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

UNITED KINGDOM - A number of doctors' unions, including the British Medical Association (BMA) have called for a countrywide strike and associated demonstrations in the UK, on 26 and 27 April. The strike has been called with regard to inadequate wages and work schedules. Unionised junior doctors are scheduled to observe nine-hour work stoppages on the affected days from 08:00 local time. Associated demonstrations are also anticipated on the day; further details regarding these are currently unavailable. Significant disruptions to health services are expected during the aforementioned strike period. While associated demonstrations are expected to conclude peacefully, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of affected sites. It should be noted that mediation efforts between the government and the unions are still ongoing; as such, the strike may be suspended or postponed at short notice. Persons in the UK are advised to anticipate disruptions to health services. Clients are advised to avoid all associated gatherings as a precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on strike action. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate potential delays in the vicinity of demonstration-affected sites.

GERMANY(FRANKFURT, MUNICH, DUSSELDORF, COLOGNE BONN, DORTMUND & HANOVER) - Travel disruptions will occur in Germany on 27 April due to a strike called for the by the Verdi union. Lufthanza has already cancelled 900 flights in response. Both domestic and international flights will experience delays and/or cancellations due to strike action by aircraft mechanics, air traffic controllers, ground crew and administrators. The strike will affect six airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Cologne Bonn, Dortmund and Hanover airports. Flights will resume at 15:00 local time on 27 April, according to reports. Clients intending to fly in, to, or out of Germany are advised to adjust their itineraries to accommodate flight cancellations. Travellers are also advised to contact their travel provider or the respective airports for further information and for travel alternatives. Clients may check the status of their flights by clicking here: http://www.lufthansa.com/de/de/Fluginformationen.

We are closely monitoring this situation and rebooking travelers who are affected by the strike who were ticketed through ATG.

FRANCE - A number of unions in France have called for a general strike on 28 April in response to labour reforms proposed by the government. The unions include the CGT, FO, FSU, Solidaires, UNEF, UNL, and the LDIFs. The strike will be accompanied by demonstrations in a number of cities. In Paris, participants will gather at the Place Denfert-Rochereau from 14:00 local time before marching in the direction of the Place de la Nation. Further protests are expected in Toulouse at the Place Arnaud Bernard from 11:00, in Poitiers at the quartier des Trois-Cities from 12:30, in Montpellier at the Place Zeus from 11:00, at an unspecified location in Cahors at 12:00, in Lille at Porte de Paris from 14:30, and in Nice at the Place Massena from 13:30. In addition, students from various educational institutions have announced their intention to demonstrate on 28 April. French air traffic controllers under the USAC-CGT union will also strike on 28 April; delays are expected at numerous airports in the country. The planned strikes come amid a SNCF union rail strike, which began on 26 April and is affecting rail travel, and amid the ongoing demonstrations throughout France, but concentrated in Paris, organized under the banner of Nuit Debout. There is a likelihood of travel disruptions, resulting from the air traffic controller strike, throughout France, but also in the inner city areas affected by protest action. Although many of the demonstrations in recent weeks have proceeded peacefully, a number of confrontations between participants and police have been reported. The possibility of low-level violence at all demonstrations cannot be discounted. Clients in France on 28 April are advised to keep their travel itineraries flexible in anticipation of the strike action and resultant travel disruptions. Additionally, clients are advised to avoid all protest gatherings as a standard precaution.

DENMARK (COPENHAGEN) - Denmark decided Friday to extend temporary controls at its border with Germany by 30 days to May 3. The government first implemented temporary border controls on Jan. 4 as a reaction to similar steps from Sweden in response to an influx of migrants from the Middle East and Africa. The government still sees control as necessary to avoid accumulation of illegal immigration in Denmark, the ministry said in a statement.

