Hong Kong braces for strike after weekend protests. University students expected to skip classes. These students are expected to join the afternoon rally in Hong Kong. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong continuous to remain on boil, city braces for a mass strike today

Hong Kong protests are boiling since the day it gets started. Now recently near about 10,000 students also joined in these protests. Hospital workers, trade unions also accompanied the students. Watch this video know more.

Hong Kong Protests: Students join mass general strike

Resident Doctor's Association &amp; Students' Union of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Saturday said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/doctors-to-continue-strike-against-national-medical-commission-bill-240050">strike against certain provisions of National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill</a> will continue.

However, the emergency services will resume with immediate effect from Saturday at AIIMS.

''While we appreciate the gesture of the Hon'ble Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, in attempting to explain and clear our apprehensions regarding the controversial provisions in the NMC Bill 2019 cleared by Rajya Sabha, we regret to inform that many of the concerns pertaining to medical fraternity have not been adequately addressed,'' AIIMS said in a press statement.

''In the view of unanswered questions, AIIMS RDA and SU stands steadfast in our decisions to continue the ongoing indefinite strike against certain provisions of NMC Bill along with medical fraternity across the nations,'' the press statement further added.

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Resident Doctor's Association &amp; Students' Union of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi:We remain steadfast in our decision to continue ongoing indefinite strike against certain provisions of NMC Bill. However, emergency services to resume at AIIMS with immediate effect <a href="https://t.co/aWEnbaeJUv">pic.twitter.com/aWEnbaeJUv</a>
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Earlier, Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) was on a 24-hour nation-wide strike.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/health-minister-harsh-vardhan-urges-doctors-to-join-work-says-national-medical-commission-bill-in-their-interest-240182">Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan</a> on Friday urged the striking doctors to end their protest, saying the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill was in the "interest" of the nation, doctors and patients.

Doctors have also been raising their voices against sections 32 and 15 of the Bill pertaining to licence to health providers and the entrance exam for post-graduate course/NEXT.&nbsp;

Doctors have also been raising concerns over section 45 of the Bill. They say that the Bill empowers Central government to override any suggestion of the NMC. The Bill will decrease the representation of elected members from 75 per cent in MCI to 20 per cent in NMC.&nbsp;

The organisation was also of the view that this proposed Bill will increase corruption and decrease autonomy in medicine.

On July 29, the Lok Sabha had passed a Bill that seeks to create National Medical Commission in place of Medical Council of India (MCI) with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan terming it as an "anti-vested interests Bill" which will be remembered as one of the greatest reforms brought by the Modi government.&nbsp;

Resident Doctor's Association & Students' Union of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Saturday said that the strike against certain provisions of National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill will continue.

Resident Doctor's Association & Students' Union of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Saturday said that the strike against certain provisions of National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill will continue. However, the emergency services will resume with immediate effect from Saturday at AIIMS. ''While we appreciate the gesture of the Hon'ble Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, in attempting to explain and clear our apprehensions regarding the controversial provisions in the NMC Bill 2019 cleared by Rajya Sabha, we regret to inform that many of the concerns pertaining to medical fraternity have not been adequately addressed,'' AIIMS said in a press statement. ''In the view of unanswered questions, AIIMS RDA and SU stands steadfast in our decisions to continue the ongoing indefinite strike against certain provisions of NMC Bill along with medical fraternity across the nations,'' the press statement further added. Resident Doctor's Association & Students' Union of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi:We remain steadfast in our decision to continue ongoing indefinite strike against certain provisions of NMC Bill. However, emergency services to resume at AIIMS with immediate effect pic.twitter.com/aWEnbaeJUv — ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2019 × Earlier, Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) was on a 24-hour nation-wide strike. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday urged the striking doctors to end their protest, saying the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill was in the "interest" of the nation, doctors and patients. Doctors have also been raising their voices against sections 32 and 15 of the Bill pertaining to licence to health providers and the entrance exam for post-graduate course/NEXT. Doctors have also been raising concerns over section 45 of the Bill. They say that the Bill empowers Central government to override any suggestion of the NMC. The Bill will decrease the representation of elected members from 75 per cent in MCI to 20 per cent in NMC. The organisation was also of the view that this proposed Bill will increase corruption and decrease autonomy in medicine. On July 29, the Lok Sabha had passed a Bill that seeks to create National Medical Commission in place of Medical Council of India (MCI) with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan terming it as an "anti-vested interests Bill" which will be remembered as one of the greatest reforms brought by the Modi government.

AIIMS continue ongoing indefinite strike against National Medical Commission Bill

Sudan is bracing for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-protest-groups-calls-for-strike-starting-next-tuesday-221567">two-day nationwide strike from Tuesday</a> called by protesters to pile pressure on the military to hand power to a civilian administration as talks remain deadlocked.

Leaders of the umbrella protest movement, the Alliance for Freedom and Change, and army generals who seized power after ousting president Omar al-Bashir last month have so far failed to iron out differences over who should lead a new governing body,&nbsp;a civilian or soldier.

The new governing body is expected to install a transitional civilian government, which in turn would prepare for the first post-Bashir elections after a three-year interim period ends.

In a bid to step up pressure on the generals, the protest movement has called for a two-day general strike starting on Tuesday.

"The response to the call for a strike has been better than we expected," said Siddiq Farukh, a leader of the protest movement.

"The two-day strike aims to deliver a message to the whole world that the Sudanese people want a real change and they don't want the power to be with the military," he told AFP.

Protest leader Wajdi Saleh told reporters late Monday that there was "still no breakthrough" in negotiations but the protest movement was ready to negotiate if the generals offer fresh talks.

Saleh did not rule out an "indefinite strike" at a later date if the deadlock continues.

"But we hope that we reach an agreement with the military council and won't have to go on an indefinite strike," he said.&nbsp;

Protest leaders said medics, lawyers, prosecutors, employees in the electricity and water sectors, public transport, railways, telecommunication and civil aviation were set to participate in the strike.

They said that the strike in the telecommunication and aviation sectors will not affect operations.

But the protest movement's plan has been dealt a blow after a key member, the National Umma Party, said it opposed the strike plan as there had been no unanimous decision over it.

"We have to avoid such escalated measures that are not fully agreed," the party said on Sunday.

'Let the people decide'&nbsp;

Umma and its chief Sadiq al-Mahdi have for decades been the main opponents of Bashir's iron-fisted rule.

The party threw its weight behind the protest movement after nationwide demonstrations erupted against him in December.

Mahdi's elected government was toppled by Bashir in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989.

In a recent interview with AFP, Mahdi warned protesters not to "provoke" the army rulers as they had been instrumental in Bashir's removal.

Protester Hazar Mustafa said a civilian government was the only solution to Sudan's problems.

"We see the military council as part of the former regime. We don't see it upholding any rights and building a just state," she said.

The army ousted Bashir after tens of thousands of protesters camped outside military headquarters from April 6 demanding an end to his autocratic rule.

Five days later the generals removed Bashir and since then have resisted calls from protesters and Western powers to hand over power to a civilian administration.

Regional backing&nbsp;

Thousands of protesters remain camped outside the army complex round-the-clock, demanding the generals step down.

Ahead of the strike, the chief of the ruling military council General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo have been touring Khartoum's regional allies Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The oil-rich Gulf states Saudi Arabia and the UAE along with Egypt are seen backing the generals even as the United States leads Western calls to swiftly establish civilian rule in the country.

Talks between the generals and protest leaders remain deadlocked.

Protest leaders insist a civilian must head the new sovereign council and that civilians should make up the majority of its members, proposals rejected by the ruling generals.

Before suspending talks on May 20, the two sides had agreed on several key issues, including the three-year transition and the creation of a 300-member parliament, with two-thirds of lawmakers coming from the protesters' umbrella group.

Sudan is bracing for a two-day nationwide strike from Tuesday called by protesters to pile pressure on the military to hand power to a civilian administration as talks remain deadlocked.

Sudan is bracing for a two-day nationwide strike from Tuesday called by protesters to pile pressure on the military to hand power to a civilian administration as talks remain deadlocked. Leaders of the umbrella protest movement, the Alliance for Freedom and Change, and army generals who seized power after ousting president Omar al-Bashir last month have so far failed to iron out differences over who should lead a new governing body, a civilian or soldier. The new governing body is expected to install a transitional civilian government, which in turn would prepare for the first post-Bashir elections after a three-year interim period ends. In a bid to step up pressure on the generals, the protest movement has called for a two-day general strike starting on Tuesday. "The response to the call for a strike has been better than we expected," said Siddiq Farukh, a leader of the protest movement. "The two-day strike aims to deliver a message to the whole world that the Sudanese people want a real change and they don't want the power to be with the military," he told AFP. Protest leader Wajdi Saleh told reporters late Monday that there was "still no breakthrough" in negotiations but the protest movement was ready to negotiate if the generals offer fresh talks. Saleh did not rule out an "indefinite strike" at a later date if the deadlock continues. "But we hope that we reach an agreement with the military council and won't have to go on an indefinite strike," he said. Protest leaders said medics, lawyers, prosecutors, employees in the electricity and water sectors, public transport, railways, telecommunication and civil aviation were set to participate in the strike. They said that the strike in the telecommunication and aviation sectors will not affect operations. But the protest movement's plan has been dealt a blow after a key member, the National Umma Party, said it opposed the strike plan as there had been no unanimous decision over it. "We have to avoid such escalated measures that are not fully agreed," the party said on Sunday. 'Let the people decide' Umma and its chief Sadiq al-Mahdi have for decades been the main opponents of Bashir's iron-fisted rule. The party threw its weight behind the protest movement after nationwide demonstrations erupted against him in December. Mahdi's elected government was toppled by Bashir in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989. In a recent interview with AFP, Mahdi warned protesters not to "provoke" the army rulers as they had been instrumental in Bashir's removal. Protester Hazar Mustafa said a civilian government was the only solution to Sudan's problems. "We see the military council as part of the former regime. We don't see it upholding any rights and building a just state," she said. The army ousted Bashir after tens of thousands of protesters camped outside military headquarters from April 6 demanding an end to his autocratic rule. Five days later the generals removed Bashir and since then have resisted calls from protesters and Western powers to hand over power to a civilian administration. Regional backing Thousands of protesters remain camped outside the army complex round-the-clock, demanding the generals step down. Ahead of the strike, the chief of the ruling military council General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo have been touring Khartoum's regional allies Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The oil-rich Gulf states Saudi Arabia and the UAE along with Egypt are seen backing the generals even as the United States leads Western calls to swiftly establish civilian rule in the country. Talks between the generals and protest leaders remain deadlocked. Protest leaders insist a civilian must head the new sovereign council and that civilians should make up the majority of its members, proposals rejected by the ruling generals. Before suspending talks on May 20, the two sides had agreed on several key issues, including the three-year transition and the creation of a 300-member parliament, with two-thirds of lawmakers coming from the protesters' umbrella group.

