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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(NEBRASKA, SOUTH DAKOTA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN) - (Update) The National Weather Service (NWS) maintains adverse winter weather warnings for states in the vicinity of the Great Lakes on 3 February. Blizzard Warning and Winter Storm Warning advisories are currently in place for Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The storm (Winter Storm Kayla), which has been moving in a north easterly direction across the US in recent days, has resulted in a number of flight cancellations. One of the worst-affected airports on 3 February is Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Minnesota. Road closures and power outages have also occurred. The storm is likely to continue to impact on the north east over the next 48 hours. Further heavy snowfalls and generally adverse winter weather conditions are likely to result in further air, road, and possibly rail, travel disruptions. Further power outages should also be anticipated. Persons travelling in the affected areas are advised to monitor local media closely or the NWS website (http://www.weather.gov/) for updates and advisories. Travellers should reconfirm all transport services, including flights, with their travel provider prior to departure. Caution is advised while driving on snow-affected roads.

GLOBAL(UNITED AIRLINES) - United Airlines will introduce daily non-stop flights between its hub in San Francisco International Airport and Singapore's Changi Airport, becoming the first direct service between both cities and the only non-stop between the United States and Singapore. Flights operated by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will start on June 3, subject to government approval. The flight will take about 16 hours, 20 minutes to Singapore, saving about four hours of travel time compared with the airline's current services via Tokyo's Narita airport. Return flight to San Francisco will be approximately 15 hours, 30 minutes. Measured by distance, the San Francisco - Singapore service will be the longest scheduled 787 flight operated by any airline and the longest scheduled flight operated by any U.S. carrier, at 8,446 miles (13,593 km).

UAE(ETIHAD AIRWAYS) - Etihad Airways will open a new first class lounge at Abu Dhabi airport's Terminal 3 this May. The new lounge will be available to first class passengers and those travelling in the carrier's A380 The Residence suites, as well as Etihad Guest Platinum members and top-tier cardholders of the carrier's airline partners. First class passengers travelling through the dedicated Etihad terminal currently have use of the carrier's Premium lounge, which will continue to be used by business class guests once the new first class lounge opens. The Gulf carrier recently opened a new business and first class lounge facility at New York JFK's Terminal 4.

FRANCE/KAZAKHSTAN(AIR ASTANA, AIR FRANCE & KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES) - Air Astana has signed a codeshare agreement with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for flights between Astana and Paris. Starting from March 11 the deal will see the three-times weekly service, currently operated by the Kazakh carrier, carry the code of Air France-KLM. This agreement enables passengers from across KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France networks to be able to purchase tickets and travel to and from the capital of Kazakhstan. As part of the deal the airlines have made baggage and passenger transfer agreements and the operations of Air Astana flights at Charles de Gaulle airport have been transferred from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2a. Air Astana operates three flights a week between Astana and Paris, Charles de Gaulle on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using Boeing B757-200 aircraft, configured with 16 Business Class, 12 Economy Sleeper Class and 108 Economy Class seats. The deal follows a codeshare deal with Hong Kong airlines announced last month.

FRANCE(PARIS) - Taxi drivers have organised a protest in France's capital, Paris, on 3 February. Participants are expected to gather at the Gare Montparnasse train station at 11:00 local time and proceed to Les Invalides. The agitation is in protest against perceived unfair competition from low-cost taxi carriers such as Uber. The agitation is the latest in protest- and strike-related activity pertaining to this issue, with similar protests having taken place during the week of 25 January. It should be noted that protests held on 26 January deteriorated into violence between protesters and police forces. As such, a significant police presence is likely to accompany the upcoming event; the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Clients should expect a significantly lower number of taxis in service and an increased demand for alternative forms of transport. Due to the ongoing nature of the dispute, further protest action remains possible in the short-term, at least. Persons in Paris on 3 February 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 related protest action.

