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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/QATAR(QATAR AIRWAYS) - Qatar Airways has added a second daily, non-stop flight along its popular route between John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City and Hamad International Airport in Doha. The new route features the acclaimed Airbus A350 and a new morning departure time from JFK, allowing passengers to arrive in Doha the morning of the following day. The new flight represents the tenth Qatar Airways route between Doha and the United States. The airline has now been operating in the United States for nine years and recently added daily, non-stop service to Boston, and will commence service to Atlanta, on June 1st. The second daily flight departs JFK from Terminal 7 at 11:15 and arrives at Hamad International Airport at 06:45 local time. The new flight to New York City arrives in JFK's Terminal 7 at 09:15, providing convenient access to the city and connecting flights across the United States. Qatar Airways will continue to operate its evening route, scheduled to depart New York at 23:00, from Terminal 8, providing an alternative and convenience when visiting Doha or connecting with outbound flights to the airline's global network of more than 150 destinations around the world.

BELGIUM(BRUSSELS) - (Update) Flight disruptions, including cancellations and delays, continue to be reported at Brussels Airport in Belgium, on 13 April. The disruptions are a result of a strike initiated by air traffic controllers on 12 April, over a labour dispute. Although previously affected by the strike, no associated disruptions have been reported at Brussels South Charleroi Airport on 13 April. Given the ongoing nature of the dispute, the strike may be suspended or extended on an ad hoc basis. Additionally, residual flight disruptions are likely once regular flight operations resume due to the resultant backlog of flights; this could be compounded by the already limited schedule at Brussels Airport, following the 22 March attacks in Brussels. Clients intending to transit Brussels Airport on 13 April are advised to contact their travel service provider or respective airline in order to confirm the status of their flight(s).

BRAZIL(SALVADOR) - Taxi drivers in Salvador, in Brazil's north eastern state of Bahia, have called for protests in the city on 13 April. The protest has been organised to call for the banning of Uber services. Participants in the protest are expected to gather at the Bonoco metro station at 09:00 local time. Uber is a mobile application-based transportation network that uses a smartphone application to receive taxi ride requests from customers; ride requests are then sent to member drivers. Local taxi drivers consider this an uncompetitive practice and, therefore, a threat to their business. In addition to disruptions as a result of the anticipated protest, it should be noted that taxi drivers have damaged Uber vehicles in Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Brasilia in the past. As such, the possibility of isolated skirmishes and similar acts of violence cannot be discounted. An increased demand for alternative transport services is also likely. Persons in Salvador on 13 April are advised to monitor local media for updates and should plan for localised travel disruptions. Clients intending to make use of Uber services should do so with caution.

GREECE - The Federation of Greece's Taxi Owners (POEIATA) is set to launch a countrywide 24-hour strike on 14 April. The strike is due to commence at 05:00 local time and end on 15 April at 05:00. The federation has launched the strike in response to the government's proposed tax reform bill. The Federation of Greece's Taxi Owners has called on all its members to take part in the action. Therefore, significant disruptions are anticipated. Associated protest actions are likely to follow. Additionally, an increased demand for alternative transport services is likely. Persons in Greece on 14 April are advised to monitor local media for updates and should plan for localised travel disruptions. Furthermore, clients are advised to avoid any protests as a precaution.

SAUDI ARABIA(RIYADH & SURROUNDS) - The Muslim Brotherhood (MB)-led National Coalition in Support of Legitimacy (NCSL) has called for countrywide protests in Egypt on 15 April. The protests have been called in to denounce Egypt's recent transfer of sovereignty of two Red Sea islands, Tiran and Sanafir, to Saudi Arabia as part of a trade and investment deal. Other activist groups have also called for similar protests over the same issue in Tahrir Square, in the capital, Cairo, on 15 April. The recent deal has been widely criticised by members of the opposition, including Islamists, leftists and social activists. They have called for the deal to be reversed and argued that the transfer of ownership is contrary to the constitution. The call to protest on Friday is likely to be widely heeded and a large turnout is expected countrywide. Further details regarding the location of the NCSL protests are unclear; however, gatherings in prominent public squares, at universities, near mosques and in the vicinity of major government buildings should be expected. There is a high risk of violence at all NCSL events. The MB is banned and the military-backed regime has quashed dozens of MB-related events since it orchestrated a coup against the Islamist-dominated government in mid-2013. Clients in Egypt on 15 April are advised to monitor local developments closely. Caution is advised in the vicinity of protest locations and possible demonstration gathering points. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

