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Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:

GREECE - Countrywide flight disruptions are anticipated in Greece due to a planned strike by air traffic controllers on 14 August. The Greek Air Traffic Controllers Association has called on its members to observe a series of four-hour work stoppages on the day, to protest against a number of labour concerns, including wages and working conditions. The strike is set to affect domestic and international flights. Further details are unavailable. The upcoming strike will be the latest in a series of strikes that has affected Greece's aviation sector in recent weeks. The Greek Air Traffic Controllers Association previously called for strike action on 5 August, which resulted in major disruptions throughout the country, including cancellations and delays. Negotiations between the union and the relevant transport authorities are reportedly ongoing; as such, the possibility of the strike being cancelled or postponed cannot be dismissed. Should the action proceed as scheduled, significant disruptions to flight services are anticipated. Furthermore, an increased demand for alternative forms of transport should be expected. Persons intending to make use of air transport services in Greece on 14 August are advised to contact their travel provider or airline for further information on the status of their flight(s). Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the strike.

GREECE(ATHENS) - A union-led demonstration against parliamentary approval for the text of a third bailout agreement is expected to take place in Athens on 13 August. The rally will take place in Omonoia Square from 19:30 local time. The upcoming protest is being supported by a number of unions and civic organisations; it is expected to be well attended. Localised traffic disruptions should be expected in the vicinity of Omonoia Square. Anti-austerity protests in Greece have turned violent at times and police have responded with heavy-handed tactics. As such, the threat of confrontations at all protest sites is considered elevated. Clients in Athens on 13 August are advised to avoid all large gatherings as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate any potential travel disruptions.

FRANCE(PARIS) - Activist groups are expected to hold a demonstration in Paris, France, on 13 August. The demonstration has been called to protest this year's Paris-Plages 'Tel Aviv'-themed artificial beaches; the artificial beaches will be set up along the Seine River, between Pont d'Arcole and Pont Notre-Dame. Tensions surrounding the event are elevated due to the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict and in light of the recent violent protests and attacks in the West Bank on 31 July. While further details are unavailable, participants are expected to gather in the vicinity of the beaches. Although the demonstration is expected to conclude without major incident, due to the emotive nature of the demonstration, the possibility of isolated incidents of low-level violent civil unrest cannot be discounted. The demonstration is expected to be well attended; localised travel disruptions should be anticipated. Persons in Paris on 13 August are advised to avoid all street gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Clients are also advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the demonstration. Additionally, localised traffic disruptions should be anticipated in and around demonstration-affected sites.

CHINA(BEIJING) - Significant travel disruptions are expected in China's capital, Beijing, between 13 and 15 August. Authorities are scheduled to impose travel restrictions, including road closures and the suspension of public transport services, for rehearsals for the Victory Day commemorative parade. The parade is scheduled to take place on 3 September. The rehearsals will be held between 22:30 and 04:00 local time on the aforementioned days. Road closures and parking restrictions will be in place on streets surrounding Tiananmen Square and East Chang'an Avenue. Vehicles are prohibited from parking in the affected streets; only persons with permits will be allowed access. In addition, rail services will be suspended from 23:00 at metro stations along East Chang'an Avenue. Affected stations include Dongdan, Jianguomen, Tiananmen East, Tiananmen West and Wangfujing. Persons in Beijing on the aforementioned days are advised to anticipate and plan for travel delays. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from authorities regarding the travel restrictions and status of transportation services.

AUSTRALIA(MELBOURNE) - A four-hour strike by Melbourne's train and tram workers planned for Friday next week is provocative and unnecessary, Victorian Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan says. Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) members with Yarra Trams and Metro Trains will stop work between 10am and 2pm on August 21 in support of an enterprise bargaining claim. RTBU Victorian secretary Luba Grigorovitch says there has been some progress in talks with Yarra Trams and Metro Trains, but the parties remain "miles apart". The union executive voted unanimously on Wednesday afternoon for the four-hour stoppage. "It's not a decision that the executive has made lightly, however it's one that we've had to make," Ms Grigorovitch told reporters. "Negotiations and conversations are happening with both companies and the state government, however at this point in time nothing has come to fruition that would make us stop." The union will allow commuters a free ride on Wednesday and Friday next week. However, the Victorian government says the strike will only inconvenience the travelling public. "The decision by the union to flag potential industrial action next week is provocative and unnecessary and only really punishes passengers," Ms Allan told reporters. Metro Trains spokeswoman Sammie Black says the strike is unnecessary, but there is still hope for a resolution. A Yarra Trams spokesman said talks in the past two days had been productive, and their door remains open. "Yarra Trams remains committed to reaching a fair and balanced agreement (and) we don't believe industrial action is necessary," the spokesman said in a statement. Talks between Metro Trains and the union will resume on Thursday.

