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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 - UK travellers heading for the US who are in possession of passports issued in 2006, should be aware that they may not be eligible to use the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). As of April 1, 2016, all travellers using the VWP must have a passport "with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner". All UK passports issued after October 2006 have this chip, but ten-year passports issued between April and October 2006 will not. More details on VWP requirements can be found on the Department of Homeland Security website here https://www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program-requirements

UNITED STATES /UNITED KINGDOM(BRITISH AIRWAYS) - British Airways launched daily nonstop service between California's Mineta San Jose International Airport and London Heathrow Airport on Wednesday. BA is flying the route with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The new service, announced last August, supplements British Airways' daily A380 service between London and San Francisco International Airport, about 35 miles away. The SJC-LHR route has been a priority due to the strong business and leisure links between California's Silicon Valley and a growing tech industry in London and the United Kingdom. British Airways' Flight 278 will leave San Jose daily at 8:05 p.m. and arrive at London's Heathrow Airport at 2:10 p.m. the next day, all times local. The return, BA Flight 279, leaves London daily at 3:25 p.m. and arrives in San Jose at 6:15 p.m., all times local. British Airways' four-cabin 787-9 Dreamliner has eight seats in the First cabin, 42 seats in Club World (business class), 39 in premium economy (World Traveller Plus) and 127 in economy (World Traveller).

CHILE(SANTIAGO) - Taxi drivers are set to launch protests in Chile's capital, Santiago, on 12 May. The action has been organised to call for the banning of ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Cabify services. Drivers are expected to rally at various points throughout the city and then converge on Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins (known locally as La Alameda), before moving towards Plaza Italia. Further details are unavailable. Although the protest is expected to be peaceful, the possibility of low-level confrontations cannot be discounted, including between traditional taxi drivers and Uber and Cabify drivers. Disruptions to road travel as a result of the protests should be anticipated in Santiago. In addition, an increased demand for alternative transport services is also likely. Clients in Santiago on 12 May are advised to avoid any associated large street gatherings as a precaution. Clients are further advised to consider refraining from using Uber and Cabify taxi services in central Santiago on the day as a precautionary measure. Allowances should be made for road travel delays.

CHINA(SOUTHERN PROVINCES) - (Update) China's official weather service has extended warnings regarding inclement weather in the southern provinces of Guangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan, Fujian, Sichuan and Zhejiang; the weather warnings are expected to expire at 23:59 local time on 10 May. Reports indicate that at least 31 people have died in Fujian province; due to landslides triggered by flash floods on 8 May. Furthermore, authorities have warned that water levels of rivers in Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region could continue to rise in the next few days, after rainstorms. Unconfirmed reports indicate that flooding forced the closure of schools in Yangshuo county in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. A number of rural and secondary roads have been affected by landslides; road travel disruptions have been reported. Large parts of China are affected by the annual monsoon season, which generally runs from May to September. Landslides and flooding in affected areas are common during this time. The inclement weather is forecast to continue affecting the region over the near-term; further weather warnings may be issued. Areas assessed to be at an elevated risk of flooding include those located near river banks and canals. Furthermore, disruptions to road, rail and air travel should be expected. Lastly, utility services such as the supply of water and electricity may be negatively affected. Persons operating in the southern regions of China in the coming days are advised to monitor local media for weather updates and advisories. Caution is advised in low-lying areas and elevated regions, due to the respective threats of flooding and landslides. Clients in the aforementioned areas are advised to make allowances for travel disruptions, and should consult their travel provider for an update on the status of their travel arrangements.

AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN - (Update) According to a statement from Pakistan's foreign ministry on 10 May, Ali Haider Gilani, son of former prime minister of Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gilani, has been released in a security operation in Afghanistan. Although reports continue to emerge, it is believed he was rescued in a joint US-Afghan security force operation in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, and is thought to be unharmed. Further details remain unknown. Gilani was kidnapped in May 2013 by unidentified gunmen in the city of Multan, in Punjab province. He was abducted whilst attending a rally that was being held by the Pakistan Peoples' Party. It is unclear where he has been held in the interim or who is responsible for his abduction; however, as he was recovered from Afghanistan, it is likely that militant groups with links to other insurgents on both sides of the shared Pakistan-Afghanistan border would have at least been involved in his detention, if not his actual abduction. Gilani's kidnapping is not an unusual event in Pakistan, where both locals and foreign nationals are regularly targeted by both criminal (for ransom) and militant gangs (ransom and political reasons). Such groups often work together, and their operations should not be viewed as being mutually exclusive. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to most of Pakistan, and against all travel to other parts of the country, and against all travel to Afghanistan. Persons in or planning to travel to Pakistan or Afghanistan should maintain a low public profile, avoid travel at night and making use of a security escort.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO(NORTH KIVU PROVINCE) - (Update) According to recent reports, three local citizen aid workers, employed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s North Kivu province, are said to have been released on 6 May. The victims were abducted while travelling to work in Rutshuru on 3 May. Unconfirmed reports state that the abductions may have been carried out by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebel group. The aid workers were taken to Goma after their release. It is unclear whether the victims were injured while in captivity. The DRC has experienced an uptick in kidnappings in the past months, with aid workers being frequently abducted. The UN has stated that the increasing number of kidnappings has made it difficult to provide humanitarian aid in the country. North Kivu province is at an elevated risk of kidnapping; due to extensive insecurity and the number of rebel groups operating in the region. Although the majority of incidents involve local citizens, foreign aid workers have also been targeted in the past. The risk of kidnapping in the aforementioned area is therefore credible over the medium-term. Clients are advised against all travel to North Kivu province, due to the ongoing threat posed by various armed groups and the persistent threat of conflict. Persons operating in this area should travel with a close protection officer and should reside in secure compounds. Air travel should be considered instead of road travel, where possible.