Sudan braces for strike as protesters pile on pressure

Some 30,000 striking Los Angeles teachers demanding higher pay, smaller classes and more support staff from the nation`s second-largest school district walked picket lines for a second day on Tuesday, with no new talks on the horizon.

Negotiators for the Los Angeles Unified School District and the United Teachers Los Angeles have not met since union leaders rejected the LAUSD`s latest contract offer on Friday night, calling the proposal an "insult."

Asked on Tuesday afternoon whether the two sides had any intention of returning to the bargaining table, an LAUSD spokeswoman said: "Nothing is scheduled at this time."

The strike, shattering 30 years of labor peace by Los Angeles teachers, has not completely idled instruction in the sprawling district encompassing some 1,200 schools.

The district has enlisted administrators and substitute teachers to keep classes open on a limited basis through the strike, although LAUSD reported only about a third of its 492,000 public school students showed up on the first day of the walkout.

About 148,000 additional students are enrolled in LAUSD`s independently managed charter schools and have been unaffected for the most part by this week`s labor strife.

On Tuesday, however, a group of no more than four dozen unionized teachers at three LAUSD charter schools operated by a company called The Accelerated Schools walked off the job in a separate dispute they said was focused on job security.

It marked only the second charter school strike in the nation and the first in California, said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers parent union.

The Los Angeles walkout followed a wave of teachers` strikes across the United States over pay and school funding, including in West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Arizona. Denver teachers could vote to strike by Saturday if no deal on a new contract is reached by then.&nbsp;

SYMPATHY FOR TEACHERS

Public sympathy appeared strongly aligned with the Los Angeles teachers` union, with more than three-quarters of those polled by Loyola Marymount University`s Center for the Study of Los Angeles saying they supported the teachers.

The survey, released on Tuesday, showed strike support running at 60 per cent or more across all demographic groups, including age, income and political leanings. Among parents with children at home, support topped 82 per cent, a finding reflected in the presence of many parents seen walking picket lines with the teachers, despite the inconvenience the strike posed for working families.

Aside from the education disruption, the teachers` strike could have implications for the political aspirations of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, considered a likely contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

Garcetti expressed support for the striking teachers on Tuesday, telling Reuters at a teachers` rally on Tuesday that the strike "is an important and righteous fight about the soul of our schools. Every parent, every kid deserves a decent-sized classroom where teachers aren’t overwhelmed by the numbers." 
&nbsp; 
The mayor previously avoided taking sides in the dispute, over which he has little practical sway because the LAUSD is governed by an independently elected school board that appoints its superintendent.

The two sides remained at loggerheads on how much the district needs to invest in hiring staff, including nurses, librarians and other support staff. 
Superintendent Austin Beutner said the district had offered staff increases that would cost $130 million a year - more than county officials have said is available - while the union`s demands would cost $800 million.

Beutner offered to join teachers in lobbying state lawmakers to increase education funding. "Join me on the bus," he said. "Let`s go."

UTLA negotiators want a 6.5 per cent pay raise. Teacher pay currently averages $75,000 in the LAUSD, according to state figures. The district has offered a 6 per cent hike with back pay.

Some 30,000 striking Los Angeles teachers demanding higher pay, smaller classes and more support staff from the nation`s second-largest school district walked picket lines for a second day on Tuesday, with no new talks on the horizon.

Some 30,000 striking Los Angeles teachers demanding higher pay, smaller classes and more support staff from the nation`s second-largest school district walked picket lines for a second day on Tuesday, with no new talks on the horizon. Negotiators for the Los Angeles Unified School District and the United Teachers Los Angeles have not met since union leaders rejected the LAUSD`s latest contract offer on Friday night, calling the proposal an "insult." Asked on Tuesday afternoon whether the two sides had any intention of returning to the bargaining table, an LAUSD spokeswoman said: "Nothing is scheduled at this time." The strike, shattering 30 years of labor peace by Los Angeles teachers, has not completely idled instruction in the sprawling district encompassing some 1,200 schools. The district has enlisted administrators and substitute teachers to keep classes open on a limited basis through the strike, although LAUSD reported only about a third of its 492,000 public school students showed up on the first day of the walkout. About 148,000 additional students are enrolled in LAUSD`s independently managed charter schools and have been unaffected for the most part by this week`s labor strife. On Tuesday, however, a group of no more than four dozen unionized teachers at three LAUSD charter schools operated by a company called The Accelerated Schools walked off the job in a separate dispute they said was focused on job security. It marked only the second charter school strike in the nation and the first in California, said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers parent union. The Los Angeles walkout followed a wave of teachers` strikes across the United States over pay and school funding, including in West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Arizona. Denver teachers could vote to strike by Saturday if no deal on a new contract is reached by then. SYMPATHY FOR TEACHERS Public sympathy appeared strongly aligned with the Los Angeles teachers` union, with more than three-quarters of those polled by Loyola Marymount University`s Center for the Study of Los Angeles saying they supported the teachers. The survey, released on Tuesday, showed strike support running at 60 per cent or more across all demographic groups, including age, income and political leanings. Among parents with children at home, support topped 82 per cent, a finding reflected in the presence of many parents seen walking picket lines with the teachers, despite the inconvenience the strike posed for working families. Aside from the education disruption, the teachers` strike could have implications for the political aspirations of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, considered a likely contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Garcetti expressed support for the striking teachers on Tuesday, telling Reuters at a teachers` rally on Tuesday that the strike "is an important and righteous fight about the soul of our schools. Every parent, every kid deserves a decent-sized classroom where teachers aren’t overwhelmed by the numbers." The mayor previously avoided taking sides in the dispute, over which he has little practical sway because the LAUSD is governed by an independently elected school board that appoints its superintendent. The two sides remained at loggerheads on how much the district needs to invest in hiring staff, including nurses, librarians and other support staff. Superintendent Austin Beutner said the district had offered staff increases that would cost $130 million a year - more than county officials have said is available - while the union`s demands would cost $800 million. Beutner offered to join teachers in lobbying state lawmakers to increase education funding. "Join me on the bus," he said. "Let`s go." UTLA negotiators want a 6.5 per cent pay raise. Teacher pay currently averages $75,000 in the LAUSD, according to state figures. The district has offered a 6 per cent hike with back pay.

Los Angeles 'teachers' strike extends to second day with no talks on horizon

Bangladeshi police Wednesday used water cannon to disperse <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/tear-gas-rubber-bullets-as-bangladesh-garment-workers-strike-188998">10,000 striking garment workers </a>who were blocking a major highway in the fourth day of industrial action, an official said.

Authorities meanwhile confirmed that one worker was killed and 50 others injured on Tuesday after police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at some 5,000 workers protesting in Dhaka and on the outskirts of the capital.

Bangladesh's 4,500 textile and clothing factories exported more than $30 billion worth of apparel last year, making clothing for retailers such as H&amp;M, Walmart, Tesco, Carrefour, and Aldi.

Police said some 10,000 workers blocked the highway at several places outside the industrial town of Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, for hours after some 50,000 workers walked out of their factories in the morning demanding higher wages.

"We used water cannon to disperse them from the highway," police official Sana Shaminur Rahman told AFP.

Some 2,000 workers from a major factory in Dhaka also walked off their shift and blocked a road in the northern suburb of Kalshi, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

The protests are <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hasina-sworn-in-as-bangladesh-pm-after-tainted-polls-188815">the first major test for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since winning</a> a fourth term in December 30 elections marred by violence, thousands of arrests and allegations of vote rigging and intimidation.

Bangladesh raised the minimum monthly wage for the garment sector's four million workers by 51 per cent to 8,000 taka ($95) from December.

But senior workers say their raise was less than this and unions, which warn the strikes may spread, say the hike fails to compensate for price rises in recent years.

"We won't leave the road until our demand is met," said Asma Khatun, a protesting worker at Kalshi.

Mohammad Abdullah, another worker, said manufacturers have hired local musclemen to stop workers in other factories from joining the protest.

The protests came despite a move by the country's authorities to set up a committee to review wages.

Bangladesh is the world's second-largest garment maker after China.&nbsp;

But despite the industry's role in transforming the impoverished nation into a major manufacturing hub, garment workers are some of the lowest paid in the world.

The industry also has a poor workplace safety record, with the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory complex in Savar killing more than 1,130 people in 2013 in one of the world's worst industrial disasters.

Following the disaster, major retailers formed two safety groups to push through crucial reforms in the factories, prompting manufacturers to plough in more than a billion dollars in safety upgrades. 
&nbsp;

Bangladesh's 4,500 textile and clothing factories exported more than $30 billion worth of apparel last year, making clothing for retailers such as H&M, Walmart, Tesco, Carrefour, and Aldi.

Bangladeshi police Wednesday used water cannon to disperse 10,000 striking garment workers who were blocking a major highway in the fourth day of industrial action, an official said. Authorities meanwhile confirmed that one worker was killed and 50 others injured on Tuesday after police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at some 5,000 workers protesting in Dhaka and on the outskirts of the capital. Bangladesh's 4,500 textile and clothing factories exported more than $30 billion worth of apparel last year, making clothing for retailers such as H&M, Walmart, Tesco, Carrefour, and Aldi. Police said some 10,000 workers blocked the highway at several places outside the industrial town of Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, for hours after some 50,000 workers walked out of their factories in the morning demanding higher wages. "We used water cannon to disperse them from the highway," police official Sana Shaminur Rahman told AFP. Some 2,000 workers from a major factory in Dhaka also walked off their shift and blocked a road in the northern suburb of Kalshi, an AFP photographer at the scene said. The protests are the first major test for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since winning a fourth term in December 30 elections marred by violence, thousands of arrests and allegations of vote rigging and intimidation. Bangladesh raised the minimum monthly wage for the garment sector's four million workers by 51 per cent to 8,000 taka ($95) from December. But senior workers say their raise was less than this and unions, which warn the strikes may spread, say the hike fails to compensate for price rises in recent years. "We won't leave the road until our demand is met," said Asma Khatun, a protesting worker at Kalshi. Mohammad Abdullah, another worker, said manufacturers have hired local musclemen to stop workers in other factories from joining the protest. The protests came despite a move by the country's authorities to set up a committee to review wages. Bangladesh is the world's second-largest garment maker after China. But despite the industry's role in transforming the impoverished nation into a major manufacturing hub, garment workers are some of the lowest paid in the world. The industry also has a poor workplace safety record, with the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory complex in Savar killing more than 1,130 people in 2013 in one of the world's worst industrial disasters. Following the disaster, major retailers formed two safety groups to push through crucial reforms in the factories, prompting manufacturers to plough in more than a billion dollars in safety upgrades.

