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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(ALASKA AIRLINES) - Alaska Airlines announced the start of new service to Charleston, South Carolina from its hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The carrier will operate the route four days a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Flights will depart Seattle at 8:25 a.m. and arrive at Charleston International Airport at 4:54 p.m. From Charleston, flights are scheduled to depart at 5:55 p.m. and arrive back in Seattle at 9:10 p.m. Alaska will operate the service using Boeing 737-900 aircraft. The planes are equipped with 16 seats in first class and 165 seats in economy class. First-class seats are 21" wide, and have a pitch of 36". Charleston is the seventh city that Alaska has added this year. Last month, the carrier began service between Seattle and Raleigh, North Carolina.

UNITED STATES(UNITED AIRLINES) - United Airlines unveils new United Club lounges in both Atlanta and San Francisco. The nearly 5,000-square-foot Atlanta United Club opened Monday and is located between gates 11 and 12 at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport's Concourse T, on the mezzanine level. At just over 6,000 square feet, the newest United Club at San Francisco International Airport will first welcome travelers today and is located in the newly renovated Terminal 3 East Concourse. It operates in addition to United Club locations in Terminal 3's Concourse F and in the airport's International Terminal G.

FRANCE(SAINT DENIS, PARIS) - The security operation in the northern suburbs of France's capital, Paris, has concluded. The operation began at 04:30 local time in the Saint Denis area in search of assailants suspected to have been involved in the 13 November Paris attacks, in which over 130 people were killed. Security forces concentrated their operation on Rue de la Republique and surrounded an unspecified apartment block in which suspected assailant, Salah Abdeslam, and suspected attack leader, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, were reportedly located. Following several hours of gunfire and a suicide bombing, at least two people were killed and seven others were arrested. Four police officers are also said to have been wounded. Further details are unavailable. Although the security operation has concluded, an increased police presence remains in the area. Residual disruptions to traffic have been reported and are anticipated for the remainder of the day. Public transport services have resumed, including metro services on Metro Line 13 and associated bus and tram services; however, these are on limited schedules. Persons in Paris, particularly Saint Denis, are advised to follow directives issued by the relevant authorities and to monitor local news for updates on the status of roads and public transport services. Localised travel disruptions are anticipated for the immediate-term. Furthermore, clients are advised to exercise heightened personal security awareness, avoid public areas and associated concentrations of security forces, where practically possible. Clients should also report all suspicious persons, packages and/or vehicles to the local authorities.

SOUTH AFRICA(CAPE TOWN) - Commuters are currently experiencing significant delays to Metrorail services in Cape Town, located in South Africa's Western Cape province, on 18 November following incidents of signal cable theft between the Woodstock and Cape Town stations. All Metrorail trains have had to be manually arranged and operated as a result, affecting services along the city's Northern, Southern, Central and Cape Flats lines. Rail services along the aforementioned lines are reportedly being delayed by approximately one hour. Persons in Cape Town who intend using Metrorail services on 18 November are advised to contact their travel provider(s) or the Metrorail website (http://goo.gl/2DAgWx) for updates on the status of services.

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA & GUAM - Tropical Storm Infa is expected to impact on the Federated States of Micronesia and Guam from 19 November. The storm system is currently moving in a north westerly direction and is forecast to bring inclement weather, including flood-conducive rain, to Chuuk on 19 November. The storm is further forecast to strengthen before tracking northwest and impacting on Guam on late 20 November. The adverse weather conditions carry the potential to cause disruptions to road, maritime and air travel in the affected areas. Flooding in low-lying areas and coastal storm surges are also possible in the coming days as the strength of the weather system is expected to increase over immediate-term. Furthermore, utility services, such as electricity and water supply may also be negatively impacted on during and immediately following the storm. Persons in or travelling to the Federated States of Micronesia and Guam should monitor local media for information and updates regarding the storm's progress. Clients intending to conduct air travel in the near-term should contact their travel provider or airline for an update regarding the status of their flights. All advisories issued by the authorities should be adhered to.

PHILIPPINES(JOLO) - (Update) A Malaysian national who was kidnapped on 14 May was killed by his captors on 17 November on the Sulu province island of Jolo, in the Mindanao region of the Philippines. The incident took place in the Indanan town area, in Sulu, after negotiations for the release of the victim broke down and the military carried out air strikes on the region. The victim, who was the owner of the Ocean King Restaurant, and his Malaysian associate were kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants from the coastal town of Sandakan, in Sabah. From there, they were transported to Jolo. The second victim was released several days ago after a ransom to secure her release was paid. Kidnapping is an ongoing concern in the Philippines, but is considered elevated in the Mindanao region, particularly in western parts of Mindanao and Sulu. As this incident highlights, the threat extends to Malaysia's Sabah state, due to its close proximity to the Sulu Archipelago. Criminal gangs and militant groups, including ASG, conduct kidnappings for ransom and generally target local businesspeople and foreign nationals, due to their perceived wealth and capacity to raise a ransom. It should be noted that the majority of incidents target locals and are financially motivated, as opposed to being politically or ideologically motivated. The region's rugged terrain, weak law enforcement, corruption and the presence of numerous insurgent and criminal groups means that future such kidnapping incidents are likely. Clients are advised against all travel to the southern Mindanao region and the Sulu Archipelago, including the Sulu province. This advisory does not extend to Mindanao's eastern Caraga and Davao regions, to which non-essential travel is advised against. Persons in or planning travel to the area are advised to adopt heightened security precautions at all times.

