Beginning on 22 December, railway workers and members of the railway union La Fraternidad will participate in a 24-hour strike demanding increased health benefits from the government. Workers claim to also be essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and seek better working conditions.
As of 21 December, most European countries and others including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Canada have banned all international flights with the UK. The measures are due to a new COVID-19 strain found in September, now responsible for approximately half the current COVID-19 cases in the country. Wales is currently under lockdown, and Scotland will follow lockdown procedures on 26 December, already banning travel to the rest of the UK.
On 17 December, heavy rainfall is forecast to continue in Beirut and Tyre, and continue into 18 December when it begins to subside. Heavy rainfall on 16 December previously caused flooding and severe disruptions to traffic which is expected to continue until after rainfall subsides. Flash floods and landslides may result.
Between 25-30 December, London’s King Cross Station will suspend all train services due to maintenance. The suspensions are expected to affect railway services and routes to York, Thirsk, Selby, and Northallerton. The East Coast Main Line is expected to be upgraded in the meantime.
On 16 December, members of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL) have called for nationwide demonstrations to protest the government’s decision to reduce subsidies on essential goods and demand the formation of a new government capable of implementing economic reforms. Large crowds are expected to gather due to CGTL having over 200,000 members.
A transportation strike is planned for 17 December involving a work stoppage of all public transportation in Paris. The protest is to oppose the planned privatization of public transportation across the Île-de-France region, claiming a possible negative impact on salaries and working conditions of employees.
On 17 December from 10:00 to 14:00 local time, aviation employees of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) affiliated with the National Union of State Managers (UNADIS) plan to conduct a four-hour strike. As a result, expect travel delays due to airport operations being affected.
On 12 December at 14:30 local time, various organizations are expected to gather at Place du Châtelet before marching to Place de la République in protests denouncing the national security bill prohibiting dissemination of photographs or videos identifying the police and gendarme. A large turnout is expected since multiple civic organizations and labor unions intend to participate.
On 12 December, a protest is expected by the Australian Student Environment Network and Uni Students for Climate Justice to criticize the government’s lack of commitment in addressing climate change. Protests aim to pressure the government to prioritize climate justice and reduce carbon emissions among other measures. Environmentalist group Extinction Rebellion (XR) protests through 19 December are to also proceed for the same cause.
Beginning 10 December, all cross-border rail services between Italy and Switzerland will be suspended indefinitely due to train personnel lacking the capacity to carry out COVID-19 safety checks ordered by the Italian government. The suspension will affect dozens of routes including long-distance trains between Milan, Italy, and Frankfurt, Germany.
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