Bangladesh garment workers' strike: One dead, 50 injured

Scores of trade unions across the nation are on a two-day nationwide strike commencing Tuesday to protest against Central government's alleged anti-worker policies and unilateral labour reforms.

One of the major demands put forth by the protesters is to include enactment of the Social Security Act and setting of a minimum wage of Rs 24,000 for unorganised transport workers.

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West Bengal: Clash between TMC and CPM workers in Asansol during 48-hour nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages, social security schemes &amp; against privatisation of public and government sector. <a href="https://t.co/5oM6TWxnx7">pic.twitter.com/5oM6TWxnx7</a>
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The trade union strike affected normalcy across the country. In Bhubaneswar, protesters picketed and burnt tyres at a railway station as mark of their protest.

The impact of protest was intense in Kolkata, where agitators took to streets, disrupting office-time traffic.

The police soon swept into action and detained a couple of CPI-M workers for allegedly fanning violence in the region in the view of the trade union strike.

The protests are not only affecting normalcy in the metropolitan&nbsp;cities but other states too saw a similar sight.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a>: 48-hour nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages, social security schemes &amp; against privatisation of public and government sector; Visuals from Kochi (pic1&amp;2) and Trivandrum (pic 3) <a href="https://t.co/cuKkicTzJW">pic.twitter.com/cuKkicTzJW</a>
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In Bengaluru, commuters were facing trouble going to offices as autorikshaws, cabs and buses are keeping off roads in view of the all-India strike.

In Karnataka also, people residing in Hubli, were seen walking with flags and festoons through the streets displaying their various demands and needs.

On a closer look, this two-day nationwide strike is not confined to the transport sector as thousands of people working in banking sector and other public sector companies and port and dock workers are also participating in the strike to highlight the growing price rise, economic crisis and unemployment across the country.

Moreover, farmers residing across the country under the aegis of the Left peasant wings have also threatened to observe gramin hartal, road roko against the failure of the Central government for not doing enough to address rural distress.

The strike has been called by a consortium of 10 central trade unions and has received support from organisations like the AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, along with employees in the banking and insurance sector.

Farm unions like All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and Bhumi AdhikarAndolan are also part of the strike.

 
&nbsp;

Scores of trade unions across the nation are on a two-day nationwide strike commencing Tuesday to protest against Central government's alleged anti-worker policies and unilateral labour reforms.

Scores of trade unions across the nation are on a two-day nationwide strike commencing Tuesday to protest against Central government's alleged anti-worker policies and unilateral labour reforms. One of the major demands put forth by the protesters is to include enactment of the Social Security Act and setting of a minimum wage of Rs 24,000 for unorganised transport workers. West Bengal: Clash between TMC and CPM workers in Asansol during 48-hour nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages, social security schemes & against privatisation of public and government sector. pic.twitter.com/5oM6TWxnx7 — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2019 × The trade union strike affected normalcy across the country. In Bhubaneswar, protesters picketed and burnt tyres at a railway station as mark of their protest. The impact of protest was intense in Kolkata, where agitators took to streets, disrupting office-time traffic. The police soon swept into action and detained a couple of CPI-M workers for allegedly fanning violence in the region in the view of the trade union strike. The protests are not only affecting normalcy in the metropolitan cities but other states too saw a similar sight. #Kerala: 48-hour nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages, social security schemes & against privatisation of public and government sector; Visuals from Kochi (pic1&2) and Trivandrum (pic 3) pic.twitter.com/cuKkicTzJW — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2019 × In Bengaluru, commuters were facing trouble going to offices as autorikshaws, cabs and buses are keeping off roads in view of the all-India strike. In Karnataka also, people residing in Hubli, were seen walking with flags and festoons through the streets displaying their various demands and needs. On a closer look, this two-day nationwide strike is not confined to the transport sector as thousands of people working in banking sector and other public sector companies and port and dock workers are also participating in the strike to highlight the growing price rise, economic crisis and unemployment across the country. Moreover, farmers residing across the country under the aegis of the Left peasant wings have also threatened to observe gramin hartal, road roko against the failure of the Central government for not doing enough to address rural distress. The strike has been called by a consortium of 10 central trade unions and has received support from organisations like the AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, along with employees in the banking and insurance sector. Farm unions like All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and Bhumi AdhikarAndolan are also part of the strike.

Two-day trade union strike kicks in, affects normalcy across country

Rightwing Hindu outfits have called for a dawn to dusk&nbsp;in Kerala Saturday in protest against the arrest of a senior Sangh Parivar leader who was on the pilgrimage to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple.

VHP state president S J R Kumar alleged that Hindu Aikyavedi state President K P Sasikala was arrested by police near Marakkoottam near Sabarimala at 2.30 am Saturday.

"She was arrested as she was on the way to the hill shrine carrying irumudikkettu (bundle carrying sacred offerings) to offer prayers. Some other activists have been taken into preventive custody," Kumar told PTI.

He accused the Kerala government of trying to destroy the Sabarimala temple.

The VHP leader said essential services and vehicles of Ayyappa devotees will not be affected by the strike.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been made at the shrine, which opened for the third time Friday for the two-month-long pilgrimage season commencing Saturday after the Supreme Court allowed women of menstrual age to offer prayers.

The temple opened Friday amid a tense standoff involving <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-visit-sabarimala-next-unannounced-using-guerilla-tactics-trupti-desai-177797">social activist Trupti Desai in Kochi </a>and a move by its administrator to seek time from the Supreme Court to implement its verdict.

The 41-day mandalam festival will conclude on December 27 after Mandala pooja, when the shrine will close after the 'Athazhapuja' in the evening. It would reopen for the Makaravilakku festival on December 30.

The Makaravilakku festival would be celebrated on January 14 after which the shrine will close on January 20, marking the culmination of the pilgrim season, when laksh of devotees are expected to throng the shrine.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The temple complex and nearby areas had witnessed widespread protests after the state government decided to implement the September 28 apex court verdict.

The Supreme Court is slated to hear petitions seeking review of its September 28 order in January, but has refused to stay it.

Rightwing Hindu outfits have called for a dawn to dusk in Kerala Saturday in protest against the arrest of a senior Sangh Parivar leader who was on the pilgrimage to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple.

Rightwing Hindu outfits have called for a dawn to dusk in Kerala Saturday in protest against the arrest of a senior Sangh Parivar leader who was on the pilgrimage to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple. VHP state president S J R Kumar alleged that Hindu Aikyavedi state President K P Sasikala was arrested by police near Marakkoottam near Sabarimala at 2.30 am Saturday. "She was arrested as she was on the way to the hill shrine carrying irumudikkettu (bundle carrying sacred offerings) to offer prayers. Some other activists have been taken into preventive custody," Kumar told PTI. He accused the Kerala government of trying to destroy the Sabarimala temple. The VHP leader said essential services and vehicles of Ayyappa devotees will not be affected by the strike. Unprecedented security arrangements have been made at the shrine, which opened for the third time Friday for the two-month-long pilgrimage season commencing Saturday after the Supreme Court allowed women of menstrual age to offer prayers. The temple opened Friday amid a tense standoff involving social activist Trupti Desai in Kochi and a move by its administrator to seek time from the Supreme Court to implement its verdict. The 41-day mandalam festival will conclude on December 27 after Mandala pooja, when the shrine will close after the 'Athazhapuja' in the evening. It would reopen for the Makaravilakku festival on December 30. The Makaravilakku festival would be celebrated on January 14 after which the shrine will close on January 20, marking the culmination of the pilgrim season, when laksh of devotees are expected to throng the shrine. The temple complex and nearby areas had witnessed widespread protests after the state government decided to implement the September 28 apex court verdict. The Supreme Court is slated to hear petitions seeking review of its September 28 order in January, but has refused to stay it.

Kerala braces for dawn-to-dusk strike as Sabarimala opens for pilgrims

The fishing community in&nbsp;Rameshwaram&nbsp;district on Sunday declared an indefinite strike demanding the subsidised diesel.

Agitated fishermen residing in the region will also hold a one-day hunger strike on October 8 as the hike in the fuel prices have taken a toll on their on their livelihood.

Speaking to ANI, a member of the&nbsp;Rameshwaram&nbsp;Fishermen Association said, "Rameswaram&nbsp;fishermen will begin an indefinite strike from October 3 against diesel price hike. We will hold a one-day hunger strike on October 8 in Ramanathapuram to protest against diesel price hike."

Prices of diesel and petrol in Chennai today stood at Rs 86.80 and Rs 79.08 for a litre respectively. Yesterday, people had to shell out Rs 86.70 for a litre of petrol and Rs 78.91 for per litre of Diesel. The prices of the fuel are fluctuating each day since the daily revision in prices was introduced June 2017.

Fuel prices have been witnessing a steep rise from the past few weeks. While the Opposition has blamed the Narendra Modi-led government for not making efforts to keep a check on prices, the latter has maintained that global&nbsp;crude oil prices&nbsp;and other international factors are causing a hike in prices of petrol and its products.

The fishing community in Rameshwaram district on Sunday declared an indefinite strike demanding the subsidised diesel. Agitated fishermen residing in the region will also hold a one-day hunger strike on October 8 as the hike in the fuel prices have taken a toll on their on their livelihood.

