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Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:

UNITED KINGDOM(NORTHERN & WESTERN REGIONS) - (Update) The UK's official weather service, the Met Office, has issued a number of adverse weather warnings for northern and western parts of England, as well as much of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, on 28 December. The warnings are set to come into effect from 15:00 local time on 29 December and expire at 23:45 on 30 December. Notably, heavy rain is expected to exacerbate flood conditions in several major cities including Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff. The aforementioned areas of the UK have experienced significant flooding in recent days. Accordingly, the risk of flooding is significantly heightened in areas already saturated by rainfall, including in the worst-affected regions of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Further disruptions to road, rail and possibly air travel should be anticipated. Additional disruptions to utilities, such as electricity and telecommunications, are also possible. Persons in the affected parts of the UK are advised to monitor local media closely for updates and advisories. Clients planning to travel to the affected areas in the coming days are advised to anticipate weather-related disruptions to transport services, and should confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.

AUSTRALIA(QUEENSLAND STATE) - The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe thunderstorm weather warning for the state of Queensland on 28 December. The storm is expected to affect the following towns: Emerald, Blackwater, Lochington, Springsure and Mantuan Downs. The adverse weather is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and flash flooding to the affected areas. Australia is prone to inclement weather, particularly from October to April. Storm systems generally bring heavy rainfall to the country's eastern regions and have caused major flooding in the past, particularly in northern Queensland. 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 areas are advised to follow the directives of the local authorities, and monitor local media or the BOM website (http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings) for updates. Allowances should be made for potential disruptions to travel, as well as to utilities such as electricity and water. Persons in the affected areas should keep clear of fallen or damaged power lines and infrastructure.

CHILE(MAULE & MELIPILLA) - Chile's National Office for Emergency (ONEMI) has issued a red alert warning for fires in the Maule and Santiago Metropolitan Regions. The province of Curico, in the Maule region, is experiencing fires in the communes of Hualane and Teno. The town of Melipilla, in the Santiago Metropolitan Region in Melipilla state, is also experiencing wildfires. Red alerts have been issued for both regions and emergency services are active in combating the fires and providing assistance to those affected. Wildfires are regularly reported during Chile's hot and dry summer months, from December to February. Efforts to contain them are ongoing; however, the risk of further wildfires breaking out has been exacerbated by strong winds, high temperatures and dry atmospheric conditions. Wildfires can start suddenly and without warning and often spread rapidly. Emergency services usually succeed in containing blazes; nevertheless, populated areas are occasionally threatened and evacuation orders can be issued. Clients are advised to defer travel to the affected areas until further notice. Persons currently in the affected areas should comply with the directives of local authorities, including mandatory evacuation orders, and monitor local media for updates on the situation, including further possible disruptions.

AFGHANISTAN(KABUL) - (Update) At least one person was killed and a further thirteen people were wounded in a militant suicide bombing in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, on 28 December. The attack is said to have occurred outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport targeting security forces stationed there. The Taleban has since claimed responsibility for the incident. There is an extreme threat of terrorism throughout Afghanistan, stemming from a number of Islamist extremist organisations, of which the Taleban is the most prevalent. The group has carried out numerous small-scale and mass-casualty attacks targeting both state and civilian interests in the country, including in Kabul. Further such incidents are likely to persist. Clients are advised against all travel to Afghanistan due to numerous security concerns. Persons in Kabul are advised to remain in a secure location, minimise movement as far as practically possible and avoid recently affected areas.

MYANMAR(YANGON) - (Update) The Thai embassy in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, has suspended consular services for three days from 28 December. The suspension of the services comes in response to the extended protest action against the death sentence of two Myanmar nationals for the murder of two British nationals in Koh Tao, Thailand, in 2014. Dozens of protesters have staged a series of protests outside the embassy, located on Pyay Road, since the ruling on 24 December. Embassy authorities have stated that they will only be providing emergency consular services during the affected period. The possibility of further consular service disruptions beyond the aforementioned period remains. Political tensions between Thailand and Myanmar remain elevated following the ruling. While the demonstrations have been largely peaceful, the possibility of violent unrest remains, due to the emotional nature of the protests. Further protests in this regard are expected to persist for the short- to medium-term, at least. Persons in or planning to travel to Myanmar requiring consular assistance should contact their relevant embassy or consulate for further information on the closure. Clients in Yangon are further advised to avoid unnecessary travel near the embassy, monitor local developments and avoid all large street protests as a precaution.

THAILAND/MYANMAR(THREE PAGODAS BORDER) - Authorities in Thailand have temporarily closed the Three Pagodas land border crossing point, along the shared border with Myanmar, on 28 December. The closure, which occurred in the vicinity of Kamchanaburi, was prompted by protests opposing the death sentence of two Myanmar nationals for the murder of two British nationals in Koh Tao, Thailand, in 2014. Protests regarding the controversial verdict delivered on 24 December have been reported across Myanmar in recent days. It remains unclear when the border will reopen. The trial and subsequent verdict have elevated political tensions between Thailand and Myanmar. Activists allege that torture was used to extract confessions from the suspects amid a six month trial. Thai police officers have in turn stated that the trial and murder investigation were transparent and conducted up to international standards. Further protests regarding the above mentioned verdict are likely in the near-term. Increased delays and disruptions should be anticipated at the affected border crossing in the near-term. Persons travelling via the Thailand/Myanmar Three Pagodas land border should confirm the status of their intended border crossing prior to departure. Persons operating in the affected areas are advised to monitor local developments closely. All related street protests should be avoided. Additionally, heightened caution is advised along the shared border, as drug smuggling and banditry are regularly reported in these areas.

