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

UNITED AIRLINES - United Airlines is bolstering its Denver hub, adding two new routes to the East Coast. Nonstop service to both Hartford, Conn., and Richmond, Va., will begin April 5.

UNITED KINGDOM(EAST MIDLANDS AIRPORT) - East Midlands Airport, located in Leicestershire in the UK, has been closed following an earlier accident on 14 January. A light aircraft is said to have crash-landed on the runway after its landing gear failed. Flight disruptions, including delays in flight schedules, have been reported; residual disruptions to flight services at the facility are expected to persist for the remainder of the day. Clients intending to make use of East Midlands Airport in the short-term are advised to contact the airport, their airline or their travel provider for further information on the status of their flight(s).

DENMARK/GERMANY - (Update) According to reports released on 13 January, the Danish government has extended the temporary border controls currently in place along its internal borders, particularly those shared with Germany, until 3 February. The initial border controls were enforced from 4 to 14 January; however, these have been extended provisionally in an attempt to ensure public order and security in Denmark. The controls have been established to focus primarily on ferries arriving from Germany to Danish harbours in Gedser, Rodby and Ronne, as well as the land border between the two countries. Concerns regarding the influx and accumulation of illegal immigrants into the country have allegedly contributed to the implementation of movement-restrictive measures. 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. Localised disruptions to travel should be anticipated near the affected sites for the duration of the temporary border controls. Disruptions remain possible beyond the easing of the aforementioned restrictive measures due to high levels of traffic and the presence of security forces in the affected area. 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.

LIBYA(TRIPOLI) - Two foreign nationals who were abducted in Tripoli, Libya, were released on 12 January and sent to Malta. The Austrian and Serb victims were reportedly abducted in March 2015 by suspected militia from Misrata and were released following negotiations between Maltese, Libyan, Austrian and Serbian authorities. The exact details regarding the release have not been disclosed. Both victims worked with Argus Security for the Italian oil and gas company, Eni. The threat of kidnapping in Libya is rated as extreme. Kidnappings are frequently reported across the country and impact on both foreign nationals and locals. Kidnapping motivations vary widely and can be motivated by political and/or financial concerns. Clients are advised against all travel to Libya. Clients operating in the country should travel with a close protection officer and reside in secure accommodation. Crisis management plans should be regularly reviewed and updated in conjunction with a security provider.

YEMEN/SAUDI ARABIA(SAUDI ARABIA(JIZAN) & YEMEN(ADEN, ABYAN, SANAA & TAIZ GOVERNORATES)) - Authorities in Saudi Arabia repelled an attempted infiltration by Houthi militants from Yemen into the southern Jizan region on 13 January. At least 30 Houthi combatants were killed in the fighting and a number of Houthi positions in Yemeni territory were destroyed. Elsewhere in Yemen, three people were killed, including a security officer and two policemen, by unidentified gunmen in the Mansour area of Aden on 13 January. Reports also indicate that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants seized the part of the road linking Aden and Abyan on 12 January, following its capture of Zinjibar and Jaar in Abyan governorate on 2 December 2015. Saudi-led air strikes also continue to be reported. At least 15 civilians were killed in a Saudi-led air strike that struck the village of Bilad al-Rus, south of the capital, Sanaa. Air strikes have also been conducted in the Al-Dhabab and Al-Masrakh areas of Taiz. Yemen has been beset by conflict between forces loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and Houthi militia since early 2015. Saudi Arabia's involvement in the conflict is assessed to have increased the risk to persons in the shared border regions, as cross-border attacks and clashes between Houthi and Saudi forces are periodically reported. Additionally, the ongoing conflict has provided groups like the AQAP with additional opportunity to conduct attacks and offensives against its opponents in western Yemen, including in Abyan. Clients are advised against all travel to Yemen. Persons in the country should travel with a security escort and reside in a secure compound. Crisis management plans should be regularly reviewed in conjunction with a security provider.

INDONESIA(JAKARTA) - (Update) Reports indicate that security operations in the Pusat Jakarta (Central Jakarta) area of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, concluded with the deaths of at least five assailants on 14 January. The security operations were launched in response to gunfire and seven grenade explosions which took place in the vicinity of the Sarinah Plaza shopping mall, located on Jalan M. H. Thamrin, and left as many as seven people dead on 14 January. The perpetrators, who police allege numbered around six, fled into the PT Skyline building, next to Sarinah Plaza, where security forces are said to have engaged in a gun battle in which five fatalities were reported. Authorities have secured the affected area and also confirmed the deaths of two civilians. It remains unconfirmed if additional perpetrators may have been involved in the aforementioned assault. There have been no claims of responsibility for the attacks. However, the threat of terrorism in Indonesia is high despite the lull in militant activity in recent years. A security and counterterrorism presence has been established in the affected area and movement-restrictive measures have been implemented. These are expected to remain in place in the near-term despite the conclusion of the assault and subsequent security operation. Localised disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the affected area. Clients currently in Jakarta are advised to maintain a low profile and minimise movement as far as practically possible. Clients in the Pusat Jakarta area are advised to follow the directives of local authorities. Local media should be monitored for emergency broadcasts and advisories from authorities.

