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More than 10,000 ambulance workers across nine trusts in England and Wales will strike on 21 and 28 December, the GMB union has confirmed.

The GMB, Unison and Unite unions are coordinating industrial action in a row over pay.

Ambulance workers from the GMB union, including paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff, will strike on 21 and 28 December at the following trusts:

• South West Ambulance Service
• South East Coast Ambulance Service
• North West Ambulance Service
• South Central Ambulance Service
• North East Ambulance Service
• East Midlands Ambulance Service
• West Midlands Ambulance Service
• Welsh Ambulance Service
• Yorkshire Ambulance Service

Share your story about the NHS as it faces acute pressure this winter

Unite said more than 1,600 of its members at the West Midlands, North West and North East ambulance service trusts would also join the walkout on 21 December.

Ambulance workers who are members of Unison will join the strike at five services in England: London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West.

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The strikes will go ahead after the Royal College of Nursing staged their second walkout, which was also over pay.

Last week, workers across the ambulance services and some NHS trusts voted to take industrial action over the government’s 4% pay award, which the GMB union has described as another “massive real-terms pay cut”.

‘Life and limb cover’

The union said its representatives will now meet with individual trusts to discuss requirements for “life and limb cover” on the two confirmed dates.

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Military could ‘drive ambulances’ during strikes

Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, said: “After twelve years of Conservative cuts to the service and their pay packets, NHS staff have had enough.

“The last thing they want to do is take strike action, but the government has left them with no choice.

“Steve Barclay needs to listen and engage with us about pay. If he can’t talk to us about this most basic workforce issue, what on earth is he health secretary for?

“The government could stop this strike in a heartbeat – but they need to wake up and start negotiating on pay.”

‘Stark warning’ to the government

Unite called the action a “stark warning” to the government, which it urged to stem the “crisis” engulfing the NHS.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Make no mistake, we are now in the fight of our lives for the very NHS itself. These strikes are a stark warning – our members are taking a stand to save our NHS from this government.

“Patients’ lives are already at risk but this government is sitting on the sidelines, dodging its responsibility to sort out the crisis that it has created.

“Ministers can’t keep hiding behind the pay review body. They know full well it does not address the desperate need to get huge numbers of NHS workers off the breadline.

“Fail to act now to avert these strikes and the blame will rest firmly at the government’s door.”

Unite said it would maintain essential emergency cover for patients.

It is also balloting 10,000 more NHS workers at 38 different employers across England and Wales. The results are expected later this month.

Unison ambulance crews to walkout

Unison said its strike, which involves paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians and other 999 crew members, will run from midday until midnight on 21 December.

The ambulance workers will be joined by Unison nurses, porters, healthcare assistants, cleaners and other NHS workers at two Liverpool hospitals.

Unison will also re-ballot around 13,000 NHS staff working for 10 Trusts and ambulance services where turnout in the recent strike vote fell short of the threshold required by law.

Read more:
Christmas rail strikes to go ahead as union rejects offer from operators
Military could be deployed to help limit Christmas strike disruption

Unison’s head of health, Sara Gorton, said: “The government will only have itself to blame if there are strikes in the NHS before Christmas.

“Ambulance staff and their health colleagues don’t want to inconvenience anyone but ministers are refusing to do the one thing that could prevent disruption – that’s start genuine talks about pay.

“Wages are too low to stop health workers quitting the NHS. As more and more hand in their notice, there are fewer staff left to care for patients. The public knows that’s the reason behind lengthy waits at A&E, growing ambulances delays, postponed operations and cancelled clinics.

“Threatened NHS strikes in Scotland were called off because ministers there understand higher wages and improved staffing levels go hand in hand. Unfortunately, the penny’s yet to drop for the Westminster government.”

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Gaza ceasefire: What is the deal and how would it work?

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Gaza ceasefire: What is the deal and how would it work?

In a surprise announcement on Friday, President Joe Biden said Israel had offered Hamas a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza.

Mr Biden outlined the proposal’s three phases during an address at the White House.

However, since the announcement, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the proposal is a “non-starter” until Israel’s long-standing conditions for ending the war are met. Hamas said it viewed the proposal “positively”.