FRANCE(PARIS) - The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) union has called on its members to observe a rail sector strike in France's capital, Paris, on 4 February. The strike is expected to affect lines A and B of the Paris RER, which is the city's main rail operator. An associated demonstration is also anticipated on the day; participants will gather at Place de la Nation at 11:00 local time. The strike action has been organised to demand the acquittal of eight former Goodyear employees who were sentenced to imprisonment earlier in January. The disruption of rail services will likely result in an increased demand for alternative forms of public transport on 4 February. Furthermore, residual delays should be anticipated once rail services resume on normal schedules. Additionally, localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the demonstration at Place de la Nation. While the risk of violence at the demonstration is low, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Clients intending to make use of Paris RER rail services on 4 February are advised to contact their travel provider, or the rail operator directly, for an update on the status of travel arrangements. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

PAKISTAN(PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES) - (Update) All domestic and international flights on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan's national carrier, have been cancelled on 3 February amid an ongoing strike by PIA employees. All departing and arriving flights have been suspended countrywide. The flights have been cancelled after violent protests outside Karachi's Jinnah International Airport on 2 February left three people dead and over 15 more wounded. It is unclear at this point when PIA services will resume. If/when they do, ongoing disruptions are expected while PIA services normalise. In addition, increased demand on other carriers is also expected. It should also be noted that if PIA employees, who are protesting against the proposed privatisation of the airline, engage in further demonstrations, such actions may block access to airport facilities across the country. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, all non-essential travel to Pakistan is advised against. Clients intending to travel to or within the country by air in the short-term, especially on PIA, are advised to contact the airline, their departure airport or their travel provider for updates on the status of services.

UGANDA(NORTHERN REGION) - (Update) As many as 658 malaria-related fatalities have been reported in Uganda's Northern region since July 2015 in an ongoing outbreak of the disease. Moreover, government officials have stated that approximately 1,005,632 people have been affected by the malaria epidemic in this time. In order to combat the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Health has reportedly deployed additional healthcare workers to high-risk areas, including the Agago, Amuru, Apac, Gulu, Kitgum, Kole, Lamwo, Nwoya, Oyam and Pader districts. Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms appear about nine to 14 days after receiving the infected mosquito bite; however, this can vary between the different malaria parasites. Persons infected with malaria experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, shaking, headaches, nausea and extreme tiredness. Some patients also show yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes. If the disease is not treated, it could result in liver failure, seizures and even death. As medical facilities across most of the region are poor, persons in Uganda's Northern region are advised to take preventative measures to lower the risk of contracting malaria. Clients are advised to visit their healthcare provider at least four to six weeks prior to travelling, to discuss which type of anti-malarial medication is suitable for their trip. Furthermore, clients are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce the risk of being bitten by infected mosquitoes.

GHANA(BRONG AHAFO, ASHANTI & NORTHERN REGIONS) - A number of cases of pneumococcal meningitis have been reported in parts of Ghana in recent weeks. Approximately 250 cases and 50 deaths have been reported in the Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Northern regions of the country. The local officials are currently being aided by teams of the World Health Organization (WHO) in combating the disease and preventing its spread. Health officials have reportedly recommended that persons avoid crowded places, wash their hands regularly and cover their mouth or nose when sneezing to reduce the risk of infection. Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by bacteria and is spread from person to person by exposure to infected secretions from the nose or throat. Symptoms include a sudden onset of fever, intense headaches, stiff neck, nausea and a rash. Other symptoms may include sensitivity to light and an altered mental state. Persons in Ghana, particularly in worst-affected areas, should follow the recommendations of the local authorities, outlined above. Persons displaying symptoms should consult with a medical practitioner immediately.

EGYPT(CAIRO) - Security forces clashed with gunmen in the upmarket Maadi area of Egypt's capital, Cairo, on 3 February. The assailants were described as suspected Islamist militants by local media. The encounter left two gunmen dead and two police officials wounded. The authorities seized weapons and explosives following the gun battle. Unconfirmed reports indicate that at least two other gunmen fled the scene and that the police are in pursuit. Clashes between police and suspected militants are common in Cairo and have increased in frequency in recent years, in response to a number of high profile attacks and an increasing threat of terrorism. The threat stems from Islamist extremist groups, such as the Islamic State (IS)'s Sinai Province, and self-radicalised persons, many of whom are connected to the Islamist political opposition. Persons in Cairo should anticipate an increased security presence in the Maadi area over the near-term. Additional checkpoints and patrols are likely. Caution is advised in the Maadi area of Cairo. Persons in Greater Cairo should report suspicious persons and packages to the authorities.

