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Air Transat Faces Flight Suspensions Amid Pilot Strike Notice

  Air Transat has announced it will gradually suspend flights starting Monday following a 72-hour strike notice issued by its pilots’ union. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing roughly 700 pilots, delivered the notice after nearly a year of unsuccessful negotiations with the airline’s parent company, Transat A.T. Inc. Background The union filed the strike notice on Sunday, giving pilots the legal right to walk off the job as early as Wednesday. Last week, pilots voted 99% in favor of strike action , underscoring their frustration over stalled contract talks. ALPA leaders emphasized that pilots do not want to strike but feel compelled to act after management failed to meet demands for a modernized agreement. Airline Response Air Transat confirmed it will begin suspending flights gradually between December 8 and 9 to prepare for a possible full shutdown. The company stated it is working “around the clock” to reach a deal and minimize disruption for trave...
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Billionaire Babiš Secures Election Lead, Faces Coalition Challenge in Czech Republic

Leader of ANO party Andrej Babis gestures as he reacts to the preliminary results of the parliamentary election, in Prague

Populist billionaire Andrej Babiš has staged a political comeback, with his ANO party emerging as the clear winner in the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election. Preliminary results show ANO capturing around 35% of the vote, far ahead of Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s Spolu (Together) coalition, which trailed at roughly 23%.

Despite the victory, Babiš fell short of an outright majority in the 200-seat lower house, securing about 80 seats. To form a government, he will need support from smaller right-wing and eurosceptic groups such as the Motorists and the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party. Both have signaled willingness to negotiate, though they are demanding cabinet positions rather than simply offering external support.

Babiš, who previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021, has promised higher wages, lower taxes, and a rejection of EU climate and migration policies. His win strengthens the populist, anti-immigration bloc in Europe, aligning him more closely with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico.

The result could also shift Czech foreign policy. While the outgoing government was a strong supporter of Ukraine, Babiš has pledged to scale back military aid and focus on domestic priorities. President Petr Pavel will now play a key role in post-election talks, as he holds the authority to appoint the next prime minister and cabinet.

With coalition negotiations expected to be complex, the Czech Republic faces weeks of political maneuvering before a new government is confirmed.




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