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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 (FRONTIER & SPIRIT AIRLINES) - Passengers on Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines soon will have access to the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program, a development that should significantly reduce security wait times for some customers. Frontier should be read by the end of July, while Spirit is preparing to join in the fall, representatives for the two carriers said this week. Frontier and Spirit are the only two large U.S. airlines that do not participate in the TSA's expedited screening program.

UNITED STATES (DALLAS - DEMONSTRATIONS) - Activist and civic groups are set to stage anti-Trump demonstrations and marches in Dallas, located in the US state of Texas, on 16 June. Participants are expected to gather along South Lamar Street from 18:00 local time opposite the Gilleys' establishment, where Republican candidate, Donald Trump will be holding a rally. An associated march is also expected from Highland Park Village to the rally site from 17:00. Despite organisers calling for the protests to be peaceful, a large police presence is expected to accompany the protests. Associated anti-Trump rallies have increasingly been marred by low-level incidents of unrest, including clashes between rival participants and police. As such, the possibility of violence at the upcoming demonstration cannot be discounted. Localised traffic disruptions can be expected in the vicinity of the protests. Persons in Dallas are advised to avoid all large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of the demonstration site.

VENEZUELA (CARACAS - LUFTHANSA SUSPENDS FLIGHTS) - The German airline, Lufthansa, is set to suspend its flight operations in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, for an indefinite period as of 17 June. The company operates three weekly flights between Frankfurt and Caracas. Venezuela's ailing economy and issues regarding its currency have been cited as the reasons for the suspension. It is not clear how long the suspension will last for. Persons intending to fly to and from Venezuela on Lufthansa airlines should contact their respective travel providers(s) for further information regarding the status of flights, as well as possible travel alternatives.

ATG has run a Client Location Report. Our records indicate your company does not have any travelers holding reservations on this route through ATG between today and 31DEC2016.

ITALY (SARDINIAN AIRLINE - STRIKE) - Unionised workers, employed by Sardinian airline, Meridiana, are set to observe a 24-hour strike in Italy, on 17 June. The strike has been called over a number of labour concerns, including wages. The strike is set to affect Meridiana's flight services countrywide, with pre-emptive cancellation of domestic flights to and from Sardinia having been reported. International flight services are not expected to be disrupted. Should the strike proceed as scheduled, in addition to the pre-emptive flight cancellations, further flight disruptions are anticipated for the duration of the strike period. Furthermore, an increase in demand for other carriers is also likely during the period. Persons scheduled to fly with Meridiana on the affected day are advised to contact their travel provider or airline directly to enquire about the status of their flight(s).

BOLIVIA / CHILE / PERU (BLOCKADES AT BORDER CROSSINGS) - Truckers and related associations and unions are said to have erected blockades at border crossings between Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, on 15 June. The blockades have been erected in protest of a Chilean imposition of fines and customs tax of commercial transported goods. The blockades are currently affecting the Chacalluta Border Complex in Chile's Arica commune, as well as the border crossings in Tacna and Complejo Fronterizo Santa Rosa, in Peru, and the Bolivian Desaguadero crossing. Associated demonstrations at the affected borders have also been reported. Blockades and related protest activity are set to continue for an indefinite period. Localised travel disruptions as a result of the ongoing protest activity have been reported at the affected border crossings. There have been no major acts of violence associated with the agitation; however, the risk of low-level clashes does exist. It should be noted that, as negotiations between the Chilean government and the unions are still ongoing, the protest action may be cancelled or postponed on an ad hoc basis. Clients intending to travel across the affected shared borders should contact the local authorities or their travel provider prior to departure to check the status of their intended route. All roadblocks and associated street protests should be avoided.

CHINA (HUNAN, GUIZHOU, GUANGDONG PROVINCES & GUANGXI ZHUANG AUTONOMOUS REGION - FLOODING & LANDSLIDES) - (Update) At least 13 people have died in flood-related incidents in the provinces of Hunan, Guizhou and Guangdong, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in recent days. An equivalent number of people have also been reported missing. Heavy rainfall has resulted in flooding and landslides, which have inundated both urban and rural areas in the aforementioned provinces, leading to house collapses and evacuations. Electricity and telecommunication disruptions have been reported in a number of areas. The Guangxi region has been particularly affected, with widespread flooding reported in the cities of Liuzhou and Nanning, the provincial capital, and elsewhere. Intermittent but heavy rains are forecast to continue in the aforementioned provinces in the coming days; a torrential rain warning remains in effect for Guangxi. The flooding comes amid flood and landslide warnings issued by the China Meteorological Administration, on 14 June, due to heavy rainfall in several central and south eastern provinces. 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. These may lead to large-scale population evacuations or disruptions to power supply and public transportation (air, road and rail). Clients in China are advised to monitor local media, including the China Meteorological Administration (http://www.cma.gov.cn/en2014/) for updates and advisories from the local authorities. Caution is advised in low-lying and elevated areas. Motorists should avoid travelling through flooded roadways. Persons relying on public transport should regularly check the status of services.