ARGENTINA(BUENOS AIRES & SANTA FE PROVINCES) - Major flooding resulting from heavy rains in recent days has prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for several areas in the Buenos Aires and Santa Fe provinces on 11 August. Approximately 10,000 people have already been affected by the ongoing evacuation operations. Northern areas of Buenos Aires province, including the eponymous capital, and eastern parts of Santa Fe province have been most severely impacted by the inclement weather. In addition, numerous rivers in both provinces have burst their banks. Accordingly, a number of bridges have been damaged or destroyed by flood waters. Furthermore, significant road travel disruptions have been reported throughout flood-affected areas. Further inclement weather has been forecast to affect the region in the coming 24 hours. This is likely to exacerbate the risk of further flooding in the affected areas. Additional flooding may result in further travel disruptions as well as disruptions to water, electricity and telecommunications services. Clients in the aforementioned areas are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. Caution is advised in low-lying and riverine areas due to the threat of flash floods.

SUDAN - At least 21 people have died as a result of heavy rains and resultant flooding, including flash floods, in eastern, northern and western areas of Sudan, on 12 August. The worst affected state has been El Qadarif, in the east of the country, where at least ten people were killed when a flash flood struck their houses. In River Nile state, five people died when their ferry capsized in the Berber area. At least five people were reported dead in the El Saraf region, in the east of the country, while one weather-related death was reported in Central Darfur. Sudan experiences higher levels of rainfall between the months of July and September; further heavy rainfall conducive to flooding is possible. Low-lying areas, regions recently affected by flooding and dry river beds remain susceptible to flooding and flash floods. The risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases, including cholera and dysentery, is assessed to be elevated at this time. Clients are advised to exercise caution in low-lying and flood-affected areas, and should monitor local media for possible flood warnings and emergency broadcasts. Clients are advised to adopt strict health precautions at all times as a precaution against waterborne diseases. Road travel in flood-affected areas should be avoided at this time, if possible; air travel should be considered where possible.

EGYPT - Egypt's government has stated that at least 61 people have died and 581 others have sought medical treatment across the country since 9 August due to high temperatures. One of the worst-affected areas is the capital, Cairo. Casualties include the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases. Further high temperatures (between 35 and 41C) have been forecast for large parts of the country in the coming days. Clients operating in Egypt, particularly the elderly and infirm, should take sensible precautions to avoid heat stroke and exhaustion, including avoiding direct sunlight and outdoor activity during the day, where possible. Travellers should drink sufficient amounts of fluids.

EGYPT - (Update) The Islamic State (IS)-linked Sinai Province released a statement on 12 August claiming that it had executed a Croatian hostage, Tomislav Salopek. The location of the alleged execution is unknown. The Sinai Province kidnapped Salopek, an employee of the French oil and gas firm, CGG, 22km west of the capital, Cairo, on 22 July. The militants demanded the release of incarcerated Muslim women in Egypt for the return of the victim. The Sinai Province emerged in Egypt in 2014 and comprises a number of members of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, which is thought to have since disbanded. The group has claimed dozens of attacks in Egypt in recent months, including suicide and conventional bombings. It has also led numerous assaults against Egyptian military and police interests in the North Sinai governorate, where the group has its primary operating presence. The kidnapping and apparent execution of Salopek mirrors similar widely publicised abductions and executions of Western nationals in Syria by IS forces over the past year. A similar execution was reported in Algeria in September 2014. The incident in Egypt is concerning. The kidnapping risk is considered elevated in the North Sinai and near the shared borders with Libya and Sudan; however, the risk is considered low elsewhere. The recent kidnapping occurred in the vicinity of the capital, which has an elevated security presence. The abduction does not immediately represent a new trend but does serve to further underscore the elevated risk to locals and foreigners alike from Islamist extremists. Since 2013, the number of acts of terrorism in the country has escalated sharply, coinciding with ongoing political instability in the country and the wider region; militants in Egypt have increased the scope of their operations. Further kidnapping incidents remain possible outside traditional elevated kidnapping risk zones. Clients in Egypt are advised to monitor local security developments closely and should request regular route risk assessments from their security provider. Heightened caution and awareness are advised while travelling in the country. Residences should also be well secured and preferably have a 24-hour security presence in place. Please note that due to numerous security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to the North Sinai governorate.

