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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 (SOUTHWEST AIRLINES) - Southwest Airlines revealed five new nonstop routes Three of the new routes are from the greater Washington/Baltimore area, where Southwest added one new route from each of the region's three big airports. Southwest's new routes, which all begin Nov. 6, are:

- Baltimore-San Jose, Calif. (1 daily round-trip flight)

- Washington Reagan National-Providence (2 daily round-trip flights)

- Washington Dulles-Orlando (1 daily round-trip flight)

- Kansas City, Mo.-San Antonio (1 daily round-trip flight)

- San Jose, Calif.-Salt Lake City (2 daily round-trip flights)

SOUTH AFRICA (HAMMANSKRAAL, GAUTENG PROVINCE) - (Update) At least two people were killed and a further six were wounded, following violent clashes between protesters and members of a private security firm in Hammanskraal, located in South Africa's Gauteng province, on 23 May. Residents of the town had been staging disruptive protests against the removal of illegally erected shelters near a local mall, when they clashed with Red Ants security forces that were deployed to assist with eviction services. Unconfirmed reports indicate that a group of protesters confronted a Red Ants team as they were removing a residence; the aforementioned deceased are believed to have been members of this security force. Tensions remain heightened in the area following the unrest and subsequent fatalities. In addition to skirmishes with security forces, the protesters reportedly set a number of vehicles on fire and vandalised miscellaneous private property in the town. Access to the R101, a regional road that leads into Hammanskraal, was also barricaded by the protesters. Given ongoing tensions in the area, the possibility of further incidents of unrest cannot be discounted. Moreover, as illustrated on 23 May, there is a credible threat of further protests degenerating into violent confrontations with security forces. Such unrest may pose an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Persons currently intending to transit Hammanskraal are advised to avoid the area until the situation has stabilised. Local media should be monitored for updates on the protest action, as well as related advisories from the authorities. Allowances should be made for localised traffic disruptions, particularly along the R101 road, should renewed unrest occur.

PARAGUAY (ASUNCION) - Farmers and associated agricultural cooperatives are set to hold a mass demonstration in Paraguay's capital, Asuncion, on 24 May. The demonstration has been called with regard to an ongoing dispute and associated negotiations regarding the restructuring of farmers' debts. Participants are expected to gather in the vicinity of the Plaza de Armas; further details regarding the demonstration are currently unavailable. The upcoming demonstration is the latest in a series of protests held by members of the agricultural sector in the capital, and elsewhere, in recent months. Although the demonstration is expected to conclude peacefully, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. As attendance is expected to be high, localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of the affected site is anticipated. Persons in Asuncion on 24 May 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 action and for advisories from the local authorities. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries in order to make allowances for travel disruptions in the vicinity of the demonstration.

VENEZUELA - Countrywide demonstrations called for by opposition leader Henrique Capriles are expected throughout Venezuela on 25 May; the largest action will centre in Caracas where protesters will attempt to march to the Supreme Tribunal of Justice court of Venezuela (TSJ). In addition, Capriles has also called for continued demonstrations at the National Electoral Council (CNE) headquarters. Security forces will attempt to prevent protesters reaching the aforementioned buildings, which if successful, will result in protesters crowding nearby streets. Disruptions are thus likely along the Avenida Baralt leading to the TSJ, as well as along Avenida Libertador, and along roads between the CNE and Plaza Venezuela, near the CNE. The risk of serious incident at protest events is high due to a recent ruling by the TSJ banning demonstrations at the CNE. Security deployments at the 25 May protest are likely to include both the National Guard and SEBIN secret police. The protest action is likely to be very well attended owing to the growing opposition against incumbent president Nicolas Maduro. Current polls indicate that over 80 percent of Venezuelans think Maduro should leave office in 2016. The upcoming action follows a related demonstration on 18 May when the opposition tried to march to the CNE offices to protest against its delaying of a petition received weeks ago to initiate a recall referendum against Maduro. Over 18 people were wounded and dozens detained by security forces. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Venezuela due to ongoing political instability and related insecurity. Clients in Caracas on 25 May are advised to strictly avoid all demonstrations as a standard precaution. Persons in the country should consider travel with a trusted local contact or trained security driver, limit travel at night, and avoid all street protests and concentrations of security forces. Furthermore, clients should ensure that security and political developments are closely monitored, and crisis management plans are regularly reviewed and updated in conjunction with a security provider.

MALAWI (LILONGWE) - Human rights activists and groups are expected to stage a demonstration in the vicinity of the Parliament building in Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, on 25 May. The demonstration has been called in opposition to the government's perceived lack of response to the continued abduction and killing of people with albinism and coincides with African Unity Day. According to unconfirmed media sources, participants are expected to storm the Parliament building amid the upcoming anti-government demonstration. As such, the potential for violent civil unrest is elevated. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the affected area on 25 May. Clients in Lilongwe are advised to avoid all protest activities as a standard precaution. Clients are also advised to monitor local media for immediate updates on related gatherings on 25 May.