LEBANON(BEIRUT) - Protests in response to Lebanon's ongoing waste management crisis have been reported in the capital, Beirut, on 14 January. The protests have been held over the government's lack of transparency in dealing with the issue. Protesters gathered at the city's Riad al-Solh Square earlier in the day. Low-level skirmishes between protesters and security forces have also reported following an attempt by the protesters to storm the Ministry of Environment building. The protests are the latest in response to the ongoing waste management crisis. The majority of these gatherings have been peaceful; however, some have been affected by low-level confrontations. Further civil unrest and associated disruptions should be anticipated in Beirut for the remainder of 14 January. The risk of further confrontations exists. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to most of Lebanon, including Beirut. Clients in Beirut are advised to avoid all street protests and security forces as a standard precaution. Heightened caution is advised in the down town area of Beirut and in the vicinity of all government buildings, including the Ministry of Environment.

INDIA(DEWAS, MADHYA PRADESH STATE) - The Hindu Jagran Manch, a local activist group in India's north western Madhya Pradesh state, has called for an indefinite general strike (known locally as a bandh) in the town of Dewas and surrounding settlements, from 14 January. The town is located approximately 140km west of Bhopal, the regional capital. The strike has been organised to highlight allegations of discrimination against local officials; significant disruptions to transport and business services are expected for the duration of the strike. Additional security personnel have been deployed in the area ahead of any possible protests or unlawful gatherings. The general strike and any related protests are expected to be well observed. It should be noted that security forces in India may respond to unsanctioned demonstrations with robust dispersal tactics, including the use of teargas and baton charges. This poses an incidental risk to bystanders. Persons in the aforementioned area are advised to monitor local media for developments and updates regarding the strike action and possible associated demonstrations. All street demonstrations and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution. Localised disruptions should be expected in the vicinity of any protest action.

VENEZUELA(CARACAS) - President Nicolas Maduro is set to deliver his annual Report and Account address in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on 15 January. The speech will be delivered at the National Assembly at 10:00 local time. Pro- and anti-government protests are expected to coincide with the address, although none have been confirmed at this time. The presidential address will be the first since the opposition Mesa de la Unidad Democratica (MUD) victory in the December 2015 legislative election and will take place amid an ongoing economic crisis. In recent times, protests have often been sparked by rising anti-government sentiment led by the opposition and shortages of basic commodities. The possibility of violence between pro- and anti-government supporters, as well as between protesters and security forces, cannot be discounted. Increased security should be anticipated in the vicinity of the National Assembly on 15 January. Clients in Caracas on 15 January are advised to exercise heightened caution in the vicinity of the National Assembly and avoid all street protests and concentrations of security forces as a standard precaution.

BULGARIA - Countrywide anti-government protests organised by the group National Protest against Outrageous Conditions in Bulgaria are expected on 16 January. The demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 16:00 local time and will likely centre on government buildings and major public squares. In Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, protesters are expected at the Eagles Bridge (Orlov Most). Protests organised by the aforementioned group, always through the popular social media platform Facebook, have been held on multiple occasions since 2013. The group unites citizens opposing government policies on a range of issues. It is unclear how well attended the demonstrations will be; nonetheless, localised disruptions remain a possibility at all protest sites. While the upcoming demonstrations are expected to conclude peacefully, the risk of low-level skirmishes cannot be discounted. Persons in Bulgaria on 16 January are advised to avoid all street gatherings, protests and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Localised travel disruptions should be expected.

GUATEMALA(GUATEMALA CITY) - (Update) Various civic movements will hold a protest rally in Guatemala's capital, Guatemala City, on 16 January. The demonstration, which has been organised against corruption in the country, will commence at 09:00 local time at the Plaza de la Constitucion. The protest is expected to be well attended; as such, localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the protest site. In addition, while the protest is expected to conclude peacefully, isolated incidents of violence cannot be discounted. Clients in Guatemala City on 16 January are advised to avoid the gathering and make allowances for potential localised travel delays.

TAIWAN - Taiwan is set to hold general elections on 16 January; these include presidential, vice-presidential and legislative elections. The election is likely to be contested between Eric Chu of the incumbent Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT) and Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), with the latter widely expected to dominate the election. Widespread election-related violence is not anticipated on the day, or following the release of results. Nonetheless, isolated protest action cannot be discounted. Clients in Taiwan are advised to avoid all election-related events and facilities and demonstrations as a precautionary measure.

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