's roadways become impassable during the rainy season and as such, commercial air travel is advised for intercity travel. If road travel cannot be avoided, the use of four-by-four vehicles is highly recommended.

VENEZUELA(CARACAS) - Authorities confirmed on 10 August that a US national was killed in a criminal attack in an undisclosed but upmarket suburb in Venezuela's capital, Caracas. A local was also wounded in the incident which authorities believed may have been an attempted kidnapping. The attack underscores the high risk crime and kidnapping environment which exists in Caracas. Both opportunistic and organised criminal elements target foreign nationals, who they presume to be wealthy, in acts of criminality and kidnapping for the purposes of ransom and extortion. As delineated in the aforementioned incident, even upmarket areas of the city are not considered immune from the threat. Venezuelan police generally lack the resources and capacity to provide a deterrent and largely operate as a reactionary force. Clients in Caracas are advised to implement robust residential, personal and travel security measures when in the city. This should include coordinating all movements via a security driver, limiting accommodation to major hotels or secure compounds and limiting all travel to daylight hours.

NICARAGUA(MANAGUA) - The Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Nicaragua's main opposition party, has called for a demonstration in Managua on 12 August, in support of free and fair elections. Precedent suggests that the demonstration will commence at 09:00 local time and take place near the Supreme Electoral Council building. The protest forms part of the PLI's weekly campaign to demand fair elections and a change of electoral magistrates ahead of the 2016 presidential vote. Further such demonstrations are anticipated in the near-term. Previous related demonstrations in the city have been marred by low-level clashes. In light of this, the risk of low-level clashes at the upcoming protest cannot be discounted. Additionally, localised road travel disruptions are expected in the protest-affected area. Persons in Managua on 12 August are advised to avoid all street gatherings as a precaution. Furthermore, clients should expect travel delays in the vicinity of the demonstration.

HUNGARY(BUDAPEST) - A group of farmers and their supporters are expected to stage a protest rally outside the Italian Embassy, on Stefania Road, in Budapest, on 12 August. Participants are expected to gather in front of the building from 10:30 local time; it is unclear when the protest will conclude. The upcoming demonstration is not expected to cause significant disruptions and will likely conclude without incident. Nonetheless, localised traffic delays are possible in the immediate vicinity of the protest. Persons in the above-mentioned area on 12 August are advised to exercise heightened caution in the vicinity of all street gatherings. Localised traffic disruptions should also be anticipated.

BAHRAIN - The anniversary of the Bahrain Tamarod (Rebellion) falls on 14 August. Tamarod was a three-day protest period in 2013 called by activists opposed to the Bahrain regime. There have been calls by local activists for further protests in mid-August coinciding with this anniversary period. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Revolution Youth Coalition February 14 has called for a protest march towards Farooq Junction in the capital, Manama, on 14 August. Opposition protests by groups representing the Shiite Muslim majority against the Sunni-dominated regime have been ongoing since 2011. The protesters are calling for greater political reforms and the release of jailed activists. Anniversary periods are often accompanied by an increase in the number and scale of protest action, particularly in Shiite communities outside of the capital. The majority of protests are peaceful but can end in violence if protesters attempt to gather in or march towards the capital or if militant elements within the Shiite community conduct low-level attacks against state facilities and personnel during related gatherings. During protest periods, moderate to severe road travel disruptions are also often reported. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Bahrain, excluding Manama, the Bahrain International Airport and main roads leading from the airport to the capital. Persons in Bahrain on 14 August should monitor local media closely for updates on planned protests. All street protests and travel at night should be avoided. Heightened caution is advised while driving on major road routes and if travelling near state facilities and personnel outside of Manama.

UKRAINE(ODESSA) - LGBT activists are scheduled to stage a pride parade in the south western city of Odessa, on 15 August. Organisers and authorities have agreed to not publicise the parade route due to various threats made against the parade and its participants; what is known is the parade will commence at 09:00 local time. Although expected to be a small gathering, a police deployment of over 300 personnel is set to accompany the event. In addition, a number of nationalist and far-right organisations, including Pravy Sektor (Right Sector), have voiced their opposition to the event and pledged to hold counter-demonstrations; these are as yet unannounced. LGBT events are not common in Ukraine and recent events have been cancelled at short notice or else marred by low-level violence. In June, an LGBT parade in Kiev was abandoned after a rival group of demonstrators clashed with the parade's participants. The event's organisers maintained that despite numerous threats against the parade the Kiev event was not sufficiently secured by authorities. Despite increased security at the upcoming event, the possibility of clashes and violence cannot be discounted.  Persons in Odessa on 15 August are advised to avoid all street gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a precaution.

ECUADOR - (Update) Multiple labour unions, student organisations, indigenous groups and other opposition groupings have called for a national strike and associated protests across Ecuador on 13 August. The action is the continuation of a strike and anti-government march called by Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), which is set to culminate in a protest in the capital, Quito, on 13 August. Exact details surrounding the agitation are currently unclear. Anti-government protests have been affecting Ecuador in recent weeks. Many events have related to calls for the resignation of President Rafael Correa over his government's proposed inheritance tax legislation, but the most recent proposed action has also been called to draw attention to numerous other socio-economic concerns. These protests have generally been well supported and have concluded peacefully; the upcoming action is likely to remain unaffected by significant acts of violence. Nonetheless, low-level confrontations cannot be discounted. Localised road traffic disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of protest actions.  Clients in Ecuador, particularly Quito, on 13 August are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the upcoming strike and associated protests. Clients are advised to avoid large street gatherings as a standard precaution and adjust itineraries to accommodate potential road travel disruptions.

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