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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(NEW YORK CITY) - An apartment building fire has prompted a major emergency response and road closures in New York City's Chelsea neighbourhood, early on 20 October. Authorities have closed West 17th Street, where the apartment fire is located, as well as parts of Seventh, Eighth and Ninth avenues. No injuries have been reported as of yet. Clients in New York City are advised to anticipate localised travel delays in Chelsea and to consider alternate routes if possible. 
 
UNITED STATES / FINLAND - Finnair will expand its summer Helsinki-Miami service to be year-round starting in April. Juha Jarvinen, Finnair's chief commercial officer, said the service had proven to be popular both with the carrier's Northern European customers and its Miami-based passengers. The service will operate three times a week. Finnair is also adding frequencies to Chicago by increasing the weekly flights from three last summer to five in summer 2016. Both destinations are served with Finnair Airbus A330 aircraft. The flights to Miami International Airport are operated on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, and the flights to Chicago O'Hare are operated from Helsinki on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to Miami and Chicago, Finnair operates daily to New York Kenne

US/UK/CENTRAL AMERICA - ANA has entered into a codeshare agreement with fellow Star Alliance carrier Avianca. The deal will see the Japanese airline add its NH code to flights operated by the Colombian group between the US and Central America and between the US/UK and Colombia. The services will be as follows: London Heathrow - Bogota; Chicago - San Salvador; Los Angeles - Bogota; Los Angeles - Guatemala City; Los Angeles - San Salvador; New York JFK - Bogota; New York JFK - Medellin; New York JFK - San Pedro Sula; New York JFK - San Salvador; San Francisco - San Salvador; Washington Dulles - Bogota; and Washington Dulles - San Salvador. Certain flights will be operated by Avianca Group subsidiaries TACA or LACSA, reports airlineroute.net. ANA will resume flights to Australia for the first time in 16 years in December.

GLOBAL - Qatar Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with Danish carrier Sun-Air - a franchise partner of British Airways. The airlines will introduce codeshare flights between Billund, Aalborg and Aarhus in Jutland, the western part of Denmark and several European destinations including Oslo, Brussels, Manchester and Munich. Qatar said the deal will lead to new connections between Denmark and a large number of business destinations including Singapore, Mumbai, Bangkok and Shanghai. 

BRUSSELS AIRLINES - Lufthansa Group's Brussels Airlines has launched the Loop loyalty program for travelers within its European network. Through 2015, each euro spent, excluding airport taxes, will earn a customer six loyalty points that can be used toward future flight purchases. After Dec. 31, each euro spent will earn a customer three points. They can be cashed in after five returns flights or 5,000 points, and payment can be split between points and cash or credit. Points do not expire as long as the customer flies on Brussels once a year within Europe.

ITALY(FLORENCE) - Unionised taxi drivers in Florence, in Italy's central Tuscany region, are set to observe a strike on 21 October. The strike is expected to impact on road transport throughout the city; go-slow protests on major roads are a legitimate concern. Precedent suggests that participating taxi drivers will stage disruptive protests on major roads with little to no warning. Furthermore, there will most likely be an increased demand for other modes of public transport during the strike period. Previous related strikes and go-slow protests have been well observed and concluded peacefully; however, scuffles between rival taxi drivers have occasionally taken place.  Persons in Florence on 21 October are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the strike action. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated.

SOUTH AFRICA(CAPE TOWN) - Significant disruptions to Metrorail services in Cape Town, located in South Africa's Western Cape, have been reported on 20 October following the destruction of two trains at the Cape Town station. According to reports, two trains were set on fire on the platform at approximately 02:00 local time, destroying at least ten coaches. The suspected vandalism has prompted significant delays along the city's Northern, Southern, Central and Cape Flats lines. Rail services along the aforementioned lines are reportedly being delayed by one hour, at least. An official investigation into the incident is currently underway, platforms 8 to 10 at the station have reportedly been closed off to the public.  Persons in Cape Town who intend to use Metrorail services on 20 October are advised to contact their travel provider(s) or the Metrorail website (http://goo.gl/2DAgWx) for updates on the status of services.  

COLOMBIA - Taxi drivers in Colombia are set to launch a countrywide work stoppage on 21 October. The strike action, which has been called to demand the banning of Uber services in the country, is set to cause localised travel disruptions in urban centres throughout the day. Unconfirmed reports suggest that an associated demonstration has been scheduled for the capital, Bogota. Further details regarding the strike and related demonstrations have not been disclosed. Uber is a mobile application-based transportation network that uses a smartphone application to receive taxi ride requests from customers; ride requests are then sent to member drivers. Local taxi drivers consider this an uncompetitive practice and therefore, a threat to their business. The upcoming strike on 21 October forms part of an ongoing campaign by taxi drivers to have Uber services declared illegal in Colombia. An increased demand for alternative forms of transport should be expected on the day. Clients in Colombia planning to make use of taxi services on 21 October should anticipate localised travel disruptions, and should consider alternative modes of transport, including bus and rail services. All associated demonstrations should be avoided as a precaution.  