HUNGARY(BUDAPEST) - Taxi drivers have called for protests in Hungary's capital, Budapest, on 26 April. The agitation is in protest against mobile application-based transportation networks, such as Uber. Protesters have threatened to cause disruptions to road travel on numerous roads from 08:00 local time. Roads between Heroes Square and the Interior Ministry building, the main anticipated gathering points, are likely to be the worst affected. Although the protest is expected to be peaceful, the possibility of low-level violence cannot be discounted. Disruptions to road travel as a result of the protests should be anticipated in Budapest. In addition, an increased demand for alternative transport services is also likely. Clients in Budapest on 26 April are advised to avoid any associated large street gatherings as a precaution. Clients are further advised to consider refraining from using Uber taxi services on the day as a precautionary measure. Allowances should be made for road travel delays.

IRAQ(ARBIL) - Two British nationals, Jac Holmes and Joe Akerman, and one Irish national, Joshua Molloy, were released from custody on 24 April in Arbil, located in Iraq's northern Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) region. The three had been detained by the KRG forces in mid-April after illegally crossing into the KRG from Syria. There were reportedly demands made by the KRG authorities that they pay fines, totaling US$15,000, to secure their release. It is unclear if the fines were paid. The three men were released after the intervention of the British government. The three detainees had reportedly crossed into Syria to fight alongside the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). There are a number of foreign nationals fighting with non-state armed groups in Syria. Many of these persons have travelled to the conflict zone without adequate permission from their home governments or without the proper travel documentation. The recent case highlights the importance of obtaining the requisite travel documentation when travelling into or out of Syria via neighbouring states. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-controlled regions of Dahuk, Arbil and Sulaymaniyah, including Halabja, due to ongoing conflict in the region and the general threat of terrorism. Persons travelling to the KRG via land or air, particularly from neighbouring states, should ensure that they obtain the correct documentation prior to travel. As an additional precautionary measure, the travel documents should be checked with the KRG and central Iraq government authorities.

AFGHANISTAN - The threat of militant attacks across Afghanistan is elevated for Mujahideen Victory Day celebrations, which will take place on 28 April. Mujahideen Victory Day commemorates the day militant groups overthrew the communist government in 1992. Security will likely be increased in the country's urban centres, particularly the capital, Kabul, as militants have previously used the holiday to launch terrorist offensives in the past. This is coupled with the heightened threat of attacks by Taleban militants as warmer weather, which comes with the Afghan spring and summer months, allows militants greater access through usually snowed-in mountain passes from their traditional strongholds along the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border. This year, the Taleban's spring offensive, dubbed Operation Omari, began on 12 April. Possible targets include government buildings, foreign diplomatic representations, markets, mosques, major hotels, restaurants and transport hubs. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to Afghanistan. Persons currently in the country are advised to implement maximum security protocols. Travel outside of urban centres should only be undertaken following a full security review of the route and ideally conducted in the presence of a security escort familiar with the local conditions. Furthermore, clients should avoid travel to the vicinity of all military and security installations, foreign diplomatic missions and US or Western interests.

IRAQ(TUZ KHORMATO(SALAH AD-DIN GOVERNORATE)) - (Update) Further fighting has been reported between Kurd Peshmerga fighters and Shiite militia (Hashd al-Shaabi) in the town of Tuz Khormato, located in Iraq's central Salah ad-Din governorate. The latest fighting, on 25 April, left two people dead and 23 wounded. This comes despite the implementation of a ceasefire on 24 April, following clashes in the town on 23 and 24 April, which left 22 fighters dead. The two groups are officially allies in the war against the Islamic State (IS); however, clashes between Kurd and pro-government Shiite armed forces, particularly in disputed territories, occurs sporadically. Tuz Khormato is a particular flashpoint for violence. Despite the implementation of a ceasefire, further fighting in the town is anticipated, given the recent violence and the continued close proximity of the two groups to one another. Clients are advised against all travel to several central and northern Iraqi governorates, including Salah ad-Din. Persons in the governorate should travel with a security escort. Travel to Tuz Khormato should be avoided until the situation stabilises.

