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

UNITED STATES (NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT) - A shooting incident was reported at Yale University, in New Haven, located in the US state of Connecticut, on 14 March. A police presence has been reported in the vicinity of the campus, where College and Elm streets are scheduled to remain closed amid an ongoing investigation into the incident. A masked assailant reportedly shot and wounded at least one person; the status of the gunman remains unknown. The motive for the shooting currently remains unclear; however, authorities allege the incident may have been perpetrated in response to a personal dispute. Nevertheless, an increased security force presence is expected to remain in place in New Haven in the near-term. The possibility of further such incidents cannot be discounted. Clients in New Haven are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness at this time and adhere to the instructions of local authorities.

UNITED STATES (GRAY COUNTY, KANSAS) - An Amtrak passenger train, Amtrak Train 4 en route to Chicago from Los Angeles, derailed in Gray County near Dodge City in the US state of Kansas early on 14 March. The train was carrying 128 passengers and 14 crew when it derailed. A number of people were injured. Disruptions along the affected rail route and to Amtrak services should be anticipated over the near-term. Persons intending to travel via rail along the route should check the status of services with their travel provider or Amtrak (https://www.amtrak.com/home).

UNITED STATES (SEATTLE, WASHINGTON) - Widespread power outages have been reported in Seattle, located in Washington state, in the US, since 13 March. The disruptions were caused by severe winds which resulted in fallen trees and the damage of energy transmission infrastructure in the Capitol Hill area; at least 40,000 homes were left without power. Although some of the damaged infrastructure has since been repaired, intermittent disruptions continue to be reported. Power is expected to be fully restored on 15 March. In light of the intermittent outages, disruptions to business operations, including transportation services, remain possible in the coming hours. Persons in the affected areas are advised to monitor local media for any updates and keep clear of fallen or damaged power lines and infrastructure. Allowances should be made for disruptions to travel.

QATAR AIRWAYS - Qatar Airways announced a significant network expansion of 14 new destinations:

Five new European destinations for Qatar Airways include:

The Italian city of Pisa, starting on 2 August with daily non-stop A320-family service from Doha, will be the fourth Italian destination for Qatar Airways, joining Venice, Rome and Milan.
Service to Sarajevo (Bosnia) will start on 7 September, with three flights per week on A320-family aircraft.
Daily non-stop flights from Doha to Helsinki (Finland) will start on 10 October, offering new connections between oneworld hubs. Three times weekly service between Doha and Skopje (Macedonia) in November. Both new cities will be served with A320-family aircraft.
Qatar Airways will return to Nice (France) by summer 2017, with five flights per week with wide-body aircraft.

Qatar Airways will begin services to six new destinations in Africa:

Marrakech (Morocco) will begin in July, three times per week, from Doha on the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Four flights per week between Doha and Windhoek (Namibia) will begin on 28 September.
Daily scheduled service to the Seychelles will resume on 12 December.
In January, Qatar Airways will offer three flights per week from Doha to Douala (Cameroon) and Libreville (Gabon) utilising one aircraft. Non-stop service, three times weekly from Doha to Lusaka (Zambia) will begin by summer 2017.

New Qatar Airways destinations in South West Pacific / Southeast Asia are:

Daily service to Auckland - Qatar Airways' first route to New Zealand, and what will be the world's longest flight - will begin on 3 December. Qatar Airways will use the Boeing 777 aircraft for this route.
Qatar Airways will begin four flights per week to Krabi (Thailand) on 6 December and three flights per week to Chiang Mai (Thailand) also in December, enhancing overall connectivity to Thailand through four gateways. Qatar Airways currently flies to Bangkok and Phuket.

Qatar Airways recently started service to Los Angeles, USA on 1 January, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE on 2 February and Sydney on 1 March. The airline will begin service to Boston, USA from 16 March; Birmingham, UK on 30 March; Adelaide, Australia from 2 May; Yerevan, Armenia from 15 May and Atlanta, USA from 1 June.

AUSTRIA(AUSTRIAN AIRLINES) - Austrian Airlines will add a five-times weekly service between Vienna and Hong Kong from September 5. The new route will complement Austrian's current services to Beijing and Shanghai. Flight OS067 will depart Vienna everyday at 1300 (except Thursday and Sunday), arriving in Hong Kong at 0625 the following day. The return service, on flight OS068, will take off from Hong Kong at 0940 and touch back down in Vienna at 1610. With a distance of 8,700km, flight time is estimated to be 11 hours and 25 minutes from Vienna. Flights will be served by the B777-200, which features a two-class configuration with 48 seats in business and 260 in economy. Business class seats are arranged in a mixed 1-2-1 and 2-2-2 configuration, while economy class will sport a tight 10-abreast 3-4-3 layout.