Here’s a look at what we know about the deal so far, how it compares with previous proposals and how both sides have reacted to the US president’s address.

First phase

This would be a “full and complete ceasefire” lasting six weeks, Mr Biden said, adding it would see Israeli forces withdraw from all densely populated areas of Gaza.

During this time, Hamas would release an unspecified number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more.

More on Gaza

American hostages would be released at this stage, the US president said, adding the remains of some hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families.

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‘Exodus’ from Gaza as Israeli assault continues

Palestinian civilians would return to their homes and neighbourhoods across Gaza and humanitarian assistance would surge during the first phase, with 600 trucks being allowed into Gaza each day.

He said Israel and Hamas would negotiate a permanent end to the fighting while this ceasefire was in place. If the negotiations were to take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire would continue for as long as it takes to strike a deal, he added.

Second phase

Mr Biden described this as a “permanent end to hostilities”.

It would include the release of all remaining living Israeli hostages, including male soldiers, and Israel would withdraw all its forces from Gaza.

The president admitted there were “a number of details to negotiate to move from phase one to phase two”.

Third phase

The final phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war.

Any final remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families.

What has Israel said?

The office of Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, released a statement on X after Mr Biden’s address.

It read: “The government of Israel is united in its desire to return the hostages as soon as possible and is working to achieve this goal.

Palestinians inspect the damages after Israeli forces withdrew from a part of Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip
Pic: Reuters
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Damages seen on Friday after Israeli forces withdrew from a part of refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip. Pic: Reuters

Palestinians inspect the damages after Israeli forces withdrew from a part of Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

“The prime minister authorised the negotiating team to present a proposal to that end, which would also enable Israel to continue the war until all its objectives are achieved, including the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities.

“The actual proposal put forward by Israel, including the conditional transition from one phase to the next, allows Israel to uphold these principles.”

While Mr Netanyahu’s office confirmed he authorised negotiators to present the deal, sources close to the Israeli prime minister have told Sky News they do not “wholly recognise or agree with” the proposal outlined by Mr Biden.

In a further statement on Saturday morning, Mr Netanyahu’s office said: “Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.

“Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent ceasefire is put in place. The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter.”

Israel’s government has always maintained its objective in the Gaza offensive is to annihilate Hamas, which rules Gaza, in response to the attack by the group on 7 October.

What has Hamas said?

The militant group said it “views positively” what was included in Mr Biden’s speech, adding it will deal “constructively with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, the return of the displaced to all their places of residence, and the completion of a serious prisoner exchange deal if the occupation declares its explicit commitment to that”.

Pic: Reuters
A man looks on as Palestinians inspect a tent camp damaged in an Israeli strike during an Israeli military operation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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Palestinians in the ruins of their tent camp in Rafah after an Israeli strike. Pic: Reuters

How does this compare to the last ceasefire proposal?

Hamas claimed it agreed to a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar last month, which was similarly said to have three phases.

That proposal came after two days of talks in Cairo, with a delegation from Hamas – and intermediaries from Egypt, Qatar and the United States.

Read more:
Analysis: Ceasefire statement a big gamble by Biden
‘US president has run out of patience with Netanyahu’

A senior Biden administration official who briefed reporters on Friday said the ceasefire deal Israel has agreed to now is “nearly identical to Hamas’s own proposals of only a few weeks ago”.

But Mr Netanyahu’s office previously said the truce proposal published by Hamas fell short of its demands, and an Israeli official described the Hamas deal announcement as “a ruse intended to make Israel look like the side refusing a deal”.

Here’s what Hamas claimed the proposal last month would have looked like:

First phase

Fighting would have paused for 42 days and Hamas would have released 33 hostages, including the remaining Israeli women – both civilians and soldiers – as well as people under age 19 who weren’t soldiers, adults over 50 and people who were ill.

Israel would have released 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for each Israeli civilian hostage and 50 in exchange for each female soldier.

The aftermath of the Israeli strike on te tent camp in Tel al Sultan, Rafah Pic: AP
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The aftermath of the Israeli strike on tent camp in Tel al Sultan, Rafah. Pic: AP

IDF troops would have started withdrawing from Gaza in phases and displaced Palestinians would begin returning to their home neighbourhoods.