SAUDI ARABIA(SAIHAT, QATIF GOVERNORATE) -Two police officials were shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in the Saihat area of eastern Saudi Arabia's Qatif governorate, early on 18 November. Low-level attacks targeting security force personnel have been reported in the area and are thought to be linked to ongoing agitation by members of the Shiite community against the state. These low-level incidents have coincided with regular anti-government protests by the local community calling for political reforms and the release of jailed leaders. Clients are advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness in the Qatif governorate. Travel at night and concentrations of security force personnel should be avoided as a precaution.

CHINA(BAICHENG COUNTY) - At least 17 people were killed in a police raid in China's north western Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The incident took place on 13 or 14 November in Baicheng county, in XUAR's Aksu prefecture. Further details regarding the incident are unavailable. The raid is thought to be connected to an armed attack on a coal mine, the Sogan colliery, in Baicheng county on 18 September; the attack was conducted by suspected Uighur separatists. Although details relating to this incident are unverified, it is thought that 50 people were killed and another 50 wounded in the attack. Chinese authorities heavily restrict access to information on security incidents in the XUAR; consequently, as is the case with this latest incident at the coal mine, reports of such attacks may only emerge several days after the incident, if at all. The pervasive insecurity in the XUAR stems from the ongoing tensions between the Chinese central government and the predominately Muslim Uighur population. Incidents of violence, including armed clashes and knife attacks between Chinese security forces and Uighur militants are periodically reported. Given the unwillingness of Chinese authorities to offer any kind of concession to Uighur separatists, further incidents are expected. Clients in Baicheng county and the greater XUAR region are advised to exercise heightened security awareness and to make allowances for travel disruptions resulting from the potentially increased security measures.

BANGLADESH - Protests and strike action should be expected in Bangladesh following the 18 November decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the death sentences of two senior opposition figures, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, a senior leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, a senior leader in the largest Islamist opposition party, Jamaat-e-Islami. The Supreme Court denied both individuals' appeals for clemency. Mojaheed and Chowdhury were found guilty by the International Crimes Tribunal in July and October 2013, respectively, for war crimes committed during Bangladesh's 1971 war for independence from Pakistan. Disruptive and violent protests, which were well attended, took place in response to the verdict at that time, and similar action has been reported in response to the subsequent verdicts and/or sentencing of at least ten senior opposition leaders since 2010. The BNP, and Jemaat-e-Islami party have stated that the trials are politically motivated and are an attempt by the ruling Awami League to weaken opposition parties. Should strike action take place, it is likely to impact on business and travel operations throughout the country. Associated demonstrations carry a high threat of violence, as security forces often use force as a first resort when dealing with dissent. It should be noted that public transport services, such as busses, are at heightened threat during strikes and protests, as this form of transport is often subject to arson attacks. Counter-protests by groups supportive of the verdict are also possible. Clients in or planning to be in Bangladesh in the coming days are advised to monitor local developments closely and to avoid all protest/strike action and concentrations of security forces. Persons are further advised to request regular updates from their security provider.

ISRAEL(CENTRAL & NORTHERN ISRAEL) - The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee has called for a general strike in Israel on 19 November and a protest rally in Umm al-Fahm, in Haifa District, on 21 November. The strike and protest are in response to a recent decision by the Israeli government to ban the northern branch of the Islamic Movement. The government has stated that the ban is in response to the Islamic Movement's incitement of anti-Israel protests in Jerusalem. The planned agitation coincides with elevated levels of anti-Israel civil unrest and associated low-level acts of violence across the West Bank and parts of Jerusalem since early October. Israel is seeking to contain the violence, particularly spillover violence into Israel. The banning order is viewed as one of the responses to this effort. The strike is likely to be well observed in Arab-Palestinian communities in Israel, many of which are located in central and northern Israel. Disruptions to business activity are expected. In addition to the Umm al-Fahm demonstration, associated anti-Israel protests on 19, 20 and 21 November are likely across central and northern Israel. It should be noted that Friday, on which 20 November falls, are a traditional protest day in the country. There is a high risk of violence at all related events. Clients in central and northern Israel in the coming days should avoid all street protests. Persons requiring travel-specific guidance are advised to contact their security provider for further information.

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