SYRIA(HOMS) - Conflicting reports indicate that at least 14 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in a series of bomb attacks in Homs, located in Syria's eponymous governorate, on 28 December. The three attacks, consisting of two car bombs explosions and a suicide bomb attack, are said to have occurred in the al Zahraa area near a local Ruqyah medical clinic. There have been no immediate claims of responsibility for the attacks. Homs is currently controlled by the Syrian government and continues to experience high levels of conflict and terrorism-related violence. Fighting for control of the city and the wider governorate has left thousands of people dead and large parts of many towns and cities in the region severely damaged. The latest attack comes amid a tenuous agreement between the Syrian government and rebel forces regarding the evacuation of rebels and civilians from a number of conflict areas in the governorate. Despite this agreement and given the persistent unstable security environment, further such incidents should be anticipated. Due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to Syria. Persons operating in the country should obtain regular route and itinerary-specific risk assessments from their security provider, preferably prior to travel. Clients should travel with a security escort and seek to avoid conflict-affected areas.

BANGLADESH(GAZIPUR DISTRICT) - At least two suspected militants have been killed in a security operation in the Gazipur district, located in Bangladesh's Dhaka division, overnight on 27/28 December. Security forces conducted the raid targeting militants in an unspecified area near the district's Gazipur-Chittagong bypass. Violent clashes ensued when militants said to belong to Islamist extremist group Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) reportedly lobbed grenades at security forces; the militants were killed in the subsequent exchange. A number of weapons and ammunition were seized during the operation. An increased security presence is said to have remained in the affected area of the district. The recent security raid is the latest in a series of operations that have been conducted in the country, following a number of low-level attacks targeting foreign nationals, Christians, Shiite Muslims and other minorities in the country in recent weeks. The incidents and associated security operations are illustrative of the medium threat from terrorism in the country, with a number of militant groups, such as JMB, fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state in the country. Due to the persistent threat from such militant groups, further security operations and attacks are expected to continue to occasionally occur. Persons in the Gazipur district are advised to avoid the recently affected area, and exercise heightened levels of personal security awareness at all times. Clients are advised to monitor local media for further developments.

IRAQ(RAMADI) - Government forces recaptured the city of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's western Anbar governorate, from Islamic State (IS) militants on 27 December. Iraqi security forces, assisted by US air strikes, recaptured Ramadi seven days after they launched an offensive on the city on 21 December. Ramadi was captured by IS militants in May who have administered control of the entire city up until the start of a counterinsurgency operations in November. Despite Ramadi's liberation, further violence in the city and its surrounds is possible as security forces continue security operations against pockets of rebels who may still possess an operational presence in certain districts. The recapture of Ramadi may also see an uptick in acts of terrorism in the city as IS militants may attempt to disrupt the consolidation of government control over the city through acts of retaliatory violence. These could include suicide bombings, kidnappings and targeted assassinations. Clients are advised against all travel to Iraq's Anbar governorate, including Ramadi. Persons operating in the governorate should do so after a full risk security assessment from their security provider. Extensive personal, residential and travel security measures are advised.

ARGENTINA - The Association of State Workers (ATE) union in Argentina has called for a countrywide strike beginning on 29 December. The duration of the strike is unknown. The action has been called in response to newly elected President Mauricio Macri's economic policies relating to wages and potential job losses. The upcoming strike is expected to be well observed and state operations are likely to be disrupted across the country. Additionally, protests are anticipated in provincial capitals, as well as the state capital, Buenos Aires. These are likely to centre on government buildings. Although the risk of significant acts of violence during any associated demonstrations is considered low, the possibility of minor confrontations cannot be discounted. It should be noted that protesters in Argentina frequently raise roadblocks on key thoroughfares in an effort to maximise disruption; localised road travel delays are, therefore, possible in the vicinity of any protest action. Clients in Argentina over the near-term are advised to monitor local media for updates and developments on the upcoming strike and any associated protests. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

BANGLADESH - Municipal elections are scheduled to be held across Bangladesh on 30 December. Elections for the position of mayor will take place in 235 municipalities across the country on this day. Although details have not been made clear, security will be heightened for the elections, with additional security force deployments in major urban centres and other areas identified as possibly carrying an elevated threat from politically motivated violence. Political tensions in Bangladesh are elevated, particularly between the ruling Awami League (AL) party and the main opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP); the upcoming poll will be the first time the BNP will contest elections since boycotting the January 2014 general elections. Sporadic clashes or incidents of violence between supporters of these two parties are likely during the election period, as are clashes between members of these two groups and security forces. Persons already in the country, or planning to travel there during the scheduled election period, are advised to avoid all large political gatherings and polling stations as a precaution. Local developments should be monitored closely.

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