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France clamps down on sick leave as bankruptcy looms

France clamps down on sick leave as bankruptcy looms

Times3 days ago
With their love of a long holiday, a coveted 35-hour working week and the 'right to disconnect' from office-related communication, many countries may gaze with envy at French working life.
But a central tenet to what many in France would call a hard-fought right, is now at risk as authorities aim to curb a record rate of absenteeism that is costing the country billions more than its neighbours.
François Bayrou, the centrist at the head of the minority government since December, has declared war on malingering as part of his drive to 'reconcile the French with work' — and save the country from looming bankruptcy.
François Bayrou is aiming to discourage unwarranted sick leave
MOHAMMED BADRA/EPA
The French absentee level is one of Europe's highest and about double that of Britain and the United States. The cost is estimated at up to €80 billion, more than the state education budget.
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Thailand and Cambodia clashes are escalating and could become all-out war, Thai PM warns
Thailand and Cambodia clashes are escalating and could become all-out war, Thai PM warns

The Independent

time16 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Thailand and Cambodia clashes are escalating and could become all-out war, Thai PM warns

Thailand warned its border conflict with Cambodia could 'escalate into a state of war' as fighting expanded to new areas and both sides exchanged heated rhetoric on a second day of clashes on Friday. At least 15 people have been killed in Thailand and one in Cambodia and tens of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides of the contested border. Acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai of Thailand claimed Cambodia had deployed heavy weapons on multiple fronts and Bangkok was defending its territory. 'The current situation involves acts of intrusion and aggression that are causing harm to the people's lives. The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war. At present, it's a confrontation involving heavy weapons," he told reporters. Fighting expanded to 12 locations on Friday, the Thai military said, up from six the previous day when they first erupted. The two sides blamed each other for starting the conflict amid continued fighting, with Bangkok accusing the rival nation of deliberately targeting civilians and Phnom Penh alleging that Thailand was using cluster munitions, an ordnance banned by an international treaty. The Southeast Asian nations contest several stretches of their 817km land border – partly drawn by Cambodia's French colonial rulers over a century ago – which passes near several archaeologically important religious sites claimed by both countries. The US, a longtime ally of Thailand, urged an immediate end to the ongoing hostilities. State Department deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott said that Washington was 'gravely concerned by the escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border and deeply saddened by reports of harm to civilians'. 'The US urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict,' he added. China said that it was 'deeply concerned' about the violent clashes and would 'continue in its own way to do its best to promote peace and dialogue'. The UN Security Council was due to meet on Friday to discuss the conflict. Thailand rejected the possibility of third-party mediation to end the conflict, insisting that Phnom Penh cease attacks and resolve the situation through bilateral talks. "I don't think we need any mediation from a third country yet,' Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. The remarks came after Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the Asean bloc which includes both Thailand and Cambodia, said he welcomed 'the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward'. Thailand has evacuated about 100,000 people from border areas to temporary shelters in four affected border provinces. Cambodian authorities have moved more than 4,000 people to safety. The Thai military reported clashes on Friday in Chong Bok and Phu Makhuea in the Ubon Ratchathani province, Phanom Dong Rak in Surin, and near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple. In Cambodia, a man died after a Thai rocket struck a Buddhist pagoda where he had taken shelter. In Surin, around 600 people sought refuge inside a university gymnasium roughly 80km from the border. Families huddled on mats and blankets, sharing space and queuing patiently for food and water. Among them was seamstress Pornpan Sooksai, who arrived with four cats nestled in two fabric carriers. "I just heard, boom, boom. We'd already prepared the cages, clothes and everything, so we ran and carried our things to the car. I was frightened, scared," she said, referring to the shelling that began near her home close to the Ta Muen Thom temple on Thursday. Rattana Meeying, another evacuee, lived through the last major border clash in 2011. This time, she said, felt different. "Children, old people, were hit out of the blue," she said. "I never imagined it would be this violent."

Hamas says ceasefire talks expected to resume next week after U.S. and Israel recall negotiators
Hamas says ceasefire talks expected to resume next week after U.S. and Israel recall negotiators

The Independent

time16 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Hamas says ceasefire talks expected to resume next week after U.S. and Israel recall negotiators

Ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel are expected to resume next week, a Hamas official said Friday, as Israeli strikes continue across Gaza and experts warn Palestinians are on the brink of famine. Hamas official Bassem Naim said on Friday that he was told an Israeli delegation would depart for consultations early next week. Previous talks had been held in Qatar. His comments come a day after the United States recalled its negotiating team from Qatar and after President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Hamas' latest response to the negotiations showed a 'lack of desire' to reach a truce. Witkoff said the U.S. will "now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.' He did not elaborate on what those options might be. Earlier on Thursday Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu's office also recalled his negotiating team in light of Hamas' response. In a brief statement, Netanyahu's office expressed appreciation for the efforts of Witkoff and the other mediators, Qatar and Egypt, but gave no further details. A breakthrough on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded the Trump administration as humanitarian conditions worsen in Gaza. Israel has come under mounting pressure for the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reports of people dying from causes related to malnutrition. In recent days more then two dozen Western-aligned countries and more than 100 charity and human rights groups have called for an end to the war, harshly criticizing Israel's blockade and a new aid delivery model it has rolled out. The charities and rights groups said even their own staff were struggling to get enough food. On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize Palestine as a state, saying, 'The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved.″ Hamas said that Witkoff's remarks were meant to pressure the group for Netanyahu's benefit during the next round of talks and that in recent days negotiations had made progress. Naim said several gaps had been nearly solved, such as the agenda of the ceasefire, guarantees to continue negotiating to reach a permanent agreement and how humanitarian aid would be delivered. Israel's government didn't immediately respond to whether negotiations would resume next week. The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs. Officials have said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops after any ceasefire takes place. The deal under discussion is expected to include an initial 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up, and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting ceasefire. The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the conflict until Hamas gives up power and disarms. The militant group says it is prepared to leave power but not surrender its weapons. Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages in different locations, including tunnels, and says it has ordered its guards to kill them if Israeli forces approach. Some 50 hostages remain in Gaza but fewer than half are believed to be alive. Their families say the start-stop talks are excruciating. 'I thought that maybe something will come from the time that the negotiation, Israeli team were in Doha," said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is being held hostage. "And when I heard that they're coming back, I ask myself: When will this nightmare end?' Meanwhile Israeli strikes continued across Gaza. At least 22 people were killed since Thursday night, according to hospital records at Nasser Hospital where the bodies arrived. Some were killed in strikes, others and others were killed while seeking aid, said the hospital. ——- Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip.

David Amess's widow claims ‘cover-up' over Prevent failures
David Amess's widow claims ‘cover-up' over Prevent failures

Telegraph

time17 minutes ago

  • Telegraph

David Amess's widow claims ‘cover-up' over Prevent failures

The widow of murdered MP Sir David Amess has accused the Government of a 'cover-up' following a review into the Prevent programme's handling of the case. In a letter to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, Lady Julia Amess described the review as an 'insult to Sir David's memory' and said that questions about the case can only be answered 'by way of a public inquiry'. The Amess family instructed lawyers to scrutinise Independent Prevent Commissioner Lord Anderson KC's report, with lawyers criticising how 'too much investigation ... has been conducted behind closed doors'. Hudgell Solicitors said 'too many doors have been closed when challenging questions have been raised' – highlighting that only one counter-terrorism case officer with first-hand experience of killer Ali Harbi Ali's Prevent referral was spoken to as part of the review. Ali was referred to Prevent seven years before the Islamic State fanatic stabbed the veteran MP at his constituency surgery in Essex in October 2021. He was sentenced to a whole-life order the following year. Lord Anderson's report said 'intensive' efforts have been made to improve processes within Prevent, but the 'jury is out' on some of the changes. It also said Ali was described as a ' great person ' by a counter-terrorism case officer shortly before his case was dropped by Prevent. Ms Cooper previously wrote to the Amess family, in which she said she realised the 'seriousness' of the failings in Sir David's case and that she hoped the family found Lord Anderson's report to be 'thorough and considered'. But in her letter to Ms Cooper, Lady Amess said: 'I have to say that, once again, my family has been disrespected and insulted by the Government. 'Your letter implies that you have our best interests at heart – which could not be further from the truth.' 'Whole sorry saga is a cover-up' Lady Amess continued: 'As you and the Prime Minister requested, we met with Lord Anderson during the review process. From my point of view, it was a very pleasant meeting with a man who was given a job to do and would do it to the best of his ability. 'However, it was absolutely clear to me at the time that he would be unable to give the answers we are seeking. 'He did not have the authority to 'dig below the surface' and find out exactly what happened, who is responsible for the failings (it appears there are several unidentified people) and what will be done to somehow ease the pain and suffering we are still experiencing because the truth is not being told. 'One can only conclude that this whole sorry saga is a cover-up.' She added: 'We should have been taken under the wing of the Government, cared for sympathetically and shown a little compassion. Instead, we have been treated disgracefully. 'It is an insult to Sir David's memory and, as I said during our meeting, I will fight until my dying day for my husband, our children and their children.' 'Deeply unsatisfactory' Solicitor Neil Hudgell said answers to the Amess family's questions regarding Ali's referral to Prevent 'remain deeply unsatisfactory'. He said: 'Far too much investigation into Sir David's murder and the interactions between Prevent and Ali Harbi Ali has been conducted behind closed doors, and too many doors have been closed when challenging questions have been raised in search of accountability and transparency. 'Lord Anderson did not interview any other member of the Prevent panel, which dealt with the Ali case, other than the one counter-terrorism case officer, who only consented to being interviewed on strict conditions. 'Even the coroner declined to engage with Lord Anderson, citing judicial independence. 'Answers to important questions with regard to his referral, the lack of proper intervention, follow-up sessions and review remain deeply unsatisfactory.' He added: 'A statutory public inquiry is needed as only this forum can compel witnesses to appear and give evidence under oath, and be questioned as to what was known, and why decisions were made.'

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