As of 11 January, Johannesburg experienced great rainfall which led to flooding. Additional rainfall and potential flash floods are expected. Damages to property and infrastructure have been reported, and further flooding would affect roads and low-lying areas as well as power and telecommunication outages.
On 10 January, a demonstration by the Luxembourg Liebknecht Alliance to mark the 102nd anniversary of the deaths of revolutionary socialists Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknecht. Demonstrators are expected to gather in Frankfurter Allee at the corner of Warschauer Strasse at 10:00 local time.
As of 7 January, adverse weather conditions from an ongoing winter season in Japan led to the cancellation of 400 domestic flights and the suspension of some high-speed train services in the Tohoku region. The winter season, lasting until March, is forecast to cause further travel disruptions and interrupt power supply.
On 8 January, aviation sector workers plan to stage three separate strikes resulting in work stoppages. Blue Panorama Airlines workers will strike for 24 hours beginning at 00:01, Milan Malpensa Airport workers from 10:00-14:00, and Milan Linate Airport workers from 08:00 to 16:00. Travel delays are expected.
Beginning 6 January, ambulance workers in Campo de Gibraltar will stage indefinite strikes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to demand improved working conditions throughout the pandemic. Ambulance workers had previously requested employers to provide personal protective equipment without success.
On 8 January, workers of the Emilia-Romagna Passenger Transportation (TPER) company will strike to demand better work conditions and health precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike will affect bus and taxi services from 08:30 local time to 16:30 and from 19:30 to the end of service. Expect travel delays and shortages of transportation.
As of 31 December, the European Meteorological Service issued orange- and yellow-level warnings for heavy snowfall and strong winds across western Europe. Power outages and dangerous road conditions are expected. Most affected areas include southern and central Belgium, northeastern France, Luxembourg, southern Netherlands, southern Germany, and western Switzerland
On 30 December, a train derailment in the Eschersheim district of Frankfurt has led to disruptions in rail traffic. Disruptions are expected to last well into the evening. Rail delays are highly expected to occur, including between Frankfurt West and Freiburg.
On 29 December at 12:19 local time, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake was reported near Zagreb, earning the title of Croatia’s strongest earthquake in 140 years. The tremor occurred at a depth of 6 miles (10 km), and while initial reports were assessing damage, there has been 1 death, at least 20 injured, and damage to structures in the area.
On 29 December, students at the American University of Beirut have planned protests beginning at 11:00 local time near the university’s main gate. The protests are against an increase in the university’s tuition fees. Protests have the potential to turn violent, as one on 19 December resulted in vandalized banks and clashes with security forces.