The fishing community in Rameshwaram district on Sunday declared an indefinite strike demanding the subsidised diesel. Agitated fishermen residing in the region will also hold a one-day hunger strike on October 8 as the hike in the fuel prices have taken a toll on their on their livelihood. Speaking to ANI, a member of the Rameshwaram Fishermen Association said, "Rameswaram fishermen will begin an indefinite strike from October 3 against diesel price hike. We will hold a one-day hunger strike on October 8 in Ramanathapuram to protest against diesel price hike." Prices of diesel and petrol in Chennai today stood at Rs 86.80 and Rs 79.08 for a litre respectively. Yesterday, people had to shell out Rs 86.70 for a litre of petrol and Rs 78.91 for per litre of Diesel. The prices of the fuel are fluctuating each day since the daily revision in prices was introduced June 2017. Fuel prices have been witnessing a steep rise from the past few weeks. While the Opposition has blamed the Narendra Modi-led government for not making efforts to keep a check on prices, the latter has maintained that global crude oil prices and other international factors are causing a hike in prices of petrol and its products.

As fuel prices soar, Tamil Nadu fishermen go on indefinite strike

As a mark of solidarity, Resident doctors of Mumbai's Sion Hospital are scheduled to go on a one-day strike today after two resident doctors at JJ Hospital were allegedly thrashed by a patient's family on May 19.

Earlier, doctors at the JJ Hospital held a strike on Saturday after two resident doctors were thrashed by relatives of a patient who died there.

The incident took place when the patient who was being treated for a gall bladder ailment died on Saturday. The family members of the patient alleged that it was due to negligence on the doctors' part.

CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media showing patient's relatives ransacking a ward of the hospital.

Four members of the patient's family were arrested by the police for the alleged assault. One person is absconding.

"Both doctors and one policeman sustained minor injuries. We have registered a case. Four people have been arrested, one person is absconding," a police official said.

All four have been sent to the judicial custody by a local court.&nbsp

Earlier, doctors at the JJ Hospital held a strike on Saturday after two resident doctors were thrashed by relatives of a patient who died there

As a mark of solidarity, Resident doctors of Mumbai's Sion Hospital are scheduled to go on a one-day strike today after two resident doctors at JJ Hospital were allegedly thrashed by a patient's family on May 19. Earlier, doctors at the JJ Hospital held a strike on Saturday after two resident doctors were thrashed by relatives of a patient who died there. The incident took place when the patient who was being treated for a gall bladder ailment died on Saturday. The family members of the patient alleged that it was due to negligence on the doctors' part. CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media showing patient's relatives ransacking a ward of the hospital. Four members of the patient's family were arrested by the police for the alleged assault. One person is absconding. "Both doctors and one policeman sustained minor injuries. We have registered a case. Four people have been arrested, one person is absconding," a police official said. All four have been sent to the judicial custody by a local court.

JJ Hospital Row: Sion Hospital Doctors to go on strike today

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in Rajasthan ahead of the countrywide shutdown on Tuesday called by groups opposed to caste-based reservations, a senior police official said.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in Jaipur city. Mobile internet service has also been blocked for 24 hours in Jaipur from Monday night as a precautionary measure, the official said.

The 'Bharat bandh' call has been made on social media only and no organisation here has so far come forward to support it, the official said.

"Therefore, for the last four-five days, police have held meetings with all the main organisations, market associations,? transport organisations, political organisations and other groups in all the districts asking them to maintain law and order," Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, NRK Reddy told PTI.

"Meetings have held with all such organisations from police station level to the level of SP and collector in all the districts but no organisation has so far come in support of the bandh call. 
"This is running on social media with no ownership and no responsibility but it has been made clear that strict action will be taken if anyone tried to disrupt peace," he said.

With no ownership and no responsibility, it is likely that anyone can come and disturb peace so we have to ensure that strict action is taken against all such elements be it any caste association or any community association, he said.

There will be no procession, public gathering on Tuesday. Range IGs, district SPs, police commissioners have been given clear instructions to take prompt action against any such activity.

Additional policemen and battalions of RAC have been provided to various district. BSF and CRPF battalions are also being deployed as per requirements of districts, he added.

The 'Bharat bandh' call has been made on social media only

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in Rajasthan ahead of the countrywide shutdown on Tuesday called by groups opposed to caste-based reservations, a senior police official said. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in Jaipur city. Mobile internet service has also been blocked for 24 hours in Jaipur from Monday night as a precautionary measure, the official said. The 'Bharat bandh' call has been made on social media only and no organisation here has so far come forward to support it, the official said. "Therefore, for the last four-five days, police have held meetings with all the main organisations, market associations,? transport organisations, political organisations and other groups in all the districts asking them to maintain law and order," Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, NRK Reddy told PTI. "Meetings have held with all such organisations from police station level to the level of SP and collector in all the districts but no organisation has so far come in support of the bandh call. "This is running on social media with no ownership and no responsibility but it has been made clear that strict action will be taken if anyone tried to disrupt peace," he said. With no ownership and no responsibility, it is likely that anyone can come and disturb peace so we have to ensure that strict action is taken against all such elements be it any caste association or any community association, he said. There will be no procession, public gathering on Tuesday. Range IGs, district SPs, police commissioners have been given clear instructions to take prompt action against any such activity. Additional policemen and battalions of RAC have been provided to various district. BSF and CRPF battalions are also being deployed as per requirements of districts, he added.

Rajasthan strike: Section 144 imposed in Jaipur, mobile internet service blocked

Hundreds of thousands of railway workers took to the streets to start a strike across France on Monday evening to voice their discontent with the government reform plan.

Two-thirds of the trains have been cancelled as 323,000 rallied to protest against a series of reforms launched by French President Emmanuel Macron as part of the plan to remove 120,000 positions in the public service by 2023.

The union of the SNCF (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais), the national rail network, called on its members to take a long-term strike, that is, strike for two days and work for three.

About 48 per cent of the railway workers, 77 per cent being trained drivers, have participated in the strike since Tuesday. The strike significantly affected the operation of domestic trains. Meanwhile, some passengers were caught unaware.

"The train will leave at 15:50 and it is expected to be on time. We didn't know that there would be a strike when we bought the tickets. The SNCF told us that our train will run normally no matter what," said a passenger at the Lyon station in Paris.

The domestic train service has been more seriously affected than the international train services. However, many still hold that the strike has brought much inconveniences to people.

"We cannot work well during the strike. All the people have been affected, vendors or others. People cannot go out or go on a vacation. They have to stay at home. If this continues tomorrow, we will lose much income," said Robert, a taxi driver in Paris.

Two-thirds of the trains have been cancelled as 323,000 rallied to protest against a series of reforms launched by French President Emmanuel Macron

Hundreds of thousands of railway workers took to the streets to start a strike across France on Monday evening to voice their discontent with the government reform plan. Two-thirds of the trains have been cancelled as 323,000 rallied to protest against a series of reforms launched by French President Emmanuel Macron as part of the plan to remove 120,000 positions in the public service by 2023. The union of the SNCF (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais), the national rail network, called on its members to take a long-term strike, that is, strike for two days and work for three. About 48 per cent of the railway workers, 77 per cent being trained drivers, have participated in the strike since Tuesday. The strike significantly affected the operation of domestic trains. Meanwhile, some passengers were caught unaware. "The train will leave at 15:50 and it is expected to be on time. We didn't know that there would be a strike when we bought the tickets. The SNCF told us that our train will run normally no matter what," said a passenger at the Lyon station in Paris. The domestic train service has been more seriously affected than the international train services. However, many still hold that the strike has brought much inconveniences to people. "We cannot work well during the strike. All the people have been affected, vendors or others. People cannot go out or go on a vacation. They have to stay at home. If this continues tomorrow, we will lose much income," said Robert, a taxi driver in Paris.

French railway workers on strike against government reform

Separatists today called for a two-day strike in Kashmir over the killings of 11 militants and two civilians in three separate encounters in the valley.

Separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), called for a two-day strike from today across Kashmir to protest the killings, a spokesman of the JRL said.

He said the JRL, comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Mailk, asked people to suspend business and other activities and offer funeral prayers in absentia across the valley.

Meanwhile, authorities have put the Mirwaiz under house arrest at his Nigeen residence here.

Eleven militants have been killed in three separate encounters in south Kashmir today. Two civilians and three Army jawans also lost their lives in these operations.&nbsp;

Separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), called for a two-day strike from today across Kashmir to protest the killings, a spokesman of the JRL said

Separatists today called for a two-day strike in Kashmir over the killings of 11 militants and two civilians in three separate encounters in the valley. Separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), called for a two-day strike from today across Kashmir to protest the killings, a spokesman of the JRL said. He said the JRL, comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Mailk, asked people to suspend business and other activities and offer funeral prayers in absentia across the valley. Meanwhile, authorities have put the Mirwaiz under house arrest at his Nigeen residence here. Eleven militants have been killed in three separate encounters in south Kashmir today. Two civilians and three Army jawans also lost their lives in these operations.

Separatists call 2-day strike in Kashmir over encounters in valley

Israel&#39;s military admitted for the first time Wednesday it was responsible for a 2007 air raid against a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor, a strike it was long believed to have carried out.

The admission along with the release of newly declassified material related to the raid comes as Israel intensifies its warnings over the presence of its main enemy Iran in neighbouring Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also repeatedly called for the nuclear deal between world powers and Iran to be changed or eliminated.

US President Donald Trump, who met Netanyahu at the White House this month, has said that the nuclear deal must be &quot;fixed&quot; by May 12 or the United States will walk away.

An Israeli military spokesman declined to respond to questions related to the admission and the release of the documents, including over the timing, which could be seen as a warning regarding Iran&#39;s activities.

The declassified material includes footage of the strike, video of a speech by military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot on the operation and pictures of secret army intelligence communiques about the site.

A military statement summarising the operation lays out the case for why Israel carried out the strike at the desert site in the Deir Ezzor region of eastern Syria on what it says was a nuclear reactor under construction.

It has long been widely assumed that Israel carried out the strike. Syria has meanwhile denied it was building a nuclear reactor.

&quot;On the night between September 5th-6th, 2007, Israeli Air Force fighter jets successfully struck and destroyed a Syrian nuclear reactor in development,&quot; the Israeli statement says.

&quot;The reactor was close to being completed. The operation successfully removed an emerging existential threat to Israel and to the entire region -- Syrian nuclear capabilities.&quot;

&#39;Strategic implications&#39; 
Israel&#39;s admission is by no means the first time its military has been identified as the source of the attack.

In 2008, less than a year after the strike, US officials accused Syria of having sought to build a secret nuclear reactor and acknowledged Israel destroyed it in the raid.

The UN atomic watchdog declared in 2011 that the Syrian site was &quot;very likely&quot; to have been a nuclear reactor, adding that information provided to it suggested that it was being built with North Korean assistance.