MULTIPLE COUNTRIES - (Update) At least 12 but possibly up to 22 people have been killed as a result of heavy rain and associated flooding in the Luzon region of the Philippines as a result of the passing of Tropical Storm Koppu in recent days. Fatalities have been reported in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Ifugao and Benguet, as well as the National Capital Region. A further 105,000 people have been displaced, many of who remain in temporary evacuation centres. At least 24 bridges have been washed away, 73 road sections inundated by floodwaters while 56 domestic flights and two international flights have been cancelled on 20 October. Parts of the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Kalinga, and Mountain Province remain without power. The military has been deployed to assist with rescue operations, but several areas remain cut off by floodwaters. Although the storm has weakened in strength, it has been slow moving and hovered over Luzon since 18 October, bringing with it heavy and prolonged rain until 21 October. From there, Tropical Storm Koppu is forecast to move in a northerly to north easterly direction, and is likely to begin impacting Taiwan early on 21 October. It is currently not expected to make direct landfall over that country, but its effects, specifically high winds and heavy rain, will be felt nonetheless. In the Philippines, widespread disruptions to travel and to amenities such as water, electricity and telecommunications are expected to continue in the short-term. Clients in or planning to travel to the Philippines are advised to avoid the worst flood impacted areas of Luzon until the situation stabilises. Updates on the storm's development and applicable advisories from the local authorities are available on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration website (http://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/). Caution is advised in low-lying and elevated regions due to the risks of flooding and landslides, respectively. Persons travelling in the affected region in the near-term are advised to contact their travel provider for an update on the status of their service(s).  

SOMALIA(BELEDWEYNE, HIRAN PROVINCE) - At least 14 people were killed and 20 others wounded in communal clashes in Beledweyne, capital of Somalia's south central Hiran province, on 19 October. According to reports, rival clan militias clashed over disputes regarding tax collections in the city. The majority of the wounded are reported to have been civilian bystanders at the time of the skirmish.  Competitions for scarce resources often serve as catalysts for outbreaks of communal violence in Somalia. Inter-clan clashes have previously been reported in Hiran and the possibility of further such conflicts cannot be discounted. Although foreign nationals are not directly targeted, there is an incidental risk to persons in the vicinity of communal conflict. Clients are advised against all travel to Somalia, except Puntland and Somalia, due to the extreme threats posed by conflict, terrorism and kidnapping. Persons operating in the country should consider travelling with a close protection officer, and should ensure that crisis management plans are regularly reviewed and updated with their security provider.  

ISRAEL(ISRAEL, WEST BANK & GAZA STRIP) - (Update) Anti-Israel civil unrest continues to be reported across the West Bank and in East Jerusalem. One of the worst-affected areas on 20 October is Hebron, where clashes between protesters and the Israeli security forces have been reported in multiple locations. A knife attack was also reported in nearby Negohot. A Palestinian stabbed and wounded a soldier before being shot and killed.  The civil unrest, which has affected the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Arab Palestinian areas of Israel, since early October is set to continue and may escalate further on Friday 23 October, a traditional protest period. Further clashes between protesters and the security forces are also anticipated. Protest hotspots include Israeli settlements and boundary lines between Palestinian and Jewish areas, religious sites, including the Old City, major road routes in affected areas and international boundaries, including the Gaza Strip Israel border. Associated acts of violence are also set to continue to be reported. These are likely to include knife, vehicular or gun attacks. Recently, busses, bus stations and security checkpoints or personnel have been impacted. This trend is likely to continue and incidents could be perpetrated in any area of Israel or the West Bank. Israeli security deployments to flashpoint areas and restrictions on travel in Palestinian communities, particularly in East Jerusalem, are also likely to continue.  Clients are advised against all travel to the Gaza Strip, against all travel to within 2km of the shared Gaza Strip-Israel border in Israel and against all non-essential travel to 45km outside of this 2km zone. Clients are further advised against all non-essential travel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including the Old City. Travellers to Israel should monitor local media closely for updates and advisories and should avoid all street protests, travel at night, security force concentrations and public bus transportation, if possible. Clients travelling in higher-risk areas should consider a security escort.  

