Beijing Capital International Airport will repair one of its three runways from May 23 to 28. The work will affect 11 airline companies, which will have to cut or combine flights. Some flights may move to airports in Tianjin and Shijiazhuang. Travelers are recommended to confirm their flight status with their travel provider.

Finnish Aviation Union has issued a strike warning for May 19 and 20. If not averted, it will likely result in ground handling and security check delays at Finnish airports and may cause delays and cancellations.

Ground handler strikes at Barcelona and Madrid airports have been called. In Barcelona, workers began a 24-hour strike May 14 with five more day-long walkouts planned for May 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29. Staff in Madrid will strike for four hours each day (1200-1400 and 2000-2200) starting May 16; the work stoppage at Madrid is indefinite.

Leaders of Lufthansa’s pilots’ union have agreed to initiate an arbitration process with Lufthansa management with debate through at least the end of July. Even if mediation is unsuccessful, no further strikes will occur until after that time.

A 24-hour national rail strike on May 25 will affect millions of commuters around the country. The stoppage will start at 5 p.m. on May 25, a public holiday in Britain, and will end at 5 p.m on May 26.

Unionized Metro workers plan to stage two strikes in Lisbon on May 19 and May 26. Service disruptions are possible on subway routes across the city and heavy congestion is likely on all other modes of mass transit as commuters seek alternate transportation. Expect increased traffic as many passengers will likely resort to using private vehicles.

Strong winds and heavy rain have begun buffeting Guam as Typhoon Dolphin inches slowly towards the island. Evacuation centres have been set up in both Guam and the Northern Marianas, schools and businesses closed, and authorities are urging people to stay indoors.

Rome’s Fiumicino Airport is still suffering the effects of a huge fire which partially destroyed a terminal last week. Travelers are recommended to reconfirm their flight status and departure time.

Effective Friday, May 15, all Amtrak service will operate as scheduled between New York and Boston. Modified Amtrak service between Washington and Philadelphia will continue through Monday, May 18. Amtrak service between New York and Philadelphia is expected to be suspended through May 18 while repairs are made to affected track, signal and power systems north of Philadelphia.

• The Battle of New Orleans, which made Andrew Jackson a national hero, was fought two weeks after the War of 1812 had ended and more than a month before the news of the war’s end had reached Louisiana
• Louisiana is the only state that still refers to the Napoleonic Code in its state law
• Started in 1835, the New Orleans & Carrollton Line is the oldest street railway line still in operation
• Louisiana is a festive state hosting more than 600 festivals a year
• Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, in Rayne, Louisiana, is unusual as it is one of the very few that faces north-south
• St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, is home to many descendents of Canary Island settlers sent by Spain in the 1700s
• Louisiana produces 24% of the nation’s salt and is home the the oldest salt mine in the Western Hemisphere