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

KENYA(KENYA AIRWAYS) - Significant disruptions to Kenya Airways services are anticipated on 28 April due to an unsanctioned strike action by unionised employees. The agitation has been organised by the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) amid calls for the immediate resignation of the Chief Executive of Kenya Airways, Mbuvi Ngunze, over internal policies. KAPLA intends to use the strike as a means of pressing Ngunze into acceding to its demands. Although Kenya Airways authorities are expected to implement contingency plans to mitigate disruptions to their flight schedules, flight delays and/or cancellations remain a possibility on 28 April. It should be noted that the upcoming strike has been deemed illegal by the airline, who asserts that the union failed to announce the action within the legal notice period. Given the questionable legality of the strike, as well as the fact that mediation efforts between the airline and KAPLA are set to continue on 28 April, the action may be cancelled or postponed at short notice. Clients scheduled to fly with Kenya Airways in the coming days are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider for further information regarding possible disruptions to their flight schedule(s).

Our records indicate your company does not have any travelers scheduled to fly on Kenya Airways April 28 who were ticketed through ATG.

IRELAND(DUBLIN) - Unionised employees of the Luas light rail tram service are expected to strike in Ireland's capital, Dublin, on 28 April. Normal services are set to resume at 06:30 on 30 April. The strike is the latest in a series of protest actions against employers over a long-running pay dispute. Disruptions to Luas services and an increased demand for alternative modes of transport should be anticipated during the strike period. It should be noted that the industrial action may be extended or suspended with little warning. Persons in Dublin on the affected days are advised to monitor local media for announcements related to the industrial action and to contact their travel provider for updates on the status of Luas services.

BULGARIA/GREECE - Truck drivers in Bulgaria aligned with the Union of Bulgarian Carriers have called for a blockade of crossing points with Greece at times between 29 April and 8 May. The blockade threat is in response to a similar blockade by Greek truck drivers earlier in the year. Negotiations between the truck drivers and the Bulgarian government are ongoing and there is a possibility that the disruptions may be averted. Persons intending to travel via the shared land border between 29 April and 8 May should check the status of routes prior to departure and prepare for possible delays. Should the disruptions go ahead as planned, alternative routes should be considered. Associated vehicle (truck) concentrations near the shared border should be avoided as a precaution.

ANGOLA(MALARIA OUTBREAK) - According to reports on 26 April, an ongoing malaria outbreak in Angola has resulted in the deaths of as many as 2,915 people since late December. Although the disease is endemic to the country, local authorities have asserted that the high incidence of fatalities this early in 2016 suggests that the outbreak may be one of the most severe to occur in several years. The Angolan government intends to strengthen preventative measures against the disease, including improving waste collection and awareness campaigns in the country. Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms appear about nine to 14 days after receiving the infected mosquito bite; however, this can vary between the different malaria parasites. Persons infected with malaria experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, shaking, headaches, nausea and extreme tiredness. Some patients also show yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes. If the disease is not treated, it could result in liver failure, seizures and even death. It should be noted that in addition to the aforementioned malaria outbreak, a significant yellow fever epidemic continues to be reported across Angola as well. The disease is also a vector-borne disease, primarily transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Persons in Angola are advised to take preventative measures to lower the risk of contracting malaria. Clients are advised to visit their healthcare provider at least four to six weeks prior to travelling to discuss which type of anti-malarial medication is suitable for their trip. Furthermore, clients are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce the risk of being bitten by infected mosquitoes.

NAMIBIA(MARIENTAL, HARDAP REGION) - Two South African nationals were reportedly robbed at gunpoint in two separate incidents in Mariental, capital of Namibia's Hardap region, in late April. The exact dates of the attacks remain unconfirmed; however, local media assert that the tourists did not sustain serious injuries during the robberies. The Namibian Police Force (NPF) has launched an official investigation into the attacks and continues to search for possible suspects. Violent crime targeting foreign nationals is rarely reported and is not a common occurrence in Namibia. Clients should note, however, that the threat of crime in Namibia is considered medium in general and includes mainly petty crime. The crime risk increases if travel is conducted at night. In addition, although major roads are generally well maintained, Namibia's network of gravel and salt-covered secondary roads can be dangerous, particularly at night and in the early mornings. Persons operating in Namibia, regardless of location, are advised to remain aware of the security threats facing foreign nationals. Clients are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness and refrain from displaying overt signs of wealth. As assailants may be armed, clients are advised not to resist, should they fall victim to an attack.