GHANA (ACCRA, GREATER ACCRA REGION - FLOODING) - (Update) Flooding and associated disruptions continue to be reported in Ghana's capital, Accra, and the Greater Accra Region on 16 June. Moreover, at least ten flood-related fatalities have been reported to date. Further reports indicate that several homes and businesses have been submerged by the floodwaters; emergency services have been deployed to the worst-affected areas to assist with relief efforts. The coastal and central regions of Ghana, including Accra, typically experience higher levels of rainfall from May to July, during which time there is an elevated threat of flooding. Authorities have asserted that Accra's poor drainage systems have exacerbated current flood conditions in the city, as the floodwaters' ability to recede has been impeded. It should be noted that the current weather system is forecast to continue in the near-term, further compounding flood conditions in areas already affected by heavy rainfall. Flood-related disruptions to business and travel services, as well as various amenities, are expected to continue in Accra and the broader region in the immediate-term. Clients currently in or intending to travel to Ghana are advised to monitor local media for flooding updates and related advisories from the authorities. Caution is advised in low-lying areas, such as near the Odaw River, due to the elevated threat of flooding. Travellers should also take precautions against becoming affected by flood-related diseases.

UZBEKISTAN (BORDER CLOSER WITH KYRGYZSTAN , TAJIKISTAN, KAZAKHSTAN & TURKMENISTAN) - The Uzbek State Border Service announced on 15 June that the country will close its borders with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan from 15 June to 25 June. Uzbek authorities have not yet given reasons for the closure, which will bar people and vehicles from entering into the country from the aforementioned countries although it appears linked to the need for increased security ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit meeting in Tashkent on 23 to 24 June. The border crossing with Afghanistan appears to still be open. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an exception may be made for residents of the Kyrgyz enclave of Barak, which lies within Uzbekistan. In addition, a number of travel restrictions are also being imposed in the capital, Tashkent. Although there are no overt security concerns associated with the SCO summit, Uzbekistan shares a terrorist threat from regional Islamist groups, the most prominent of which is the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). The border closure has been deemed a security measure by Uzbek authorities, who routinely impose border closures ahead of major events. The SCO summit will be attended by heads of state from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and India. An increase in security measures, including checkpoints, identification checks and road closures, should be expected for the duration of the summit. Clients travelling or intending to travel through the aforementioned border crossings between 15 June and 25 June are advised to reschedule their travel itineraries to accommodate the closures, or to arrange air travel into Uzbekistan instead. Clients in Tashkent are advised to make allowances for possible travel disruptions.

KENUA (NAIROBI - PROTEST) - Opposition groups, including Haitian Tet Kale Party (PHTK), as well as other activist groups are set to stage a protest march in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on 16 June. The march has been called to demand the resignation of interim president Jocelerme Privert and the dissolution of the current administration. Participants are expected to gather along Boulevard La Saline from 13:00 local time and proceed to the National Palace, where a rally will be held. The upcoming march comes amid political uncertainty regarding the leadership of the country, following the end of Privert's interim presidential mandate on 14 June. It should be noted that politically motivated protests have been marred by low-level violence, including clashes between protesters and police, and disruptions to road travel; as was more recently illustrated by the associated violent protest on 14 June. The potential for further violence and disruptions during the upcoming march, cannot be discounted. Due to the ongoing political instability and associated increased anti-government sentiment, further protest action is expected to persist. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, all non-essential travel to Haiti is advised against. Persons in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in the near-term are advised to avoid all protest gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a standard precaution. Clients are also advised to monitor local media for updates on political developments and related demonstrations. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in demonstration-affected areas.

LIBERIA (KIDNAP RISK RATING) - The overall kidnapping risk rating for Liberia has been reduced from medium to low. Although the general kidnapping threat has not entirely dissipated in Liberia, there have been no recent reported high-profile kidnap for ransom and extortion (KRE) incidents involving foreign nationals. Sporadic kidnapping activity has been reported; however, incidents have involved locals and have generally remained low level. Due to the country's high levels of poverty and unemployment, which continue to manifest in elevated crime rates, the possibility of a foreign national being kidnapped opportunistically on the basis of perceived wealth cannot be entirely discounted. The risk may be marginally elevated in areas outside the capital, Monrovia, in particular along the country's relatively porous borders with Sierre Leone, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea, where the presence of armed gangs contribute to high levels of insecurity and lawlessness. In line with the high crime threat, express kidnapping will continue to pose a security concern to foreign travellers in Liberia's larger urban centres, such as the capital, Monrovia. This criminal tactic involves the short-term abduction of a victim while they are robbed of their possessions and forced to withdraw money from ATMs. Nonetheless, the implementation of basic security precautions will likely reduce the possibility of being affected by express kidnapping activity. It should be noted, however, that despite the lowering of the kidnapping risk rating, Liberia remains a high-risk operating environment overall, due to elevated risks of crime and political instability. Clients in or planning travel to Liberia are advised to exercise heightened caution and remain vigilant at all times to suspicious persons and/or activity. Furthermore, clients should maintain a low public profile, avoid unnecessary publicity and limit travel outside of secure areas, particularly in the rural and remote areas of Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Maryland.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (HAUT-MBOMOU PREFECTURE - KIDNAPPING) - Recent reports indicate that at least 29 people have been abducted by suspected Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) militants in the Central African Republic (CAR), on 13 and 14 June. The kidnappings are said to have occurred in two villages, Kadjema and Dembanou, located in the country's eastern Haut-Mbomou prefecture. Further details regarding the abductions have not been disclosed. The LRA, a historically Uganda-based rebel group, has been known to operate in the border areas with Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The rebel group has been responsible for abducting a number of locals in the past, particularly in the eastern Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou prefectures. Indeed, the LRA is reported to have abducted as many as 252 civilians in the CAR since early 2016. Further assaults by the group remain possible, specifically in rural areas outside larger towns in the eastern CAR. Although the group does not have a history of kidnapping foreign nationals, the possibility of this occurring in the future cannot be discounted. Clients are advised against all travel to the CAR due to political instability and associated insecurity. Persons operating in the country despite this advisory should remain in secure locations, travel with a security escort, and ensure that crisis management plans are regularly reviewed and updated.

