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

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY(REAL ID) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has delayed by two years the requirement for U.S. flight passengers to have state-issued identification that complies with the REAL ID Act in order to clear security. The law was to have gone into effect this year, but the DHS has announced that passengers can use their existing driver's licenses, whether the issuing state's licenses are compliant with the REAL ID Act or not, until Jan. 22, 2018. The delay provides "an ample opportunity to replace their pre-REAL ID licenses with new compliant licenses or to obtain another acceptable form of identification," according to the DHS. Currently, the DHS lists two noncompliant ID issuers-Minnesota and American Samoa-and 23 compliant states and territories. The rest have been working under extensions to comply.

HYATT HOTELS CORP. - Hyatt Hotels Corp. plans to expand its Hyatt Centric brand beyond the United States, opening a property in Montevideo, Uruguay, in mid-2016. The one-year-old upper-upscale lifestyle brand is geared toward Millennial travelers and focuses on locally curated amenities and experiences. A second international property is slated to open in early 2018 in the trendy Ginza district of Tokyo. Two Hyatt Centric properties opened in 2015, one in Chicago's Loop district, and another in Miami's South Beach, and three Hyatt-branded hotels-in Long Beach, Calif.; Park City, Utah; and The Woodlands, Texas-will convert to the Hyatt Centric flag in 2016.

HILTON WORLDWIDE - Hilton Worldwide has launched Tru by Hilton, a midscale brand for the United States and Canada. It features an open-space lobby with lounging, working, eating and entertainment "zones;" a front desk command center with a social media wall and a 24/7 market offering wine, beer and healthy snacks and meals; and a complimentary Build Your Own breakfast bar. Hilton touts plenty of in-room power-sources, free Wi-Fi with enough bandwidth for streaming and downloading and Digital Key and mobile check-in through the HHonors app. It has 102 hotels signed and 30 more are in various stages of approval including in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Denver, Portland and Nashville. The first Tru hotel is expected to open in the United States by the end of 2016.

ALGERIA(ALGIERS) & LIBYA(TRIPOLI) - The authorities in Algeria issued a statement on 26 January indicating that flights between the capital, Algiers, and Libya's capital, Tripoli, would be suspended from 29 January until further notice. No reason was given for the measure. The flight suspension comes amid increasing concern regarding the status of a negotiated settlement between Libya's two rival governments. In December, the Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC) and the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) agreed to an UN-brokered plan, the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). A Government of National Accord has since been established; however, the HoR has since rejected the composition of the cabinet. It is plausible that the Algerian authorities have suspended flights out of concern that the latest development could spark further instability and insecurity in Libya. Clients intending to travel to and from Libya from international destinations, including Algeria, should confirm the status of their flight(s) with their travel provider or airline prior to departure. Please note that travellers are advised against all travel to Libya due to the ongoing poor security situation in the country.

TUNISIA - UK-based travel operator, Thomas Cook, has cancelled all bookings to Tunisia until 31 October. The decision was made due to recent civil unrest in the country, as well as to the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth travel advisory, which advises British nationals against all but essential travel to most of the country. Anti-government civil unrest has impacted many areas of the country since mid-January. In recent days the overall situation has improved somewhat and a countrywide night-time curfew has been relaxed. The curfew currently runs from 22:00 to 05:00 local time. Despite the relaxation of the curfew and an apparent decrease in protest activity, further civil unrest remains possible. High levels of poverty and unemployment, particularly among the youth, remain catalysts for further protests. Towns in the interior are particularly susceptible to unrest. Travellers, particularly British nationals, should note that other tour operators or British-based airlines may also curtail or limit operations to and from Tunisia over the short-term, in light of developments in the country and the UK government's travel advisories. Clients in or planning to travel to Tunisia over the near-term should reconfirm the status of their travel booking or flight(s) with their travel provider prior to departure. Clients in Tunisia should closely monitor political and security developments, exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness and avoid all street protests.

FRANCE(PARIS) - (Update) Taxi drivers are currently engaged in a second day of disruptive go-slow protests in France's capital, Paris, amid a countrywide strike, on 27 January. The strike and protest have been organised in opposition to the continuing presence of low-cost Uber taxis in the taxi industry. Taxi drivers are reportedly staging go-slow protests on the approach roads to the Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly international airports, as well as demonstrating in the Place du Bataillon du Pacifique and in the Porte Maillot area, where taxis remained parked overnight on 26/27 January. A significant police presence has been reported in the vicinity of all related events, following clashes between taxi drivers and police on 26 January. Residual disruptions to travel in the aforementioned areas, as well as in the vicinity of the Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly airports, are expected for the coming hours. Additionally, clients should expect a significantly lower number of taxis in service and an increased demand for alternative forms of transport. Persons in Paris are advised to monitor local media for updates on the strike action and any related demonstrations. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries to make allowances for associated travel disruptions in the vicinity of any related protest action.