TURKEY - The US Embassy in Turkey's capital, Ankara, issued a security message on 26 April warning of a credible terrorism threat to tourist sites in the country. The embassy has stated that the US government continues to receive 'indications that terrorist groups are seeking opportunities to attack popular tourist destinations throughout Turkey'. Further information regarding specific targets was not provided. The warning issued by the US Embassy is the latest by US authorities and other foreign governments in recent weeks. The advisories follow a spate of acts of terrorism in the country in recent months, including in Ankara and Istanbul. These attacks have been linked to or claimed by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Islamic State (IS). The local authorities have pursued an aggressive counterterrorism campaign in response to the risk; however, attacks have still occurred. The probability of further acts of terrorism is considered high. Tourist areas have not been specifically targeted recently but have been attacked in the past and remain an attractive target for non-state armed groups. Clients in Turkey should exercise caution and an elevated level of personal security awareness at all times. Local media should be monitored for updates and advisories from the local authorities. Travellers should contact their security provider or security manager prior to travel for an update on the risk in their specific area of travel. In the event of an attack in your travel area, seek secure accommodation and avoid the immediate affected area. Suspicious persons and packages should be reported to the authorities.

NEPAL - The Federal Alliance, a coalition of ethnic Madhesi political parties and other ethnic groups led by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), has called for a protest campaign in Nepal from 27 April to 14 May against the new constitution and to demand greater rights for persons in the southern Terai region. The campaign will include countrywide protests, the handing over of petitions and erecting black flags on government buildings. Areas expected to be affected include Butwal, Panchthar, Rautahat, Birgunj, Nepalgunj, Janakpur, Palpa, Illam, Surkhet, Dhangadhi, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Birtamod, Hetauda, Kavre, Dharan, Rajbiraj, Dang, Mahottari and Kanchanpur. The protests are expected to intensify from 3 May. From 14 May the protest campaign is expected to focus on the capital, Kathmandu. On the day, protests have been called outside the Singha Durbar building. Mostly Madhesi ethnic groups opposed to the constitution led a months' long protest campaign between September and February, which left 60 people dead. The recent announcement of further protests is a continuation of this campaign. The protests over the next fortnight are expected to focus on the southern Terai region. These may be disruptive at times and include roadblocks and possibly general strikes (bandhs). Low-level acts of violence, including clashes between police and protesters, remain possible. Heightened caution is advised in Nepal's southern Terai region due to the elevated levels of civil unrest and associated violence, as well as the region's history of conflict and terrorism. Persons in Nepal from 27 April to 14 May are advised to monitor political developments closely and should avoid all protests as a precaution.

NIGER(NIAMEY) - (Correction) The opposition movement, Civil Resistance Collective, has called on its members and supporters to observe a general strike in Niger's capital, Niamey, on 28 April. The action has been organised to protest against President Mahamadou Issoufou's recent re-election in the country's 20 March presidential ballot, as well as perceived acts of fraud and electoral maleficence by his administration during the election period. In addition to the aforementioned strike, the movement is set to stage a related-demonstration in the city on 30 April. Further details regarding the upcoming strike and protest action have not been disclosed. The upcoming strike action, which has been organised under the banner of 'Dead City' (Ville Morte), is likely to result in disruptions to business and travel services on the day. It should be noted that an earlier protest by the group on 24 April was banned by authorities. Given the anti-government undertone of the 30 April demonstration, authorities may seek to ban the event once again. Should the action proceed as planned, localised travel disruptions are likely in the vicinity of any demonstration routes and/or gathering sites. Due to various security concerns, all non-essential travel to Niger, including Niamey, is advised against. Persons operating in the city on the aforementioned dates are advised to avoid any strike-related actions and demonstrations as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on the upcoming Civil Resistance Collective agitations, as well as any related advisories from the authorities.

