AMERICAS

United States

Today and tomorrow, travelers in Midwestern and Mountain states should plan journeys accounting for disruption during the passage of a major winter storm. The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches for several counties in Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Authorities expect up to 24 inches of snow accumulation and wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour in affected areas. The severe weather will exacerbate the situation in parts of the Midwest that remain flooded or are at a risk of flooding following a similar storm in March.

Due to inclement weather, there is a traffic management program in effect for flights arriving to Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport (MSP). This is causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 4 hours and 37 minutes. Travelers are advised to reconfirm flights and allow additional travel time.

Train services have resumed on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)’s Blue Line between O’Hare and Rosemont stations. A derailed train had prompted the suspension of services last night.

Argentina

Today, travelers in La Plata should avoid a rally by students over grievances related to public transportation fares. Participants will march at 11:00 AM local time from the National University of La Plata to the Infrastructure Ministry.

Chile

Today, travelers in major urban centers should avoid planned nationwide demonstrations over salaries, pensions, and workers’ rights. The gatherings are being organized by the Workers United Center of Chile (CUT), with unions, student groups, and civic society organizations also taking part. The exact time and location of gatherings are not yet known; however, travelers in urban areas should anticipate disruption.

Venezuela

All travel to Venezuela should be deferred amid an ongoing political crisis; travelers in country should depart. Sporadic power outages and shortages of food, water and fuel, as well as nationwide demonstrations, have exacerbated the situation. Juan Guaido, the National Assembly-recognized interim President, will present a security plan for the country at 10:00 AM local time today at Aula Magna UCAB in Caracas.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

Algeria

Travelers should continue to avoid further anti-government gatherings. Yesterday, interim President Abdelkader Bensalah announced that the Presidential Elections will be held on July 4. Related protests by students and labor unions in Algiers on April 9 were forcibly dispersed by police with tear gas and water cannons. Further nationwide opposition protests are planned for tomorrow, though details are not available.

Congo (DRC)

Today through Saturday, April 13, travelers should anticipate heightened security in Haut-Katanga province during a visit by President Felix Tshisekedi. All gatherings should be avoided. Yesterday in Lubumbashi, police used tear gas to disperse supporters of the President who were attempting to enter the Provincial Assembly building. Tshisikedi’s three-day visit to Haut-Katanga is his first official domestic trip since his inauguration in January. It comes amid an increase in insecurity, particularly in the country’s east, and shortly after yesterday’s hotly contested Gubernatorial Elections.

eSwatini

Tomorrow, travelers in Manzini should avoid a planned march as a precaution. The Swazi Democratic Party (SWADEPA) will gather at 9:00 AM local time at Somhlolo Park and march to the Manzini Bus Rank. Participants are demanding that the national budget address a variety of socio-economic issues.

Mali

Today, travelers in Bamako and other urban centers should avoid nationwide marches called by teachers’ unions as a precaution and to minimize inconvenience. Since March 11, teachers have staged strikes and related protests over living and working conditions and have so far failed to reach an agreement with the government. While the rally routes are unclear, precedent suggests that the Bourse du Travail, Monument de l’independence, and the Aci 2000 neighborhood are among likely locations in Bamako.

Mauritania

Today, travelers in Nouakchott should avoid a planned rally by opposition parties as a precaution. Participants are expected to gather at the Old Youth Center at 4:00 PM local time before marching towards Ibn Abass Square. The event is being organized to demand that the Presidential Elections, scheduled for June, are conducted in a fair and transparent manner. A related protest on March 28 in Nouakchott was forcibly dispersed by police.

Morocco

On Sunday, April 14, travelers in Casablanca should avoid a protest at United Nations Square at 3:00 PM local time as a precaution. The protest is in response to the Casablanca Court of Appeals’ decision on April 5 to uphold the prison sentences of activists from the Al Hirak Al Shaabi group, including the 20-year imprisonment of leader Nasser Zefzafi.

Niger

All travel to the areas of Diffa region that border Nigeria should be avoided due to a recent increase in attacks by militants. On April 9-10, suspected Boko Haram militants attacked various parts of the city of Diffa, killing one police officer, and taking several people hostage. On March 26, two female suicide bombers killed at least ten people in coordinated attacks in the city of N’Guigmi. On March 18, the government extended a State of Emergency in the regions of Diffa, Tahoua, and Tillaberi through June 18.

Nigeria

The federal government suspended all mining activities in Zamfara state at around 4:30 PM local time on April 7 until further notice and gave foreigners 48 hours to leave all mining sites. The move came after a rise in killings and kidnappings, and concerns that illegal miners were connected to the increased banditry. Operation “Puff Adder,” a recently launched security operation to combat kidnapping along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, has now been extended to Zamfara. Travelers should follow all official directives.

