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

TSA - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners at airports can now force passengers to go through body scanners, according to a new policy change. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated its protocol to no longer allow passengers to opt out of being electronically scanned at through Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines at checkpoints. Before the change, people could choose a physical screening. "While passengers may generally decline AIT screening in favor of physical screening, TSA may direct mandatory AIT screening for some passengers," the DHS issued in a Dec. 18 policy update. The change weakens the opt-out rule but doesn't entirely eliminate it, a TSA spokesman told TIME. "Passengers undergoing screening will still have the option to decline an AIT screening in favor of a physical screening," agency spokesman Mike England said in a statement. "However, some passengers will still be required to undergo AIT screenings as warranted by security considerations in order to safeguard transportation security."

EMIRATES - Emirates is expected to downgrade its flights to Houston by replacing the incumbent A380 with the B777-300ER from July 1, 2016, reports airlineroute.net. This will be the first time the airline has permanently downgraded its flights to the US - a market which has seen significant growth in recent years by the "Big Three" Gulf carriers, much to the ire of the "Big Three" US airlines. The aircraft change will lead to a downgrade of on board products for premium passengers. Emirates' A380 has been widely praised for its world-class amenities, which include first class shower suites and the signature bar, but neither of these are offered on the B777-300ER. In addition, unlike the fully-flat bed business class seats available on the superjumbo, the equivalent product on the Boeing aircraft is an angle-flat seat. Business class seats on the A380 are also arranged in a comfortable 1-2-1 layout, while the B777-300ER sports a tighter 2-3-2 configuration instead. In terms of capacity, the A380 currently offers 14 suites in first, 76 seats in business and 399 in economy. When deployed, the B777-300ER will feature only eight in first, 42 in business and 310 in economy. First class capacity will drop by 42 per cent, while business and economy will fall by 44 and 22 per cent respectively.

ITALY(ROME) - Authorities in Italy have implemented increased security measures in the capital, Rome, ahead of the national religious holiday (the Epiphany) on 6 January. Hundreds of soldiers are being deployed across the capital to patrol malls and shopping districts, as well as train stations, monuments, and popular tourist destinations. The increased security measures are in response to an elevated terrorism threat in European capitals following the attacks in Paris on 13/14 November 2015. There is a medium risk of terrorism in Italy. This stems from both international and domestic sources. Rome's status as the national capital makes it an attractive targets for terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State (IS). It should be noted that the increased security measures are viewed as largely precautionary; authorities have yet to confirm the veracity of any specific terrorism threats. Travellers should note that additional security measures (checkpoints and patrols) will likely translate into some localised road travel disruptions. Heightened caution is advised in Rome on 6 January. Particular caution is advised near large gatherings and in the vicinity of security force personnel. Suspicious persons and packages should be reported to the authorities.

GUATEMALA(CHIMALTENANGO DEPARTMENT) - Ash emissions from the recent eruption of Volcan de Fuego, located in Guatemala's Chimaltenango department, may result in localised air travel disruptions in the region due to the resultant poor visibility. The volcano spewed significant amounts of black ash into the atmosphere on 3 January following an increase in volcanic activity in late December. Authorities have cautioned airlines to avoid the ash cloud; no evacuation orders have been issued as yet. Given that the volcano remains active, further eruptions are anticipated in the near-term; these may prompt travel and utility disruptions as well as evacuations in the affected area. In February, La Aurora International Airport, which serves Guatemala city, was temporarily closed due to high ash emissions from the volcano. Clients in Guatemala are advised to avoid the immediate vicinity of Volcan de Fuego and monitor volcano-related news in the aforementioned department over the immediate-term. The directives of the authorities should be closely adhered to. Persons travelling by air to or from Guatemala over the near-term are advised to check the status of their flight(s) with their travel provider or airline prior to departure.

DENMARK/GERMANY - Authorities in Denmark have introduced temporary border control measures along its internal borders, from 4 to 14 January. Such controls are set to focus primarily on ferries arriving from Germany to Danish harbours in Gedser, Rodby and Roenne, as well as the land border between the two countries. Security forces will implement stringent identity checks on all ferries, busses and trains entering from Germany as a result, possibly resulting in moderate travel delays to these services. The controls have reportedly been introduced in an attempt to prevent the accumulation of illegal immigrants in the country; concerns regarding a surge in stranded immigrants were triggered by similar controls introduced by Sweden along the shared border with Denmark on 4 January. Tens of thousands of asylum seekers from conflict-affected states in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia have travelled into and through several European countries in recent months. The movement has resulted in severe travel disruptions. Local authorities across the region have struggled to cope with the unprecedented immigration, and several states have taken or are taking steps to secure their borders. A continuation of this trend is anticipated in the medium-term. Clients planning travel between Denmark and Germany in the near-term should confirm the status of scheduled transport services with their travel provider prior to travel. Furthermore, the status of border crossings should be checked prior to departure.

MOROCCO/SPAIN - Hundreds of migrants attempted to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located along Morocco's northern coastline, on 3 January. The group was largely prevented from entering the enclave by the local security forces. During the storming of the area three migrants died; they reportedly drowned. A number of others were wounded or injured during the altercation. Ceuta is a major destination point for African migrants attempting to enter Europe. Clashes between the local security forces and migrants, who often attempt to overwhelm the border guards by rushing their positions in large numbers, are frequently reported and often result in violence and casualties. Persons operating in the Ceuta area should avoid all large crowds as a precaution. Only legitimate crossing points should be utilised.

PERU(EL CALLAO, SANTA & CASMA PROVINCES) - (Update) A state of emergency remains in place in three provinces of Peru, including El Callao (Callao region) as well as Santa and Casma (Ancash region). A 45-day state of emergency was implemented in El Callao on 5 December and in Santa and Casma on 24 December, in response to high levels of violent crime linked to the ongoing rivalry between criminal groups related to the drug trafficking industry. Authorities have announced that the extension of the state of emergency in the affected areas remains a possibility. While the state of emergency initially included heightened security measures such as increased police patrols and scheduled security operations, media reports on 1 January indicated that further measures would include the restricting of the freedom of assembly and movement. Drug manufacturing and organised criminal activity remain a concern in Peru. Callao city in particular is considered a strategic transit point in the transnational drug and contraband trade, as the city contains Peru's principal sea port. The city and its surrounding areas experience high rates of conflict between rival criminal organisations. Drug trafficking-related violence generally targets members of criminal organisations, police officers or criminal justice officials; however, an incidental risk of harm remains to persons in the vicinity of the violence. The heightened security measures in the above-mentioned areas may cause travel disruptions for the duration of the state of emergency. Additionally, the risk of armed confrontations between suspected criminals and police forces, thus posing a further incidental risk to foreign travellers, cannot be discounted. Clients in El Callao, Santa and Casma are advised to abide by the directives of the authorities. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates and related developments. Allowances for potential delays associated with the increased security measures.

CHINA(YINCHUAN(NINGXIA AUTONOMOUS REGION) - A fire on a passenger bus in Yinchuan, located in China's northern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, left 14 people dead and 32 others wounded on 5 January. State media have indicated that the fire was caused by an act of arson. A suspect is currently being pursued by the authorities. The motive for the incident is unclear. Incidents on public busses have been reported in the past. Most cases are thought to be criminally motivated. In light of the incident, increased security near bus stations and on busses should be anticipated. Additional police patrols and checkpoints are also possible. Clients in Yinchuan should monitor local media closely for updates from the authorities. Heightened caution is advised near bus stations and if travelling via bus.

LIBYA(SIDRA, BIN JAWAD & RAS LANUF) - Islamic State (IS) forces launched an assault against Sidra, Bin Jawad and Ras Lanuf, located east of their stronghold of Sirte, in northern Libya on 4 January. During the attack, which included vehicle bombs, the IS force clashed with Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) forces. A number of people were killed during the exchange. IS has reportedly captured Bin Jawad. IS forces have long sought to capture the oil export terminals located in the targeted area. The group has increased its presence in and around Sirte over the past year and is also seeking to move further east, towards Ajdabiya. Clients are advised against all travel to Libya. Persons operating in the country should ensure that they adopt robust security precautions. Crisis management plans should be regularly reviewed and updated in conjunction with a security provider.

VENEZUELA(CARACAS) - (Update) The opposition Mesa de la Unidad Democratica (MUD) party has called for a demonstration in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on 5 January. Participants are expected to gather at the La Hoyada metro station at 10:00 local time, from where they will proceed to the National Assembly. The protest march will coincide with a demonstration by the ruling Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV), which is set to be held at Plaza Venezuela from 09:00. The demonstrations will coincide with the installation of the new National Assembly. Legislative elections held in December 2015 saw the MUD take the majority of seats in the country's National Assembly. Both events are expected to be well attended and will likely cause localised disruptions. The possibility of low-level skirmishes between opposing groups, as well as between protesters and police forces cannot be discounted. Clients in Caracas on 5 January are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution and make allowances for localised disruptions.

HAITI(PORT-AU-PRINCE) - Opposition group, Fanmi Lavalas, has called for mass protests in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on 6 and 8 January. The demonstrations have been called to protests against the October 2015 presidential election results; many opposition forces claim the ballot was subject to electoral fraud. While further details regarding the upcoming events are unavailable, precedent suggests participants may gather at the l'avenue Pouplard and in the vicinity of government buildings. The upcoming protests are the latest in a series of anti-government demonstrations held in the city in recent months. Related politically motivated protests have been marred by low-level violence, including clashes between protesters and police, and disruptions to road travel. Consequently, the potential for further such violence at the 6 and 8 January events cannot be discounted. It should be noted that confrontations between police and protesters may pose an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Persons in Port-au-Prince during the aforementioned dates are advised to avoid the protests and any large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on the upcoming demonstrations and their intended gathering points. Finally, clients should make allowances for possible travel delays in the vicinity of any protests.

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