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

CANADA(MONTREAL) - The UN agency responsible for air travel standards has banned the transportation of lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft, saying they pose a serious fire hazard. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) says the temporary measure will last until it adopts new packaging standards in 2018. Set to take effect on April 1, the ban will exclude lithium-ion batteries in laptops transported in airplane cabins by passengers or crew. This interim prohibition will continue to be in force as separate work continues through ICAO on a new lithium battery packaging performance standard, currently expected by 2018. Although the ban is non-binding, most countries follow the agency's standards. Many airlines have already voluntarily stopped transporting battery shipments.

DENMARK/GERMANY - The Danish Ministry for Immigration, Integration and Housing has extended the border controls currently in place along its shared border with Germany until 4 March. The initial border controls were enforced from 4 to 14 January; however, these have been extended several times amid concerns regarding the influx and accumulation of illegal immigrants near the affected area. 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. The Schengen Borders Code only permits border controls for a period of 30 days at a time, after which time these measures are subject to renewal. As such, a continuation of this trend in the medium-term cannot be discounted. Further movement-restrictive measures may be implemented. Localised disruptions to travel should be anticipated near the affected sites for the duration of the temporary border controls and possibly beyond this period. Clients planning land 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.

NETHERLANDS(DALFSEN) - At least two people have been killed and more injured after a passenger train reportedly derailed near Dalfsen, in the province of Overijssel, in the Netherlands, on 23 February. Although details continue to emerge, it is believed that the train derailed after hitting a crane at a level crossing. Emergency services are currently on the scene, and the affected line has been closed. Disruptions are likely to remain until the affected section of the railway is once again operational, while rescue and salvage operations continue. It should be noted that incidents such as these occur rarely in the Netherlands, as the country has an excellent rail safety record, and all rail infrastructure is modern and well maintained. Clients planning to utilise rail services in the Overijssel province should consider alternative travel options and monitor local media for updates regarding the status of rail services.

DJIBOUTI & SOMALIA - According to recent reports, authorities in Djibouti have imposed a ban on all flights originating from Somalia amid ongoing security concerns. The suspension follows the recent 2 February bombing of a Daallo Airlines flight by the Somalia-based Islamist extremist group, al-Shabaab. The intended duration of the ban has not been disclosed; however, given persistent insecurity in Somalia and renewed concerns over aviation safety in the country, the ban is likely to continue for the near-term at least. Clients are advised against all travel to Somalia, except Puntland and Somaliland, due the extreme threats posed by conflict, terrorism and kidnapping. Persons intending to conduct air travel between Djibouti and Somalia are advised to contact their travel provider or their respective airline for an update on the status of their flight(s).

ANGOLA(YELLOW FEVER) - (Update) According to recent reports, a yellow fever outbreak in Angola continues unabated as of 23 February. At least 462 cases of infection and 99 fatalities have been reported in the country since the disease was initially recorded in late December 2015. The capital, Luanda, remains the worst-affected area to date; the city's eastern Viana neighborhood has accounted for as many as 29 deaths. Local authorities have asserted that the current outbreak is being exacerbated by poor sanitation. Yellow fever is a viral disease primarily transmitted by the bite of the Aedes mosquito. Most infections are mild, but a severe infection can result in high fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, vomiting, loss of appetite and backache. After three to four days, most patients improve and their symptoms disappear; however, some infected persons may enter a 'toxic phase', which often proves fatal to those infected. There is no specific treatment for the disease. Persons currently in or intending to travel to Angola, particularly Luanda, should ensure that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever. Furthermore, clients are advised to take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

