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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(COLORADO(DENVER)) - Beginning today, Denver now offers rail service between the airport and downtown. Until now, the options for getting between the city and the airport have been taxis (average fare: about $70), an often-crowded bus, car or, as of late 2014, ride-hailing services. The new 23-mile electric commuter rail line, called the University of Colorado A Line, will run every 15 minutes and allow Denver residents and visitors to make the trip from the airport to Denver's downtown Union Station in about 40 minutes for a fare of $9.

BELGIUM(BRUSSELS AIRPORT) - Brussels Airport, airlines serving Brussels and a variety of tourism entities have issued a joint statement updating the world on efforts to return Brussels Airport to full operations and what travelers can expect. The full statement can be found here: https://www.belcham.org/system/files/Final_jointletter_160415.pdf

UNITED KINGDOM/CHINA(BEIJING CAPITAL AIRLINES) - Beijing Capital Airlines is to launch two services from Birmingham (UK) to China from July 19. The twice weekly departures from BHX airport will operate to Beijing and Shanghai. The scheduled services will operate on Saturdays to Beijing and on Tuesdays to Shanghai (Hangzhou) and will be operated by an airbus A330-200 aircraft, with a total of 211 seats - 33 business and 178 in economy.

UNITED KINGDOM(CAMBRIDGE) - Amnesty International and Cambridge University have called for a demonstration in Cambridge, in the UK, on 22 April. The demonstration forms part of a campaign calling for a new investigation into the murder of doctoral student Giulio Regeni, who was researching labour unions. Regeni was reported missing in Cairo on 25 January; his body was found on the outskirts of Cairo on 3 February. The demonstration is set to take place on King's Parade from 15:30 local time. Previous related demonstrations have been emotive and well-attended. The upcoming demonstration is expected to conclude peacefully; nonetheless, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the gathering. Persons in Cambridge on 22 April are advised to avoid large street gatherings as a precaution. Localised travel disruptions are anticipated.

TURKEY(DELTA AIR LINES) - US-based Delta Air Lines announced on 20 April that it was suspending its seasonal service between New York and Istanbul due to security concerns and low demand. The service is set to resume in May. The security concerns relate to a US State Department Travel Warning issued on 29 March, which highlighted the risk of terrorism across the country. Despite the suspension of Delta's route, most international and domestic flights remain largely unaffected to, from and within Turkey. The decision to suspend flights appears to be based on both a lack of demand and security determination. Nonetheless, the potential that other airlines may seek to curb flights to and from the country over the near-term is possible. Clients intending to travel with Delta Air Lines between the US and Turkey are advised to contact their travel provider or the airline for updates and for travel alternatives.

GREECE - The Federation of Private Employees (OIYE) has called for a 24-hour countrywide commerce sector strike in Greece on 24 April. The action has been called to protest against store trading hours on Sundays; the union is demanding that Sundays be designated as public holidays. A related demonstration is scheduled to be held at Ermou Street in the capital, Athens, from 11:00 local time on the day. It is currently unclear how well the strike action will be supported; however, notable disruptions to commerce services in Greece's major urban centres are likely on the day. Furthermore, localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of Ermou Street for the duration of the associated demonstration. It should be noted that there is a risk of low-level confrontations between protesters and local security forces at all demonstrations in the country. Persons in Greece on 24 April are advised to monitor local media for updates on the upcoming strike action and related demonstrations. All protest gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to make allowances for potential disruptions to commerce services on the day, as well as localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of any protest sites.

SOUTH KOREA(SOUTH JEOLLA PROVINCE) - Ongoing rail travel disruptions are expected near the city of Yeosu, in South Korea's South Jeolla province, following a train derailment there late on 21 April. According to reports, the train derailed as it was approaching the Yulchon station, killing one person and injuring eight more. Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) has stated it has suspended operations of all rail services between Suncheon and Yeosu in South Jeolla province to carry out recovery work. The removal of the train and repairs to the railway line will only be completed late on 22 April. Ongoing disruptions are expected in the impacted area for the immediate-term at least. Once services resume, further delays are anticipated while the backlog of train operations is cleared. Clients should make allowances for disruptions along the affected rail route over the near-term.