BURUNDI(BUJUMBURA) - At least four people were wounded by three separate grenade attacks in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, on 3 January. According to reports, the attacks took place at approximately 12:30 local time in the city centre. In addition, at least one person was killed and eight others were wounded in an earlier grenade attack at a local bar on 1 February. Although the identities of the perpetrators are currently unknown, precedent suggests that the aforementioned attacks may have been politically motivated. Burundi's current political and security environment remains unstable amid ongoing anti-government unrest in the post-election period. President Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial re-election for a third successive term continues to trigger violent protests in the country. Moreover, Bujumbura has been subject to sporadic, and often fatal, grenade attacks since late 2015. As the situation is unlikely to change in the near-term, further such attacks are possible in Bujumbura. Due to the uncertain political situation, clients are advised against all travel to Burundi. Persons in the country should consider departing where safe and possible to do so. Those who chose to continue operating in Burundi in the near-term should coordinate all movements in the presence of a security escort, and ensure that robust residential, travel and personal safety measures are employed at all times.

YEMEN(SANAA VICINITY) - Reports on 2 February indicated that fighting 65km east of Sanaa, capital of Yemen, over the past 48 hours had left at least 50 people dead. The fighting involves the Houthis and forces loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. Conflict continues to impact on large parts of the country. Clashes in recent days between the two rival forces have been reported in Hajjah governorate, as well as in Taiz and along the Yemen-Saudi Arabia border. Aden remains under the control of the pro-Hadi alliance; however, reported clashes between militants and pro-Hadi forces on 2 February, and other recent Islamist extremist attacks, underline the ongoing insecurity in the city. The fighting is expected to persist. President Hadi has indicated that the recapture of Sanaa is his immediate priority. Clients are advised against all travel to Yemen due to the ongoing conflict and a number of other security risks, including crime, kidnapping, civil unrest and terrorism.

ISRAEL(JERUSALEM) - The security forces shot and killed three Palestinians in Jerusalem, Israel, on 3 February. The incident occurred in the vicinity of the Damascus Gate. The security forces reportedly opened fire on the three after they attacked and wounded two soldiers. The incident is likely to prompt an increase in security forces in the affected area over the immediate term. Additional patrols and checkpoints are possible. Palestinian protests in response to the killings may also occur. East Jerusalem and Jenin are possible protest areas. Initial indications are that the three deceased were from the Jenin area in the West Bank. Clients are advised against all travel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including the Old City. Persons in Jerusalem, particularly near the Damascus Gate, should exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness, avoid concentrations of security force personnel and all street protests. Similar precautions are advised in the Jenin area.

HUNGARY - The Democratic Teachers' Union and the Students Network organisation have called for civil action across Hungary on 3, 10 and 13 February. The trade union and student organisation have called on their members to participate in gatherings that are anticipated to be held at various locations on 3 February; with the main demonstration being held in Miskolc at the Otto Secondary School, at 16:30 local time. Participants in Budapest are expected to gather at Liberty Square at 17:00. Associated gatherings are also anticipated in Bekescsaba, Budaors, Gyor, Hajduszoboszlo, Pecs, Sopron, Szeged, Szombathely and Veszprem on the same day. Information regarding the demonstrations to be held on 10 and 13 February is unavailable. The protests have been called in demand of public education reforms. Protests and demonstrations in Hungary are a frequent occurrence, and take place over a range of political, socio-economic and international concerns. However, the country has no recent history of sustained large-scale civil unrest. Protests are usually announced well in advance, generally proceed under police supervision and conclude without incident. Such gatherings often prompt road restrictions, resulting in localised travel disruptions. Persons in Hungary on the aforementioned dates are advised to monitor local media broadcasts for updates on the upcoming protests. Clients are also advised to avoid all street gatherings as a standard precaution. Clients should anticipate and plan for possible travel delays.

BRAZIL(RIO DE JANEIRO, SAO PAULO, SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS) - Further protest action by the Movimento Passe Livre (MPL) is expected in major cities on 3 February. The demonstrations are being held in protest against price hikes to public transport fares. Protests will be held in Sao Paulo at the Theatro Municipal at 17:00 local time; in Rio de Janeiro near the Palacio Tirandentes at 18:00; and in Sao Jose dos Campos at the Moabe Cury school at 19:00. Protests over increases in public transport fares have sparked widespread, sustained and violent protest action in Brazil's urban centres in recent years, most notably in June 2013, and more recently in 2015. Police have clashed with protesters on multiple occasions and often use teargas to disperse the groups. Given this dynamic, the possibility of violence during the upcoming demonstrations cannot be discounted. In addition, the protest action has the potential to result in localised travel disruptions. Clients in the above-mentioned cities on 3 February are advised avoid all protests as a standard precaution and to make allowances for potential localised disruptions. Local media should be monitored for updates on related upcoming events.