SOUTH SUDAN(YEI, CENTRAL EQUATORIA STATE) - Two local aid workers, affiliated with the Danish Demining Group (DDG), were killed following an ambush on their vehicle by unidentified gunmen in South Sudan's Central Equatoria state early on 12 April. The victims were reportedly travelling from their base in Yei to an undisclosed work location at the time of the incident. Five other passengers in the vehicle, also said to have been DDG employees, were left unharmed. Although the motivation behind the assault remains unclear, the incident does serve to underscore the overall extreme-risk operating environment in the country. As many as 23 local aid workers have been killed and a further 29 wounded in South Sudan since early 2015. Their deaths are typically attributed to armed attacks by the various militant groups operating in the country, as well as miscellaneous criminal entities. Although attacks are known to occur at project sites and organisational compounds alike, the majority of these events occur while the victims are in transit along roads outside urban centres, as illustrated by this latest incident. Anecdotal evidence suggests that armed attacks are preferable to kidnappings where locals are concerned. The reason behind this trend could be due to the economic viability of ransom fees versus the instant financial gratification of robberies; over 50 percent of the population is estimated to live below the national poverty line. Regardless of the motivations behind attacks on aid workers, the incidence thereof is notably related to ongoing insecurity in the country. Despite continued efforts to bring a negotiated end to the conflict between government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and militants aligned with former vice president, Riek Machar, hostilities between these factions continue unabated. Until such a time as a binding peace agreement is upheld, further attacks on aid workers (both local and international) are expected to continue in the near-term. Due to ongoing conflict and political instability in the country, clients are advised against all travel to South Sudan. Persons currently in or intending to travel to South Sudan are advised to register their presence with their respective diplomatic representation and have a comprehensive contingency plan in place. All travel, particularly between destinations, should be conducted with a local security escort.

INDIA(JAMMU & KASHMIR STATE) - (Update) Authorities in India's northern state of Jammu and Kashmir have imposed a curfew of unknown duration in the town of Handwara, in Kupwara district, on 13 April. The curfew is in place in response to protests that escalated after security forces opened fire on demonstrators in the town, killing at least two of them, on 12 April; a third person died as a result of her injuries on 13 April. Similar but undisclosed restrictions have been put in place in parts of the state's administrative capital, Srinigar, as protests also erupted there in response to the deaths of the protesters on 12 April. Protests were also reported in Pulwama district. The curfew will not apply to members of the Sikh community because of a Sikh festival, Baisakhi, that is underway. The original protests in Handwara were sparked by the alleged assault of a female resident by a soldier. Strikes and protests are frequently reported across Jammu and Kashmir state. The impact on the sparsely populated Ladakh region is negligible. Given past precedent, should further violence occur, the current increase in agitation could be sustained further, and the curfew could be expanded to include other areas of the state. In addition, as these incidents demonstrate, the threat of violence at all demonstrations in Jammu and Kashmir, even those intended to be peaceful, is elevated. Security forces are known to react forcefully to any signs of dissent. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region) due to ongoing threats of separatist conflicts and terrorism. Persons in the region should abide by the conditions of the curfew and avoid all street protests. All scheduled transport services should be reconfirmed with a travel provider or the local transport authority.

EL SALVADOR(SANTA CRUZ MICHAPA, CUSCATLAN DEPARTMENT) - At least two police officers and six gang members were killed following clashes in the Santa Cruz Michapa Municipality of Salvador's central Cuscatlan department on 12 April. According to reports, heavily armed gunmen launched an attack on security forces when they approached a residence suspected to be housing ten Barrio 18 (18th Street) gang members; the police were reportedly being led to the house by a 'criteriado' (an ex-criminal turned witness) at the time of the incident. Local security forces have since launched a manhunt in search of several gang members said to have fled the clashes. This latest incident serves to underscore the high risk of crime in El Salvador, as well as the extreme levels of gang violence. Violent organised crime gangs linked to the narcotics trade (known locally as maras) operate throughout the country, including the Cuscatlan department. It should be noted that the incident also takes place amid an increase in gang-related criminal activity and violence in El Salvador since 2014, following a deterioration of the 2012 gang truce. Recent months have seen a significant uptick in gang-related violence across the country. Although the majority of gang-related violence does not generally affect foreign visitors, there is an incidental risk to bystanders in the vicinity of gang confrontations. Persons operating in El Salvador, regardless of location, are advised to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times. All suspicious persons, packages and vehicles should be reported to the local authorities. Clients are further advised to avoid areas recently affected by violence as a standard precaution.