TUNISIA(DJERBA ISLAND) - Israel's Counter-Terrorism Bureau issued a warning to its citizens on 9 May, advising them to avoid travel to Tunisia, due to the heightened threat of Islamist terrorist attacks against Jewish targets. The warning has been issued ahead of the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer, which will take place on the evening of 25 May and throughout 26 May. During this time, thousands of Jewish pilgrims travel to the Ghriba Synagogue, on Tunisia's island of Djerba. The synagogue is located 14km south east of Djerba-Zarzis International Airport. The Tunisian government has denied that a threat exists and has stated that security measures will be enhanced ahead of and during the event. It should be noted that Israeli authorities issued a similar warning in 2015. There is a high threat of terrorism in Tunisia stemming from Islamist extremists. The forthcoming Jewish event provides militants with an opportunity to conduct a high-profile assault; although elevated security measures will reduce the likelihood of any planned attacks, it should nonetheless be noted that Tunisia has been subject to two mass-casualty attacks in recent times. In March 2015, three gunmen attacked the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, killing 21 foreign nationals and one police official. In June 2015, one gunman attacked foreign tourists in Port El Kantaoui, killing 38 people and wounding numerous others. More recently, on 7 March, a band of armed assailants entered Tunisia from Libya during the early morning and attacked military and police facilities in the town centre of Ben Gardane, some 80km south of Djerba island. The resultant clashes with the security forces left 19 people dead. Given this dynamic, and that the Ghriba Synagogue has been targeted in a mass casualty attack in the past (in 2002), further actual or attempted attacks on the facility cannot be discounted. Clients operating on Djerba island over the near-term should avoid pilgrimage sites and exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness.

NIGERIA(GASSOL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, TARABA STATE) - Recent reports indicate that at least 12 people were killed and a further 18 wounded late on 6 May, following armed attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the Gassol local government area, located in Nigeria's eastern Taraba state. The assaults, which are said to have targeted Korum, Orawua and Gidan Bature communities, were reportedly carried out in response to long-standing land disputes. Additional security forces have been deployed to the affected areas in order to deter any further assaults. Nigeria has a long history of ethnic, religious and communal violence, which has resulted in thousands of fatalities in recent years. As illustrated by this latest incident, communal clashes, triggered by ongoing disputes over access to land and resources, occur fairly frequently. Localised disputes are often underscored by persistent ethno-religious differences. Foreign nationals have not been specifically targeted in past clashes; however, there is a high incidental threat to the safety of all persons in conflict-affected areas. Due to elevated conflict, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest and crime risks, all non-essential travel to Taraba state is advised against. Given the potential for further attacks, persons currently operating in the state are advised to avoid areas recently affected by violence. Clients are further advised to maintain a low profile, exercise heightened security awareness at all times, and consult with the local authorities before travelling into rural areas.

BRAZIL - (Update) The Unified Workers' Central (CUT) union has called for a general strike across Brazil on 10 May. The strike action has been called in defence of democracy and President Dilma Rousseff, as well as labour, social and human rights more generally. The action will be supported by Rousseff's ruling Workers' Party (PT), and the Frente Brasil Popular movement. As part of the agitation, organisers have also called for associated protests in all major cities, including at schools, universities and government buildings; protesters have also threatened to blockade major roads in urban areas. The strike will take place ahead of a senate vote on whether an impeachment trial against the president should be launched; the vote is scheduled to take place on 11 May. Recent months have been characterised by mass street protests, both in support of Rousseff and the PT, and by groups opposing her presidency, which are in favour of impeachment proceedings being brought against her. In addition to the 10 May strike action, related demonstrations are expected to persist over the coming weeks, and will likely coincide with the 11 May senate vote as well. The protests to date have been largely peaceful, albeit disruptive. Nonetheless, the potential for protests to escalate and devolve into street-level violence, in response to political developments, does exist, including on 10 May. It should be noted that the strike is expected to be well supported and will likely result in some disruptions to business operations and transport services. Clients in Brazil on 10 May are advised to avoid all street rallies as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be adjusted to make allowances for anticipated disruptions associated with the strike and protests. Furthermore, persons intending to travel to Brazil in the near-term should monitor local media for updates on political developments and related protests.

