Europe

France Protests Draw 7,000 as Police Block Yellow Vest Rally

Thousands protested across France on Saturday, marking a fourth consecutive weekend of demonstrations. Police prevented a banned Yellow Vests gathering near the presidential palace in Paris, while an official reported 7,000 protesters nationwide early in the afternoon.

Nov 7

Burnham Says Rape Trial Process Should Not Make Victims Feel on Trial

Prime Minister Andy Burnham says the government should examine how rape trials are conducted after Russell Brand’s convictions. He wants victims not to feel they are on trial, while Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has called for juries to receive guidance on rape myths. Burnham said he would study the case closely.

Nov 7

London Underground Drivers to Stage Eight Strikes Over Work Changes

London Underground drivers will stage eight 24-hour strikes from November 26 through February in a dispute over proposed changes to their working arrangements. The RMT union opposes a voluntary four-day week plan, while Transport for London says drivers would work fewer hours overall and retain a choice of working five days.

Nov 7

Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed at North Lincolnshire Poultry Farm

Authorities confirmed bird flu at a commercial poultry farm near Brigg in North Lincolnshire. Defra has ordered a humane cull of all birds on the premises and imposed movement restrictions around the site. The UK health and food safety agencies say risks to the public remain very low, and properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat.

Nicola Zawadzki: Derby mum almost died after 20 years

Nicola Zawadzki says a miscarriage led to long-term codeine use and a 20-year dependence on painkillers. In May 2024, her teenage son found her blue and unresponsive; she spent a month in a coma after severe pancreatitis. She says taking 32 tablets at once had become part of her daily routine before the medical emergency prompted her to stop.

France protests draw 575,000 as unions demand higher wages

France’s Interior Ministry said 575,000 people joined nationwide protests against living costs and wages, while the CGT union put turnout at 1.6 million. The demonstrations included clashes in Paris and Lyon, and authorities reported 448 arrests and 53 injured police officers. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he would meet unions and employers at a social conference on Monday.

Jude Cudmore: Teenager Critically Ill After Brain Tumour Diagnosis

Jude Cudmore, 17, was taken to hospital in Turkey after headaches, vomiting and seizures during a family holiday. Doctors diagnosed an aggressive brain tumour, and he remains critically ill. His family says expired travel insurance leaves them facing a £39,500 bill to bring him back to the UK.

Sisters flexibility pale skin linked to rare condition

Marisa says her sister Alana’s flexibility, translucent skin and easy bruising were later considered possible signs of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Alana died suddenly in 2024, aged 26, but her family cannot confirm the suspected diagnosis because she never had genetic testing.

EU Plans Ukraine Sanctions Office and Crypto Task Force

The European Union plans to strengthen sanctions coordination through a dedicated office and a cryptocurrency task force. Commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque announced both measures on Nov. 5, saying the office would speed guidance to member states and improve data sharing. The crypto team is intended to bring together national and EU experts to address loopholes used to evade sanctions.

Europe’s Russia sanctions enter a tougher enforcement phase

EU officials and international partners met in Brussels to examine how Russian money, technology and oil exports move across borders despite restrictions. Talks covered crypto-assets, foreign payment networks, military procurement and maritime infrastructure. The focus is shifting toward tracing the commercial relationships behind prohibited activity, while regulators weigh enforcement against the risk of treating every intermediary as culpable.

46% of European Cities Studied Exceed EU Air Pollution Limits

An analysis by ClientEarth and the World Resources Institute found 46% of the European cities examined exceed the EU’s latest air pollution limits. Member states have until 2030 to meet the standards, but the report says cities will need coordinated action across government and industry, from cleaner transport to measures addressing pollution beyond urban boundaries.

British Ebola patient evacuated to London for specialist care

A British doctor who tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been flown to the UK and admitted to a specialist isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital in north London. Health officials say the risk to the wider public remains low, while the outbreak has recorded more than 10,000 confirmed cases.

France strikes largest day: 600,000 join protests

More than 600,000 people joined rallies and marches across France on Thursday, according to the interior ministry, while the CGT union put the turnout at 1.57 million. The action disrupted schools, hospitals and public transport as unions pressed for higher wages and better public services. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he would convene unions and employers next Monday.

Largely peaceful marches across France draw 600,000

Hundreds of thousands joined demonstrations and a one-day strike across France over living costs, wages and public services. The Interior Ministry put participation at 600,000 by Thursday evening, while police reported clashes in Paris and Lyon and a school fire near Toulouse.

British Man Infected With Ebola Flown to UK for Care

A British health worker who tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been flown to the UK and taken to a specialist infectious diseases unit in north London. UK officials say the risk to the public remains low. The case is the first involving a British national in the current outbreak, which has recorded more than 10,000 cases.

Europe Bomb Alerts Divert 27 Flights to Airports Across Three Countries

Hoax bomb alerts disrupted at least 27 passenger flights across Europe on Thursday, forcing some aircraft to land unexpectedly in France, Bulgaria and Belgiu...

France Protests Draw at Least 600,000 as Unions Oppose Cuts

At least 600,000 people joined demonstrations across France on Thursday, according to the government, as unions protested living costs and public-service cuts. The marches followed the National Assembly’s unanimous rejection of the government’s proposed 2027 budget. Police deployed 70,000 officers, while the CGT union estimated turnout at almost 1.6 million.

Russell Brand Convicted of Rape and Sexual Assault in London

Russell Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault at London’s Southwark Crown Court, putting the prominent comedian and actor in custody ahead of senten...

Elizabeth Crammond Seeks Maternity Care Changes After Miscarriage Delay

Elizabeth Crammond waited nine days for NHS medics to confirm her miscarriage after reporting pain and bleeding. At Holyrood, she presented a petition with 923 signatures calling for changes to maternity care, including a duty of care for GPs and audits to reduce delays. Scotland’s public health minister said ministers had offered to meet her.

Daisy Dies Within a Month After Rare Immune Condition Develops

Daisy Catterall, 25, died after flu-like symptoms preceded a rare immune condition called HLH. Her mother, Rachel, is sharing the family’s experience to raise awareness of the disease and its rapid progression. Daisy was admitted to hospital after abnormal blood results, then transferred to critical care while her parents were travelling abroad.