BURUNDI(BUJUMBURA) - At least ten separate grenade attacks were reported in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, overnight on 23/24 February. The explosions took place in several districts, including Musaga and Mutakura, and are said to have left at least a dozen people injured. The blasts followed earlier grenade attacks in the city's Kamenge and Ngage districts on 22 February; in which two people were killed and seven others wounded. The identities of the perpetrators, as well as the motives behind the attacks, remain unclear. These latest attacks serve to underscore the extreme-risk operating environment in Burundi, and its capital in particular. Burundi has been subject to sporadic, and often fatal, grenade attacks since President Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial re-election for a third successive term in office, in late 2015. Thus far the attacks have been attributed to opposition activists and criminal entities alike; however, the motivations behind the ongoing spate of assaults remain unconfirmed. However, it should be noted that local authorities suspect that the 22/23 February attacks may be connected to an official visit by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 22 February. Due to the uncertain political situation, clients are advised against all travel to Burundi. Persons in the country should consider departing where safe and possible to do so. Those who chose to continue operating in Burundi in the near-term should coordinate all movements in the presence of a security escort, and ensure that robust residential, travel and personal safety measures are employed at all times.

MEXICO(MORELOS STATE) - Protests against the appointment of Temixco's mayor are anticipated in Temixco and Cuernavaca, in Mexico's Morelos state, on 23 February. Exact details pertaining to the protests have not been disclosed; however, protesters have threatened to blockade the main highways leading to Acapulco, Federal Highways 95 and 95D, in the El Polvorin area at the southern exit of Cuernavaca. The protesters are opposed to the appointment of former deputy mayor, Irma Camacho Garcia, following the assassination of previous mayor, Gisela Mota Ocampo, on 2 January, a day after taking office. Hundreds of people participated in related protests in the vicinity of the state Congress building in Cuernavaca on 22 February. In light of this, the upcoming protests are expected to be well attended and will likely result in localised disruptions to travel. The possibility of violence between protesters and security forces cannot be discounted. Clients in Morelos state on 23 February are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for related updates on political developments and further protests. It should be noted that heightened caution is advised across Mexico, including Morelos state, due to the threats of crime and kidnapping and the incidental risk of organised crime-related conflict.

GUATEMALA(GUATEMALA CITY) - The Justicia Ya movement has called for an anti-corruption protest in Guatemala's capital, Guatemala City, on 23 February. The protesters are calling for the appointment of an independent public prosecutor, as well as for a transparent election of judges represented in the Constitutional Court. Participants are expected to gather outside the congress building (8A Avenida) at 15:00 local time. A protest has also been planned at the congress building at the same time on 27 February. The Justicia Ya movement emerged in 2015 and was part of a sustained, large-scale protest campaign against former president Otto Perez Molina and his administration, after a corruption scandal was unveiled. Under increasing pressure, Molina formally resigned from the Guatemalan presidency on 1 September. The current president, Jimmy Morales, drew much of his support from his anti-corruption campaign; however, the Morales administration itself continues to be affected by corruption. As such, further anti-government protests denouncing corruption are anticipated in the short- to medium-term. The possibility of isolated skirmishes at all upcoming protests cannot be discounted. Finally, localised disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the congress building during the 23 and 27 February protests. Clients in Guatemala on 23 and 27 February are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for potential disruptions in the vicinity of the congress building.

ARMENIA(YEREVAN) - Various members of the press and associated activists are set to stage a mass demonstration in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, on 23 February. The action has been called in response to the apparent incidence of vulgar language employed by MP Mher Sedrakyan, of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), when addressing journalists. Participants in the demonstration are demanding that Sedrakyan be disciplined for his actions, which reportedly include insulting the press. The demonstrators are expected to gather outside the National Assembly building, located on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue, from 13:00 local time. Although the demonstration is expected to conclude without major incident, the possibility of confrontations between protesters and police cannot be dismissed. Additionally, localised travel disruptions in and around the National Assembly should be anticipated. It should be noted that members of the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANK) have called on all MPs to observe the basic rule of ethics when interacting with journalists. The RPA has also reportedly condemned the behaviour of Sedrakyan. As such, the upcoming protest may be cancelled or postponed at short notice. Persons in Yerevan on 23 February are advised to avoid the demonstrations and any related large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the protest site.