Israel would allow “intensive and sufficient quantities” of humanitarian aid, with 600 trucks entering Gaza daily.

Second phase

This would also have lasted 42 days, but similarly to the new proposal, the exact terms of this phase would need to be negotiated during the first.

Hamas said it may have entailed the release of all the remaining Israeli men, both civilians and soldiers, in Gaza. In return, Israel could have freed an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

But the group said all Israeli troops must have withdrawn from Gaza in order for the second phase to begin.

Third phase

This would have included the release of the remains of deceased hostages still in Gaza, more prisoners held by Israel, and the start of a five-year reconstruction plan, Hamas claimed.

Hamas also wanted an end to the blockade on Gaza by Israel in cooperation with Egypt at this point.

The plan also stated Hamas would agree not to rebuild its military arsenal.

Has there been a ceasefire since Israel’s offensive began?

There was a temporary pause in place from 24 November to 1 December last year.

During that time, 79 Israeli hostages were released by Hamas, with hundreds of Palestinians freed from prisons in exchange.

International mediators – including diplomats from Qatar, Egypt and the US – had been working to extend the temporary truce, but reaching agreements on hostage releases became harder as most women and children had already been released.

Israel’s military ultimately resumed combat in Gaza on 1 December after accusing Hamas of violating the seven-day truce.

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South Africa election: ANC set for ‘complicated’ coalition talks after losing parliamentary majority

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South Africa election: ANC set for 'complicated' coalition talks after losing parliamentary majority

The chair of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa says it can “talk to everybody and anybody”, as it looks likely to need a coalition partner after losing its parliamentary majority.

The once-dominant party of the late Nelson Mandela has seen its support slashed, receiving just over 40% in the landmark national election, with 99% of the votes counted.

The final results have not yet been formally declared by the independent electoral commission that ran the contest in the nation of 62 million people – but the ANC cannot pass 50%.

It means a flurry of negotiations are set to take place which are likely to be complicated.

ANC supporters at a rally in Johannesburg. Pic: Reuters
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ANC supporters at a rally in Johannesburg. Pic: Reuters

The main opposition party, John Steenhuisen’s Democratic Alliance (DA), was on 21%, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new party led by former president Jacob Zuma, got 14%, while the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by ex-ANC youth leader Julius Malema, received 9%.

In total, more than 50 parties took part in the election, many of them with tiny shares of the vote.

The ANC, which freed the country from apartheid in the early 1990s, has won every previous national election by a landslide since the historic 1994 vote that ended white minority rule.

More on South Africa

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Why has it all gone wrong for the ANC?

But over the last decade, its support has dwindled amid widespread poverty, a stagnating economy, rising unemployment, and power and water shortages.

The official unemployment rate in South Africa is among the highest in the world at 32%.

The poverty disproportionately affects black people, who make up 80% of the population and have been the core of the ANC’s support for years.

Read more:
Mandela would turn in his grave at his country today
South Africa’s political landscape is shifting

ANC supporters dance outside a polling station during the election. Pic: Reuters
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ANC supporters dance outside a polling station during the election. Pic: Reuters

There will now be an urgent focus on coalition talks as parliament needs to elect a president within 14 days of the final election results being officially declared.

A great sense of uncertainty in South Africa

This is definitely unchartered territory for South Africa, especially for the African National Congress (ANC) which has not been this unpopular since it led the country to freedom from white minority apartheid rule in 1994.

There is still a great sense of uncertainty, as parties turn their attention to now imminent coalition talks.

This will be the first time that South Africa sees a coalition government formed in its democratic history.

So who will the ANC, which still has the largest share of the votes, choose to team up with?

One option is the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema. He has revealed he would be willing to enter talks with the ANC, with the priority being forming a government as soon as possible.

The EFF is a very radical group economically, so there is some fear about the potentially destabilising impact of an ANC/EFF coalition, at a time when South Africa’s currency the rand is already quite vulnerable.

What is clear is that the ex-president Jacob Zuma, with his new MK party, has no intention of entering a coalition with his former ANC party.