YEREVAN/ISTANBUL - The 101st anniversary of Armenia's Genocide Remembrance Day will be marked on 24 April. Commemorative events and demonstrations are anticipated in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, and other major cities and towns in the country on the day. In Yerevan, commemorative events are traditionally centred on the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. Precedent suggests a related gathering will take place in Freedom Square before participants march to the memorial complex amid a heavy police presence. Elsewhere, Armenian diaspora communities are expected to mark the day with memorial demonstrations. The largest of these is traditionally held in Istanbul, where participants will gather in Istiklal Avenue and Tunnel Square, in the Beyoglu area of the city, from 19:15 local time. The Genocide Remembrance Day is celebrated annually on 24 April. The day is intended to commemorate the mass killing of Armenians in modern-day eastern Turkey, by Ottoman forces in 1915. The events will likely proceed under close police supervision, and are expected to conclude without major incident; however, the possibility of counter-demonstrations or civil disturbances by opposition and activist groups cannot be dismissed, particularly in Istanbul. The upcoming commemorative proceedings are likely to be well attended; as such, localised travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of event venues. In addition, as the day is considered to be a public holiday, disruptions to public and business services are expected. Persons in Armenia or Istanbul, in Turkey, are advised to avoid all commemorative gatherings or protests related to the upcoming anniversary as a precaution. Localised disruptions are expected in the vicinity of event locations.

IRAQ(BAGHDAD) - A suicide bomber detonated in a Shiite Muslim mosque in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, on 22 April, killing nine people and wounding a number of others. The blast occurred in the al-Radwaniya district. A second bomber at the site was identified by the security forces and shot and killed before he could detonate his explosive vest. Shiite Muslim religious sites and gatherings are frequently targeted by militants in Iraq. The majority of incidents are perpetrated by Sunni extremists linked to the Islamic State (IS). In light of the incident, an increased security presence (patrols and checkpoints) should be expected in the area in the coming hours. Clients are advised against all travel to much of central Iraq, including Baghdad. Persons in the area should travel with a security escort. Areas recently affected by violence should be avoided. Shiite Muslim sites and gatherings, particularly after Friday prayers, should also be avoided if possible.

GUINEA-BISSAU - The country has stabilised somewhat over the past four years; however, the state remains subject to periods of political instability and associated civil unrest. Clients in or planning to travel to the country should exercise heightened caution, due to this specific risk. In addition, the conflict risk rating has been reviewed and lowered from medium to low. However, note that the risk of conflict near the shared border with Senegal remains medium, due to the presence of Senegal-based separatists. The travel advisory and risk rating change does not impact on the overall risk rating, which remains high; this rating is heavily influenced by the political risk rating (high). Guinea-Bissau has experienced several periods of severe political instability in recent years, including in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. In 2014, the country held relatively successful elections. President Jose Mario Vaz of the ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) currently leads the country. Guinea-Bissau faces several ongoing challenges that threaten the stability of the state and the security environment. These include ongoing factional fighting within the PAIGC, the weakness of the judiciary, the continued involvement of the military in civilian political structures and organised crime, which is pervasive throughout the country. Guinea-Bissau is expected to remain susceptible to periods of instability and associated civil unrest over the medium-term at least. In terms of conflict, there have been no major conflict developments in the country in recent years; however, areas bordering Senegal are susceptible to conflict spillover. Rebels aligned to the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) from Senegal's southern Casamance area have been known to seek refuge in neighbouring Guinea-Bissau. Heightened caution is advised when travelling to Guinea-Bissau. Local political developments should be closely monitored, and all street protests and concentrations of security force personnel should be avoided. Persons operating in Guinea-Bissau should ensure that crisis management plans, including evacuation plans, are regularly reviewed and updated. Persons intending to travel in the vicinity of the shared border with Senegal should consider the services of a trained security driver.

