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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 said it plans to relaunch service between Portland, Oregon and Atlanta come June. The route, which the Seattle-based carrier operated for 13 months several years ago, will be offered starting June 4, 2016. Flights will depart Portland daily at 11:40 p.m. local time and arrive in Atlanta the following morning at 7:30 a.m. The return flight will leave Atlanta at 8:45 a.m. and arrive at 11:05 a.m. The airline will operate the Portland-Atlanta service using Boeing 737 aircraft with streaming in-flight entertainment, power and USB outlets at every seat, and Pacific Northwest-inspired foods.

UNITED KINGDOM/IRELAND - Inclement weather and resultant disruptions have been reported on 29 January in parts of the UK, as well as in Ireland, due to Winter Storm Gertrude. In Scotland, gale-force winds have resulted in travel disruptions, including the closure of the A82 motorway, in South Uist. A number of roads have been rendered impassable due to fallen frees and landslides, including the A96 motorway near Huntly and the M9 motorway near Dunblane. The Forth Road and Tay Road bridges have been temporarily closed to motorists. Power supply interruptions have been reported in as many as 7,000 homes in the north of Scotland, and parts of West Calder. Train and ferry services in the affected parts of Scotland have experienced disruptions; ScotRail is operating reduced services on 29 January. Adverse weather has also resulted in disruptions in parts of Northern Ireland. Strong winds, heavy rain and moderate snowfall have affected several counties including Tyrone, Londonderry, Fermanagh, Armagh and Down. Winds of up to 130km/h have caused damage to power lines and infrastructure; as many as 5,000 homes have experienced power interruptions. In Ireland, at least 10,000 homes are reported to be without electricity; in addition, disruptions, including delays and cancellations, have been reported at Dublin Airport. The disruptions have primarily affected Aer Lingus regional flights. The worst-affected areas in Ireland include the counties of Mayo, County Cavan, Donegal and Wicklow. The storm system is expected to impact north west England and east England over the coming days. The official weather service of the UK, the Met Office, has issued a number of adverse weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds that are due to expire in the coming days. The storm is moving in an easterly direction; inclement weather is expected to continue in the aforementioned areas until late on 31 January. This is likely to exacerbate the risk of flooding in affected areas. Road conditions, particularly along causeways and coastal roads, are expected to be hazardous in heavily affected areas; further localised disruptions to road and rail transportation remain possible in these areas. Furthermore, additional disruptions to utilities, such as electricity and telecommunications, should be anticipated. Persons in the affected parts of Ireland and the UK are advised to monitor local media closely for updates and advisories. Clients planning to travel to the affected areas in the next 48 hours 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(NORTH WESTERN STATES) - Tropical Storm Stan is expected to result in inclement weather in north western Australia in the coming days. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the Northern Territory. The adverse weather is expected to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flash floods to several areas, including Port Hedland and Karratha. The storm is expected to make landfall in Port Hedland on 31 January as a Category 3 system. Other areas such as Bidyadanga, Pardoo, Mardie and South Hedland are also likely to be affected. In anticipation of the storm, authorities have closed ports located in the affected areas, closed the Great Northern Highway between Port Hedland and Roebuck, and placed emergency services on alert. The storm is currently located 290km north west of Port Hedland, and is moving in a southern direction. Australia is prone to storm systems, particularly from October to April. Adverse weather conditions in the affected areas may result in travel delays and further disruptions to electricity supply due to extensive infrastructural damage. Additionally, further thunderstorm warnings, disruptions to water utilities and telecommunications, as well as evacuations, are possible. Persons in the affected parts of the country 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/). Finally, clients planning to travel to affected areas in the next 48 hours are advised to anticipate potential weather-related travel disruptions.

UNITED KINGDOM(DOVER) - Rival demonstrations are expected in Dover, located in the UK's Kent county, on 30 January. Far-right groups are set to stage a protest march on the day. Participants are expected to gather at the Dover Priory railway station from 13:00 local time and march to the Eastern Docks, where a demonstration will be held. Travel restrictions and associated disruptions are expected along the protest route, which includes Folkestone Road, York street and Townwall street. Anti-fascist groups are set to hold a counter-demonstration at the Market Square from 11:00. Although the upcoming demonstrations are anticipated to conclude peacefully, the possibility of violent altercations cannot be discounted. The event is expected to be well attended and accompanied by an increased police presence; as such, localised travel disruptions should be anticipated along the march route and associated demonstration sites. Persons in Dover on 30 January are advised to avoid the vicinity of the protests if possible, and to expect localised disruptions.

