EASTERN EUROPE & KAZAKHSTAN - According to health officials and media reports from the affected countries on 19 January, an outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, has caused fatalities in Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Kazakhstan since mid-December. Hundreds of people have been hospitalised with the infection, the rate of which increased markedly in January. In Ukraine, which is the worst-affected country, at least 51 people have died of the infection. In Russia, up to 17 people have died, while over 300 have contracted the infection; St Petersburg is the worst affected city, with five fatalities and scores of infections having been reported. In Armenia, health officials confirmed that the virus has killed at least 16 people since the outbreak began. Elsewhere, at least one fatality and scores of infections, have been reported in both Georgia and Kazakhstan. Influenza A (H1N1), or swine flu, is a subtype of the influenza A virus and is believed to be a combination of the swine, human and avian flu viruses. The virus is transmitted through the air. The H1N1 virus can manifest as typical influenza-like symptoms or severe and even fatal pneumonia. Those at risk of contracting the disease are typically persons in close contact with swine, poultry or other infected persons. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the world was post-pandemic for H1N1 in 2010, the virus still circulates during the autumn and winter seasons in various countries around the world. In response to the infections, health authorities are expected to launch preventative campaigns in places where they have not already commenced. Clients in the aforementioned countries, particularly in the worst-affected areas, are advised to monitor local developments and follow the directives of the authorities regarding public health advice and precautions. Furthermore, persons exhibiting flu-like symptoms are advised to consult a medical practitioner immediately.

AFGHANISTAN(KABUL) - At least 12 people have been wounded in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, on 20 January. The blast took place on Darulaman Road, in front of the Russian Embassy. Emergency services are on the scene. Further details remain unavailable. 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. It should be noted that the number of casualties may increase in the coming hours, as further information becomes available. Due to a number of security concerns, all travel to Afghanistan is advised against. Persons currently in Kabul are advised to exercise maximum security measures and avoid the affected area at this time.

ISRAEL(ISRAEL, WEST BANK , GAZA STRIP) - Media reports on 20 January indicate that authorities in Israel plan to appropriate large tracts of agricultural land in the West Bank. The land in question would reportedly cover 154 hectares of farmland in the fertile Jordan Valley, close to Jericho, which already includes several Israeli settlement farms. Although the plans remain unconfirmed, reports thereof are expected to spark anti-Israel protests denouncing the proposal. Any protests that may occur as a result of the recent reports will coincide with anti-Israel protests in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Arab Palestinian communities in Israel and in the Gaza Strip, which have been ongoing since early October 2015. Protests have tended to spike in scale and frequency on Fridays following midday prayers; the possibility of a further spike on Friday 22 January is likely in light of the reports on the proposed land appropriation. Protests are likely in the above-mentioned territories. In these areas, protesters are likely to focus on territorial boundaries and Israeli security force positions. The risk of violence is considered elevated at all protest sites. 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. Persons travelling in higher-risk areas should consider a security escort.

PAKISTAN(CHARSADDA, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PROVINCES) - (Update) At least 21 fatalities were reported following an alleged terrorist attack in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on 20 January. Unknown gunmen launched an attack at the Bacha Khan University which is located in the town of Charsadda during a commemorative event; at least 50 people were also injured in the attack. Security forces managed to contain the incident, allegedly killing four assailants during a security operation. There is an extreme threat from terrorism in Pakistan, with various Islamist and separatist militant groups frequently conducting attacks throughout the country. The threat stems predominantly from Islamist extremist groups based in the north west of the country; these groups have carried out numerous attacks in Pakistan in recent years. The majority of terrorist activity in Pakistan presently occurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which border Afghanistan. Militants from Tehreek-i-Taleban Pakistan (TTP), the Haqqani network, remnants of al-Qaeda and a host of other, at times competing or co-operating, groups are based in these areas. However, small-scale and mass-casualty attacks take place on a regular basis elsewhere in the country, including in major urban centres, such as Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been particularly affected by terrorist violence. Clients in the vicinity of Bacha Khan University are advised to exercise heightened security awareness at this time and should ideally defer all travel to the affected area. In addition, clients should also be aware that the attack will likely prompt a significant increase in security measures across Charsadda, with the possible implementation of security checkpoints, random identification checks and vehicle searches. Any suspicious activity and/or packages should be reported to the authorities immediately.

MOROCCO(RABAT) - Various organisations, including the Democratic Labour Organisation (ODT) and the Democratic Organisation of Immigrant Workers in Morocco have organised a demonstration in Morocco's capital, Rabat, on 20 January. The protest has been organised to show solidarity with the victims of the hotel attack in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 15/16 January. Participants are expected to stage a sit-in at the Embassy of Burkina Faso, in the Agdal district, at 18:00 local time. The demonstration is expected to be well attended and will likely result in localised disruptions in the vicinity of the embassy. While the risk of violence at the upcoming event is low, the possibility of skirmishes between protesters and security forces cannot be discounted. Clients in Rabat on 20 January are advised to make allowances for potential delays and avoid all street protests as a standard precaution.

MOLDOVA(CHISINAU) - Pro- and anti-government demonstrations are ongoing outside the Parliament buildings in Grand National Assembly Square, in central Chisinau, Moldova's capital, on 20 January. The demonstrations have been organised to coincide with the parliamentary vote on the cabinet of incoming Prime Minister Pavel Filip. Protests have been held in the capital since early September, and have been organised against government corruption, and to demand an investigation into funds that disappeared from three Moldavian banks before parliamentary elections in November 2014. The pro-European coalition government committed to investigate the matter; however, calls for resignations were rejected, fuelling demands for a vote of no-confidence from the opposition Socialist and Communist parties, who both favour closer ties with Russia. According to the Moldavian constitution, Filip, who was nominated by President Nicolae Timofti on 15 January, has 15 days to appoint a new cabinet and present them to the legislature for parliamentary approval; this period expires on 29 January. In recent weeks, opposition protesters have begun to call for early elections, indicating they would reject any government formed without first seeking a mandate from the electorate. Given these ongoing dynamics, further opposition protests should be expected over the near-term. Clients in and intending on travelling to Moldova in the short-term should monitor media broadcasts for updates on political developments and possible protests. All protests and related gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution.

CHILE(SANTIAGO) - Civil society groups in Chile are expected to conduct a protest rally in the capital, Santiago, on 22 January. Participants are anticipated to gather at the Plaza Peru at 18:30 local time. The rally has been called in opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. Protests and demonstrations, often motivated by economic, social and labour concerns, frequently occur in Chile. As the capital and largest city in the country, Santiago is a hotspot for many of these gatherings. Although the rally is anticipated to conclude peacefully, low-level clashes with security forces cannot be discounted. Clients in Santiago are advised to avoid all street protests and related gatherings as a standard precaution. Furthermore, as the protest rally is expected to result in significant travel disruptions, clients should make allowances for delays and plan accordingly.