Israel said in its new disclosures that secrecy surrounding the strike was necessary due to the sensitive security situation.

In defending the strike, it notes that Islamic State group jihadists later overran much of Deir Ezzor during Syria&#39;s civil war, while also saying that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad &quot;in the past used chemical weapons against his own citizens.&quot;

&quot;The nuclear reactor being held by Assad would have had severe strategic implications on the entire Middle East as well as Israel and Syria,&quot; it said.

While Israel&#39;s admission will come as little surprise, the declassified material provides new details on what is widely known as &quot;Operation Orchard.&quot;

The material speaks of an ultra-secretive operation, with very few knowing details of the strike and a cover story provided.

Israeli intelligence had picked up on what it determined was the construction of the nuclear reactor and followed its development, it says.

Four F-16s and four F-15s were involved in the strike, with the operation beginning at 10:30 pm on September 5 and the planes returning at 2:30 am the following day.

Grainy footage of the strike included in the material shows a target locking on to a building that is blown apart shortly afterward.

Israel determined that the alleged reactor was &quot;totally disabled, and that the damage done was irreversible.&quot;

Israeli military chief of staff Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot, who was northern commander at the time, recalled in a video in the material meeting with his officers shortly before the raid.

&quot;I don&#39;t give them the exact details of the target and its essence, but I say that there&#39;s going to be a significant attack in the upcoming 24-48 hours, an event that in low likeliness could lead to war,&quot; he said.

&quot;Low, to me, is even 15 or 20 percent, which is a lot.&quot;

&#39;Message&#39; sent? 
Syria and Israel have fought in repeated wars since the Jewish state&#39;s founding in 1948. The two countries are still technically at war.

Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the Syrian civil war that broke out in 2011, but it acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes there to stop what it says are advanced arms deliveries to Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

Hezbollah is fighting alongside Assad&#39;s regime, like Iran and Russia.

Israel has expressed growing concern over what it sees as Iran&#39;s attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria.

It also accuses Iran of seeking to build factories to construct precision-guided missiles in Syria and Lebanon that could be used against Israel.

Beyond that, Netanyahu has warned that Israel will &quot;never let Iran develop nuclear weapons.&quot;

Eisenkot spoke of the &quot;message&quot; of the 2007 strike, while making reference to a 1981 Israeli raid against a nuclear reactor in Iraq.

&quot;The message from the 2007 reactor attack was that Israel won&#39;t accept the construction of abilities that could constitute an existential threat to the state of Israel,&quot; he said in the video.

&quot;That&#39;s the message from &#39;81, that&#39;s the message from 2007 and that&#39;s our future message to our enemies.&quot;

It has long been widely assumed that Israel carried out the strike. Syria has meanwhile denied it was building a nuclear reactor

Israel's military admitted for the first time Wednesday it was responsible for a 2007 air raid against a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor, a strike it was long believed to have carried out. The admission along with the release of newly declassified material related to the raid comes as Israel intensifies its warnings over the presence of its main enemy Iran in neighbouring Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also repeatedly called for the nuclear deal between world powers and Iran to be changed or eliminated. US President Donald Trump, who met Netanyahu at the White House this month, has said that the nuclear deal must be "fixed" by May 12 or the United States will walk away. An Israeli military spokesman declined to respond to questions related to the admission and the release of the documents, including over the timing, which could be seen as a warning regarding Iran's activities. The declassified material includes footage of the strike, video of a speech by military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot on the operation and pictures of secret army intelligence communiques about the site. A military statement summarising the operation lays out the case for why Israel carried out the strike at the desert site in the Deir Ezzor region of eastern Syria on what it says was a nuclear reactor under construction. It has long been widely assumed that Israel carried out the strike. Syria has meanwhile denied it was building a nuclear reactor. "On the night between September 5th-6th, 2007, Israeli Air Force fighter jets successfully struck and destroyed a Syrian nuclear reactor in development," the Israeli statement says. "The reactor was close to being completed. The operation successfully removed an emerging existential threat to Israel and to the entire region -- Syrian nuclear capabilities." 'Strategic implications' Israel's admission is by no means the first time its military has been identified as the source of the attack. In 2008, less than a year after the strike, US officials accused Syria of having sought to build a secret nuclear reactor and acknowledged Israel destroyed it in the raid. The UN atomic watchdog declared in 2011 that the Syrian site was "very likely" to have been a nuclear reactor, adding that information provided to it suggested that it was being built with North Korean assistance. Israel said in its new disclosures that secrecy surrounding the strike was necessary due to the sensitive security situation. In defending the strike, it notes that Islamic State group jihadists later overran much of Deir Ezzor during Syria's civil war, while also saying that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "in the past used chemical weapons against his own citizens." "The nuclear reactor being held by Assad would have had severe strategic implications on the entire Middle East as well as Israel and Syria," it said. While Israel's admission will come as little surprise, the declassified material provides new details on what is widely known as "Operation Orchard." The material speaks of an ultra-secretive operation, with very few knowing details of the strike and a cover story provided. Israeli intelligence had picked up on what it determined was the construction of the nuclear reactor and followed its development, it says. Four F-16s and four F-15s were involved in the strike, with the operation beginning at 10:30 pm on September 5 and the planes returning at 2:30 am the following day. Grainy footage of the strike included in the material shows a target locking on to a building that is blown apart shortly afterward. Israel determined that the alleged reactor was "totally disabled, and that the damage done was irreversible." Israeli military chief of staff Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot, who was northern commander at the time, recalled in a video in the material meeting with his officers shortly before the raid. "I don't give them the exact details of the target and its essence, but I say that there's going to be a significant attack in the upcoming 24-48 hours, an event that in low likeliness could lead to war," he said. "Low, to me, is even 15 or 20 percent, which is a lot." 'Message' sent? Syria and Israel have fought in repeated wars since the Jewish state's founding in 1948. The two countries are still technically at war. Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the Syrian civil war that broke out in 2011, but it acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes there to stop what it says are advanced arms deliveries to Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah. Hezbollah is fighting alongside Assad's regime, like Iran and Russia. Israel has expressed growing concern over what it sees as Iran's attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria. It also accuses Iran of seeking to build factories to construct precision-guided missiles in Syria and Lebanon that could be used against Israel. Beyond that, Netanyahu has warned that Israel will "never let Iran develop nuclear weapons." Eisenkot spoke of the "message" of the 2007 strike, while making reference to a 1981 Israeli raid against a nuclear reactor in Iraq. "The message from the 2007 reactor attack was that Israel won't accept the construction of abilities that could constitute an existential threat to the state of Israel," he said in the video. "That's the message from '81, that's the message from 2007 and that's our future message to our enemies."

Israel admits 2007 Syrian 'nuclear reactor' strike for first time

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena resorted to violence over its call for indefinite strike of drivers of app-based taxi aggregator <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ola-uber-on-strike-today-demand-better-earnings-36298">Ola and Uber</a> in Mumbai.&nbsp;

An MNS worker took to streets and damaged a windshield of a taxi in Mumbai, threatening the driver to stop running the vehicle during the strike.

The MNS worker was heard yelling at the taxi driver, &ldquo;Gaadi band matlab gaadi band (no vehicle means no vehicle)&rdquo;.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Mumbai taxi drivers strike: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Nitin Nandgaonkar breaks windshield of a taxi which was plying in the city <a href="https://t.co/ZERyZXU68h">pic.twitter.com/ZERyZXU68h</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/975626531010760704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Several commuters complained of long waits and surge fares due to a dearth in cabs on the road.

Drivers for app-based cab aggregators Uber and Ola started an indefinite strike across Mumbai, demanding extra pay as a surge in the number of cabs on the two platforms, coupled with cutbacks in incentive payments, have stung drivers.

Drivers in other cities like the capital New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune among others would also take part, party leaders said over the weekend.

&ldquo;Drivers are in huge debt, but the firms are favouring those driving company-owned vehicles,&rdquo; Sanjay Naik, president of the MNS transport wing told a press conference on Saturday.

&quot;Ola and Uber had given big assurances to the drivers, but today they are unable to cover their costs. They have invested Rs 5-7 lakh (500,000 - 700,000), and were expecting to make Rs 1.5 lakh (150,000) a month but are unable to even make half of this, owing to the mismanagement by these companies,&quot; said Sanjay Naik of Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena, who is organising the strike.

Ola had cut driver incentives based on the number of trips completed by as much as 20-40% in Delhi as compared to the previous year, according to a report. Even Uber had tweaked its incentives model to reward drivers bases on earnings and not on the number of trips, said the report.

Uber was not immediately reachable for comment, while Ola&rsquo;s spokesman said it was too early in the day to measure the impact of the strike.

An MNS worker took to streets and damaged a windshield of a taxi in Mumbai, threatening the driver to stop running the vehicle during the strike

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena resorted to violence over its call for indefinite strike of drivers of app-based taxi aggregator Ola and Uber in Mumbai. An MNS worker took to streets and damaged a windshield of a taxi in Mumbai, threatening the driver to stop running the vehicle during the strike. The MNS worker was heard yelling at the taxi driver, “Gaadi band matlab gaadi band (no vehicle means no vehicle)”. #WATCH Mumbai taxi drivers strike: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Nitin Nandgaonkar breaks windshield of a taxi which was plying in the city pic.twitter.com/ZERyZXU68h — ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2018 × Several commuters complained of long waits and surge fares due to a dearth in cabs on the road. Drivers for app-based cab aggregators Uber and Ola started an indefinite strike across Mumbai, demanding extra pay as a surge in the number of cabs on the two platforms, coupled with cutbacks in incentive payments, have stung drivers. Drivers in other cities like the capital New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune among others would also take part, party leaders said over the weekend. “Drivers are in huge debt, but the firms are favouring those driving company-owned vehicles,” Sanjay Naik, president of the MNS transport wing told a press conference on Saturday. "Ola and Uber had given big assurances to the drivers, but today they are unable to cover their costs. They have invested Rs 5-7 lakh (500,000 - 700,000), and were expecting to make Rs 1.5 lakh (150,000) a month but are unable to even make half of this, owing to the mismanagement by these companies," said Sanjay Naik of Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena, who is organising the strike. Ola had cut driver incentives based on the number of trips completed by as much as 20-40% in Delhi as compared to the previous year, according to a report. Even Uber had tweaked its incentives model to reward drivers bases on earnings and not on the number of trips, said the report. Uber was not immediately reachable for comment, while Ola’s spokesman said it was too early in the day to measure the impact of the strike.