SPAIN(IBERIA) - Unionised employees of Spain's national flag carrier, Iberia, are set to stage strike action and a related demonstration at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport in the capital, Madrid, on 14 March. The industrial action will be held between 12:00 and 14:00 local time, and has been called in response to several work-related grievances. A rally is expected to take place outside the arrival gate of the airport's terminal T4 during the aforementioned period. Although airport authorities have confirmed the implementation of contingency plans to mitigate disruptions to flight schedules, flight delays and/or cancellations remain a possibility over the aforementioned period. Persons intending to transit Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport on 14 March are advised to contact their travel provider or airline for an update on the status of their flight(s).

PUERTO RICO(ZIKA VIRUS) - Puerto Rico's Health Department has reported over 200 confirmed cases of the Zika virus, including 21 cases of the virus present in pregnant women. Authorities fear a Zika epidemic may follow the rainy season which begins in April through November. Health officials warn that hundreds of thousands of people on the island could be infected in the coming months. The Zika virus is caused by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito; they are found in a majority of countries in the Americas and the Caribbean. Of particular concern is the link between the virus and deformities in babies, known as microcephaly. A number of countries and states in the America's have declared public health emergencies in recent months in response to the Zika virus. It should be noted that the majority of persons infected do not show symptoms. Clients concerned about the spread of the disease or requiring further information should contact their medical practitioner. Further information is also available on the WHO (http://www.who.int/), CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/) and Pan American Health Organization (http://www.paho.org/) websites. Travellers to affected areas should take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Empty all standing water around residences, cover water tanks, avoid accumulating waste near residences, unblock drains, use screens and mosquito nets, cover exposed skin, use mosquito repellents and sleep under mosquito nets. Persons displaying symptoms, particularly pregnant women, should visit their medical practitioner.

INDONESIA(WEST JAVA PROVINCE) - Flooding, triggered by torrential rainfall, has resulted in significant disruptions in parts of West Java province, Indonesia, on 14 March. According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), at least two people have been killed and three others declared missing in the Bandung District on 13 March. The flooding has been affecting numerous areas including Cicalengka, Rancaekek, Cileunyi, Solokan Jeruk, Majalaya, Ciparay, Baleendah, Dayeuhkolot, Bojongsoang, Pameungpeuk, Banjaran, Arjasri, Cangkuang, Katapang and Kutawaringin. Large-scale evacuations and the displacement of more than 6,000 households have been reported following the overflowing of the Citarum River. Rescue and relief operations remain ongoing. Indonesia experiences its monsoon season from November to March and flooding frequently occurs during this period; the region has seen heavy seasonal rain in recent weeks. The adverse weather conditions are expected to persist in the near-term; further flooding and associated travel disruptions should be expected. Disruptions to utilities such as water, electricity and telecommunications are possible. Clients in the affected areas are advised to exercise caution, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas, as well as in locales near storm drains, drainage channels and rivers. Allowances should be made for travel disruptions in flood-affected areas. In addition, clients are advised to monitor local media for official warnings and advisories.

MEXICO(TAMAULIPAS STATE) - At least ten people were killed as a result of clashes between security forces and armed criminal groups in Reynosa, located in Mexico's Tamaulipas state, on 13 March. The incident was reported following a security operation led by the Ministry of National Defence against criminal elements in the city. In response to the aforementioned security operation, which resulted in the detainment of four suspected criminals travelling in the La Bugambilias Cologne area, affiliated members of the criminal group erected barricades and set vehicles alight on roads in the vicinity of the Viaducto Reynosa, Bugambilias, Jarachina Norte and Brecha del Becerro areas. The road blockades resulted in shoot-outs in which at least four security force members were wounded. Reynosa, which is located in Tamaulipas state, along the US-Mexico border, is considered a strategic transit point for drug trafficking. The city and its surrounding areas experience high rates of conflict related to the drug-trade, including affiliated criminal groups. It should be noted that violence of this nature generally targets members of criminal groups and drug cartels, police officers, criminal justice officials or journalists investigating the cartels; however, there remains an incidental risk of harm to persons in the vicinity of the violence. Further public shooting incidents and shoot-outs between criminals and security forces, are expected to continue for the medium-term at least. Heightened caution is advised across Mexico, including Tamaulipas, due to the threats of crime and kidnapping and the incidental risk of organised crime-related conflict.