VENEZUELA(CARACAS) - Supporters of the Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV) are expected to hold a street march in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on 4 February. The protest has been called to honour former Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, who died in March 2013. The gathering will begin at Plaza Venezuela and end at Cuartel de la Montana. It is not clear when the rally will begin. The protest is expected to draw a large crowd and road travel disruptions are anticipated along the route during the course of the day. The event coincides with increased political tensions between the executive, led President Nicolas Maduro of the PSUV, and the legislature, dominated by the Mesa de la Unidad Democratica (MUD), which came to power in December 2015. The potential for counter-protests exists. If these occur, the threat of violent altercations is elevated. Clients in Caracas on 4 February should avoid the affected areas and all street protests in the city as a precaution.

ARGENTINA/PERU - Civil society groups in Peru and Argentina are expected to hold demonstrations, on 4 February. Participants in Lima and Trujillo are expected to gather at the Plaza San Mart�n and Plaza de Armas of Trujillo at 16:00 local time respectively. Participants in Chiclayo and Pucallpa are also anticipated to gather at the Plazuela Elias Aguirre and The Boulevard Tacna at 17:00 local time. Protesters in Cusco are expected to gather at Plaza Tupac Amaru Wanchaq at 16:30 local time. In Buenos Aires an associated demonstration is set to be held outside the New Zealand Embassy at 17:00 local time. The gatherings will coincide with the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement in New Zealand by representatives from Peru and Argentina. The gatherings are expected to be well attended and conclude peacefully; nonetheless, the possibility of low-level incidents of violence cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the protest venues. Clients in aforementioned areas are advised to to avoid all street protests and related gatherings as a standard precaution. Furthermore, as the gatherings are expected to result in significant travel disruptions, clients should make allowances for delays and plan accordingly.

SENEGAL(DAKAR) - Khalifa Sall, the mayor of Senegal's capital, Dakar, has called for a mass demonstration outside the Dakar City Hall at 15:00 local time on 4 February. The action has been called to protest efforts by the Department of Urban Renewal to improve the city's Independence Square; Sall and his supporters assert such endeavours fall outside of the department's jurisdiction. It should be noted that an earlier rally held on 2 February was forcibly dispersed by security forces. The gathering is expected to be well attended and could carry an anti-government sentiment. Significant outbreaks of unrest are not anticipated, although security forces may attempt to forcibly remove the protesters should the protest disrupt access to the City Hall. Such crowd dispersal measures may pose an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Persons in Dakar on 4 February are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration and all related large street gatherings as a standard precaution. In addition, localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the protest gathering.

HAITI(PORT-AU-PRINCE) - The presidential coalition group, Group of Eight (G8) has called for a series of protests in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince from 4 to 7 February. The coalition has called for protests in demand for the release of political prisoners and the stepping down of President Michel Martelly, whose term ends on 7 February. Haiti has been subject to sustained protests following the October 2015 ballot, which failed to yield a conclusive winner. The 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 to allegations of widespread fraud and voting irregularities in the country's first round of presidential elections, which took place on 25 October. 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.

PAKISTAN/INDIA - Rallies in urban centres across Pakistan, and in India's Jammu and Kashmir state are expected on 5 February to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day. Kashmir Solidarity Day, which has been celebrated in Pakistan since 1990, commemorates Pakistan's solidarity with Kashmiris in the Indian-administered Kashmir in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan considers the disputed Kashmir region as part of its territory and claims that the region is illegitimately occupied by India. Commemorative events in Pakistan may be accompanied by anti-India demonstrations; politically motivated gatherings regularly turn violent in Pakistan. Heightened security measures, including in India's Jammu and Kashmir, are possible as anti-government/pro-separatist demonstrations and possible strike action is expected there. As with many protests in the state, the threat of violence is elevated, as local security forces will not hesitate in using force to quell dissent, especially if it is of an anti-India nature. Although this is not specifically directed at foreign nationals, there is a risk of becoming indiscriminately caught in the violence. In addition, travel disruptions should be anticipated in the impacted areas of both Pakistan and India on the affected day. Due to numerous security concerns, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Pakistan, and to all non-essential travel to India's Jammu and Kashmir state, except the eastern Ladakh region. Clients in both locations are advised to avoid all related gatherings and demonstrations.

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