Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
The British government has introduced its legislation this week that will aim to curb strikes at a time of major industrial disputes. The legislation will require key public services to maintain a minimum level of service during strikes by unions.
On Tuesday, the government unveiled its legislation that will curb strikes, requiring key public services to maintain minimum service levels amidst ongoing strikes. Under the new legislation, the government intends to consult on maintaining minimum safety levels for fire, ambulance, and rail services. Other key public services include health, education, nuclear decommissioning, and border security.
“The British people need to know that when they have a heart attack, a stroke, or a serious injury, that an ambulance will turn up and that if they need hospital care, they have access to it,” business minister Grant Shapps told parliament. “I’m introducing a bill that will give government power to ensure the vital public services will have to maintain a basic function by delivering minimum safety levels ensuring that lives and livelihoods are not lost.”
The legislation comes at a time when the United Kingdom is facing a surge of industrial action being taken as pay increases still fall short of keeping up with a 40-year high inflation rate. Nurses, ambulance drivers, and rail workers are among those who have staged a walkout. Talks between key sectors and ministers took place on Monday but failed to make a breakthrough that would prevent future strikes.
The new bill angered trade unions, arguing the evidence from other countries only showed that such bills would lead trade unions to resort to other tactics and prolong disputes. Trade union umbrella group, the Trade Unions Congress, described the legislation as undemocratic and unworkable.
Meanwhile, British ministers are set to hold a political and business meeting with leaders in Northern Ireland on Wednesday. The meeting will surround post-Brexit trade issues as part of the efforts to come to a resolution with the European Union over the trade agreement amidst long-stalled talks between the UK and the EU.
By Monday, both the UK and the EU reached an agreement moving forward to address one point of concern.