SENEGAL/THE GAMBIA - (Update) Disruptions at land border crossings between the Gambia and Senegal continue to be reported, as of 12 April. The disruptions have largely impacted commercial goods vehicles, which have been blocked from passing through the border. The Senegalese Transport Union is reportedly leading agitation to keep the border closed in light of recently increased ferry tariffs by the Gambian authorities. Reports indicate that officials from both countries are in the process of setting a date to discuss the issue. Persons intending to travel via land borders between these two countries are advised to contact the relevant authority prior to departure, to check the status of the crossing and route.

SPAIN - A number of student unions in Spain, including the Coordinator of Representatives of Students of Public Universities (CREUP) and the Student Union, have called for a countrywide strike action on 13 and 14 April. The strikes are anticipated to affect tertiary education facilities in all major urban centres, including the capital, Madrid, as well as Barcelona and Valencia. They have also called for associated demonstrations. The US Embassy in Madrid has cited three related gatherings to take place in the city. On 13 April, demonstrations are set to take place from 12:00 till 14:30 local time in Atocha, Jacinto Benavente, Carretas and hasta Puerta del Sol. Demonstrations are then expected to resume from 18:00 until 21:00 in Plaza Canovas del Castillo, Paseo Prado, and Alcala, outside the Ministry of Education. On 14 April, demonstrations are anticipated from 12:00 to 14:30 in Atocha, Plaza Jacinto Benavente, Carretas and hasta Puerta del Sol. The action is being launched over disputes regarding the Organic Law on the Improvement of Educational Quality (LOMCE), as well as 'decree 3 + 2', which will subject students to study an additional year in order to obtain their qualification. The unions have rallied for large support among their members; therefore, demonstrations are anticipated to be well attended and are likely to cause disruptions to travel in affected areas. Low-level acts of violence, associated with the protests, cannot be discounted. Clients are advised to monitor local media for further details regarding the protests and their locations. Alternatively, travellers in-country should contact their security provider for further information. Clients are advised to avoid all street protests as a precaution.

BOLIVIA(COCHABAMBA DEPARTMENT) - Various civic groups have called for a general strike and protests in the city of Cochabamba, in Bolivia's central Cochabamba department, on 13 April. The strike has been organised to protest the planned demolition of the bridge on 6 de Agosto and Independencia avenues, and will be supported by various unions, including from the education, health, retail and transport sector. In addition to the strike, protests have been planned in various parts of the city; protesters have called for unofficial road blockades within the Cochabamba city centre as well as in the surrounding cities of Punata, Sacaba, Cliza and Quillacollo. In addition to Cochabamba, the strike action may impact on cities and towns in the wider Cochabamba departments, possibly resulting in business and public transport disruptions. Significant road travel disruptions are also anticipated as a result of the associated protests and planned road blockades. There is a risk of low-level confrontations between protesters and the police at all related gatherings in Bolivia, especially in the event that police attempt to dismantle the road blocks. Clients operating in Cochabamba department are advised to avoid all street protests and should not attempt to move towards or through any unofficial roadblocks. All scheduled transport services should be reconfirmed with your travel provider or the relevant transport authority prior to departure.

INDIA(JAMMU & KASHMIR) - A general strike (known locally as a bandh) is underway in Jammu and Kashmir state, northern India, on 13 April. Businesses, banks and schools have closed and public transport operations have largely been suspended. The strike has been called by anti-India separatists in response to recent online video showing the harassment of Kashmiri students in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and the recent killing of two anti-India protesters in Handwara, northern Jammu and Kashmir, on 12 April. The protests were held in response to the alleged assault of a female resident by a soldier. The strike also coincides with increased insecurity at Srinagar's National Institute of Technology where non-Kashmiri students reportedly attacked Kashmiri students in late March. Anti-India sentiment is elevated across Jammu and Kashmir state and agitation, including strikes and protests, are frequently reported. These strikes are often accompanied by associated protests, including in larger cities, such as Srinigar. The impact on the Ladakh region is typically negligible. The recent unrest may continue for several more days. Should further violence occur, the current increase in agitation could be sustained further. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region) due to ongoing threats of separatist conflicts and terrorism. Persons in the region should avoid all street protests and limit travel on days affected by general strikes. All scheduled transport services should be reconfirmed with a travel provider or the local transport authority.