ARGENTINA - The Federation of University Teachers (FEDUN) has called on its members and affiliate organisations to observe a 24-hour strike across Argentina on 27 April. In addition, FEDUN has asked its members to participate in a similar action on 29 April, called for by the General Confederation of Labor of the Argentine Republic (CGT). Both agitations have been organised in response to grievances within the tertiary education sector, including wage disputes and layoffs. It should be noted that although specific details have not been disclosed, the 29 April action is set to be accompanied by associated demonstrations. The upcoming strike actions are set to severely impact on tertiary education sector activities across Argentina. In addition to these disruptions, the planned demonstrations on 29 April will likely result in localised travel disruptions. The risk of violence at strike-related protests is considered low; however, confrontations between demonstrators and local security forces cannot be discounted. Persons in Argentina on 27 and 29 April are advised to monitor local media for updates on the upcoming strikes and associated demonstrations. All strike-related actions, including protests, should be avoided as a standard precaution. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of any demonstrations sites.

TOGO(LOME) - Travel disruptions are likely in Lome due to Independence Day celebrations on 27 April. The events include large military parades, football matches at the Omnisport Lome and music concerts. Roadblocks to control traffic flows are likely. Processions will occur along the city's main boulevards, including the Boulevard de la nouvelle presidence. In addition, there is a possibility of disruptions by opposition members who may use the occasion to demonstrate, although no opposition action has been announced to date. Opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre is boycotting the ceremonies to protest the government's failure to implement electoral reforms, among other grievances. The event is anticipated to be accompanied by an increased security force presence given the likely attendance of numerous prominent persons. Associated road travel disruptions should be expected in the vicinity of major events through the course of 27 April. Clients in Lome on 27 April are advised to adjust itineraries to accommodate likely travel delays; clients are also advised to avoid any demonstrations and/or concentrations of security forces.

SENEGAL - Unionised teachers are set to launch countrywide demonstrations in Senegal on 28 April, in response to various education sector-related grievances. Although further details regarding the upcoming agitations have not been disclosed, the protests are likely to centre on prominent cities such as Touba, Thies, and the capital, Dakar. Education-related facilities, including universities and government ministries, may serve as possible gathering points for the demonstrations. It is currently unclear how well the protests will be supported; however, localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of any demonstration sites on the day. Furthermore, the agitations are likely to severely impact on Senegal's education sector. Although the demonstrations are expected to conclude peacefully, the risk of isolated clashes between security forces and protesters cannot be discounted. Such unrest may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. Persons in Senegal on 28 April are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstrations and all related gatherings as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on the protests, as well as announcements on potential gatherings sites. Allowances should be made for potential travel disruptions in the vicinity of demonstrations on the day. Clients are reminded that all non-essential travel to the Casamance area, which includes the Ziguinchor, Sedhiou and Kolda administrative regions, is as advised against.

PAKISTAN(SINDH & PUNJAB PROVINCES) - The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has announced two anti-corruption protest marches from 26 to 30 April. In Sindh province, PTI supporters will march from Karachi to the city of Shikarpur, starting on 26 April. In the Punjab province, PTI leader Imran Khan will lead a march from the city of Sukkur to Rahim Yar Khan on 30 April, and then attend a rally at Charing Cross in Lahore on 1 May. In addition, the Jamaat-e-Islami party has announced it will launch protests against corruption at unspecified locations, starting on 1 May. The aforementioned political parties aim to pressure the government to consider consulting with the opposition on matters under consideration by a special commission that was recently created to investigate people in Pakistan named in the Panama Papers leaks. The Panama Papers are 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 opposition claim the commission will protect the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) party by failing in its role to properly investigate the individuals concerned. Road travel disruptions are also likely in the affected areas. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Sindh and Punjab provinces due to the risk of terrorism. Clients in Pakistan are advised to avoid all concentrations of protesters and protest events as a standard precaution.

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