Bangladesh (Security threat level – 4): On 10 January 2019, thousands of striking garment workers continued to protest on the outskirts of Dhaka, in the Ashulia district of Savar. Police officers used tear gas and blank rounds to disperse protesters who had gathered on the Zirabo-Bishmail Highway and Abdullahpur-Bipile Road. At least 30 people were injured in the clashes.
Cyprus (Security threat level – 2): As of 10 January 2019, employees of the Osypas bus company in Paphos are continuing to strike over nonpayment of wages for the month of December. The strike is currently affecting approximately 8,500 passengers in the Paphos region. The strike began on 9 January and workers claim that it will continue until the pay issue is resolved.
France (Security threat level – 3): Early on 10 January 2019, a four-story building caught fire near the Matabiau train station in Toulouse. The fire caused the building to partially collapse, and at least 20 people were injured. Authorities evacuated 60 people from the neighboring Bristol Hotel and blocked access to the Matabiau station and the surrounding area as a precaution. Hundreds of firefighters brought the blaze under control later in the morning on 10 January. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Trains are still running through the station at Matabiau, but access to the station remains disrupted.
France (Security threat level – 3): On 10 January 2019, VTC drivers — private chauffeur drivers not affiliated with taxi companies — protested in various locations throughout Paris, using vehicles to block roads. A spokesperson at Paris’ Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG/CDG) stated that protesters had blocked access to the airport via the A1 motorway and advised travelers to use the rail networks to access the airport. Drivers also reportedly blocked locations along the ring road surrounding Paris. Drivers are protesting to demand the introduction of a minimum fare and push for a partial exemption on a fuel tax.
Germany (Security threat level – 3): On 10 January 2019, a security staff strike at three airports in Germany resulted in the cancellation of more than 640 flights. The all-day strikes are currently ongoing at Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL/DUS), Cologne-Bonn Airport (EDDK/CGN) and Stuttgart Airport (EDDS/STR). There are currently reports of long lines at security checkpoints at all airports and further delays and cancellations are possible throughout the day. Airport authorities advised those booked on flights today to contact their airline before traveling to the airports. In addition, operations at other airports may be disrupted due to the delays and cancellations. Organizers of the strike warned that the walkouts could continue if the workers’ demands for wage increases were not met.
Italy (Security threat level – 3): According to reports from 10 January 2019, multiple unions have called for Italian air traffic controllers to strike on 11 January. Eurocontrol reported that the industrial action will occur between 1300-1700 local time (1200-1600 UTC) and affect several airports, including Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (LIRF/FCO) and Ciampino International Airport (LIRA/CIA), Turin’s Caselle International Airport (LIMF/TRN), Milan’s Linate Airport (LIML/LIN), Genoa’s Cristoforo Colombo Airport (LIMJ/GOA), Perugia’s Umbria International Airport (LIRZ/PEG), Pescara’s Abruzzo Airport (LIBP/PSR) and Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (LICC/CTA). Italian law stipulates that a minimum level of service must be met during labor actions; however, significant delays and cancellations are likely.
Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 5): At approximately 0300 local time (0200 UTC) on 10 January 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced the provisional results of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s general election, declaring opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the winner of the presidential race. According to CENI’s provisional results, Tshisekedi received 38.57 percent of the vote; however, election observers with the Catholic Church stated that CENI’s results did not align with their findings. The two other leading candidates have implied they will contest the results, with opposition candidate Martin Fayulu calling the outcome an “electoral coup.” The Constitutional Court has 14 days to confirm the provisional results.
Heavy security remains in place throughout Kinshasa, including around the CENI headquarters. Reports indicate that internet connectivity — which was shut down during vote counting — has been restored in Kinshasa and Goma; the status of internet connectivity elsewhere is unclear. A large number of businesses in the capital remained closed following the announcement. There were reports of celebrations in the streets of Kinshasa and some reports of protests over the election outcome elsewhere in the country. For instance, supporters of opposition candidate Martin Fayulu demonstrated in Kinsagani, while security personnel opened fire to disperse unidentified protesters who attacked symbols of the government in Kikwit, a town located approximately 500 km (310 mi) from Kinshasa; at least two people were killed in the clashes in Kikwit.
Democratic Republic Of The Congo / Rwanda (Security threat levels – 5 / 3): On 9 January 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updates to its travel advisories for Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that read in part as follows:
France (Security threat level – 3) : On 10 January 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Paris issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:
Germany (Security threat level – 3): On 10 January 2019, the U.S. Consulate in Munich issued a Weather Alert, which reads in part as follows:
Haiti (Security threat level – 4): On 10 January 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:
Security threat levels range from 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High) and are determined using a comprehensive system that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary factors used to determine a location’s security threat level are Armed Conflict, Crime, Demonstrations/Strikes, Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions, Graft/Corruption, Kidnapping, Political Instability, Government Restriction and Terrorism.
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