AFGHANISTAN(GHAZNI PROVINCE) - Assailants abducted 17 locals in Afghanistan's central Ghazni province on 11 August. The assailants stopped five vehicles on a road near Jaghori before kidnapping the occupants. The victims are all thought to be members of the minority and largely Shiite Muslim Hazara ethnic group. The incident follows the abduction and murder of four Hazara by suspected Sunni militant Taleban fighters in the same area on 9 August. Kidnapping is rated as an extreme risk in Afghanistan. There are multiple non-state armed groups, including militant and criminal organisations, involved in kidnapping operations. These are motivated by political and financial concerns. Taleban militants are regularly implicated in kidnapping incidents across the country. The group views Shiite Muslims as heretics and legitimate targets of attack. The incident on 11 August underlines the elevated risk of travelling by road, even along major intercity routes, in Afghanistan. The security forces have minimal control of routes outside of major cities and the risk of being attacked or kidnapped is elevated in these areas. Clients are advised against all travel to Afghanistan. Persons operating in the country should travel with a close protection officer. Crisis management plans should be regularly reviewed and updated. Enhanced security measures are specifically recommended for persons travelling outside of major cities.

MALAWI - The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has warned of further power outages across the country due to supply shortages. Specific details pertaining to the times and duration of the power outages have not been disclosed. Persons currently in or intending to travel to Malawi should anticipate disruptions to banking, internet, telecommunications, transportation and other electronics-based services at this time, and should plan accordingly. Furthermore, travel delays caused by traffic lights not functioning should be expected in urban areas across the country; clients are advised to make allowances for increased journey times.

RUSSIA(DAGESTAN) - An ongoing anti-terrorism operation in Dagestan, located in the North Caucasus region, resulted in the deaths of four militants on 11 August. According to media reports, the leader of the Imarat Kavkaz (Caucasus Emirate) extremist group, Magomed Suleymanov, was among those killed. The fatalities were reported following an exchange of gunfire in the town of Untsukulsky. The security operation has since spread into the mountainous terrain surrounding the town. Security operations targeting separatist fighters and Islamist militants are regularly conducted in the North Caucasus region. The operations are carried out in response to militant attacks targeting security forces and low-level officials in the region, notably in Dagestan, but also in Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya and Ingushetia. Occasionally, as in the present instance, security operations target senior figures in the various militant networks present in the region. Successful operations increase the risk of reprisal attacks usually targeting security forces, public transport or state infrastructure. There are concerns that the latest incident will conversely strengthen the recently declared presence of Islamic State-linked groups in the region. Operations take place in both major urban centres and rural locations, and routinely result in multiple casualties. Armed attacks and associated targeted security operations are likely to persist in the North Caucasus region in the short- to medium-term. Due to the high levels of violence, instability and terrorism, clients are advised against all travel to Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Mount Elbrus region), Ingushetia, Dagestan and Chechnya. Persons currently in Dagestan are advised to implement robust and extensive personal, residential and travel security measures.

INDIA(JAMMU & KASHMIR STATE) - At least two suspected militants were killed in India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state overnight on 11/12 August. According to reports, militants were killed in violent clashes that ensued when security forces conducted a security operation concerning terrorism-related activities in villages located in the Pulwama district. The deceased militants are believed to be members of extremist group, Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). The threat from terrorism in India is high and stems from Islamist extremists opposed to India's continued administration of Kashmir, and Hindu nationalism. Prominent groups include the al-Qaeda-linked Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Indian Mujahideen (IM) and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). In response to the aforementioned security incidents, security will likely be increased for the near-term at least; such measures may include random security checks and police or military roadblocks. Associated transport disruptions should be anticipated. Due to a number of security concerns, all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir state (except the eastern Ladakh region) is advised against. Clients operating in this region should remain aware of the elevated threat of terrorism stemming from Islamist militants. Concentrations of security force personnel and state facilities should be avoided as a precaution.

SYRIA(DAMASCUS) - Assailants fired dozens of mortar rounds into Syria's capital, Damascus, on 12 August. The barrage affected numerous areas, including Mezzeh 86, Baghdad Street, Ummayyad Square, the vicinity of the Russian embassy and Al-Mazraa. Unconfirmed reports indicate that at least five people were killed and dozens more wounded. Damascus has remained under near total control of the regime since 2011. However, the city has been affected by ongoing fighting along its perimeter, particularly east and north east of the capital. From these positions, rebels have launched artillery and mortar strikes against central Damascus. The insecurity in the capital and its immediate surrounds is likely to persist. Clients are advised against all travel to Syria, including Damascus, due to the ongoing conflict and elevated operating risks in the country.