ROMANIA(BUCHAREST) - A rally, initiated by civil society group Action 2012, is expected to take place in Romania's capital, Bucharest, on 24 February. Participants are set to gather outside the Cotroceni Palace, located on Bulevardul Geniului, at 18:00 local time. The rally relates to calls for a dialogue between civil society and the government regarding unification with Moldova. Action 2012 is a civic platform consisting of NGOs from both Romania and Moldova that regularly engages in activity relating to unification as a means of reversing historical divisions imposed by the former Soviet Union. The concept is widely supported and observed in Romania; however, it is only supported by a minority in Moldova. The upcoming rally is expected to conclude peacefully, however, the possibility of low-level clashes cannot be discounted. The protest is likely to be well attended; as such, localised travel disruptions should be expected in the area surrounding Cotroceni Palace. Persons in Bucharest on 24 February are advised to avoid all associated gatherings as a precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate potential delays.

SOUTH AFRICA(CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE) - The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is expected to hold a protest rally outside South Africa's Parliament building, located in central Cape Town, on 24 February. The demonstration is scheduled to take place during the national budget speech by the minister of finance, Pravin Gordhan, at 14:00 local time on the day. The action has been called to protest against several grievances within the communications sector, including the restructuring of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry and recent retrenchments within the semi-privatised telecommunications provider, Telkom. Protests and demonstrations stemming from political issues and labour disputes are common in South Africa. Although the upcoming protest is expected to conclude peacefully; it should be noted that protest gatherings in South Africa frequently turn violent, disrupting traffic, businesses and service delivery. Heightened security measures and an increased security presence are anticipated in and around the Parliament grounds on the day. Persons in Cape Town on 24 February are advised to avoid the upcoming protest and all related large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible in order to make allowances for localised traffic disruptions in the vicinity of the Parliament grounds on the day.

CHAD - Various civil society groups, including 'Ca suffit' and 'Trop c'est Trop', have called for a countrywide general strike in Chad on 24 February. The action has been organised in response to numerous grievances, including high commodity prices, perceived inequity and governmental corruption. Furthermore, the groups intend to use the general strike to pressure incumbent President Idriss Deby into withdrawing his candidacy from the forthcoming presidential elections in April. Prominent urban centres such as Moundou, Sagh and the capital, N'Djamena, are likely to be the most severely affected by the strike and any related demonstrations. The upcoming strike action is likely to result in significant disruptions to business and travel services on the day. Although it is unclear if any associated demonstrations have been organised to coincide with the strike, the anti-government undertone of such protests may see the events being forcefully dispersed by security forces. Attempts by security forces to disperse the demonstration could incite retaliatory attacks by protesters. Localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of any demonstration sites on the day. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to most areas of Chad, excluding the capital city, N'Djamena, due to the ongoing threats of conflict, kidnapping and violent crime. Persons in Chad on 24 February are advised to avoid all demonstrations and strike-related activities as a standard precaution.

IRAN - Iran will hold legislative elections on 26 February. The country will vote for two bodies, the 290-seat Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis or People's House) and the Assembly of Experts. The People's House is the country's legislative body, while the Assembly of Experts supervises and elects the supreme leader, currently Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei. An increased security force presence is anticipated across the country on polling day and in the immediate aftermath of the election coinciding with vote counting. The run up to the 26 February poll has been characterised by posturing and positioning between two rival camps in the country, namely the hardliners (also known as principalists) and President Hassan Rouhani. The competition for power and influence in the convoluted Iranian political system has starkly underlined the challenges that Iran faces in unifying its polity. The upcoming poll is not expected to result in domestic instability; however, its outcome will impact on the trajectory of the state and its relations with the international community, as well as its regional neighbours over the medium- to long-term. There is a small possibility of post-election protests. The risk of protests occurring increases if allegations of fraud are made. The risk of confrontations between protesters and the police at public protests is elevated. Clients in Iran during the election period should monitor local developments closely. Heightened personal security awareness is advised on election day and in the immediate aftermath of the poll. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

JAMAICA - (Update) A general election will be held in Jamaica on 25 February. The police and military have indicated that they have increased their presence countrywide ahead of the poll as a precaution. The upcoming election in Jamaica is likely to pass by without major incident. While the country has a history of instability during election periods, recent national elections have passed relatively peacefully. The increased police and military alert levels are viewed as being largely precautionary. Clients in Jamaica during the election period should monitor local media for updates. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

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