STRIKES
Spain…Main trade unions had announced 22 days of planned strikes. April: 20?21, 24?25, 30 May: 2, 14 15, 19?20 June: 13, 23, And 30 July: 1?4, 15, 31 August: 1, 15, And 31 A deal has been reached on Wed 16 Mar to avert the planned strike days by airport personnel. The agreement is to be voted on next week by union members and, if passed, will eliminate the threat of strikes during the Easter and summer peak travel times.
Greece: 17 Mar the majority of public transport in the Athens region will be disrupted due to industrial action. The Athens Metro, electric railway, trams, suburban railway and trolley buses will be suspended for 24 hours. Buses are expected to operate as normal. Pakistan: A doctor’s strike has continued for the 16th day in Punjab province today. They are demanding an increase in salaries.
SECURITY
JAPAN: The US Dept of State warns US citizens of the deteriorating situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recommends that US citizens who live within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical. The State Department strongly urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Japan at this time and those in Japan should consider departing.
BAHRAIN: The US Dept of State warns US citizens of the potential for ongoing political and civil unrest in Bahrain. We urge US citizens to defer travel to Bahrain at this time. US citizens currently in Bahrain should consider departing. Our assessment remains that, as on 16 Mar, travel on the main routes on the island during daylight hours is orderly if slow in some places because of police checkpoints. You should exercise caution when using minor roads to get to the main routes and consider carefully the situation in your local vicinity before you leave.
Jeddah ? There have been a number of demonstrations in recent weeks in different parts of the country, and more have been called for 20 March by online activists. On 6 March, the authorities issued a statement reminding people that all such demonstrations are illegal under Saudi law.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Ireland 17 Mar Italy – 17 Mar Aruba – 18 Mar Colombia – 19 Mar Costa Rica – 19 Mar Malta – 19 Mar Spain – 19 Mar Tunisia – 20 ?21 Mar Kazakhstan – 21 Mar Mexico – 21 Mar Namibia – 21 Mar South Africa – 21 Mar Iran – 21 Mar
HOTSPOTS
India: Holi Intercaste Festival of colour. Boisterous celebrations include throwing coloured water & powder) 19?21 Mar Saudi Arabia: Activists planning “day of rage” protests in Saudi Arabia Worldwide: Anniversary of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Anti?war protests possible worldwide. Iraq may experience an increase in attacks around this date.)