MNS worker resorts to violence amid Ola, Uber strike

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) employees had decided to strike work on Thursday to protest the BEST&#39;s decision to hire 450 private buses.&nbsp;

According to fresh reports, the strike has now been called off&nbsp;as the&nbsp;matter remains&nbsp;pending in the industrial court. Court&#39;s final word is expected on March 5.

Eight other unions along with the BEST Workers Union were supposed&nbsp;to observe the strike tomorrow. BEST workers challenged the proposal in court which was expecting a hearing on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena-affiliate BEST Kamgar Sena had already refused to participate in the strike. The Congress has also refused to extend its support.

Close to 32,000 BEST employees were expected to join tomorrow&#39;s strike. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation&#39;s (BMC) Chairman Ajoy Mehta is been looked up to for an intervention and to come up with a solution to pacify the disgruntled union.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena-affiliate BEST Kamgar Sena had refused to participate in the strike

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) employees had decided to strike work on Thursday to protest the BEST's decision to hire 450 private buses. According to fresh reports, the strike has now been called off as the matter remains pending in the industrial court. Court's final word is expected on March 5. Eight other unions along with the BEST Workers Union were supposed to observe the strike tomorrow. BEST workers challenged the proposal in court which was expecting a hearing on Thursday. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena-affiliate BEST Kamgar Sena had already refused to participate in the strike. The Congress has also refused to extend its support. Close to 32,000 BEST employees were expected to join tomorrow's strike. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) Chairman Ajoy Mehta is been looked up to for an intervention and to come up with a solution to pacify the disgruntled union.

Mumbai: BEST bus workers cancel Thursday strike

A Dalit organisation in Karnataka&#39;s Hubli has called for a bandh to protest against Bhima Koregaon violence in Pune.

The agitated protestors also vandalised vehicles and police barricades.

Various Dalit groups also called for a day-long bandh in Mumbai on January 3.

Dalits groups protested earlier in January&nbsp;to mark the&nbsp;200th anniversary&nbsp;of Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune.

One youth was&nbsp;killed in the clash after which Maharashtra CM,&nbsp;Devendra Fadnavis, ordered a Central Investigation Department to probe the matter.

Fadnavis&nbsp;also announced a&nbsp;compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the youth.

Karnataka&nbsp;University has&nbsp;rescheduled its postgraduate exams&nbsp;following the bandh, media reports.&nbsp;

The agitated protestors vandalised vehicles and police barricades during the strike

A Dalit organisation in Karnataka's Hubli has called for a bandh to protest against Bhima Koregaon violence in Pune. The agitated protestors also vandalised vehicles and police barricades. Various Dalit groups also called for a day-long bandh in Mumbai on January 3. Dalits groups protested earlier in January to mark the 200th anniversary of Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune. One youth was killed in the clash after which Maharashtra CM, Devendra Fadnavis, ordered a Central Investigation Department to probe the matter. Fadnavis also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the youth. Karnataka University has rescheduled its postgraduate exams following the bandh, media reports.

Bhima Koregaon violence: Karnataka's Dalit community calls for bandh

Russian air strikes on Sunday killed 34 civilians, among them 15 children, in a village held by the Islamic State group in Syria&#39;s eastern Deir Ezzor province, a monitor said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes hit the village of Al-Shafah, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Observatory relies on a network of sources inside Syria, and says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

Russia is a close ally of Syria&#39;s President Bashar al-Assad, and in September 2015 began a military intervention in support of his government that has gradually helped Damascus regain territory.

Syria&#39;s Deir Ezzor is one of the last places Islamic State jihadists hold territory in the country, after being driven from their major strongholds including their one-time de facto Syrian capital Raqa city.

The oil-rich eastern province that borders Iraq was once almost completely under Islamic State control, but the jihadists now hold just nine percent of Deir Ezzor, according to the Observatory.

They have faced two separate offensives there, one led by the regime with Russian backing and the other by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters.

More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the strikes hit the village of Al-Shafah, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, in the early hours of Sunday morning

Russian air strikes on Sunday killed 34 civilians, among them 15 children, in a village held by the Islamic State group in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province, a monitor said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes hit the village of Al-Shafah, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Observatory relies on a network of sources inside Syria, and says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used. Russia is a close ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, and in September 2015 began a military intervention in support of his government that has gradually helped Damascus regain territory. Syria's Deir Ezzor is one of the last places Islamic State jihadists hold territory in the country, after being driven from their major strongholds including their one-time de facto Syrian capital Raqa city. The oil-rich eastern province that borders Iraq was once almost completely under Islamic State control, but the jihadists now hold just nine percent of Deir Ezzor, according to the Observatory. They have faced two separate offensives there, one led by the regime with Russian backing and the other by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters. More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

Russian strikes kill 34 civilians in Syria's Deir Ezzor: Monitor

Restrictions in parts of Srinagar continued for the second day today in view of a strike called by separatists against the recent anti-militancy operations conducted by security forces in the valley.

Restrictions in eight police station areas continued for the second day today, a police official said.

He said the curbs were in force in Khanyar, M R Gunj, Nowahtta, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Parimpora police station areas of the city.

The restrictions were imposed as a preventive measure to maintain law and order in view of the strike called by the separatists.

The restrictions were first imposed yesterday in the wake of the killing of a militant in a shootout with police in the outskirts of the city on Friday.

Three militants travelling in a car opened fire on a police team at the Zakura crossing on the Srinagar-Ganderbal road, killing sub-inspector Imran Tak and injuring a special police officer (SPO) on Friday evening.

The police team managed to intercept the car and apprehended one militant, but two others fled the scene. Later, police came to know that Mugees Ahmad Mir, one of the two militants who had managed to escape, was brought home dead.

Mir, a resident of Parimpora in the city, was brought home dead last evening after he was injured in the shoot-out. The slain militant was an associate of Zakir Musa, who left the Hizbul Mujahideen to float an IS affiliate in Kashmir.

Mir&#39;s killing was followed by the killing of six LeT militants in Hajin area of north Kashmir&#39;s Bandipora district in an encounter yesterday.

Later in the night, the separatists called for a shutdown today against these killings.

In a joint statement, the separatists, comprising chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference - Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq - and JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik, called for a complete shutdown for today against the cordon and search operations being carried out by armed forces in the Valley.

The separatist troika said, &quot;section of youth feels forced to find expression to their political aspirations and will by resorting to armed means because of stubbornness on the part of Government of India with regard to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute?

Most of the shops, fuel stations, and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar due to the strike, the police official said. However, he said, the weekly flea market, along with the TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis through Lal Chowk city center, was open.

The official said public transport was sparse, but private cars, cabs, and auto-rickshaws were seen plying in many areas of the city.

Similar reports were received from other district headquarters of the valley, he said.

Restrictions in Srinagar continued for the second day today in view of a strike called by separatists against the recent anti-militancy operations conducted by security forces in the valley

Restrictions in parts of Srinagar continued for the second day today in view of a strike called by separatists against the recent anti-militancy operations conducted by security forces in the valley. Restrictions in eight police station areas continued for the second day today, a police official said. He said the curbs were in force in Khanyar, M R Gunj, Nowahtta, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Parimpora police station areas of the city. The restrictions were imposed as a preventive measure to maintain law and order in view of the strike called by the separatists. The restrictions were first imposed yesterday in the wake of the killing of a militant in a shootout with police in the outskirts of the city on Friday. Three militants travelling in a car opened fire on a police team at the Zakura crossing on the Srinagar-Ganderbal road, killing sub-inspector Imran Tak and injuring a special police officer (SPO) on Friday evening. The police team managed to intercept the car and apprehended one militant, but two others fled the scene. Later, police came to know that Mugees Ahmad Mir, one of the two militants who had managed to escape, was brought home dead. Mir, a resident of Parimpora in the city, was brought home dead last evening after he was injured in the shoot-out. The slain militant was an associate of Zakir Musa, who left the Hizbul Mujahideen to float an IS affiliate in Kashmir. Mir's killing was followed by the killing of six LeT militants in Hajin area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district in an encounter yesterday. Later in the night, the separatists called for a shutdown today against these killings. In a joint statement, the separatists, comprising chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference - Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq - and JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik, called for a complete shutdown for today against the cordon and search operations being carried out by armed forces in the Valley. The separatist troika said, "section of youth feels forced to find expression to their political aspirations and will by resorting to armed means because of stubbornness on the part of Government of India with regard to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute? Most of the shops, fuel stations, and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar due to the strike, the police official said. However, he said, the weekly flea market, along with the TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis through Lal Chowk city center, was open. The official said public transport was sparse, but private cars, cabs, and auto-rickshaws were seen plying in many areas of the city. Similar reports were received from other district headquarters of the valley, he said.

Restrictions in parts of Srinagar continue for second day today

With the GST Council meeting underway, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gst-on-over-200-daily-use-items-expected-to-fall-sushil-modi-23850">Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar that at least 227 items</a> were there in 28% GST slab, now only 50 remain, which are mostly luxury items, rest have been put in the 18% bracket.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/does-congress-want-to-make-bmws-mercedes-cheaper-jaitley-22889">Assam finance minister added that GST meeting</a> will be &quot;path-breaking with many crucial decisions in favour of traders, manufacturers and consumers.&quot;

The GST council meeting being held today is set to take crucial decisions including extending sops to small traders and businesses.

Earlier, finance minister Arun Jaitley had defended the multiple slabs under the Goods and Services Tax.&nbsp;

The GST -- which was meant to replace India&#39;s myriad indirect taxes with one single tax -- has come under severe criticism.

Jaitley said that bringing everything under 18% GST would help those buying luxury items.&nbsp;

With the GST Council meeting underway, Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar that at least 227 items were there in 28% GST slab, now only 50 remain, which are mostly luxury items, rest have been put in the 18% bracket. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam finance minister added that GST meeting will be "path-breaking with many crucial decisions in favour of traders, manufacturers and consumers." The GST council meeting being held today is set to take crucial decisions including extending sops to small traders and businesses. Earlier, finance minister Arun Jaitley had defended the multiple slabs under the Goods and Services Tax. The GST -- which was meant to replace India's myriad indirect taxes with one single tax -- has come under severe criticism. Jaitley said that bringing everything under 18% GST would help those buying luxury items.

