Hundreds of thousands march in France as unions strike over wages and schools
France's interior ministry said 575,000 people joined strikes and marches on Thursday 5 November over pay, living costs and school conditions; unions put the figure at 1.6 million. Most rallies were peaceful, but 448 people were arrested.
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Teachers, rail workers, hospital staff and postal employees walked out across France on Thursday 5 November in a one-day national strike over wages, the cost of living and conditions in schools. The interior ministry said 575,000 people marched nationwide, revising down an earlier figure of 600,000. The CGT union, one of the organisers, said close to 1.6 million took part.
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- France 24 France hit by fresh nationwide strikes as workers march for 'dignified wage' france24.com
- France 24 Live: Interior ministry says 575,000 protest across France as unions claim 'close to 1.6 million' france24.com
- Al Jazeera Workers strike across France as hundreds of thousands expected to protest aljazeera.com
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The story so far. More on Europe, France and Labour.
- Hoax bomb threats disrupt at least 27 flights across Europe in second wave this week Emailed and telephoned bomb threats forced diversions, fighter escorts and searches on at least 27 passenger flights across Europe on Thursday 5 November, two days after a smaller wave. No explosives were found and no one has claimed responsibility.
- Hackers tamper with fridges storing France's blood plasma; alarms prevent losses Attackers raised temperature settings at three cold-storage sites of France's national blood service overnight on 1 to 2 November 2026, through a refrigeration contractor. The service says no blood products were lost.
- Philippe Jaenada wins the Prix Goncourt for a true-crime novel about an unsolved Paris murder France's most prestigious literary prize went on 3 November to *L'Inconnue du quai de Javel*, Jaenada's investigation into the unsolved killing of a Montparnasse artists' model. The Renaudot, announced the same day, went to François-Henri Désérable.
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