Canada’s weather service has announced extreme weather alerts for Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, and Ontario provinces. Forecasts predict up to 27 inches of snow and temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit through February 19.
Health officials in Queensland have reported 2 deaths and 46 cases of melioidosis, a bacterial disease endemic to Northern Australia that spreads through contact with contaminated soil or water. Symptoms include fever, difficulty breathing, cough with mucus, and could result in sepsis if not treated.
Pay negotiations between Sydney’s government and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union collapsed on February 13, causing strikes that are severely impacting public transportation across Sydney. Further cancellations and delays are expected over the next week as negotiations continue.
A gas cylinder fire caused the evacuation of at least 460 homes in the vicinity of 159 Rue Saint-Francois in the Tonnelle district of Tours. Authorities have announced a 200-meter evacuation zone, with no reports of injuries. Boulevard Tonnellé, Boulevard Jean Monney, and the nearby railroad line will be closed for the coming hours.
Weeks of heavy rainfall have prompted the Bolivian government to declare a state of emergency in 27 municipalities. The National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology has issued an orange alert through at least February 21. Severe flooding, landslides, and river overflows are expected to continue affecting Bolivia in the coming days.
At least 30 people were injured in a car ramming attack in Munich on February 13 at around 10:30 AM. The incident occurred during a protest organized by the service workers’ union Ver.di, when a car drove into the crowd. A suspect has been taken into custody and the area has been secured by authorities.
Starting February 17, healthcare workers in Kenya will strike nationwide. This strike is being organized by The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) following the Kenyan government’s reported inability to uphold the established Collective Bargaining Agreement. The exact start time and duration of the work stoppage is unconfirmed, though it could possibly last several days to weeks.
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.
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