AUSTRALIA(VICTORIA STATE)- Flash flood warnings have been issued for the town of Geelong, in Victoria state, Australia, following flash flooding there on 27 January. Similar warnings are also in place for Laverton, Footscray, Werribee, Melton and St Albans, located to the north of Geelong and immediately to the west of, and within, the state's administrative capital, Melbourne. Several roads in Geelong have been flooded, resulting in disruptions to travel. Similar conditions are likely in Melbourne and surrounds in the short-term. Continuing adverse weather conditions in the affected areas may result in travel delays and further disruptions to electricity supply. Utility disruptions to water and telecommunications are also possible. Additionally, further thunderstorm warnings, as well as evacuations, are possible. Persons in the affected areas should keep clear of fallen power lines and move vehicles under cover or away from trees. Persons in the affected areas are advised to follow the directives of the local authorities and monitor local media or the Bureau of Meteorology website (http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings) for updates. Allowances should be made for potential disruptions to travel, as well as to utilities such as electricity and water. Persons in the affected areas should keep clear of fallen or damaged power lines and infrastructure.

THAILAND(BANGKOK) - Heightened tensions, linked to rival student groups in parts of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, have the potential to spark unrest and violence in the coming days. Student groups at the Pathumwan Institute of Technology and the Rajamangala Technology University (RTU), both located in the Siam area, have previously clashed on 1 February, the anniversary of the founding of the RTU. As such, unrest and violence are possible in the days leading up to 1 February. Authorities have pre-emptively conducted raids at the aforementioned institutions and claim to have confiscated firearms, bomb-making material and knives on 26 January. The violence, although perpetrated by students, is said to be related to gang rivalries. Incidents of violence between students at different universities in Bangkok have been occurring for a number of years. While initially motivated by pride, the rivalries have increasingly triggered revenge attacks and resulted in numerous deaths. Many of the disputes have been linked to competing gang factions in the city. In October 2014, both institutions were temporarily closed amid violence and a series of revenge killings. Associated acts of violence and unrest have been reported in Kanchanapisek Road, at the Victory Monument (Ratchathewi District) and in the vicinity of the Mahboonkrong Center (Pathum Wan District). Heightened tensions and associated violence remain possible in the coming days. Although foreign nationals are not directly targeted, there is an incidental risk to bystanders. Persons operating in Bangkok in the coming days are advised to avoid the university premises and exercise vigilance in the aforementioned areas of the city as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for developments regarding the situation.

KENYA(LAMU COUNTY) - Reports indicate that approximately seven police officers were killed in the vicinity of the Boni National Reserve, near Kiunga in eastern Kenya, on 26 January after their military transport vehicle was hit by an explosive device. Kiunga is located about 15 km from the Somali border. The attack has been attributed to al-Shabaab militants known to be operating in the area. Reports indicate that the blast was caused by either an improvised explosive device (IED) or a landmine. Attacks by militants on Kenyan targets in the vicinity of the shared border have increased significantly since Kenyan forces were deployed against al-Shabaab positions in southern Somalia in 2011. Given the ongoing conflict in Somalia and Kenya's involvement in the hostilities, further reprisal attacks in the region should be anticipated. These are likely to include low-level shooting and bombing attacks, as well as kidnappings. Kenyan authorities recently launched a campaign to drive al-Shabaab militants out of the Boni forest area bordering Somalia. Further incidents near the shared border are likely. Attacks can also occur further inside Kenyan territory. Clients are advised against all travel to areas within 50km of the Somali border in the Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Lamu counties, and against all non-essential travel to other areas in these counties, due to heightened threats of terrorism and kidnapping. Persons travelling in these areas should consider doing so with a security escort.

PAKISTAN(PUNJAB PROVINCE) - According to an announcement from government authorities, all public and private schools in Pakistan's Punjab province will remain closed until 31 January. Although the purported reason for this is due to cold weather, reports indicate that authorities received intelligence that indicated that up to 13 insurgents had entered Pakistan from neighbouring Afghanistan, and were seeking to launch attacks on a school. Universities and colleges will remain open. There is an extreme threat from terrorism in Pakistan, with educational facilities having been targeted in the past weeks; on 20 January, assailants from a faction of the Tehreek-i-Taleban Pakistan (TTP) launched an attack on the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing at least 21 people. Given this, and other incidents targeting schools in the recent past, authorities take threats against educational facilities seriously. It is currently unclear what measures have been put in place to counter the threat against schools; however, the government has stated it is not satisfied with current security measures at many of them, and has directed them to improve such measures by 31 January. Due to a number on ongoing security concerns, all non-essential travel to Punjab province is advised against. Clients in Punjab are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness at all times and report any suspicious people, packages or activities to the authorities immediately.

GREECE - Local government workers have called for a strike and the occupation of municipality buildings across Greece on 28 January from 10:00 to 14:00 local time, in protest against government austerity measures. The strike is the latest to impact on Greece. Strikes by workers in various sectors are ongoing, including a 48-hour sea transport services strike that started on 27 January. A further major public sector union-led strike is anticipated on 4 February. Recent government measures aimed at reducing the country's expenses and debt burden have resulted in severe austerity measures. Unions have reacted strongly to the measures by calling regular strike and protest action. These have served to disrupt state operations and public transport services. Some protests have been affected by low-level confrontations. There is a threat of further violence during forthcoming strike and protest periods, including the 28 January occupation of municipal buildings. Clients in Greece are advised to avoid all protest sites as a precaution. Persons travelling in the country should maintain regular contact with their travel provider or the relevant transport authority regarding the status of transport services.