FRANCE(PARIS) - (Update) Residual travel disruptions from the extended taxi strike are expected in France's capital, Paris, on 29 January. Following overnight negotiations between French authorities and taxi unions, further protest action is not expected on 29 January, with the majority of associated protest blockades having been lifted. However, there are a number of protesters who have remained in the Port Maillot area; protesters are expected to be at the site until 12:00 local time. Taxi drivers and their associated unions staged three days of disruptive protests starting on 26 January in Paris. The strike was in opposition to perceived unfair competition from low-cost taxi carriers, such as Uber. This was the latest in protest activity relating to this issue, with similar protests having taken place in June and December 2015. Due to the ongoing nature of the dispute, further protest action remains possible in the short- to medium-term, at least. Persons in Paris are advised to monitor local media for updates on the strike action and any related demonstrations. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries to make allowances for associated travel disruptions in the vicinity of any related protest action.

FRANCE - Protests against the proposed extension of France's three-month state of emergency, are expected in urban areas across the country on 30 January. In the capital, Paris, participants are expected to gather at Place de la Republique at 14:30 local time. Protests in other urban areas are likely to centre on public squares and town halls. The state of emergency, which was declared following terrorist attacks in the capital on 13/14 November, has resulted in increased security measures across the country, which protesters believe restrict civil liberties. The protests are expected to be well attended and will likely result in localised road travel disruptions. The possibility of low-level confrontations at all upcoming protests cannot be discounted. Clients in France on 30 January are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for potential localised disruptions.

FRANCE(HAUTE-SAONE) - Farmers in the Haute-Saone department of the newly created Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region in France, are expected to protest on 29 January against falling prices of certain agricultural products. According to a joint statement made by the Departmental Federation Farmers' Unions (FDSEA), the Departmental Federation of Milk Producers (FDPL) and Young Farmers (JA), demonstrations will be held on the RN 19 (National Highway 19) at 12:00 local time. Up to 200 farmers are expected to join, with roadblocks erected. In addition, numerous roadblocks are still in effect on roads across Brittany and Normandy although many have been cancelled and are set to resume on 1 February. Farmers associated with the FDSEA have been protesting against the decrease in prices for key agricultural products, including dairy and meat, as well as the official agricultural subsidy which they claim suffers from a 400 million Euro shortfall. Hundreds of farmers in the regions of Brittany and Normandy held protests from 25 to 28 January, erecting roadblocks using farm vehicles and setting fires on highways. Farmers have also created disturbances within local town centres. While farmers continue to protest and erect roadblocks in numerous locations in north western France. It is unclear when the protest action will conclude. Persons in the affected areas over the coming days are advised to avoid farmer protest locations as a precaution and keep itineraries flexible to accommodate travel delays, or seek alternative routes to bypass the RN 19. Clients are also advised to monitor local media for updates on associated protest action.

PAKISTAN(KARACHI) - Power supply was temporarily suspended in approximately 90% of Karachi, located in Pakistan's Sindh province, on 29 January. The blackout resulted in disruptions to commercial trader/vendor operations and hospitals. The electricity disruption was caused by a technical fault on a transmission line; authorities have stated that the high levels of humidity, rather than poor infrastructure, may account for the fault. Although power has been restored to some areas, it is currently unclear when authorities will return electricity provision to full capacity. Inclement weather, including rain and humidity, has the capacity to cause disruptions to utilities and affect the provision of electricity. Pakistan regularly experiences power outages due to acts of sabotage or technical faults on transmission lines and at power stations. In light of the current outage, disruptions to business operations, including transportation services, should be expected over the immediate-term, even after power is fully restored. Due to a number of ongoing concerns, clients are advised against all travel to Pakistan. Persons currently in areas affected by the power outages should anticipate disruptions to essential services, including transport and telecommunications. Clients are advised to plan accordingly and monitor local media sources for updates and advisories.

SAUDI ARABIA(AL HOFUF(AL AHSA GOVERNORATE)) - An explosion has been reported at a mosque in Saudi Arabia's eastern Al Ahsa governorate on 29 January. Unconfirmed media reports indicate that the blast was caused by a bomb and that the incident occurred in the Hofuf vicinity at the Shiite Muslim Imam Rida Mosque. A number of casualties have been reported. The incident is likely to prompt an increase in security in the affected area over the near-term. Additional patrols and checkpoints on major roads and near strategic sites are possible. Secondary attacks targeting first responders or gathering crowds are a risk. Clients in the affected area should avoid the blast site. A heightened level of personal security awareness is advised in the Hofuf area and its immediate surrounds.