MACEDONIA (SKOPJE - PROTESTS) - Significant travel disruptions are expected in Macedonia's capital, Skopje, on 16 June, due to anti-government protests and associated blockades. Activist groups are set to erect a number of road blockades in the capital. The blockades are expected along Gotse Delchev, Mother Teresa boulevards and on Freedom Bridge from 12:00 local time. Associated protests are also expected at 18:00 at various locales in the city, including in the vicinity of the Special Prosecutor's Office. The upcoming blockades and demonstrations form part of the ongoing anti-government campaigns in the country. While recent protest activity has concluded without major incident, previous associated demonstrations have been marred by incidents of civil unrest, including clashes between police and participants and vandalism of government buildings. The possibility of the latest demonstrations being affected by such incidents cannot be discounted. Attendance at the protests is expected to be high; as such, localised disruptions are anticipated. It should be noted in this regard, that an escalation in anti-government protest activity across the country is expected in the coming days ahead of the 18 June deadline provided by opposition groups for the dissolution of the government. Persons in Skopje are advised to avoid all large street gatherings and concentrations of security forces. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates on associated protest activity. Allowances should be made for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of affected sites.

HAITI (PORT-AU-PRINCE - PROTEST) - Opposition groups, including Haitian Tet Kale Party (PHTK), as well as other activist groups are set to stage a protest march in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on 16 June. The march has been called to demand the resignation of interim president Jocelerme Privert and the dissolution of the current administration. Participants are expected to gather along Boulevard La Saline from 13:00 local time and proceed to the National Palace, where a rally will be held. The upcoming march comes amid political uncertainty regarding the leadership of the country, following the end of Privert's interim presidential mandate on 14 June. It should be noted that politically motivated protests have been marred by low-level violence, including clashes between protesters and police, and disruptions to road travel; as was more recently illustrated by the associated violent protest on 14 June. The potential for further violence and disruptions during the upcoming march, cannot be discounted. Due to the ongoing political instability and associated increased anti-government sentiment, further protest action is expected to persist. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, all non-essential travel to Haiti is advised against. Persons in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in the near-term are advised to avoid all protest gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a standard precaution. Clients are also advised to monitor local media for updates on political developments and related demonstrations. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in demonstration-affected areas.

KOSOVO (DECAN, GJAKOVA DISTRICT - DEMONSTRATION) - An activist-led demonstration and associated protest is expected to take place in the town of Decan, in Kosovo's Gjakova district, on 16 June. The agitation is scheduled to commence at 12:00 local time at Mentor Tolaj Square. The action has been launched due to disputes regarding the Kosovo Constitutional Court's decision regarding land ownership of the Visoki Decani Monastery. Protests in Kosovo are seen to be generally peaceful; however, low-level acts of violence between protesters and security forces are occasionally reported. As such, the possibility of low-level acts of violence cannot be discounted. Furthermore, localised traffic disruptions can be expected in the vicinity of the protests. Clients in Decan on 16 June are advised to avoid all protests and associated gatherings as a precaution. Clients are further advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of the demonstration site.

LITHUANIA (VILNIUS - LGBT MARCH) - The LGBT community is set to hold its annual Baltic Pride march and associated festival amid elevated security measures in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, on 18 June. A march is anticipated to take place along Gediminas Avenue at an unspecified time. Unconfirmed reports indicate that local security forces have reviewed potential riot tactics and are preparing to ensure a peaceful event. The event is anticipated to be well attended, particularly in light of the 12 June Orlando shooting in the US, which targeted a nightclub popular with members of the local LGBT community. LGBT leaders have called on all their members to observe the event as a sign of solidarity. Furthermore, heightened security measures are likely due to the potential of anti-LGBT protests, which increases the risk of violence. The possibility of violent clashes and isolated hate crimes marring the upcoming gathering cannot be dismissed. Localised traffic disruptions are likely in the vicinity of and along the parade route. Persons in Vilnius are advised to monitor local media for information on the upcoming pride parade and counter-demonstrations; these should all be avoided as a precaution. Clients should expect an increased security force presence in the city centre and plan for possible road travel disruptions.

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