MOLDOVA(CHISINAU) - The opposition Dignity and Truth Platform group has called for a major demonstration in Moldova's capital, Chisinau, on 24 April; however, it remains unclear if local authorities have granted the group permission to stage the demonstration, following reports that a group of participants intended to engage in vandalism. Should the protest go ahead, precedent suggests that it will be held in Grand National Assembly Square, or other central areas of the capital, from 12:00 local time. Moldova has experienced 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. Although previous related demonstrations have concluded peacefully, the upcoming demonstration carries an elevated threat of being dispersed by police, should they deem the protest illegal or if participants engage in vandalism. Localised disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the affected area for the duration of the event. Persons in Chisinau are advised to avoid the demonstration and any concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Clients should also anticipate localised travel disruptions.

PAKISTAN(ISLAMABAD) - Supporters of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party are scheduled to hold a rally in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, on 24 April. Demonstrators will gather at F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park; the starting time is unclear. Security measures will be increased considerably for the event, and on 19 April the government imposed Section 144 of the Pakistan penal code in the city for 23 and 24 April, which bans gatherings of more than ten people, effectively banning the event. However, subsequent to this, the Interior Ministry allowed the event to proceed. The event is held ostensibly by the PTI to commemorate its 20th founding anniversary; however, the event will be used as a platform for PTI supporters to press the government to launch a full investigation into the Panama Papers leak. This is a collection of recently leaked banking records which showed a connection between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family and offshore bank accounts of questionable legality. The gathering is expected to be well attended. Previous PTI-initiated rallies in Islamabad have resulted in violence; this occurred because protesters moved away from areas where it had previously been agreed that the demonstrations could be held, and the rallies lasted for longer than it was permissible. Thus, there is a threat of violence breaking out. Security forces in Pakistan are known to use robust crowd-control techniques, which can escalate tensions further. It should also be noted that the large number of protesters and additional security measures on the day are likely to severely affect localised travel. Due to a number of security concerns, all non-essential travel to Islamabad is advised against. Persons in the city on 24 April should monitor local developments closely. All demonstrations should be avoided as a standard precaution.

BULGARIA(SOFIA) - A demonstration, entitled Freedom for Hemp, has been organised by a group of non-governmental organisations in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, on 24 April. The organisers are calling for the decriminalisation of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use. Participants are expected to gather in Sveta Nedelya Square, in the city centre, from 15:00 local time. The upcoming demonstration is expected to be moderately well attended; however, an elevated police presence should be anticipated as authorities have indicated public consumption of cannabis will not be permitted. Accordingly, there is a possibility of scuffles between police and activists who may contravene the relevant law. Localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of the demonstration site are likely. Persons in Sofia on 24 April are advised to avoid all large gatherings as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate any potential travel disruptions.

NIGER(NIAMEY) - The opposition Civic Resistance Collective has called for a pro-democracy protest in Niger's capital, Niamey, on 24 April. Further details on the exact location of the protest are unclear. The planned gathering comes a month after President Mahamadou Issoufou was re-elected as president. Opposition supporters denounced the re-election of Issoufou and called for acts of civil disobedience. No major disturbances have occurred to date; however, sporadic protests, like the one on 24 April, are likely to persist over the near-term. The risk of violence at all related gatherings is high. Clients in Niamey should monitor local developments and avoid all street protests as a standard precaution.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA - A presidential election will be held in Equatorial Guinea on 24 April. The US Embassy in the capital, Malabo, has stated that they expect the authorities to increase security in the country ahead of the poll. The election will be contested between current president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power since 1979, and six other candidates. The run up to the poll has been relatively peaceful and the poll is likely to proceed without major issues. Mbasogo is expected to win comfortably after winning the 2009 election with over 95 percent of the vote. Immediately ahead of and during the poll, security is expected to be heightened further. This may take the form of increased police patrols and checkpoints, as well as restrictions on travel, including border closures and disruptions to public transport services. The possibility of low-level protests coinciding with the poll, or after the election once results are released, cannot be discounted. Clients in Equatorial Guinea are advised to monitor local developments closely. Security force personnel, large public gatherings and election-related facilities should be avoided as a standard precaution. Travellers should check the status of their scheduled service or land borders before departing.

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