On March 8, unionized workers in Italy will be striking in support of International Women’s Day. Unions in education, healthcare, and travel are participating in the strike. The strike is expected to last 24 hours and impact public transit in Rome, Milan and other major cities.
In the late hours of February 27 and early February 28, several explosions took place in districts across Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Explosions occurred in the residential Noord, Oost, and Zuidoost neighborhoods. No casualties have been reported and multiple suspects have been arrested, however authorities warn that disruptions in the vicinity of these explosions could last over the next few days.
The general election campaign period begins March 1st. Rallies will likely gather at public squares or government institutions and will bring thousands of participants. This will likely exacerbate transportation disruptions due to traffic and higher demand for public transportation. Expect heightened security as candidates are a target to violence.
On February 28, air traffic controllers nationwide will go on a 24 hour strike. All domestic and international flights into and out of Greece are expected to be canceled. Air ambulances and essential services will be allowed to use the country’s airports.
Pertussis, also known as the “whooping cough,” has increased significantly throughout the United Kingdom, with over 1,700 cases, primarily affecting highly populated cities like Wales and London. The illness is exacerbated through respiratory droplets and increases in severity from low fever to severe rapid coughs.
Expect significant disruptions and unrest in and around New Delhi, India, due to demonstrations by agricultural workers. Demonstrations originated in multiple municipalities outside the capital, and are converging there. Security personnel have deployed significant measures to attempt to block protesters from reaching the city, however farmers have threatened to clear any barricades with heavy farming equipment. At least one civilian death has been reported.
From February 16 to 18, the Munich Security Conference is being held at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Various heads of state and government officials are attending the event, thus expect heightened security at train stations, road closures, and restricted parking and airspace. Additionally, protests are expected to take place surrounding the event location.
From February 16 to 18, protests are expected to occur across Bulgaria. Farmers are denouncing European Union environmental regulations and demanding increased wages. Expect major roadways to be blocked and a heightened security presence.
From February 9 to March 10, planned demonstrations by Polish farmers are expected to take place across Poland nationwide. Farmers will denounce agricultural policies put into place by the European Union. Throughout this month-long period, protesters will block major travel routes throughout the country, including border crossings with Ukraine. Given previous incidents, clashes between protesters and law enforcement officials are likely.
Severe rainstorms through February 13 have resulted in mass power outages and rail disruptions in Victoria Province, Australia. Flooding and landslides have caused one-half of Loy Yang power station to disconnect from the grid, leaving 500,000 buildings without power. Half of the metropolitan rail lines within the Melbourne area have been suspended due to the loss of power, causing major travel delays.