TUNISIA (DJERBA & ZARZIS (MEDENINE GOVERNORATE)) - (Update) Additional security force personnel have been deployed to the island of Djerba and the nearby town of Zarzis in Tunisia, ahead of the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer on 25 and 26 May. Hundreds of Jewish pilgrimages visit the area during the holiday. The pilgrimage focuses on the Ghriba Synagogue in the village of Hara Seghira (also known as Er-Riadh). In early May, the Israeli authorities warned Israeli nationals to avoid travelling to Tunisia, due to the threat of terrorism. The annual pilgrimage has been met with an elevated security presence for a number of years, in light of a major terrorist attack in Djerba in 2003. The pilgrimage, particularly the presence of Jewish visitors, is viewed as an attractive target for Islamist extremists who have become increasingly active in Tunisia in recent years. The security measures are likely to mitigate the risk somewhat; however, attempted attacks cannot be discounted. Persons in Tunisia should exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness, particularly if travelling in the vicinity of Djerba in the coming days. Pilgrimage sites and processions should be avoided as a standard precaution.

MONTENEGRO (PODGORICA) - Members of the Democratic Front opposition party are expected to partake in a protest march in Montenegro's capital, Podgorica, on 26 May. The march is scheduled to conclude in the vicinity of the Parliament building, located on Svetog Petra Cetinjskog Boulevard, amid the first parliamentary session to be held by the interim government. The group initially planned to embark upon the protest on 21 May; however, authorities temporarily banned the gathering, scheduled to coincide with the country's Independence Day, as a precaution against unrest and violence. Associated gatherings have previously been marred by incidents of unrest, including clashes between police and participants. As such, there is an elevated threat of low-level confrontations at the upcoming protest march. Localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the affected site. Persons in Podgorica on 26 May are advised to avoid the upcoming protest march and related gatherings as a precaution. Clients should also make allowances for localised road traffic disruptions.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - Opposition forces, including the Innovative Forces for Union and Solidarity (FONUS) and Le Front Citoyen 2016, have called on their supporters to hold mass demonstrations across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 26 May. The agitation has been organised to protest against a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court, on 11 May, that incumbent president Joseph Kabila could remain in office beyond his mandate if the country's forthcoming presidential elections were delayed. Although specific details regarding the upcoming protests have not been disclosed, prominent urban centres such as the capital, Kinshasa, and Lubumbashi are likely to serve as focal points for unrest. It should be noted that Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA) has called for a protest rally in Goma, capital of the eastern North Kivu province, on the same day. The group intends to protest against the perceived failure of Kabila's administration in addressing ongoing militant attacks in Beni (North Kivu province) since late 2014. Opposition activists are concerned that Kabila may attempt to extend his term in office beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit, and that he may seek to purposefully delay the November elections as a result of the Constitutional Court's ruling. Given the emotive nature of the upcoming demonstrations, as well as the propensity of police to respond forcibly to incidents of dissent, the potential for clashes at the upcoming events cannot be discounted. Such unrest poses an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Moreover, localised business and travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of demonstration-affected sites. Persons in the DRC on 26 May are advised to monitor local media for updates on the demonstrations and any related advisories from the authorities. All protest gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients are reminded that, due to the ongoing threat posed by various armed groups, all travel to a number of eastern provinces is advised against. In addition, heightened caution should be exercised in the rest of the DRC, including Kinshasa, due to the high risks of crime and civil unrest.

FRANCE - Several unions, including the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), are set to launch countrywide demonstrations across France on 26 May. The action is in opposition to a recent labour reform bill voted for in the National Assembly. It is unclear when and where the strikes will be held. Furthermore, the unions have stated that they will hold further protests in June, in an effort to have the bill rescinded. Reports indicate that clashes between labour law protesters and French police took place at the Fos-sur-Mer refinery in the southern port area of Marseille on 24 May. Security forces reportedly used water cannons and teargas to disperse picketing unionised workers who had blocked roads accessing the refinery. The protests form part of an ongoing anti-labour reform campaign, with a number of protests having been held in recent weeks. On 10 May, the government used special constitutional powers that bypassed the parliamentary vote to pass a controversial labour reform bill; the move has served to increase tensions over the issue. The recent clashes at the oil refinery come amid growing concerns of a fuel shortage in France. Therefore, the likelihood of further strikes at oil refineries across France is credible, as unions aim to put pressure on the government. With clashes between anti-labour reform protesters and security forces reported during strikes and associated demonstrations, the risk of further low-level clashes cannot be discounted. Additionally, localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of demonstration-affected sites. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to make allowances for potential travel disruptions in the vicinity of any demonstrations.

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