BRAZIL(BELO HORIZONTE, BRASILIA, NATAL, SAO JOSE DO RIO PRETO, CUIABA, CURITIBA, RECIFE, RIO DE JANEIRO & SOROCABA) - (Update) The political activist group, Vem Pra Rua, has called for further demonstrations in cities and towns across Brazil on 20, 21, 22 and 26 October to call for the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. On 20 October, protesters will gather in Praca Tiradentes in Belo Horizonte from 18:00 local time. On 21 October, demonstrations are scheduled in the capital, Brasilia (outside of Congress), Natal (Praca de Mirassol) and Sao Jose do Rio Preto (Centro Universitario do Norte Paulista). These events will start between 16:00 and 18:00 local time. On 22 October, protests are scheduled for Cuiaba (Praca Alencastro), Curitiba (Praca Santos Andrade), Recife (Praca Maciel Pinheiro), Rio de Janeiro (Legislative Assembly) and Sorocaba (Praca Canhao). Events will start between 17:00 and 18:30 local time. On 26 October, another event will be held in Recife (Palacio das Princesas) from 18:00 local time.  The planned events are the latest linked to calls by activists and some members of the opposition for the removal of the current president over corruption allegations. Senior political personalities, including members of the ruling Workers Party, and the state oil firm, Petrobas, have been involved in a corruption scandal for a number of months which has sparked dozens of countrywide protests. These events have been largely peaceful. This trend is likely to continue; however, low-level confrontations and localised road travel disruptions are a possibility at all gathering points. Clients in Brazil should avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Caution is advised in all planned protest areas.  

SOUTH AFRICA(CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG, GRAHAMSTOWN, ALICE & STELLENBOSCH) - Tensions remain elevated at several universities in South Africa following disruptive protests against fee increases on 19 October. All classes at the University of Cape Town (UCT), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and Rhodes University (Rhodes) have reportedly been cancelled for a second day, on 20 October, following the unrest. According to university officials, the suspensions have been called to ensure the safety of students and staff on the affected campuses. On 19 October, hundreds of students at UCT, Rhodes and Wits took to their respective campuses to protest against perceived exorbitant fee increases for the 2016 academic year. Localised travel disruptions and low-level acts of vandalism were reported during the unrest; several access routes to the campuses were barricaded by protesters on the day. Unconfirmed reports indicate that security forces used teargas and stun grenades to disperse students at UCT; officials at the university have since reportedly obtained an interdict against the protesters. Given the emotive nature of the aforementioned protests, further unrest is possible over the near-term. Furthermore, students at Stellenbosch University and the University of Fort Hare have reportedly expressed intent to launch similar protest campaigns in the coming days. Persons operating in South Africa, particularly at or near tertiary institutions, are advised to monitor local media for updates on the aforementioned fee protests and avoid any large related gatherings as a precaution. Recent unrest-affected areas should be avoided in the near-term and all advisories from the local authorities should be followed.  

PERU(CUSCO DEPARTMENT) - A 48-hour general strike has been called by students, public transport operators and farmers in Cusco department, southern Peru, for 21 and 22 October. The strike, led by the Cusco Departmental Workers' Federation, has been initiated in protest over private investment in archaeological sites. The strike may result in disruptions to business activity and public transport operations across the department. Associated street protests, including protest roadblocks, should be anticipated. There is a risk of low-level confrontations between protesters and the security forces. Clients in Cusco department on 21 and 22 October should reconfirm the status of all transport services prior to departure. All street protests, including illegal roadblocks, should be avoided. 

AFGHANISTAN/IRAN/IRAQ/KUWAIT/LEBANON/NIGERIA/PAKISTAN/SAUDI ARABIA/YEMEN - (Update) The tenth day of the first Islamic month of Muharram, Ashura, will be commemorated on 23 or 24 October (depending on location). The day holds significance for both Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities. Shiites believe that Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was killed during the Battle of Karbala (680 AD). Connected to Ashura is Arbaeen, which is commemorated 40 days after Ashura (on 2 or 3 December). In many countries, an increase in Shiite religious events marking Ashura have already occurred. These are likely to continue and may increase in frequency over the coming days. In some areas, associated security risks increase as Sunni militants seek to target Shiite events or Shiite events display anti-government sentiment. The increased terrorism risk is most pronounced in states where Sunni militants are active and have regularly targeted Shiite Muslim religious events, processions, communities or sites in the past. These include Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria (specifically the city of Zaria). The general risk extends to Lebanon, Kuwait, eastern Saudi Arabia, Iran and Bahrain. There have already been two incidents (shootings) against Shiite events reported, both on 16 October, in Saihat (Saudi Arabia) and Dezful (Iran), respectively. In addition, agitation by Shiite communities may increase during Ashura and Arbaeen, particularly in eastern Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, where Shiite-dominated anti-government political agitation is elevated. The risk is particularly acute on Friday 23 October, a traditional protest day. Note that in areas where Shiite events occur, increased security measures are typically enforced. This could include restrictions on travel (curfews), additional checkpoints (and resultant delays) as well as police patrols. Clients travelling or operating during Muharram, including Ashura and Arbaeen, should contact their security provider for area-specific risk assessments. During this period, Shiite religious events and gatherings should be avoided. 

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