INDONESIA/MALAYSIA(STRAITS OF MALACCA) - Indonesian authorities confirmed that they recovered the Singapore-registered MT Joaquim oil vessel in waters off the coast of Pulau Rupat in Indonesia. The oil tanker was en route from Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia to Malaysia's Langkawi archipelago when it was seized on the evening of 9 August in an undisclosed location in the Straits of Malacca. Two crewmen were injured in the pirate attack which led to the vessel's estimated 3,500 metric tonnes of crude oil being siphoned from the ship. The Straits of Malacca and its approach have historically been considered a piracy hotspot. The strait between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore is narrow, has many islets on which pirates may base their operations, and is the exit point for many rivers into the ocean. It is the primary transit route linking the eastern Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. As attacks occur primarily at night and stealth is preferred over confrontation, violence is seldom reported; however, pirates are often armed and the threat of violence during such attacks cannot be completely discounted. A general decline in pirate group activity and incidents in recent years has been attributed to the coordinated efforts of the littoral states around the Straits of Malacca, namely Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Despite these measures, the risk of piracy still exists, as underscored by the latest incident, and further incidents are possible. Clients intending to utilise waterways in the area are advised to plan their route carefully and in coordination with the local maritime authorities. While the majority of vessels targeted by pirates are commercial ships, leisure boats may be targeted in the future.

LEBANON - The leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), Michel Aoun, has called for protests across the country, including in the capital, Beirut, on 12 August. The demonstrations have been organised over the extension of several military positions as well as the perceived marginalisation of Christian groups. Participants are expected to gather at Kfaraakka Office of the Judiciary (Koura district) at 15:00 local time, as well as at La Cite, in Jounieh (Keserwan district) and the Byblos public park (Jbeil district) at 16:30. Protesters will also gather at the FPM district offices in Baabda and Metn at 17:00. In the capital, protesters will gather at Sassine Square at 17:30. Further protests are anticipated in the coming days, including on 15 August; although details pertaining to these have not been disclosed. Low-level clashes at a related protest in Beirut left several protesters and security force personnel wounded, on 9 August. In light of this, the possibility of violence at the upcoming demonstrations is considered elevated. A heightened security presence is expected to accompany the protests, particularly in the capital. In addition, protesters in Lebanon frequently erect roadblocks; these are likely to cause road travel delays. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Lebanon due to ongoing insecurity. Persons operating in the country are advised to monitor local media for updates on the protest action. All street protests, road blockades and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution.

BANGLADESH(CHITTAGONG DIVISION) - Auto-rickshaw drivers have called for a dawn-to-dusk strike (known locally as a hartal) in Bangladesh's eastern Chittagong division on 13 August. Affected districts in the division include Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari, Lakshmipur, Noakhali and Feni. The strike has been called to protest a recent decision by the government to ban all rickshaws from highways; this came into effect on 1 August. An associated protest is also scheduled for Lal Dighi ground, in the city of Chittagong, on the day. The transport strike is likely to result in travel disruptions throughout the affected districts. In addition, traffic congestion is expected to increase significantly in urban centres, as many commuters are likely to make use of private vehicles for the duration of the strike. Associated protests at transport hubs (in addition to the protest at Lal Dighi ground) and roadblocks remain possible during the hartal period. There is a threat of violent civil unrest during all strikes and associated protest action in Bangladesh; although foreign nationals are usually not targeted in such violence, the incidental threat remains. Persons in Chittagong division on 13 August are advised to avoid all protests and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Allowances should also be made for travel disruptions.

PORTUGAL - Border and Immigration Service (SEF) workers affiliated with Portugal's SINSEF union have called for a countrywide strike, on 13 and 14 August. The strike action has been organised to demand improved working conditions for employees with non-police functions. Although officials are likely to implement minimum service provisions, service delays, including the issuance of residence permits, should be expected at all SEF centers across the country. Delays in other immigration services at points of entry are also possible. These include Portugal's airports, sea ports and border crossings with Spain. Service delays should be expected at the affected centers during the strike period. Clients intending to travel via land border crossings or through other international ports of entry/exit should ensure that itineraries cater for possible delays and disruptions.

BOSNIA/HERZEGOVINA(SARAJEVO) - A film festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital, Sarajevo, will take place from 14 to 22 August. The main events are set to take place at the Sarajevo National Theatre. Other events will take place at the HT Eronet open air theatre, the Meeting Point cinema, the Novi Grad cinema and at the Multiplex Cinema City. Media reports indicate that there may be as many as 100,000 visitors to the city for the festival. Although no overt security threats have been made against the film festival, security will likely be increased at all of the aforementioned venues as a precautionary measure. Heightened security measures, which may include security checkpoints, random identification checks and road closures, may also be extended to other public facilities such as public transportation hubs and popular tourist/recreational venues. The influx of visitors to Sarajevo may also increase the demand for transportation and accommodation facilities in the city. Clients in Sarajevo are advised to adhere to all directives issued by local authorities and should ensure that certified copies of all identification documentation is kept on their person at all times. Clients are further advised to ensure that itineraries are kept flexible to accommodate for possible travel disruptions.

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