Official results will come on Sunday after which coalition negotiations will intensify.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, of the ANC, is looking to be re-elected for a second and final term.

“We can talk to everybody and anybody,” said Gwede Mantashe, the ANC chair and current mines and energy minister, as he dodged a question from reporters about who the party was discussing a possible coalition deal with.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Pic: AP
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President Cyril Ramaphosa is looking to be re-elected for a second and final term. Pic: AP

ANC chair Gwede Mantashe. Pic: Reuters
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ANC chair Gwede Mantashe. Pic: Reuters

Far-left leader Julius Malema, whose EFF party has got 9%, said: “We have achieved our mission… to bring the ANC below 50%. We want to humble the ANC.”

“We are going to negotiate with the ANC” for a possible coalition deal, he said, although that would not be quite enough to clinch a majority without including another party on the current count.

“The way to rescue South Africa is to break the ANC’s majority and we have done that,” said main opposition leader John Steenhuisen.

Meanwhile, MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela said: “We are willing to negotiate with the ANC, but not the ANC of Cyril Ramaphosa.”

EFF leader Julius Malema. Pic: Reuters
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EFF leader Julius Malema claims he is going to negotiate with the ANC. Pic: Reuters

The strong performance of Jacob Zuma’s MK party, especially in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, was one of the main reasons the ANC failed to secure a majority.

One option for the ANC could be a “government of national unity” involving a broad spectrum of many parties, rather than a formal coalition between a few, say analysts.

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But Mr Malema said the EFF was against that idea and preferred to be part of a coalition.

Nearly 28 million South Africans were registered to vote and turnout is expected to be around 60%, according to figures from the independent electoral commission.

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Real Madrid win 15th European Cup after beating Dortmund in final – with arrests made over ‘attempts to breach security’

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Real Madrid win 15th European Cup after beating Dortmund in final - with arrests made over 'attempts to breach security'

More than 50 people have been arrested at Wembley after a pitch invasion and attempts to breach security at the Champions League final, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in London on Saturday thanks to late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr.

But Wembley Stadium confirmed arrests were made after the game was halted inside the opening minute as three separate pitch invaders evaded security.

There were also reports of fans trying to enter the game without tickets.

Follow latest: Real Madrid win Champions League final – latest reaction

T/Commander Louise Puddefoot insisted the Met Police was “confident that the overwhelming majority of attempts to unlawfully gain access to Wembley this evening were unsuccessful”.

She then added: “Officers have made 53 arrests at Wembley – five for pitch invasion and the majority of others for attempts to breach security.

More on Champions League

“There is a robust policing operation in place to support the Wembley security plan and officers have worked closely with stewards and stadium staff to maintain security throughout.

“Videos shared online showing groups running into entrances do not necessarily represent successful attempts to enter the stadium. There are typically multiple further levels of security beyond an initial entrance.”

The force commander also said more than 2,000 police officers were on duty on Saturday, policing protests in the capital as well as the Champions League final and related fan events.

Wembley Stadium announced before the game that they had taken measures to stop “poor fan behaviour” in the wake of the Euro 2020 final.

Read more on Sky News:
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Four more arrested after teenage girl raped
Netanyahu casts doubt on ceasefire deal

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From 2021: How the Wembley breach happened

More than 2,000 ticketless fans stormed the stadium while England and Italy played in July 2021, prompting the FA to apologise.

A review by Dame Louise Casey later found the violence created a situation where people could have been killed.

Real Madrid’s victory – which saw them win their 15th European trophy – also comes two years after chaos broke out in Paris during the 2022 Champions League final.

Tens of thousands of Liverpool supporters and Madrid fans were held in poorly organised queues ahead of the final at the 75,000-capacity Stade de France.

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From 2022: What actually happened to fans at Champions League final?

Authorities initially tried to deflect the blame towards ticketless Liverpool fans arriving late for the game.

But last year an independent report found UEFA, Europe’s football governing body, bore “primary responsibility” for the security failures which almost led to a “mass fatality catastrophe”.

In March this year, it emerged that Liverpool fans who made personal injury claims over the chaos reached a compensation agreement with UEFA.

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