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General Strike in Italy Disrupts Transport as Workers Rally in Solidarity with Gaza
Thousands of workers and students across Italy staged a nationwide strike and demonstrations on Monday, marking the second consecutive day of walkouts organized in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
The 24-hour general strike was called by grassroots unions, following a similar action on Sunday led by the Italian Confederation of Labour (CGIL), the country’s largest trade union. Monday’s strike caused widespread disruptions across public services, including trains, schools, ports, and public transport networks in major cities such as Rome and Milan.
Rail services experienced long delays, while public buses and metro systems operated at reduced capacity. At Italy’s main ports of Genoa and Livorno, sit-ins and rallies by dockworkers slowed or partially blocked the movement of goods, adding to the scale of disruption.
Union organizers said the strike was intended as a response to what they described as “the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, the blockade of humanitarian aid by the Israeli army, and threats against the Global Sumud Flotilla mission.” In a statement, the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) trade union federation criticized the Italian government and the European Union for “refusing to impose sanctions on the State of Israel” and continuing economic and institutional ties “despite the gravity of the situation.”
In Rome, organizers predicted that 100,000 people would gather for a central demonstration. Authorities estimated around 20,000 had assembled outside the Termini train station by midday, but noted the number was steadily rising. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and carried banners calling for an end to the war in Gaza and greater international pressure on Israel.
The protests come at a politically sensitive moment for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, which has faced growing domestic pressure over its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Italy has condemned Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel and backed Israel’s right to defend itself, critics say Rome has failed to adequately push for a ceasefire or stronger humanitarian measures.
Unlike France and the United Kingdom, Italy has not announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state during this week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York. That position has drawn criticism from unions and civil society groups leading the strike, who accuse the government of aligning too closely with Washington and Tel Aviv.
Monday’s mobilization underscores the strength of solidarity movements in Italy, where trade unions have historically played a central role in social and political activism. Organizers vowed to continue pressuring the government through demonstrations and strikes until stronger action is taken in support of Palestinians.
With participation spreading beyond traditional labor groups to include student organizations and grassroots networks, the movement appeared to be gaining momentum. Whether it translates into a shift in Italy’s foreign policy stance remains uncertain, but the scale of disruption highlighted how deeply the conflict in Gaza has resonated with Italian society.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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