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

COLOMBIA - The U.S. Department of State has issued a Travel Warning for Colombia. This Travel Warning replaces the previous travel warning released on June 5, 2015. Security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, including in tourist and business travel destinations such as Bogota, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellin, and Cali. However, violence linked to narco-trafficking continues to affect some rural and urban areas. Despite significant decreases in overall crime in Colombia, continued vigilance is warranted due to an increase in recent months of violent crime, including crime resulting in the deaths of American citizens. The full travel warning can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/colombia-travel-warning.html

MOBILE PASSPORT APP - The Mobile Passport App by Airside Mobile lets you skip the line at US airports for Custom and Border Protection (CBP). Just fill out your profile and answer CBP's questions - then go straight to the "Mobile Passport Control" express lane at the airport! - http://www.mobilepassport.us/

UNITED STATES(CHICAGO O'HARE) - Airline passengers will be able to apply for membership in the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program at Chicago's O'Hare airport from now through May 13. PreCheck offers the possibility of expedited screening for fliers who are willing to be fingerprinted and undergo background checks. Those approved for membership gain access to special security lines in which they do not have to remove shoes and jackets at screening checkpoints. Similarly, laptops approved and approved liquid containers do not need to be presented separately for screening.

BRAZIL(SAO PAULO STATE) - An outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) has killed at least 70 people and infected 667 others in Brazil's Sao Paulo state, since early January 2016. State authorities have recently launched a significant vaccination campaign in the eponymous state capital, Sao Paulo, and the Greater Sao Paulo area in order to curb the spread of the disease. As of 11 April, children from six months to five years, pregnant women, and the elderly are being targeted by immunisation efforts. The vaccination campaign is reportedly set to include other high-risk members of society from 18 April. H1N1, or swine flu, is a subtype of the Influenza A virus and is believed to be a combination of the swine, human and avian flu viruses. The H1N1 virus can manifest as typical influenza-like symptoms or severe and even fatal pneumonia. Those at risk of contracting the disease are typically persons in close contact with swine, poultry or other infected persons. Authorities have launched an extensive health campaign to combat infections. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the world was post-pandemic for H1N1 in 2010, the virus still circulates during the autumn and winter seasons in various countries around the world. Persons currently in Sao Paulo are advised to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, in addition to monitoring local health-related developments. Clients who exhibit any of the aforementioned symptoms are advised to consult a medical practitioner immediately. Clients are reminded that a high degree of caution is advised in low-income areas (favelas) of urban centres due to the risk of crime.

AFGHANISTAN - In a recently released statement, the Sunni extremist Taleban group announced the official commencement of its annual spring offensive against Afghanistan's government and its Western-backed allies. The spring offensive, named 'Operation Omari', began at 05:00 local time on 12 April. The group has claimed that its 2016 offensive will focus on executing large-scale attacks on government and military positions across the country. Taleban attacks in Afghanistan generally increase during the spring and summer months, which generally extend until September, when warmer weather allows militants greater access through usually snowed-in mountain passes from their traditional strongholds along the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border. However, attacks continued largely unabated during the winter and early spring of 2015/16, as the insurgent group has been emboldened by the departure of the majority of foreign troops at the end of 2014. Indeed, during 2015, the Taleban expanded its operations out of its traditional strongholds in the south and east of the country, and has successfully captured numerous districts across the north of the country. In its most notable success in 2015, it managed to capture and briefly hold Kunduz, capital of its eponymous province, in September. Further incidents should therefore be anticipated, especially in light of the sharply reduced foreign troop presence. Due to various security concerns, all travel to Afghanistan is advised against. Clients currently in the country are advised to implement maximum personal, residential and travel security protocols. Travel outside of urban centres should only be undertaken following a full security review of the route, and ideally in the presence of a security escort familiar with the local conditions.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - A British national was shot and killed during an apparent armed robbery in San Juan in Trinidad and Tobago, late on 10 April. Local media reports indicate that the deceased's vehicle was approached by two armed men at approximately 20:30 local time. The British tourist had stopped his car in order to pick up the daughter of one of his passengers; he was then reportedly shot after failing to comply with the assailants' directives. Local security forces are currently investigating a case of homicide with regards to the incident; at least one suspect has been arrested thus far. The threat of crime in Trinidad and Tobago is rated as high, and has been on the rise in recent years, primarily due to gang- and drug-related activities. While violent crime predominantly affects local residents, incidents such as this latest assault do occur on occasion. Thieves actively target areas where foreign nationals congregate, such as hotel lobbies, crowded bars, restaurants and popular tourist areas. It should be noted that foreign nationals staying in the country for extended periods of time are at a higher risk. Despite an increase in police vigilance and crime incident response in recent years, violent crime affecting foreign nationals remains a concern. Persons operating in Trinidad and Tobago, regardless of location, are advised to maintain an elevated level of situational awareness at all times and should report any suspicious persons or activities to the authorities immediately. Clients are further advised to avoid isolated areas, particularly at night. In the event of a robbery, clients are advised to adhere to any instructions issued by the perpetrator.