Senegal

Today through Sunday, April 14, travelers in Saint-Louis should avoid further protests associated with an ongoing strike by students of Gaston Berger University (UGB).

Yesterday, students blocked the N2 National Highway for hours and clashed with police, who responded with tear gas. They are demanding improved facilities and university action on the case of a student who was killed by police during a demonstration in May 2018.

South Africa

Today, travelers in Pretoria should expect disruption near Tshwane House during a government address. Authorities have announced road closures between 6:00 AM and 12:00 PM local time throughout central areas of the city. Travelers should plan routes bypassing the center of Pretoria as a precaution.

Sudan

Today, Khartoum International Airport (KRT) has re-opened after a brief period of disruption, according to local sources. Passengers transiting the airport should reconfirm itineraries, as some airlines have canceled flights. Travelers already in Sudan should continue to stand fast in a secure location ahead of an expected announcement by the military. Some government sources have confirmed to international news outlets that President Omar al-Bashir has stepped down, and that a Transitional Council will be formed. Protesters continue to gather outside the Military Headquarters, and security forces are deployed across Khartoum.

The rally planned for today by Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to show support for President Omar el-Bashir in Khartoum has been postponed for unknown reasons. The rally was to be held in al-Shuhada Park, around two miles from a sit-in protest outside the General Command of the Sudan Armed Forces. Despite the rally being postponed, there remains a credible risk of unrest between pro- and anti-government supporters. Travelers should minimize non-essential movement and plan all essential journeys avoiding protest sites.

Tunisia

Tomorrow and Saturday, April 13, travelers in Tunisia should expect possible fuel shortages and avoid all demonstrations linked to a nationwide strike called by the General Transport Federation over working conditions in the fuel sector. Disruption should be expected at, and in the vicinity of, fuel stations for the duration of the strike. Any fuel shortages may impact the availability of taxis and public transportation, particularly buses.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

India

Today through May 19, travelers should expect heightened security and avoid political gatherings related to the General Elections, which will be held in seven phases. The first four phases will take place on April 11, 18, 23 and 29; the remaining three phases will be held on May 6, 12 and 19. Disruption should be anticipated during the election period due to electionrelated gatherings which also have the potential to result in low-level unrest, posing incidental risks to bystanders.

Kyrgyzstan

On Saturday, April 13, travelers in Bishkek should anticipate local disruption during a political rally by the Respublika Party. The event will be held in Ala-Too Square from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM local time. Thousands of people are expected to attend. While the event is expected to pass off peacefully, travelers should plan routes bypassing the affected area to minimize inconvenience.

New Zealand

Outbreaks of measles affecting Waikato District, Auckland, Canterbury District, and Dunedin are underway. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads from person-to-person via infected droplets. Outbreaks occur frequently in under-vaccinated populations. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and a characteristic rash. Measles can result in serious complications, particularly when very young children, the elderly or pregnant women are infected. All travelers should ensure that they are fully immunized against measles.

Turkey

Tomorrow through May 30, passengers transiting Diyarbakir Airport (DIY) should anticipate disruption and reconfirm flights due to runway maintenance work. The airport will be completely closed on April 16-17 and there will be limited operations between 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM local time on all other days during this period.

EUROPE

Regional

Travelers in the UK and EU member states should continue to monitor developments and follow all government guidelines related to the UK leaving the EU, known as “Brexit.” Today, the EU granted the UK’s request for an extension to the Brexit deadline, averting a “No Deal” scenario. The new deadline is October 31; however, the UK may still leave earlier if the “Withdrawal Agreement” is ratified by Parliament or if the UK refuses to hold EU elections on June 1. Travelers are advised to only act upon confirmed, verified information and avoid all related rallies as a standard precaution.

Greece

Travelers on the island of Crete should expect disruption and exercise caution when traveling overland due to flooding and landslides in eastern parts of the island. Today, local authorities declared States of Emergency for the municipalities of Lerapetra, Sitia, Phaistos, Viannos, and Lassithi Plateau. Heavy rainfall since April 6 has flooded roads, triggered landslides in mountainous areas, and damaged property.

Russia

On Saturday, April 13, travelers in Moscow should avoid a planned protest at 3:00 PM local time at Suvorovskaya Square. The protest by civil society groups aims to draw attention to housing, construction, and urban planning issues. The event has been authorized by city officials; similar protests in December 2018 passed off peacefully.

Spain

Tomorrow through April 24, travelers should anticipate disruption due to a series of nationwide strikes by aviation and railway staff. The workers have made various demands, including contractual improvements, compliance to collective agreements, and better working conditions. Travelers should reconfirm schedules and maintain flexible itineraries

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS