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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 - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced the expansion of TSA Pre✓® to include eligible customers of Allegiant. TSA Pre✓® is an expedited screening program that enables low-risk travelers to enjoy a smart and efficient screening experience at more than 150 U.S. airports. For TSA Pre✓® travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, light outerwear or belts. Today's announcement makes a total of 13 carriers that participate in TSA Pre✓®: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, OneJet, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin America and WestJet. Passengers who are eligible for TSA Pre✓® include: members of the TSA Pre✓® application program, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler program and Global Entry, and Canadian citizens who are members of CBP's NEXUS program. TSA Pre✓® is also available for U.S. Armed Forces service members, including those serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard. Travelers flying on Allegiant will now have the opportunity to receive TSA Pre✓® when utilizing a home-printed boarding pass, mobile boarding pass or boarding pass printed at the airport check-in desk. If an Allegiant passenger is eligible for expedited screening, a TSA Pre✓® indicator will be embedded in the barcode of the boarding pass so that when scanned at the checkpoint, the passenger may be referred to a TSA Pre✓® lane. Allegiant will also print a TSA Pre✓® indicator directly on the boarding pass so passengers will know in advance that they have been cleared for expedited screening. As always, TSA continues to incorporate random and unpredictable security measures both seen and unseen throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening.

UNITED STATES(MINNEAPOLIS) - The Black Lives Matter civic group will hold a protest in and around the Mall of America in the city of Minneapolis, located in the US state of Minnesota, on 23 December. The gathering, which has been organised to protest the 16 November police shooting of Jamar Clark, a Minneapolis resident, is set to commence at 13:30 local time amid a heightened security presence. The aforementioned demonstrations are the latest in a series of anti-police brutality protests that have taken place in cities across the US since 2014. A number of high-profile incidents in recent months, in which white police officers have allegedly used excessive force on black suspects, have sparked mass demonstrations. The protests are typically well attended and often take place amid a significant police presence. Although these protests generally conclude without major incident, it should be noted that several demonstrations have degenerated into violence in the past. Clashes between protesters and police may pose an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Persons in Minneapolis should avoid the Mall of America and its immediate surrounds for the duration of the protest gatherings.

FRANCE - French Minister of the Interior Bernard Cazeneuve announced on 22 December that security measures will be increased at churches across France during the Christmas period, usually from 24 to 26 December. While authorities have not stated whether the announcement is in connection with specific threats to do with church infrastructure, the announcement is consistent with an increase in security measures as part of the state of emergency declared by Parliament on 15 November, which is set to remain in place for three months. The state of emergency was declared following terrorist attacks in the capital, Paris, on 13/14 November, which saw approximately 130 people killed at multiple locations by gunmen and suicide bombers. 17 people were killed in a previous terrorist attack in the city on 7 January 2015. Clients in France over the Christmas period should be aware of the potential security threat to churches and religious events. Clients are further advised to report any suspicious people, packages or activities to the authorities immediately.

GREECE(ATHENS) - Members of Greek civil servants' union, ADEDY, will protest outside the Labour Ministry, in Greece's capital, Athens, on 23 December. The rally will start from 12:00 local time and is being held to show solidarity with community workers who are currently on strike. Associated rallies are possible in other urban centres in the country, particularly in Thessaloniki. The protests are expected to be well attended. As such, localised road travel disruptions should be expected in the vicinity of protest sites. Small-scale violence is also possible. Clients in Athens are advised to avoid all large gatherings as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate any potential travel disruptions.

AUSTRALIA(NORTHERN TERRITORY) - The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the Northern Territory on 23 December. The adverse weather is expected to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flash floods to several areas, including Daly, Tiwi, Arnhem and Carpentaria. The warning is expected to remain in effect until late 23 December, at least. Australia is prone to storm systems, particularly from October to April. Adverse weather conditions in the affected areas may result in travel delays and disruptions to electricity supply, due to possible infrastructural damage. Utility disruptions to water and telecommunications are also possible.  Persons in the affected parts of the Northern Territory are advised to monitor local media for weather-related advisories as well as any directives from the authorities. Updates on the aforementioned warning can be accessed at the BOM website (http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/?ref=ftr). Finally, clients planning to travel to affected areas in the next 24 hours are advised to anticipate potential weather-related travel disruptions.

SWEDEN(STOCKHOLM) - An explosion was reported at the Berns Salonger nightclub and hotel near Berzelii Park in Sweden's capital, Stockholm, on 23 December. According to reports, a bomb was thrown into a nightclub at the hotel and exploded. As the incident occurred between 04:00 and 05:00 local time when the facility was closed, no casualties or injuries were reported. According to reports, this is the second incident at a property belonging to the owner of the Berns Salonger, and is thus more likely linked to a business dispute than to terrorism. However, investigations into the incident are ongoing, and thus further details are unavailable. Clients are advised to avoid the immediate area, especially Nackstromsgatan Road, where police are busy with investigations. When visiting entertainment establishments in Sweden, which are sporadically impacted by such acts of violence, clients should exercise heightened vigilance and report any suspicious persons or unattended packages to the authorities.

TUNISIA - (Update) On 22 December, President Beji Caid Essebsi announced the two-month extension of a countrywide state of emergency in Tunisia. The advisory, which is now set to continue until 21 February 2016, enhances Tunisia's counterterrorism capabilities by providing security agencies greater powers and placing limitations on certain civil liberties. The state of emergency was initially declared following an Islamic State (IS)-claimed terrorist attack targeting military personnel in the capital, Tunis, on 24 November. At least 12 members of the country's presidential guard were killed and 17 others wounded in the attack, which occurred along a section of the city's Avenue Mohamed V. Security in the country remains on alert and increased security measures are expected to remain in place for the short-to medium-term, at least. Clients are advised against all travel to the Djebel Chambi National Park and against all non-essential travel to the rest of the Kasserine governorate due to the threat of terrorism. A heightened level of caution is advised within 50km of the shared borders with Algeria and Libya, and the entire southern Tataouine governorate due to the risk of terrorism. Persons currently in Tunisia are advised to implement heightened situational awareness and report all suspicious people, packages and activities to the authorities immediately.

MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA - Christians will observe Christmas on 25 December, with related commemorations on 24 December, and possibly 31 December (New Year's Eve) and 1 January (New Year's Day). Orthodox Christian communities will observe Christmas on 7 January with related commemorations on 6 January.  In Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, there is an elevated risk of acts of terrorism directed towards Christian communities by Islamist extremists during this period. Islamist extremists operate in the aforementioned states and pose a risk to rival religious and sectarian groupings, including the Christian community. The Christmas and New Year periods afford Islamist extremist groups an opportunity to target Christian places of worship and Christian public gatherings. Attacks against Christians have been reported over this period in recent years, most notably in Egypt (1 January 2011 in Alexandria) and Iraq (25 December 2013 in Baghdad). Security is expected to be increased in and near Christian places of worship during the forthcoming period; however, the risk of a heightened frequency of attacks will remain elevated. Personnel operating in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq are advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness during the upcoming Christian periods and should consider avoiding Christian sites as a precaution. This is particularly relevant in Iraq and Syria, where the terrorism risk is considered extreme. Finally, please note that clients are generally advised against travel to a number of areas within the above-mentioned countries.