22,000 private doctors to go on strike from Thursday in Bangalore

Powerful business lobbying bodies on Thursday sued the Obama administration, seeking to strike down recent rules intended to prevent corporate tax avoidance through so-called inversions. 
 
In a rule adopted in April, the US Treasury sought to prevent American companies from moving overseas to reduce their tax burdens, often through reverse mergers. The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer that month abandoned plans for a merger with Botox producer Allergan, based in Ireland, as a result. 
 
In a complaint filed in US District Court in Texas, the US Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Association of Business accused the Obama administration of attempting to re-write US tax laws while bypassing the legislature, which is controlled by Republicans and hostile to the measure. If the rule is allowed to stand, &quot;it is not just mergers that will suffer, it is the rule of law, and the certainty and stability required for effective commerce,&quot; the complaint said. 
 
In a statement, US Chamber President, Tom Donahue, said the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service had &quot;ignored the clear limits of a statute, and simply rewrote the law unilaterally.&quot; 
 
The Treasury Department said on Thursday it had acted within its powers to address what lawmakers had failed to. 
 
&quot;In the absence of congressional action, Treasury proposed regulations to eliminate tax benefits for companies that acquire multiple US firms over a short period of time,&quot; the department said. 
 
&quot;This action was based on strong policy interests and clear legal authority. We will continue to defend these regulations, which will help slow the erosion of our corporate tax base.&quot; 
 
According to the rule adopted in April, companies formed in tax inversions can be subject to higher taxes if the newly formed company does less than 25 per cent of its business in the foreign country where it is incorporated, or if the shareholders in the old American parent company end up owning at least 60 per cent of the new foreign parent. 
 
(AFP)

The US Treasury, in a rule adopted in April, has sought to prevent American companies from moving overseas to reduce tax burden

Powerful business lobbying bodies on Thursday sued the Obama administration, seeking to strike down recent rules intended to prevent corporate tax avoidance through so-called inversions. In a rule adopted in April, the US Treasury sought to prevent American companies from moving overseas to reduce their tax burdens, often through reverse mergers. The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer that month abandoned plans for a merger with Botox producer Allergan, based in Ireland, as a result. In a complaint filed in US District Court in Texas, the US Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Association of Business accused the Obama administration of attempting to re-write US tax laws while bypassing the legislature, which is controlled by Republicans and hostile to the measure. If the rule is allowed to stand, "it is not just mergers that will suffer, it is the rule of law, and the certainty and stability required for effective commerce," the complaint said. In a statement, US Chamber President, Tom Donahue, said the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service had "ignored the clear limits of a statute, and simply rewrote the law unilaterally." The Treasury Department said on Thursday it had acted within its powers to address what lawmakers had failed to. "In the absence of congressional action, Treasury proposed regulations to eliminate tax benefits for companies that acquire multiple US firms over a short period of time," the department said. "This action was based on strong policy interests and clear legal authority. We will continue to defend these regulations, which will help slow the erosion of our corporate tax base." According to the rule adopted in April, companies formed in tax inversions can be subject to higher taxes if the newly formed company does less than 25 per cent of its business in the foreign country where it is incorporated, or if the shareholders in the old American parent company end up owning at least 60 per cent of the new foreign parent. (AFP)

US Big Business sues Obama administration over corporate tax rules

Chile&#39;s footballers have voted to go on strike, forcing the start of the league season to be postponed. 
 
The players union Sifup is unhappy at a decision to reduce promotion and relegation in the new season, a move which it says has cost 120 players their jobs in the top two divisions. It has also complained about unpaid wages at some clubs. 
 
&quot;The professional players unanimously decided to follow the call to stop the national championship,&quot; said Sifup in a statement. 
 
The Chilean FA (ANFP) has ruled that only one team will relegated and one team promoted between the top tier, known as the Primera Division, and second tier, known as the Primera B, at the end of the 2016-17 season. 
 
Meanwhile, there will be no promotion or relegation at all between the second and third tier, known as the Segunda. 
 
Sifup said the decision had &quot;reduced the competitiveness of the domestic tournaments, where the clubs, who do not see themselves as threatened in case of a poor campaign, have drastically cut the costs of their squads.&quot; 
 
It said that 120 players had seen their contracts terminated in the top two tiers and 300 in the third tier. 
 
The ANFP confirmed that the start of the season at the weekend would be postponed and said that the reduced promotion and relegation was for the upcoming season only. 
 
&quot;We regret Sifup&#39;s decision to ratify the strike, a situation which will have negative efforts on the championship, the fans, the players and the sport in general,&quot; it said. 
 
(Reuters)

The players union Sifup is unhappy at a decision to reduce promotion and relegation in the new season

Chile's footballers have voted to go on strike, forcing the start of the league season to be postponed. The players union Sifup is unhappy at a decision to reduce promotion and relegation in the new season, a move which it says has cost 120 players their jobs in the top two divisions. It has also complained about unpaid wages at some clubs. "The professional players unanimously decided to follow the call to stop the national championship," said Sifup in a statement. The Chilean FA (ANFP) has ruled that only one team will relegated and one team promoted between the top tier, known as the Primera Division, and second tier, known as the Primera B, at the end of the 2016-17 season. Meanwhile, there will be no promotion or relegation at all between the second and third tier, known as the Segunda. Sifup said the decision had "reduced the competitiveness of the domestic tournaments, where the clubs, who do not see themselves as threatened in case of a poor campaign, have drastically cut the costs of their squads." It said that 120 players had seen their contracts terminated in the top two tiers and 300 in the third tier. The ANFP confirmed that the start of the season at the weekend would be postponed and said that the reduced promotion and relegation was for the upcoming season only. "We regret Sifup's decision to ratify the strike, a situation which will have negative efforts on the championship, the fans, the players and the sport in general," it said. (Reuters)

Chilean footballers vote to strike, matches called off

The US military conducted air strikes in Libya on Monday, following a government request to target the Islamic State group&#39;s Libyan stronghold of Sirte, the Pentagon announced. 
 
While the Pentagon has previously carried out air attacks on specific high-value IS targets in Libya, Monday&#39;s action marked the first known US strikes in Sirte itself. 
 
&quot;At the request of the Libyan Government of National Accord, the United States military conducted precision air strikes against ISIL targets in Sirte, Libya, to support GNA-affiliated forces seeking to defeat ISIL in its primary stronghold in Libya,&quot; Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement, using an acronym for the IS group. 
 
US strikes in Sirte &quot;will continue&quot;, Cook added without elaborating. 
 
President Barack Obama authorised the bombings following recommendations from top pentagon officials, and the strikes were &quot;consistent with our approach to combating ISIL by working with capable and motivated local forces&quot;, Cook added. 
 
&quot;The US stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya,&quot; he said. 
 
Monday&#39;s action comes after a US strike targeted an IS training camp in a rural area near Sabratha, outside Tripoli, in February, likely killing an IS leader called Noureddine Chouchane and dozens of other jihadists. 
 
In November, a US strike killed Abu Nabil, another IS leader who was also known as Wissam Najm Abd Zayd al-Zubaydi. 
 
A US senior administration official said US action would be limited to strikes and information sharing to support these, and that 
American troops would not take part in any ground operations to support the GNA. 
 
The official said precision strikes would target key IS military infrastructure such as tanks, high-caliber weapons and command and control nodes.&nbsp;Libya spiraled into chaos after longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi was ousted and killed in October 2011, with two governments vying for power and armed groups battling to control vast energy resources. 
 
Exploiting Libya&#39;s power vacuum, IS jihadists established a foothold in Libya, especially in Sirte. The Pentagon estimates fewer than 1,000 IS fighters are in Sirte. 
 
(AFP)

Monday's action comes after a US strike targeted an IS training camp in a rural area near Sabratha, outside Tripoli, in February

The US military conducted air strikes in Libya on Monday, following a government request to target the Islamic State group's Libyan stronghold of Sirte, the Pentagon announced. While the Pentagon has previously carried out air attacks on specific high-value IS targets in Libya, Monday's action marked the first known US strikes in Sirte itself. "At the request of the Libyan Government of National Accord, the United States military conducted precision air strikes against ISIL targets in Sirte, Libya, to support GNA-affiliated forces seeking to defeat ISIL in its primary stronghold in Libya," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement, using an acronym for the IS group. US strikes in Sirte "will continue", Cook added without elaborating. President Barack Obama authorised the bombings following recommendations from top pentagon officials, and the strikes were "consistent with our approach to combating ISIL by working with capable and motivated local forces", Cook added. "The US stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya," he said. Monday's action comes after a US strike targeted an IS training camp in a rural area near Sabratha, outside Tripoli, in February, likely killing an IS leader called Noureddine Chouchane and dozens of other jihadists. In November, a US strike killed Abu Nabil, another IS leader who was also known as Wissam Najm Abd Zayd al-Zubaydi. A US senior administration official said US action would be limited to strikes and information sharing to support these, and that American troops would not take part in any ground operations to support the GNA. The official said precision strikes would target key IS military infrastructure such as tanks, high-caliber weapons and command and control nodes. Libya spiraled into chaos after longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi was ousted and killed in October 2011, with two governments vying for power and armed groups battling to control vast energy resources. Exploiting Libya's power vacuum, IS jihadists established a foothold in Libya, especially in Sirte. The Pentagon estimates fewer than 1,000 IS fighters are in Sirte. (AFP)

US launches first anti-IS air strikes in Libya's Sirte

Air France had to scrap 139 long and medium-haul flights today at its Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Roissy, near Paris, on the third day of a strike by&nbsp;flight crew, airport sources said.&nbsp; 
 
The weeklong stoppage began on Tuesday and today saw Paris&#39; other main airport Orly cancel 20 per cent of the carrier&#39;s flights with further medium-haul cancellations likely later in the day, the sources said. Roissy was maintaining more than nine out of ten long-haul and three-quarters of medium-haul flights. 
 
Management said in a statement the carrier would maintain 80 per cent of Saturday flights, the same figure forecast across today. Unions representing around half of the strikers called the stoppage after marathon talks failed to reach a breakthrough on renewing a collective labour accord on rules, pay and promotions that expire&nbsp;in October. 
 
Management want to limit the extension of the agreement to 17 months, whereas unions want between three and five years. The new CEO of the Air France-KLM group, Jean-Marc Janaillac, told daily Le Figaro on Thursday that the strike was &quot;regrettable and aggressive&quot;, coming at the height of the holiday travel period. Unions retorted that management was being &quot;obstinate&quot; in insisting on a shorter accord timeframe. 
 