IRAN - Iran will hold a second round legislative election on 29 April following a first round on 26 February. The country will vote for 69 of the remaining 290 seats in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis or People's House). There will be no voting in the capital, Tehran. Some larger cities such as Tabriz, Isfahan and Shiraz will revote. The initial vote saw the emergence of the reformist camp, the Pervasive Coalition of Reformists. A conservative coalition, Principlists Grand Coalition, fared poorly. The hardliners are opposed to the recent nuclear deal negotiated by the President Hassan Rouhani regime, which the reformists support. The poll is likely to be preceded by an increase in security at polling stations. These measures are viewed as precautionary. The initial vote ended without major incident and the upcoming vote and outcome are not expected to be affected by insecurity. Some post-election protest action remains possible. The result will set the course for the next year as the reformist and conservative camps face-off over issues such as conflicts in the region, openness to the West following the nuclear deal and economic reform. A presidential election is scheduled for 2017. Clients in Iran during the election period should monitor local developments closely. Heightened personal security awareness is advised on election day and in the immediate aftermath of the poll. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

ZIMBABWE(HARARE) - The Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) has called for a mass demonstration in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, on 29 April. The action has been organised to protest against various government policies related to the education sector; the union is demanding improved salaries and lower pension deductions for teachers. Participants are set to march towards the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in order to submit a memorandum of their demands. Further details regarding the protest have not been disclosed. Although the upcoming protest action is expected to conclude peacefully, the potential for isolated clashes between security forces and demonstrators cannot be discounted. Such unrest may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. Moreover, it should be noted that the demonstration may result in localised road travel disruptions in Harare on the day. Persons in Harare on 29 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 action and associated advisories from the authorities. Clients are further advised to make allowances for possible travel delays in the vicinity of any demonstration routes and gathering sites, including the PSC and Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

ARGENTINA - The General Confederation of Labour Union (CGT) has called for a countrywide strike in Argentina on 29 April. The strike has been organised over a number of economic concerns, including income tax and layoffs. In addition to the strike, participants are expected to march to Monumento Canto al Trabajo in the capital, Buenos Aires. It should be noted that a number of unions are expected to hold protests in various parts of the country ahead of and during the 29 April strike. Unionised teachers in Neuquen province will observe a 48-hour strike on 28 and 29 April; participants will also march to Antartida Argentina 352 and the state government building in Neuquen city at 09:00 on 28 and 29 April respectively. In addition, judicial and health workers in the provincial capital of Buenos Aires, La Plata, will strike from 27 to 29 April; associated protests are expected at the Ministry of Health building and the state government building on 28 April, before joining the CGT protests in Buenos Aires on 29 April. The upcoming strike actions are set to severely impact on the affected sectors; disruptions to business operations and public transport services should also be anticipated. In addition to these disruptions, the planned demonstrations as well as any other protests elsewhere in the country, will likely result in localised travel disruptions. These are likely to centre on major plazas and government buildings. The risk of violence at strike-related protests is considered low; however, confrontations between demonstrators and local security forces cannot be discounted. Clients in Argentina during the aforementioned period are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Travellers should confirm all scheduled transportation services with their travel provider or the relevant transport authority, and adjust itineraries to cater for potential delays.

JAPAN - Japan will commemorate a number of holidays during a period known as Golden Week from 29 April to 5 May. The period includes Showa Day (29 April), Constitution Memorial Day (3 May), Greenery Day (4 May) and Children's Day (5 May). Golden Week is the country's primary holiday period and many businesses close or reduce operating hours. There is also an increased demand for public transportation services. Related public gatherings also accompany the respective holidays. In addition to the anticipated business and transport disruptions, an increase in petty crime is possible during all related events and festivities. Furthermore, Constitution Memorial Day on 3 May is considered to be a patriotic holiday, which increases the likelihood of demonstrations by Japan's ultra-nationalists. Clients travelling in Japan during this period should reconfirm the status of all scheduled transport services and adjust itineraries to cater for potential delays. All street protests should be avoided.

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