Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
Jack Lang Resigns as Head of Arab World Institute Amid Epstein Controversy 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the current wave of strikes by ambulance workers is terrifying for those who are in need of urgent care. Sunak’s comments come amidst criticism by trade unions that the government is not taking enough action to resolve the dispute over pay.
Speaking to parliament on Wednesday, Sunak said that the current strikes held by the country’s ambulance workers demanding better pay are concerning for patients who need immediate medical care. Sunak said those who need urgent care are not sure whether to call the 999 emergency services hotline or not out of concern due to the strikes.
Thousands of the country’s ambulance workers held the second day of strikes over pay and working conditions. The workers said they would only respond to the most urgent of cases. The first strike took place in December, with further action planned in January.
One of the trade unions that represent the ambulance workers, Unison, said the government “had months to intervene and end this dispute but has failed to do so,” blaming Sunak’s government for repeatedly refusing to hold negotiations with the unions. The union also said essential healthcare workers were leaving the health service due to low salaries.
Health minister Steve Barclay previously said the ambulance strikes were regrettable and expressed concern over the strikes’ impact on patient safety, even as arrangements with ambulance staff to respond to urgent cases are in place.
Aside from the healthcare service, the United Kingdom’s postal, rail, and border force services were also holding strikes in recent months due to inflation.
On the same day, the British Public and Commercial Services trade union announced that 100,000 of its members across 124 government agencies would be taking industrial action on February 1 as part of the dispute over pay, pensions, and job security.
“We warned the government our dispute would escalate if they did not listen, and we’re as good as our work,” said PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka.
Serwotka said he would be meeting with a government minister on Thursday, and the dispute could be resolved if more money was offered to the union’s members.