ARGENTINA(BUENOS AIRES) - Supporters of Argentina's former president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner are expected to hold a protest in the capital, Buenos Aires, on 13 April. The protest will coincide with Kirchner's testimony over a series of corruption allegations against her. Protesters are expected to gather outside the Comodoro Py courthouse in the Retiro area from 08:00 local time. Security measures have been increased in the vicinity of the courthouse ahead of the testimony; several roads in the vicinity are expected to be closed from 05:00 on 13 April. Perimeter fences will be erected at the intersections of Comodoro Py and Antardida Argentina avenues as well as at the intersection of Ramon San Castillo and De los Inmigrantes avenues. The protest gathering, as well as the increased security measures, is expected to result in significant localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of the Comodoro Py courthouse on the day. Although none have been confirmed as yet, rival protests are also possible. The risk of violence between protesters and security forces cannot be discounted, especially in the event that protesters attempt to breach security perimeters. Clients in Buenos Aires on 13 April are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made to accommodate localised travel disruptions.

ARGENTINA - Unionised bank employees represented by the Asociacion Bancaria (AB) are set to launch a countrywide strike in Argentina on 14 April. The action has been called in response to various sector-related grievances, including wage disputes and the recent dismissal of 47 employees by the Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA). In addition to a 24-hour work stoppage, the AB has called for related demonstrations at 11:00 local time on the day. Further details regarding these events have not been disclosed. Although it is currently unclear how well the strike action will be observed, disruptions to banking services, including money shortages at banks, ATMs and foreign exchange transactions, are anticipated. Large urban centres such as the capital, Buenos Aires, and Cordoba may be worst affected by any related demonstrations. Although these are expected to conclude peacefully, the possibility of minor incidents of unrest cannot be ruled out. In addition, localised travel disruptions are possible in the vicinity of protests. Clients in Argentina on 14 April are advised to make use of alternative payment methods, where possible, and should retain some cash reserves as a precautionary measure. Local media should be monitored for updates on the strike action and any related demonstrations. All protests and large street gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution.

ZIMBABWE(HARARE) - Opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (MDC-T), has called for a mass demonstration in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, on 14 April. The action has been called to protest against the perceived ineptitude of President Robert Mugabe and the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) in addressing the country's ongoing economic crisis, among several other grievances. Further details regarding the demonstration have not been disclosed. Originally scheduled to take place on 7 April, the demonstration was postponed until 14 April as it would have reportedly conflicted with an official meeting between Mugabe and war veterans in the city. Although the upcoming protest is intended to conclude peacefully, the possibility of clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be discounted. Such unrest poses an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. It should be noted that it is currently unclear whether the demonstration has been sanctioned by police yet; as such, there is a possibility that the event may be cancelled or postponed at short notice. Persons in Harare on 14 April are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration and all related large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of protest sites on the day.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO(BRAZZAVILLE) - The Republican Front for the Respect of Constitutional Order and Democratic Change (FROCAD) and the Congo Democracy Initiative (IDC) opposition groups have called for a mass demonstration in the Republic of Congo's capital, Brazzaville, on 15 April. The action has been called to denounce the recent re-election of President Denis Sassou Nguesso during the country's 20 March presidential ballot, as well as recent security operations in the Pool department. Participants are set to gather at Alfred Raoul Boulevard at 14:00 local time. The potential for violence at all politically motivated gatherings in the Republic of Congo cannot be discounted. Moreover, the emotive and anti-government undertone of the upcoming protest may see the event being forcefully dispersed by security forces. It is currently unclear as to whether the opposition protest will be sanctioned by the government; as such, the demonstration may be cancelled or postponed at short notice. Persons in Brazzaville on 15 April are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration and any related street gatherings as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on the protest action, as well as for advisories from the local authorities. Clients are reminded that heightened caution is advised in the Likouala and the Pool departments due to general insecurity in these regions.

EGYPT - The Muslim Brotherhood (MB)-led National Coalition in Support of Legitimacy (NCSL) has called for countrywide protests in Egypt on 15 April. The protests have been called in to denounce Egypt's recent transfer of sovereignty of two Red Sea islands, Tiran and Sanafir, to Saudi Arabia as part of a trade and investment deal. Other activist groups have also called for similar protests over the same issue in Tahrir Square, in the capital, Cairo, on 15 April. The recent deal has been widely criticised by members of the opposition, including Islamists, leftists and social activists. They have called for the deal to be reversed and argued that the transfer of ownership is contrary to the constitution. The call to protest on Friday is likely to be widely heeded and a large turnout is expected countrywide. Further details regarding the location of the NCSL protests are unclear; however, gatherings in prominent public squares, at universities, near mosques and in the vicinity of major government buildings should be expected. There is a high risk of violence at all NCSL events. The MB is banned and the military-backed regime has quashed dozens of MB-related events since it orchestrated a coup against the Islamist-dominated government in mid-2013. Clients in Egypt on 15 April are advised to monitor local developments closely. Caution is advised in the vicinity of protest locations and possible demonstration gathering points. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