SOUTH AFRICA(SIR LOWRY'S PASS VILLAGE, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE) - Disruptive protests by residents of Sir Lowry's Pass Village, located in South Africa's Western Cape province, have led to localised traffic disruptions in the area on 10 May. Police have reportedly closed sections of the N2 highway in the vicinity of the Sir Lowry's mountain pass, between Caledon and Gordon's Bay, in response to the unrest. Security forces have advised motorists to seek alternative routes; protesters are reportedly throwing stones at passing vehicles. Further reports indicate that the protesters have vandalised and damaged miscellaneous infrastructure in the area. Local authorities have attributed the current unrest to housing grievances. Local residents are reportedly protesting against the allocation of accommodation in the area. Protests and demonstrations stemming from housing and service delivery disputes are common in low-income areas throughout South Africa. Such gatherings frequently turn violent, leading to disruptions to traffic, businesses and service delivery. Due to heightened tensions, persons transiting through Sir Lowry's Pass Village are advised to exercise increased security awareness and avoid the affected area. In addition, clients are advised to ensure that itineraries remain flexible to accommodate for possible travel delays.

IRELAND(DUBLIN) - An activist group-led march is anticipated to taken place in Ireland's capital, Dublin, on 10 May. The march is scheduled to be held in the suburb of Rathfarnham, and is scheduled to commence at 19:00 local time. The demonstrators are set to meet at Nutgrove Shopping Centre along Nutgrove Way. The agitation comes as a reaction to the recent attack on two Afghani men and a teenager. Protests, over a wide range of issues, often take place in Dublin. The aforementioned demonstration is therefore anticipated to proceed peacefully; however, low-level confrontations cannot be discounted. It is unclear how well attended the demonstration will be; however, disruptions to travel are possible in the vicinity of the affected areas. Persons in Dublin, specifically in the vicinity of Rathfarnham, on 10 May are advised to avoid the demonstration as a precautionary measure. Additionally, clients are advised to make allowances for possible travel disruptions and to plan accordingly.

ISRAEL - Israel will commemorate Yom Haatzmaut (Independence Day) from the evening of 11 May to the evening of 12 May. It should be noted that Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) is also expected to be observed on 11 May. Yom Haatzmaut commemorates the declaration of independence of the State of Israel in 1948, making this the 68th anniversary. Yom Hazikaron is the national day of public mourning, commemorating those who gave their lives in defence of the State of Israel. Various activities, associated rallies and musical performances are anticipated in all major urban centres across Israel. The increased levels of security are typically enforced in response to the threat posed by Palestinian or Islamist extremists. Additional police and military deployments are therefore anticipated near international borders, in major cities and near internal border crossing points (between Palestinian and Israeli communities in the West Bank). Israel may also impose restrictions on the movement of Palestinians or dual nationals from the West Bank into Israel during this period. In addition, pro-Israel demonstrations should be expected in the coming days. Protests against the state of Israel could also occur, including in the Gaza Strip. Should these proceed, Arab/Palestinian areas in Israel, Jerusalem or the West Bank are likely gathering areas. Disruptions to travel are anticipated in all major urban centres. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the West Bank, and against all travel to the Gaza Strip. Persons in Israel over the coming period are advised to exercise heightened security awareness in the vicinity of commemorative events and near territorial borders. Clients operating in the West Bank should remain aware of the possibility of travel disruptions along roads leading into Israeli-controlled territory or Jewish settlements in the West Bank or Israel.

VENEZUELA - The Mesa de la Unidad Democratica (MUD) opposition party has called for protests at all National Electoral Council (CNE) offices across Venezuela at 10:00 local time on 11 May. In the capital, Caracas, participants are expected to gather at the Bello Monte metro station at 09:00 and proceed to the headquarters of the National Electoral Council (CNE), where a rally will be held at 10:00. The protests have been organised to demand that deadlines relating to the MUD's recall referendum petition against President Nicolas Maduro be met. On 2 May the MUD submitted 1.85 million signatures to the national electoral council (CNE) in request of a recall process; the opposition members anticipate the conclusion of the revision of signatures by the CNE on 10 May. Any delays in the verification of the signatures will likely spark further unrest across the country. It should be noted that the upcoming protests will take place amid elevated political tensions between the ruling Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV) and the MUD, as well as an ongoing economic crisis, which coincides with countrywide water and electricity shortages. In light of this, there remains the possibility of a significant deterioration in the political situation over the coming months. It should be noted that previous anti-government protests have descended into looting and rioting in some areas. As such, the possibility of similar incidents and low-level violence between protesters and potential counter-protesters, as well as between protesters and security forces, is credible. Clients in Venezuela in the near-term should closely monitor political developments and maintain a low profile. Clients are further advised to follow all directives by local authorities, should they be issued. All street protests and counter-protests, including those on 11 May, should be avoided as a standard precaution.

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