2 h. ago France hit by protests and strikes over Macron’s public service cuts

‘Every time there's a protest, it feels like daily life is held hostage’ says Paris office worker

Events

4 h. ago Strike action across France as hundreds of thousands march to demand PM rethinks budget cuts

Sébastien Lecornu, who has recently taken office, faces pressure to act on wages, pensions and public services as disruption is caused across the countryHundreds of thousands of people have marched in street demonstrations across France as trade unions held a day of strike action to pressure the new prime minister Sébastien Lecornu to rethink budget cuts and act on wages, pensions and public services.There was disruption to public transport as train, bus and tram drivers went on strike, hospital staff joined protests and nine out of 10 pharmacies were closed as pharmacists protested pricing policies. Around one in six teachers at primary and secondary schools went on strike, as well as school canteen staff and monitors. Several high schools from Paris to Amiens and Le Havre were blockaded by students. Protesters held more than 250 demonstrations and marched in cities from Paris to Marseille, Nantes, Lyon and Montpellier. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago Strike action across France as hundreds of thousands join protests

Disruption seen across country as PM Sébastien Lecornu urged to rethink budget cutsHundreds of thousands of people have marched in street demonstrations across France as trade unions held a day of strike action to pressure the new prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, to rethink budget cuts and act on wages, pensions and public services.There was disruption to public transport as train, bus and tram drivers went on strike, hospital staff joined protests and nine out of 10 pharmacies were closed as pharmacists protested against pricing policies. About one in six teachers at primary and secondary schools went on strike, as well as school canteen staff and monitors. Several high schools from Paris to Amiens and Le Havre were blockaded by students. Protesters held more than 250 demonstrations and marched in cities from Paris to Marseille, Nantes, Lyon and Montpellier. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago Strikes and marches against budget cuts cause disruption across France, with 141 arrests – Europe live

At least 476 separate demonstrations are taking place over public services and wages, a week after the appointment of new PM Sébastien LecornuPeople in France: share your views on the strikeFull report: France’s biggest strike in years under way amid political crisisI am keeping an eye on the EU’s midday briefing just now, but there is no substantial update from the EU on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.The European Commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, Olof Gill, repeated that “we expect to present [them] soon”, as he asked journalists to “please bear with us on that”, without offering more detail. Continue reading...

Events

6 h. ago UK’s public sector broadcasters demand more prominence on YouTube to combat misinformation

Bosses say independent news needs to be promoted on social platforms that increasing numbers of viewers are turning toThe BBC and Britain’s other public sector broadcasters have united to demand new regulations to force platforms such as YouTube to give them a fairer deal and more prominence, warning that failing to do so will fan the flames of misinformation.Public service broadcasters (PSBs) are facing huge pressures as increasing numbers of viewers turn to digital platforms. Bosses say PSBs need to be protected to safeguard the “shared social fabric of the UK”. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Public service broadcasters say ministers misunderstand consolidation meaning

Speaking at the Royal Television Society Convention in Cambridge, UK media bosses agreed merging PSB’s would not be a good thing for the UK.

Politics

8 h. ago Strikes and marches against budget cuts cause disruption across France, with 94 arrests – Europe live

Up to 800,000 people are expected to protest over public services and wages, a week after the appointment of prime minister Sébastien LecornuPeople in France: share your views on the strikeFull report: France’s biggest strike in years under way amid political crisisI am keeping an eye on the EU’s midday briefing just now, but there is no substantial update from the EU on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.The European Commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, Olof Gill, repeated that “we expect to present [them] soon”, as he asked journalists to “please bear with us on that”, without offering more detail. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago New French PM under pressure as strikes disrupt schools and transport across country – Europe live

Up to 800,000 people are expected to march over budget cuts, public services and wages a week after Sébastien Lecornu’s appointmentPeople in France: share your views on the strikeFull report: France’s biggest strike in years under way amid political crisisI am keeping an eye on the EU’s midday briefing just now, but there is no substantial update from the EU on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.The European Commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, Olof Gill, repeated that “we expect to present [them] soon”, as he asked journalists to “please bear with us on that”, without offering more detail. Continue reading...

Events

31 h. ago Davie urges ‘bit of swagger’ to help public service broadcasting remain relevant

Speaking at the RTS Cambridge Convention, BBC director general Tim Davie emphasised the importance of working collectively to ensure PSB growth.

Politics

59 h. ago Voices: The Hillsborough Law will stand as the beating heart of this Labour government

My experience of shaping the new Hillsborough Law – which will compel public officials to tell the truth to public inquiries after major tragedies – has left me with a deep conviction that our legal system can and must do better, says attorney general Richard Hermer

Politics

3 d. ago Police appeal to trace 11 people after Tommy Robinson protest violence —as eight charged

Officers want to speak to people in images in connection with a range of public order and assault on emergency services offences

Events

4 d. ago Charlie Kirk’s public memorial service will be held in Arizona next weekend

State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona will host public service for right-wing activist after fatal shooting

Politics

5 d. ago Huge Donald Trump security blunder as secret service plans leaked to member of public

Security details for Donald Trump were leaked to an unsuspecting member of the public in a major blunder - however officials have denied that it could have endangered the president's life

Politics

9 d. ago London Underground Tube strikes exact dates and reason behind September walkout

The London Underground and other public transport services are affected by strikes this week, and commuters are struggling to get around the capital

Events

1 week ago Philadelphia mass transit agency gets OK to use project money to avoid bus, trolley and rail cuts

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration is approving the use of hundreds of millions of dollars in capital project funding for Philadelphia’s public transit agency to help it restore bus, trolley and rail services that it had eliminated to shore up its deficit-riddled finances

Politics

1 week ago Driver killed as car collides with building in 3am horror crash

The victim was helped by members of the public and the emergency services but has since died

Events

1 week ago Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba to resign amid fallout from disastrous elections

Public broadcaster says prime minister has made decision to avoid divide within his Liberal Democratic partyJapan’s prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, is to resign less than a year after taking office, throwing the country’s politics into turmoil and setting in motion a potentially messy contest to replace him as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic party (LDP).The softly spoken centrist has presided over two disastrous elections since being elected to lead the LDP last autumn. In October, the party and its junior coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in the lower house and met the same fate in upper house elections this July. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba set to resign, public broadcaster says

Ishiba has been in power for less than a year, but faced calls to resign from the right-wing faction of his own party after a bruising defeat in July

Politics

1 week ago Japan’s prime minister plans to quit, says state broadcaster NHK

Shigeru Ishiba expected to confirm resignation at press conference on Sunday

Politics

1 week ago Philadelphia's mass transit agency says it'll comply with order to restore deep service cuts

Philadelphia’s public transit agency says it'll restore services that it eliminated after a judge ordered it to undo the two-week-old cuts that were challenged in court as discriminatory toward poor and minority communities

Politics