From 6:00 AM February 19 to 6:00 AM February 20, unionized taxi drivers in Athens are planning to strike. The Attica Taxi Motorists’ Union (SATA) is organizing the strike to advocate for several demands. This strike will disrupt taxi services throughout Athens and the broader Attica region. Associated demonstrations are also possible.
Belgian public transportation is expected to be disrupted on February 12-13 amid a nationwide strike protesting government’s pension and labor market reforms. Associated demonstrations are expected. Major cities Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, and Liège are expected to be heavily affected. The Brussels Airport (BRU) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport(CRL) cancelled all flights on February 13.
The Greek Government has declared a state of emergency on Santorini until March 3 due to the risk of landslides from ongoing earthquakes. Thousands of tremors have impacted Santorini, Amorgos, Anafi, and los since late January, including a 5.2 magnitude earthquake on February 5. Schools on the four islands will be closed until at least February 14.
From February 10-11, employees of the Berlin Transport Company (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, BVG) are planning to strike. The strike is expected to begin around 3:00 AM on February 10 and last until 3:00 AM on February 11. During this time, all trams, subways, and most buses operated by the BVG will likely be out of service.
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In this Spotlight On interview, Todd emphasizes the importance of tabletop exercises in preparing faculty and staff for study abroad programs. Goen highlights the need to focus on realistic, common issues that faculty and staff are likely to encounter, such as student conduct and routine illnesses, to enhance crisis management skills. He also stresses the importance of regular policy updates driven by routine reviews, industry changes, and specific incidents, with clear communication and stakeholder input being essential for effective implementation.
Citizens of Ireland are leading anti-migrant protests more frequently nationwide due to the steep increase in asylum applications over the past year. Many such protests have turned violent, with protestors setting fires and clashing with police. In the coming weeks, an increased security presence and travel disruptions near asylum sites due to unrest are likely. Although the government is working on a better approach to immigrant integration, it will take time to implement new policies.
In this Spotlight On interview, Leah delves into the comprehensive training programs she oversees for faculty and staff involved in study abroad programs. She emphasizes the critical role these programs play in equipping faculty to handle the multifaceted responsibilities they assume abroad, including health, safety, and student affairs. She also highlights the value of interactive workshops, drawing on real-world examples and external expertise to fuel continuous feedback and ensure the training remains effective and responsive to emerging trends and faculty needs.
In this “Spotlight On” interview, LaSharon McLean Perez, Assistant Director for Education Abroad at UC Riverside, outlines her holistic approach to pre-departure preparation. She details a multi-touchpoint program that includes selection maintenance seminars, financial literacy workshops, and safety and wellness training in partnership with SafeAbroad. Lasharon emphasizes the importance of tailored safety training for various destinations and building trust with students to encourage proactive reporting of safety concerns, and the need to keep students informed and supported throughout their time abroad.
Cities in Mexico are at risk of running out of clean drinking water due to low-capacity reservoirs and diminished aquifers caused by droughts during the El Niño season. The water crisis will likely persist in the coming months due to a lack of rainfall; however, Mexico’s government has announced intentions to repair and create water infrastructure to help mitigate the water shortage, which will affect water flow throughout the cities. Demonstrations and roadblocks in response to the ongoing water crisis have caused travel disruptions throughout several cities.