WEST, EAST & CENTRAL AFRICA - Christmas will be commemorated on 25 December in several Sub-Saharan African countries amid a heightened terrorism threat. In the West African and Central African countries of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, Christmas festivities are at a heightened risk of being disrupted by the Boko Haram Islamist extremist sect, which has stepped up attacks within the aforementioned countries in recent weeks. Within these countries, administrative divisions bordering Lake Chad will be most susceptible to attack. Also in West Africa, a heightened threat of terrorism exists in Mali and Mauritania, where a number of al-Qaeda-aligned militant groups are known to possess an operational presence. In the East Africa region, the al-Shabaab militant group may similarly seek to execute attacks in countries including Somalia, Kenya and Uganda over the Christmas holiday period. Security in these countries is likely to be increased significantly over Christmas, with measures likely to be implemented up to and including New Year's Eve (31 December) and New Year's Day (1 January). Clients in the aforementioned countries over the Christmas period are advised to exercise heightened security awareness, limit time spent in crowded public areas and ensure that all suspicious persons, packages and/or vehicles are reported to local authorities. Additionally, clients should consider avoiding Christian sites as a precaution.

UKRAINE - A new ceasefire agreement between rebel and government forces went into effect as of midnight on 22/23 December. The agreement, which was brokered in Belarus's capital, Minsk, has been touted as a further step in securing a binding peace agreement between Ukraine and separatist rebels. The latest ceasefire agreement would mark the third such initiative entered into by the warring parties. Although the participants in the conflict largely complied with the terms of previous agreements, internecine conflict continued in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, which have served as the focal points of the violence. Further such confrontations may continue despite the ratification and implementation of the latest deal. Clients are advised against all travel to Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, due to instability and intermittent clashes involving armed forces and pro-Russia separatist militants. Persons currently in or intending to travel to the region despite this advisory should coordinate all movements in the presence of a security escort.

PAKISTAN(TURBAT) - According to local authorities, up to eight militants and two security force members have been killed in an ongoing security operation in the city of Turbat, in Pakistan's western Balochistan province, since 22 December. The raids focused primarily on the Balnagoor area of Turbat. A small weapons cache was discovered in the raids. Although unconfirmed, the militants are believed to have been aligned to one of the numerous Baloch separatist groups present in the province. Balochistan province has been subject to low-level insurgency by rebels pushing for greater political and economic rights. Rebels, under the banners of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Republican Army (BRA), Balochistan Liberation Tigers (BLT), United Baloch Army (UBA) and several others, have resorted to a number of violent terrorist attacks and acts of sabotage. They have also targeted military bases and government institutions. The worst-affected areas are the northern and western parts of the province. Reprisal clashes and attacks against government interests and security forces are often reported following operations; thus, the likelihood of reprisals in Turbat is elevated for the coming days. The threat stemming from Baloch rebels is expected to persist in the short- to medium-term. Further incidents such as security operations, retaliatory clashes and acts of terrorism and sabotage are likely. Due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to Balochistan province. Persons in the province are advised to employ robust personal, travel and residential security measures at all times.

TURKEY(ISTANBUL) - Two people have been injured in an explosion at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen International Airport in Turkey, early on 23 December. The blast occurred at approximately 02:00 local time. The only reported injuries were two cleaners on a plane, which was otherwise unoccupied at the time. Flights at the facility remain unaffected. The cause of the blast is yet to be determined and investigations are ongoing. Terrorism is not currently suspected. Clients intending to transit the facility in the coming hours are advised to closely monitor local developments, and to contact the airport, their airline or travel provider for updates on the status of services.

POLAND(WARSAW) - Demonstrations are expected outside the Sejm Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, or lower house of Parliament, in Warsaw's Wiejska Street in the coming days, following the controversial amendment of a constitutional clause on 22 December. The amendment contains a number of provisions that opponents say will erode checks and balances on the new conservative government. The government position is that the amendments will improve court organisation. There have already been massive demonstrations against the Law and Justice party (PiS), which won power in the October 2015 elections, and which has been accused of illegally appointing judges to the Constitutional Court as part of their conservative agenda. Road closures near protest sites should be expected, and such closures are likely to lead to traffic congestion in the city centre. Clients in Warsaw are advised to monitor local media for updates on the situation, and to avoid all related protest gatherings and concentrations of security personnel at this time. Disruptions to road traffic should be anticipated in central Warsaw on protest days.

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