HOT SPOTS FOR TRAVELLERS
AMERICAS
Bolivia : Government officials resumed talks with the Central Bolivian Workers (COB) union on 20 May 2013 during a 48-hour suspension of protests that have paralyzed activity nationwide for two weeks. The COB launched the protests on 6 May to demand larger pensions; union workers have held rallies in La Paz and other cities on a daily basis and set up highway roadblocks that have impeded transportation and commerce. The two sides agreed to continue talks on 21 May..
Concurrently, supporters of the ruling Movement to Socialism (MAS) party held pro-government rallies in La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, while teachers and health workers marched in La Paz despite the COB moratorium. Reports indicate that participants in the two separate protests in La Paz exchanged words, but did not engage in violence.
Concurrently, supporters of the ruling Movement to Socialism (MAS) party held pro-government rallies in La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, while teachers and health workers marched in La Paz despite the COB moratorium. Reports indicate that participants in the two separate protests in La Paz exchanged words, but did not engage in violence.
United States : On 20 May 2013 the Pavlof volcano in Alaska continued to erupt, spewing lava and sending plumes as high as 22,000 ft/6,700 m into the air. At least two communities, the Aleut village of Nelson Lagoon and the fishing town of Sand Point, reported small amounts of ash as the wind pushed the ash cloud eastward. Although the ash plume was still too low to affect commercial airlines -- which fly at least 30,000 ft/9,150 m above sea level -- it forced regional airlines that serve rural fishing towns and villages to cancel at least a dozen flights.
United States : On 20 May 2013 a two mile-wide tornado struck the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore at approximately 1500 local time (2000 UTC). The EF-4 tornado was on the ground for at least 40 minutes, posting winds of approximately 200 mph/174 kt. The twister left a debris path at least 20 mi/32 km long and several miles wide, leveling at least 8,000 buildings and leaving more than 40,000 homes without electricity or water. At least 51 people were killed and more than 240 others were injured. Oklahoma has been declared a disaster area, which means that federal emergency aid will be used to supplement local recovery efforts. Rescue efforts are currently ongoing. The death toll is expected to rise, as more than 40 additional bodies have been found in the wreckage, but have not yet been added to the official fatality count.
EUROPE
Russia : Security officials reported on 20 May 2013 that they have disrupted a terrorist plot targeting Moscow after conducting a raid on a home in the town of Orekhovo-Zuyevo, located approximately 50 mi/80 km east of the capital. Two suspects were killed in a firefight and a third was detained. All of the suspects were Russian nationals who had allegedly just returned from militant training in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. They had been under surveillance for approximately one month. Little has been reported about their planned attack, other than that it would target a large-scale public gathering in central Moscow. Russia's Independence Day falls on 12 June and is often marked with various events and gatherings, but it has not been confirmed that this was the intended target.
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Nigeria : Normal operations resumed at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport on 21 May 2013 after Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) workers staged a brief strike the previous day. Reports indicate that the strike also affected operations at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (DNKN/KAN) in the northern city of Kano. The labor action was to go on indefinitely over wage issues, but was suspended after talks between stakeholders in Abuja. The strike delayed a number of flights at the Lagos airport due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, and at least one flight was canceled. Additional security officers were deployed at strategic locations at the airport to prevent an outbreak of unrest; no violence was reported.
South Africa : On 20 May 2013 janitors blockaded the N2 highway in Cape Town to protest their recent dismissal and issues over unpaid wages. Reports indicate that the workers used burning tires and human excrement to blockade the road near the Barcelona informal settlement, prompting officials to close the main thoroughfare from 0400-0900 local time. The protest affected the Airport Approach Road and Borcherds Quarry Road, which are main roads that connect the N2 highway to Cape Town International Airport (FACT/CPT). The road closures diverted traffic to Vanguard Drive, Stellenbosch Arterial, Robert Sobukwe Road and Voortrekker Road. Authorities later dispersed the protesters with rubber bullets and water cannons. There were no reports of arrests or injuries.
GOVERNMENT WARNINGS
Taiwan : On 20 May 2013 the American Institute in Taiwan issued the following Emergency Message: "Press reports and Taiwan’s Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) have reported that Taiwan’s central and southern regions will experience torrential downpours over the next two days, while the western and northeastern regions are also expected to experience heavy rainfall. AIT recommends that all U.S. citizens in Taiwan monitor local information networks for additional information and updates."
SIGNIFICANT DATES
21 May
22 May
Yemen: National Unity Day (Celebration of Yemen's unification in 1990. Most offices and businesses close.)
23 May
24 May
Cambodia / Singapore: Visaka Bochea Day (Buddha Day). (Some businesses and government offices close.)
25 May
Buddhism: Buddha Purnima (Commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha and literally means the "full moon day of Buddha.")
26 May
27 May
28 May
29 May
30 May
31 May
Source:ASI Group