THAILAND(SOUTHERN PROVINCES) - Heightened security measures, including additional troop deployments, have been implemented in Thailand's southern border provinces on 14 March amid an increase in security incidents and separatist-related violence. The affected provinces include Yala, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat. At least 15 violent incidents were reported in the affected areas on 13 March; at least seven security force members were wounded due to multiple gun and bomb attacks in Narathiwat province, including at a train station in the Cho-airong district. The increase in security coincides with a surge in violence related to the ongoing violent separatist campaign in the southern provinces, and serves to underscore the persistently insecure security dynamic in the affected area. The aforementioned provinces have been plagued by decades of ethnically and religiously motivated violence, which stems from allegations of isolation and discrimination against Malay Muslims by Thailand's predominantly Buddhist government. Although attacks normally target security forces, civilians (particularly Buddhists) have also been targeted. Given the ongoing nature of the conflict, further incidents cannot be discounted. Due to the ongoing Islamist insurgency and the high risks of conflict and terrorism, clients are advised against all travel to the provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla. Persons currently in the area should adhere to the directives of authorities and are advised to implement robust personal, travel and residential security measures at all times.

AZERBAIJAN/IRAN - Azerbaijan border guards shot and killed five people crossing the shared border with Iran on 13 March. Two other persons were detained. The incident occurred in the Yardymli area of southern Azerbaijan. The victims were reportedly armed and fired back at the border guards when challenged. The incident is unusual for the area. In light of the security incident an increased police presence is probable in the affected area, on both sides of the shared border, over the immediate-term. Clients operating near the shared border should monitor developments closely. Only official land border crossing points should be utilised when travelling between the two countries.

ISRAEL(KIRYAT ARBA(HEBRON AREA)) - Two Palestinian assailants fired on a bus near the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba in the Hebron area of the West Bank on 14 March. The attack wounded one Israeli soldier. Following the attack a third Palestinian assailant rammed his vehicle into an Israeli security force vehicle wounding two Israeli soldiers. All three assailants were later shot and killed by the Israeli security forces. Low-level attacks targeting Jewish and Israeli security force interests are regularly reported in the West Bank and Jerusalem. These incidents are viewed as part of a wider escalation in anti-Israel violence since October. In light of the killing of the assailants, anti-Israel protests may be sparked in Palestinian communities in the Hebron area and elsewhere in the West Bank on 14 and 15 March. The risk of violence at these events is considered high. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the West Bank. Persons in the territory should travel with a security escort. All protests and concentrations of security force personnel should be avoided as a precaution.

ISRAEL(TEL AVIV) - A bomb detonated in a car in Tel Aviv on 13 March, killing one person. The incident occurred in the Ramot Tzahala area of the city. The bombing is thought to be linked to organised crime. The victim was a prominent witness in an ongoing organised crime-related court case. Low-level bombings linked to organised crime are regularly reported in Israel. These bombings typically impact on the targeted person only; however, there is an incidental risk to bystanders. There are no specific recommendations in light of the recent attack. Should further incidents occur, affected areas should be avoided as a standard precaution.

FRANCE(PARIS) - A taxi drivers' go-slow protest, which commenced at 04:00 local time on 14 March in France's capital, Paris, has resulted in significant road-based travel disruptions. The protest has resulted in traffic congestion on the A1 highway, Boulevard Peripherique and in the vicinity of Charles de Gaulle Airport due to the erection of a roadblock. The protest was organised amid ongoing disputes due to the continuing presence of low-cost Uber taxis in the taxi industry. Taxi drivers have staged significantly disruptive go-slow protests in response to the aforementioned grievance in recent weeks. Although the event is expected to conclude in the coming hours, residual traffic delays and road travel disruptions should be anticipated in the aforementioned areas, as well as in the vicinity of Charles de Gaulle, for the duration of the day. Additionally, an increased demand for alternative forms of transport should be anticipated. Persons in Paris are advised to monitor local media for updates on the go-slow protest and any related upcoming demonstrations. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries to make allowances for associated travel disruptions in the vicinity of any related protest action.