Air France flights operated by low-cost airlines HOP! and Transavia, as well as KLM and Delta codeshares, were not affected by a stoppage which affected some 30,000 passengers on Thursday. The pilots&#39; last strike, which grounded around 20 per cent of flights on June 11-14 right at the start of Euro 2016, hit France as it was gripped by social unrest over the Socialist government&#39;s labour reforms. Air France estimated that the stoppage cost it some 40 million euros ($45 million). 
 
(AFP)

The weeklong stoppage began on Tuesday and today saw Paris' other main airport Orly cancel 20 per cent of the carrier's flights

Air France had to scrap 139 long and medium-haul flights today at its Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Roissy, near Paris, on the third day of a strike by flight crew, airport sources said. The weeklong stoppage began on Tuesday and today saw Paris' other main airport Orly cancel 20 per cent of the carrier's flights with further medium-haul cancellations likely later in the day, the sources said. Roissy was maintaining more than nine out of ten long-haul and three-quarters of medium-haul flights. Management said in a statement the carrier would maintain 80 per cent of Saturday flights, the same figure forecast across today. Unions representing around half of the strikers called the stoppage after marathon talks failed to reach a breakthrough on renewing a collective labour accord on rules, pay and promotions that expire in October. Management want to limit the extension of the agreement to 17 months, whereas unions want between three and five years. The new CEO of the Air France-KLM group, Jean-Marc Janaillac, told daily Le Figaro on Thursday that the strike was "regrettable and aggressive", coming at the height of the holiday travel period. Unions retorted that management was being "obstinate" in insisting on a shorter accord timeframe. Air France flights operated by low-cost airlines HOP! and Transavia, as well as KLM and Delta codeshares, were not affected by a stoppage which affected some 30,000 passengers on Thursday. The pilots' last strike, which grounded around 20 per cent of flights on June 11-14 right at the start of Euro 2016, hit France as it was gripped by social unrest over the Socialist government's labour reforms. Air France estimated that the stoppage cost it some 40 million euros ($45 million). (AFP)

Air France strike hits 140 Paris hub flights

Rio&#39;s top security official vowed yesterday to review security for the Olympic torch after rioting protesters blocked the relay ceremony and apparently extinguished the flame. 
 
The violent clashes on late Wednesday in Angra dos Reis, a coastal resort south of Rio, cast a shadow over final preparations for South America`s first Olympics, which start August 5. 
 
In another worry for organisers, Rio metro employees threatened yesterday to go on strike on the eve of the Games if they do not get a 9.83 per cent salary raise, raising the possibility of transport chaos for some 500,000 tourists expected to attend.&nbsp;Rio de Janeiro state security secretary Jose Mariano Beltrame said that policing during the torch relay - which will have visited more than 300 Brazilian cities by the time of the opening ceremony in Rio`s Maracana stadium - needs improving. 
 
&quot;There has never been a problem,&quot; he was quoted as saying by G1 news site. &quot;Yesterday there was one. This needs to be reevaluated and we will be paying more attention to this question.&quot; 
 
&quot;Extinguishing the torch is a crime,&quot; he warned.The crowd, protesting a lack of public transport and the late payment of salaries by the nearly bankrupt Rio state, attacked the procession in Angra dos Reis before being driven off by police using tear gas and rubber bullets. 
 
In footage of the clashes shared online and on Globo television, someone can be heard shouting triumphantly: &quot;The torch has been put out!&quot; as the torch bearer, carrying an unlit torch, is hustled into the safety of a bus. 
 
The Rio organising committee said in a statement that the torch relay &quot;had to be temporarily interrupted&quot;.&nbsp;However, &quot;out of consideration to the inhabitants of the city who wanted to attend the relay,&quot; it was restarted at the next stage &quot;after an evaluation by the security team.&quot; 
 
Organisers portray the torch`s nationwide journey as a chance to ignite public enthusiasm for the Olympics.&nbsp;But repeated security incidents have turned the torch into a symbol of organisational glitches and social discontent. 
 
Highlight reels of torch mishaps have gone viral online, including several attempts to extinguish the flame, runners falling over, a police motorbike crashing into the parade, a man attempting to seize the torch, and political protests. 
 
In June, a rare, captive jaguar - the same animal chosen as Brazil`s Olympic mascot - was shot dead after escaping handlers at a torch ceremony.There was better news for Rio organizers in the arrival overnight of Jamaican sprinting superstar Usain Bolt, who hopes to defend his multiple gold medals. 
 
Wearing a black tracksuit with white stripes, sunglasses and headphones, Bolt was in a hurry to leave the airport. &quot;I didn`t sleep on the flight,&quot; he told a welcoming committee of journalists and officials. 
 
A more controversial set of arrivals were expected later in the day, with some 70 Russian athletes due to arrive in the early evening, their team slashed by bans in a scandal over state-sponsored doping. 
 
Rio organizers were also still racing to complete emergency repairs to the athletes` Village, where some 19,000 team members will live. 
 
Half of the buildings had problems ranging from blocked toilets to faulty wiring when teams began moving in over the weekend. 
 
Although these glitches were expected to be ironed out by the end of yesterday, new controversy was brewing over allegations by government labor inspectors that the approximately 600 workers are being made to work nearly around the clock without legal contracts. Meanwhile, officials said that a Brazilian man was arrested at his home in Nova Iguacu, in Rio de Janeiro state, on terrorism charges. However, no details of the allegations were given. 
 
The justice department said the indictment against Chaer Kalaun, 28, a Brazilian of Lebanese descent, was sealed, but had been filed under anti-terrorism laws. 
 
His lawyer, Edson Ferreira, said the allegations lacked substance.&nbsp;&quot;There`s nothing more than suspicions that he put posts on Facebook,&quot; the lawyer said.&nbsp;&quot;He did not pledge allegiance, he was not recruiting, or bringing people or collaborating or encouraging any projects of the Islamic State.&quot; 
 
Ferreira said his client is a Muslim and lived in Lebanon when he was an adolescent. 
 
Unconfirmed Brazilian media reports said police suspect Kalaun of recruiting for extremist organisations in Brazil. He was also arrested during the 2014 World Cup on charges of illegal firearms possession. 
 
The arrest came a week after 12 other Brazilian men were arrested for allegedly trying to form a terrorism cell. Officials downplayed the seriousness of the group, calling them &quot;amateur&quot; and &quot;disorganised.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

The crowd protested late payment of salaries by the Rio state. Employees also threatened metro strike for a 9.83% salary raise yesterday

Rio's top security official vowed yesterday to review security for the Olympic torch after rioting protesters blocked the relay ceremony and apparently extinguished the flame. The violent clashes on late Wednesday in Angra dos Reis, a coastal resort south of Rio, cast a shadow over final preparations for South America`s first Olympics, which start August 5. In another worry for organisers, Rio metro employees threatened yesterday to go on strike on the eve of the Games if they do not get a 9.83 per cent salary raise, raising the possibility of transport chaos for some 500,000 tourists expected to attend. Rio de Janeiro state security secretary Jose Mariano Beltrame said that policing during the torch relay - which will have visited more than 300 Brazilian cities by the time of the opening ceremony in Rio`s Maracana stadium - needs improving. "There has never been a problem," he was quoted as saying by G1 news site. "Yesterday there was one. This needs to be reevaluated and we will be paying more attention to this question." "Extinguishing the torch is a crime," he warned.The crowd, protesting a lack of public transport and the late payment of salaries by the nearly bankrupt Rio state, attacked the procession in Angra dos Reis before being driven off by police using tear gas and rubber bullets. In footage of the clashes shared online and on Globo television, someone can be heard shouting triumphantly: "The torch has been put out!" as the torch bearer, carrying an unlit torch, is hustled into the safety of a bus. The Rio organising committee said in a statement that the torch relay "had to be temporarily interrupted". However, "out of consideration to the inhabitants of the city who wanted to attend the relay," it was restarted at the next stage "after an evaluation by the security team." Organisers portray the torch`s nationwide journey as a chance to ignite public enthusiasm for the Olympics. But repeated security incidents have turned the torch into a symbol of organisational glitches and social discontent. Highlight reels of torch mishaps have gone viral online, including several attempts to extinguish the flame, runners falling over, a police motorbike crashing into the parade, a man attempting to seize the torch, and political protests. In June, a rare, captive jaguar - the same animal chosen as Brazil`s Olympic mascot - was shot dead after escaping handlers at a torch ceremony.There was better news for Rio organizers in the arrival overnight of Jamaican sprinting superstar Usain Bolt, who hopes to defend his multiple gold medals. Wearing a black tracksuit with white stripes, sunglasses and headphones, Bolt was in a hurry to leave the airport. "I didn`t sleep on the flight," he told a welcoming committee of journalists and officials. A more controversial set of arrivals were expected later in the day, with some 70 Russian athletes due to arrive in the early evening, their team slashed by bans in a scandal over state-sponsored doping. Rio organizers were also still racing to complete emergency repairs to the athletes` Village, where some 19,000 team members will live. Half of the buildings had problems ranging from blocked toilets to faulty wiring when teams began moving in over the weekend. Although these glitches were expected to be ironed out by the end of yesterday, new controversy was brewing over allegations by government labor inspectors that the approximately 600 workers are being made to work nearly around the clock without legal contracts. Meanwhile, officials said that a Brazilian man was arrested at his home in Nova Iguacu, in Rio de Janeiro state, on terrorism charges. However, no details of the allegations were given. The justice department said the indictment against Chaer Kalaun, 28, a Brazilian of Lebanese descent, was sealed, but had been filed under anti-terrorism laws. His lawyer, Edson Ferreira, said the allegations lacked substance. "There`s nothing more than suspicions that he put posts on Facebook," the lawyer said. "He did not pledge allegiance, he was not recruiting, or bringing people or collaborating or encouraging any projects of the Islamic State." Ferreira said his client is a Muslim and lived in Lebanon when he was an adolescent. Unconfirmed Brazilian media reports said police suspect Kalaun of recruiting for extremist organisations in Brazil. He was also arrested during the 2014 World Cup on charges of illegal firearms possession. The arrest came a week after 12 other Brazilian men were arrested for allegedly trying to form a terrorism cell. Officials downplayed the seriousness of the group, calling them "amateur" and "disorganised." (AFP)

Brazil reviews Olympic torch security after protesters extinguish flame

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