BULGARIA(SOFIA) - A major protest, organised via social media, is expected to take place outside the national assembly in Narodno Sabranie Square, in central Sofia, from 15:00 local time on 28 January. The protesters are opposed to the current government, as well as the activities of political parties in the legislature. It is unclear how well attended the demonstrations will be; nonetheless, localised disruptions remain a possibility at all protest sites. While the upcoming demonstration is expected to conclude peacefully, the risk of low-level skirmishes cannot be discounted. Persons in Sofia on 28 January are advised to avoid all street gatherings, protests and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Localised travel disruptions should be expected.

SOUTH AFRICA(JOHANNESBURG) - A march led by the Democratic Alliance (DA) is underway in central Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, on 27 January. Thousands of supporters have reportedly gathered for the opposition-led event, which is intended to highlight the severe unemployment levels in the country. The protesters are gathering near Westgate Station on the corner of Pat Mbatha Bus Way & Anderson Street in Johannesburg Central and are expected to march through the area during the course of the day. According to DA figures, approximately 1.8 million jobs have been lost in South Africa as a result of policy failures made by the African National Congress (ANC)-led government since 2009. The opposition, which has seen a steady gain in popularity over the past decade, has challenged the ANC on a range of issues, including education, health and fiscal policy. Although the march is expected to conclude peacefully, protests, marches and demonstrations in South Africa have previously become violent and/or disruptive with little to no warning. Confrontations between security forces and protesters may pose an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Opposition protests in Johannesburg are generally well attended and travel disruptions in the vicinity of the protest should be anticipated. Clients in the affected areas of Central Johannesburg on 27 January are advised to avoid all street demonstrations as a standard precaution and make allowances for localised disruptions.

MOLDOVA(CHISINAU) - (Update) Activists and opposition groups are expected to stage a mass anti-government protest in the capital, Chisinau, on 28 January. The protest leaders previously called for a three-day break in protest action against the government, in order to allow time for Parliament to debate the protesters' demands for early elections. Regardless of the response from the National Assembly, protesters are expected to gather in Grand National Assembly Square, and possibly elsewhere in the city, for a rally at approximately 17:00 local time. A gathering by supporters of the government is also possible in the same area. The upcoming protest is set to be the latest in a series of anti-government demonstrations held in recent days. Moldova has been experiencing political instability, characterised by mass protests and irregular changes to the executive, since senior government officials were implicated in a major corruption scandal in September 2015. Anti-government protests have escalated following the recent nomination of Pavel Filip to the position of prime minister and the approval of his cabinet by Parliament on 21 January. Protesters have begun to call for early elections and the prosecution of senior government officials. It is unlikely that Parliament will accede to the demands of the protesters; accordingly, further protests should be anticipated in the coming days. Clients in Chisinau should monitor media broadcasts for updates on political developments and possible protests. All protests and related gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution.

AUSTRIA(VIENNA) - The annual right-wing Wiener Akademikerball will be held in Austria's capital, Vienna, on 29 January. The event will be held at Hofburg Palace from 17:00 local time. An additional 2,500 security force personnel will be deployed to the immediate vicinity of the event on the day. Road closures should be anticipated within the Ring road area, south of Wipplingerstrasse and west of Rotenturmstrasse from 15:00 local time. Additionally, the Socialist Left Party has organised a protest march against the event from Wallensteinplatz to Porzellangasse as well as from Wahringerstrasse to Schottentor, at 15:30. The anti-fascist Offensive gegen Rechts (OGR) group is also expected to march through the city centre from 16:30. The route will pass Wipplingerstrasse, Stephansplatz, Wollzeile, Stadtpark, Heumarkt, Schwarzenbergplatz, Karlsplatz and will finally end at Museumsquartier. The Wiener Akademikerball has been accompanied by large protests organised by anti-fascist groups and groups opposed to the event, in previous years. These have been affected by violence and acts of vandalism; the risk of clashes between protesters and security forces at the upcoming 29 January event is credible. Localised disruptions due to road closures, increased security and the protests should be anticipated. Clients in Vienna on 29 January are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate localised disruptions.

ARGENTINA(BUENOS AIRES) - Various civic organisations have called for anti-government demonstrations in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, on 29 January. The demonstrations have been organised to protest against the economic policies of President Mauricio Macri. Participants are expected to gather at Plaza del Congreso as well as at the Obelisk monument at 17:00 local time. The protests are expected to be well attended and will likely result in localised disruptions in the vicinity of the protest sites. Additionally, the possibility of low-level confrontations between protesters and police forces cannot be discounted. It should be noted that numerous pro- and anti-government protests have taken place since Macri assumed the presidency in December 2015; further such protests remain a possibility. Clients in Buenos Aires on 29 January are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for potential localised disruptions. Clients should also monitor local media for updates on related upcoming demonstrations.

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