COLOMBIA - Taxi drivers from 13 unions in Colombia have called for an indefinite countrywide strike on 14 March. The strike action, which has been called to demand the banning of Uber services in the country, is set to cause localised travel disruptions in urban centres throughout the day. Unconfirmed reports suggest that an associated demonstration has been scheduled for the capital, Bogota. Further details regarding the strike and related demonstrations have not been disclosed. Uber is a mobile application-based transportation network that allows transportation providers to use a smartphone application to receive taxi ride requests from customers. Local taxi drivers consider this an uncompetitive practice and therefore, a threat to their business. The upcoming strike forms part of an ongoing campaign by taxi drivers to have Uber services declared illegal in Colombia. An increased demand for alternative forms of transport should be expected on the day. In addition, should demonstrations take place, the threat of low-level confrontations between police and protesters cannot be ruled out. Clients in Colombia planning to make use of taxi services from 14 March should anticipate localised travel disruptions, and should consider alternative modes of transport, including bus and rail services. All associated demonstrations should be avoided as a precaution.

INDIA(DELHI) - Taxi drivers in India's capital, Delhi, have embarked upon an anti-Uber protest march on 14 March. The march commenced at Samata Sthal in the vicinity of Rajghat and is proceeding to Delhi Secretariat and has been observed by both auto-rickshaw and other members of the auto industry. Additionally, a 48-hour associated strike is scheduled to commence on 15 March, in the absence of any concessions regarding the aforementioned concern. Uber is a mobile application-based transportation network that uses a smartphone application to receive taxi ride requests from customers; requests are then sent to member drivers. Local taxi drivers consider this a non-competitive practice and therefore a threat to their business. Although likely to remain peaceful for the duration of the march, it should be noted that there is a risk of civil unrest at all protests in India, and the possibility of violence between security forces and protesters cannot be ruled out. Travel disruptions remain possible for the duration of the industrial actions. Clients in Delhi are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations and to keep itineraries flexible to accommodate likely travel delays if operating in the affected areas. Furthermore, clients should consider refraining from using Uber services on the day as a precautionary measure.

INDIA(HARYANA STATE) - Various organisations of the Jat community have called for protests in India's northern state of Haryana, on 14 March. The protests have been organised to demand reservation of the Jat community under the Other Backward Class (OBC) quota and the withdrawal of criminal cases against agitators during the February protests. The protests are expected to be held across the state; protesters have stated that a memorandum will be submitted to the state legislative assembly on the day. The group has threatened to escalate the protest action should their demands not be met by 17 March. The protests in Haryana in February were organised to demand that job reservation be introduced for members of the Jat community. The protests caused widespread disruptions across the state and left at least 30 people dead. In light of this precedent, the protests will likely take place amid an increased security presence; the possibility of violence at all coming protests is credible. Protesters may also blockade roads, including major highways, as part of the agitation. Persons in Haryana state on 14 March are advised to monitor local media for developments and updates regarding the protests. All street protests and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution. Allowances should be made for potential travel delays.

SOUTH AFRICA(DURBAN) - A protest, underway in Durban, South Africa, has resulted in unrest and disruptions on 14 March. The M35 Umbumbulu road, Ernest Clokie road and parts of N3 highway have been blockaded. Unconfirmed reports allege that participants have vandalised commercial vehicles and set others alight. Security forces have been deployed to the affected areas; disruptions continue to be reported. The unsanctioned protests were sparked regarding local political disputes and the election of local government officials. Demonstrations stemming from political issues and labour disputes are common in South Africa. Given that the grievances triggering the protest and resultant unrest remain unresolved, further protests are possible in the near-term. Travel disruptions are expected to continue in the coming hours. Persons in Durban are advised to avoid the affected areas; heightened tensions may trigger further protest action in the area in the near-term. Clients are further advised to avoid all demonstrations and large street gatherings as a standard precaution.

MEXICO - The Movimiento Antorchista Nacional organisation has called for weekly countrywide protests in all state capitals, beginning on 15 March. The protests have been organised over the perceived delayed response of the government in addressing various social needs. In the capital, Mexico City, a protest is expected to be held outside the SEDATU local government office. The protests are expected to centre on local government buildings in state capitals across the country, with larger gatherings anticipated in Puebla and Oaxaca , as well as in the capital. Localised disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of all protest sites. Additionally, although the protests are expected to conclude peacefully, the possibility of low-level clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be discounted. Clients in Mexico on 15 March are advised to monitor local media for updates on potential upcoming protests. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution. Finally, it should be noted that heightened caution is advised across Mexico due to the threats of crime and kidnapping and the incidental risk of organised crime-related conflict.

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