A suspicious package found inside of the Hyllie Station in Malmo, Sweden, prompted the immediate evacuation of the facility on November 28. Bomb squads deployed to the region, and an investigation is ongoing. A heightened police presence will remain as the investigation continues.
On December 2, two competing abortion marches and demonstrations will take place throughout Wellington, New Zealand. Around 1:00 PM, pro-choice groups will gather at Te Aro Park and pro-life activists will gather at Civic Square. Both groups will then march to the Parliament Building. Clashes between protestors are possible, and traffic disruptions are likely along the march routes.
As of November 27, Icelandic officials have warned of an imminent eruption from the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Grindavik, located just south of the capital, Reykjavik. Recent seismic activity caused the evacuation of nearby towns. Though flight disruptions are unlikely, they are still possible. Potential disruptions include ash plumes and low visibility.
On November 22 at 11:30 AM, a car exploded while crashing into Rainbow Bridge at the U.S.-Canada border in Niagara Falls causing two deaths and one injury. The explosion has resulted in increased security at U.S.- Canada border checkpoints in New York and the closures of three border checkpoints: Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and Whirlpool Bridge. Law enforcement is actively investigating the situation.
On November 20, Mount Ulawun erupted on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea, covering the surrounding area in ash. Evacuation notices are in place. Ashfall is affecting air quality in the immediate vicinity. While the eruption is classified as “Moderate,” flights at Hoskins Airport have been canceled and the eruption has the potential to continue.
On November 24, several major transit sectors in Italy will hold 24-hour strikes, resulting in widespread travel disruptions. Airport ground staff will strike throughout the country. In northern Italy, several labor unions will carry out a general strike affecting public and private transit services in Lombardy, Piemonte, and Liguria. Affiliated protests are likely during the strikes, with confirmed demonstrations set to take place at Genoa’s Stazione Marittima and Modena’s Piazza Grande at 9:00 AM.
On November 17, the Yellow Vests activist group will hold a series of protests in cities across France. All demonstrations will begin at 8:00 PM in the following locations: the Parvis du Sacre-Coeur in Paris; the Prefecture in Marseille; Place des Terreaux in Lyon; Place Pey Berland in Bordeaux; the Mairie in Lille; and Place Saint-Georges in Toulouse. The actions are commemorating the movement’s fifth anniversary and calling for economic reforms. Traffic disruptions and a police presence are expected near the demonstrations.
From November 8-9, nurses and other public healthcare workers will hold a major strike in Quebec Province, Canada. The strike will involve more than 80,000 healthcare professionals, and comes amidst an ongoing public workers’ strike involving thousands more government employees across multiple sectors. Affiliated demonstrations are likely to take place during the strike.
After an 18-hour hostage standoff at the Hamburg Airport, German police successfully arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of carrying a gun and explosives. The individual captured held hostage a four-year-old girl. Security forces successfully apprehended the individual with air travel resuming after over 100 flight cancellations and delays.
Storm Ciaran has unleashed strong winds and heavy rain across western Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom and France. Flooding and winds have caused closures and power outages throughout the English Channel, and left at least one dead in northern France. Flights in the Netherlands are cancelled, and Southeastern Rails in the U.K. have reported severe disruptions to its services.
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