KOSOVO(NORTH MITROVICA) - A demonstration against the sentencing of politician, Oliver Ivanovic, is expected in North Mitrovica, located in northern Kosovo, on 29 January. Ivanovic was recently sentenced to nine years in prison by the EU's Rule of Law Mission (EULEX), for war crimes committed during the Kosovo War. The protest will be held at the Sumadija Square at 11:00 local time. The issue of alleged war crimes committed during the Kosovo War and the related sentencing is an emotive topic, which has polarised Kosovars, often along ethnic lines. The possibility of isolated skirmishes at the upcoming event cannot be discounted. Additionally, localised disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the protest site. Clients in North Mitrovica on 29 January are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for potential localised disruptions.

HAITI(PORT-AU-PRINCE) - The Group of Eight (G8) coalition of presidential candidates has called for protests in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on 29 and 30 January. The group has listed several demands which it wants met before participating in the run-off elections. These include the establishment of an interim consensus government and changes to the make-up of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). The protests are set to be held outside the National Palace. Haiti's run-off election initially scheduled for 24 January was postponed to an as yet unconfirmed date. This announcement was made amid concerns of escalating violence stemming from opposition groupings' refusal to take part in the elections due allegations of widespread fraud and voting irregularities in the country's first round of presidential elections, which took place on 25 October. Haiti has been subject to sustained protests following the October 2015 ballot, which failed to yield a conclusive winner. The protests are expected to persist, particularly in the capital, in the near-term at least. Elsewhere, protests are possible in other urban areas such as Cap-Haitien, Croix-des-Bouquets, Petit Goave, as well as along National Route 1, particularly between Cabaret and Montrouis. Associated protests have been marred by incidents of violence between security forces and protesters, and have caused significant disruptions to road travel in the affected areas. The risk of violence at all upcoming events is credible. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Haiti due to a number of security concerns. Persons in the country, specifically Port-au-Prince, are advised to monitor local developments and to avoid all politically motivated gatherings and concentrations of security force personnel as a standard precaution.

SOUTH KOREA - The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and associated labour unions have called on their members to observe a countrywide strike in South Korea on 30 January. An associated mass rally is expected in the capital, Seoul, with participants expected to gather at the Seoul Plaza from 15:30 local time. Associated protests are also expected elsewhere; however, details regarding these events are currently unavailable. The strike action has been called amid ongoing protest activity by the unions since 25 January, in protest against government-proposed labour sector reforms, and the arrest of a number of union representatives. The KCTU and other labour unions have staged a number of strikes and associated protest actions in recent months. Associated protests have been well supported and marred by incidents of unrest, including clashes between police and protesters. While the past week's protests have remained largely peaceful, the possibility of similar clashes occurring during the upcoming demonstration cannot be dismissed. It is unclear how well observed the upcoming strike will be; however, disruptions to private and public sector services are anticipated. In addition, travel disruptions and an increased police presence in the vicinity of related gatherings and protests should be anticipated. Due to the ongoing nature of the unions' protest, further strike and protest action is expected to persist for the short- to medium-term, at least. Persons in South Korea are advised to avoid all potential protest gatherings, as the possibility of violent civil unrest cannot be discounted. Furthermore, clients should monitor local media for announcements of further related gatherings.

FINLAND(HELSINKI, KEURUU, KOKKOLA & PORI) - Rival demonstrations are expected in several cities in Finland on 30 and 31 January. The demonstrations have been called over a number of issues relating to the current European migration crisis. Anti-fascist groups are set to hold a pro-immigration demonstration in the capital, Helsinki, on 30 January; participants are expected to gather outside the Central railway station from 14:00 local time. Far-right group Rajat Kiinni! (Close the Borders!) is set to hold anti-immigration protests in Pori on 30 January and associated protests in Keuruu and Kokkola (outside the Kampushalli) between 14:00 to 17:00 on 31 January. Further details regarding the demonstrations are currently unavailable. The ongoing European migrant crisis has prompted numerous anti-immigration and solidarity protests across the region, including in Finland. The upcoming demonstrations come amid the government announcement to deport a number of migrants who have been assessed to not have qualified for asylum. While previous associated protests have concluded relatively peacefully, the possibility of isolated incidents of unrest at the upcoming demonstrations cannot be discounted. Attendance at the events is expected to be high; as such, localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of demonstration sites. Persons in Finland in the aforementioned locations are advised to monitor local media regarding the upcoming demonstrations. All large street protests should be avoided as a general precaution. Localised disruptions should be expected at demonstration affected sites.

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