Britain
Supporters of an organization that opposes tax avoidance will join with student activists as part of a “public spectacular” Thursday in London to back a day of widespread strikes. A large coalition of groups opposed to proposed government cuts is expected to bring educational facilities, ports and job centers to a standstill. Some 750,000 public-sector workers from major unions are expected to take part in the strike. Tourists in London should be aware of the massive protests and expect delays in transportation.
Greece
Athens’ Greek parliamentary square has become center stage for protests of the Papandreou government’s austerity drive, which comes up for a vote late in June. Though most protesters are peaceful, skirmishes have broken out. Travelers are advised to avoid the square as well as demonstrations elsewhere.
Ivory Coast
The U.S. State Department has eased its travel warning for the Ivory Coast. On June 15, the State Department lifted the ordered departure of government employees and adult family members at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast’s economic center. Though State Department officials say conditions have improved after a prolonged post-election crisis and violence, Americans still are advised to exercise caution when traveling to the African nation.
Northern Ireland
Violence continued for a second night Tuesday in east Belfast, with police vehicles coming under attack. Tensions boiled over Monday from Short Strand, a small Catholic enclave in Belfast, where about 500 people demonstrated after the Protestant Ulster Volunteer Force attacked homes with bricks, fireworks and smoke bombs. Sectarian violence between Catholics and Protestants typically builds before July 12, a holiday when thousands of Protestants from the Orange Order brotherhood march across Northern Ireland.
Tibet
China has banned foreign tourists from traveling to Tibet until the end of July. The ban is linked to celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Chinese rule in Tibet and reportedly is due to security concerns. Tensions between Tibetans and the Chinese government have taken violent turns in recent years, with protests in 2008 turning into riots. Earlier this year, a monk self-immolated to protest the Chinese rule government.
Compiled from news services and travel sources. For updates, check with the State Department at 888-407-4747, travel.state.gov