TUNISIA(KERKENNAH ISLANDS, SFAX GOVERNORATE) - Union members have called for a general strike on Kerkennah Islands, in Tunisia's eastern Sfax governorate, on 12 April. The strike has been organised in response to the perceived mistreatment of protesters by security forces in recent weeks; the Sfax region has been affected by increased protests, largely led by unemployed youth, over the country's deteriorating economic situation and to demand public sector employment. The strike is likely to be well observed and is expected to cause disruptions to travel and business operations in the region on the day. Although exact details have not been disclosed, associated protests are also expected. It should be noted that previous protests have caused significant disruptions in the Sfax region and have deteriorated into clashes between protesters and police forces. As such, the possibility of similar violence at any related upcoming protests cannot be discounted. Clients on the Kerkennah Islands on 12 April are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for associated disruptions.

FRANCE(LYON) - Local activist groups have called for a demonstration in Lyon, on 13 April. The gathering is expected to take place in Place de la Nation, in the city's Vaulx-au-Velin area, from 14:00 local time. The action has been called in opposition to labour policy reforms. The upcoming protest is the latest in an ongoing campaign against new labour legislation in the country. Previous related protests have been well attended and resulted in significant disruptions to road travel. It should be noted that isolated clashes between protesters and security forces have been reported at related demonstrations in the past. The possibility of similar incidents at the upcoming protests cannot be discounted. Persons in Lyon on 13 April are advised to avoid all protests as a standard precaution. Persons are further advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of the protest.

VENEZUELA(LARA, FALCON, TRUJILLO, TACHIRA, BARINAS, PORTUGUESA, YARACUY & CARABOBO STATES) - Union representatives in the public transport sector have called for a strike in eight north eastern states of Venezuela on 13 April. The affected states include Lara, Falcon, Trujillo, Tachira, Barinas, Portuguesa, Yaracuy and Carabobo. The strike has been organised to denounce the government's failure to provide adequate spare parts for vehicles. The industrial action is expected to be well observed and will likely cause significant disruptions to public transport as well as an increased demand for alternative transport. In addition, associated protests are also anticipated; these will likely centre on regional state capitals, including Barquisimeto (Lara), Colo (Falcon), Trujillo (Trujillo), San Cristobal (Tachira), Barinas (Barina), Guanare (Portuguesa), San Felipe (Yaracuy) and Valencia (Carabobo). The risk of violence at any related protest cannot be discounted. Clients in the affected states on 13 April are advised to make allowances for the anticipated disruptions and avoid all street protests as a standard precaution.

GUINEA(CONAKRY) - Guinea's main opposition party, the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), has called on its members and supporters to observe a general strike in the capital, Conakry, on 14 April. The strike, which has been organised under the banner of 'Dead City' (Ville Morte), is likely to result in significant disruptions to business and travel services on the day. The agitation forms part of an ongoing series of protests against rising fuel prices in the country. It is currently unclear whether associated demonstrations will take place on the day; however, the UFDG has threatened to stage countrywide street protests if the government fails to respond to their grievances after the 14 April strike action. It should be noted that the emotive and anti-government undertone of such protests may see the events being forcefully dispersed by security forces. Such measures may trigger violent confrontations between protesters and security personnel, posing an incidental threat to bystanders. Persons in Guinea on 14 April are advised to monitor local media for updates on the action and for announcements of any related demonstrations. All protests and large street gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to ensure that itineraries remain flexible to accommodate for any potential business and travel disruptions.

WESTERN EUROPE - Demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinians imprisoned by Israel are expected to take place in various Western European cities between 14 and 17 April. In France, a demonstration will be held in Place Charles de Gaulle, in Toulouse, from 17:30 local time on 14 April. On 16 April, in the UK's capital, London, a related protest march will proceed from Gower Street to Trafalgar Square at 12:30. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian activists will rally in Place du Chatelet in France's capital, Paris, at 15:00. On 17 April, a demonstration is expected at Stephanplatz, located in Austria's capital, Vienna, at 17:00, while a major demonstration will be held in Place de la Monnaie, in Belgium's capital, Brussels, at 15:00 on the same day. Palestinian Prisoners' Day commemorations have traditionally been well supported in many Western European cities. There is a risk of violent confrontations between police and participants, as well as between rival demonstrators, at all related events, particularly at those which are organised near Israeli embassies. Localised traffic disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the demonstrations. Clients in the aforementioned locations on the affected dates are advised to avoid all related gatherings as a standard precaution. The planned protest rallies are likely to result in localised travel disruptions and clients are advised to plan accordingly.

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