IRAN(KHUZESTAN PROVINCE) - The anniversary of anti-government protests in Iran's western city of Ahvaz in 2005 by Sunni Arabs falls on 15 April. During the anti-government demonstrations at least 15 people were killed in a clampdown by the security forces. There is an increased probability of commemorative or related demonstrations in Ahvaz and other urban centres in the wider Khuzestan province on or around the anniversary date. Should any commemorative events proceed, the risk of violence is high as the local security forces will likely move to disperse any gatherings. Arabs comprise approximately two percent of the Iranian population. Many, if not most of them reside in Khuzestan province. Groups representing the minority have long complained of discrimination at the hands of the Iranian authorities. For the Iranian government, increased security and surveillance of Arab Khuzestan is important given concerns that radical groupings or Arab opponents in the wider region may seek to stir unrest in this border province. Persons in Khuzestan province in the coming days should monitor local security developments closely and should avoid all large public gatherings. Please note that clients are advised against all travel to within 10km of the Iran-Iraq border in Khuzestan due to ongoing insecurity in this area.

SOUTH AFRICA(JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG PROVINCE) - South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has called for a mass demonstration in Johannesburg, located in the country's Gauteng province, on 15 April. The action has been organised to denounce the perceived corruption of incumbent president Jacob Zuma and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party. The DA has accused Zuma and his administration of failing to adhere to the country's constitution, and intend to use the protest as a means of pressing the government into addressing fraudulent state practices. Participants are set to gather at Paul Roos Park at 10:30 local time, from where they intend to march towards the Constitutional Court of South Africa. The demonstration is expected to be well attended and is likely to have a significant impact on local travel and business services in the affected areas. Although the march is expected to conclude peacefully, there is an elevated risk of confrontations between police and protesters due to the emotive and anti-government undertone of the event. Such unrest may pose an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Persons in Johannesburg on 15 April are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration and all related large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on the protest and advisories from the authorities. Clients are further advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of the demonstration route.

BRAZIL - (Update) Pro- and anti-government protests are set to continue in cities across Brazil until 17 April. These will be led in support of the current regime of President Dilma Rousseff, including the Workers Party (PT) and Frente Brasil Popular, and by opposition groups, including Vem Pra Rua Brasil and Movimento Brazil Livre (MBL), calling for her impeachment. Planned demonstrations have already been scheduled to be held in the capital, Brasilia, and Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre and Curitiba in the coming days. One of the primary protest focal points is likely to be the Palacio do Congresso Nacional (National Congress) in Brasilia. The demonstrations are expected to climax on 17 April, when the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house) of Brazil's bicameral National Congress is scheduled to vote on impeachment. If two-thirds vote for impeachment, the issue will be sent to the Federal Senate (the upper house) for a final vote and decision. It should be noted that additional security force personnel have been deployed to the vicinity of the National Congress in Brasilia ahead of the vote and as a precaution against civil unrest between rival groups. The gatherings are the latest in a months-long opposition challenge against the Rousseff regime, which has faced a severe crisis following corruption allegations. Dozens of protests, both for and against Rousseff and the PT, have occurred recently. The majority have ended without major incident but have been accompanied by an elevated police presence and road travel disruptions. These are likely to persist. Recent related protests held in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro on 11 April concluded without major incident; nonetheless, the threat of confrontations between opposing party supporters is elevated for the remainder of the week, particularly near the National Congress in Brasilia. In addition, should the impeachment vote be held, a further escalation could occur after 17 April, the anticipated date of the vote in the lower house. Clients in Brazil between 12 and 17 April should monitor local media for updates on planned demonstrations in their area of travel or should contact their security provider for further information. Additional details on planned protest gathering points are available on the PT (http://www.pt.org.br/agenda/) or Frente Brasil Popular (http://frentebrasilpopular.org.br/noticias/confira-a-agenda-contraogolpe-1b62/) websites, or on social media platforms associated with the opposition (https://www.facebook.com/VemPraRuaBrasil.org/) and (https://www.facebook.com/mblivre/). All street protests in the country should be avoided as a standard precaution.

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