Latest news with #HolyThursday
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Brits facing summer of chaos as hotel workers to strike every Friday in Tenerife throughout July and August
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENRAGED hotel workers in Tenerife are set to strike every single week of summer - in the latest blow to Brit holidaymakers. Colossal strike action, which will include protests outside major hotel chains, will see Brit tourists facing chaos in July and August. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Anti-tourism protests have been fuelled by soaring numbers of Brits flying in Credit: Alamy 7 Thousands of locals march in Gran Canaria, May 18 Credit: Alamy 7 Anti-social behaviour and a large number of tourists have fuelled the anti-tourism movement Credit: Peter Jordan 7 The strikes were proposed by the main tourism union and are expected to hit the Canary Island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. They are set to begin on July 4. Union leader Manuel Fitas of the Grassroots Trade Unionists said the action came as employers were yet to agree on a pay rise for hotel staff. He said the employers had a "stubborn refusal" to discuss salary improvements. Fitas explained that on May 29, they gave employers a fifteen-day deadline to respond to their demand for a 6.5% salary increase before negotiating a new agreement. But employers are yet to come to a new agreement. If confirmed, the nightmare strikes will prove disastrous for thousands of Brit holidaymakers rushing to the popular destination this summer. Planned for every Friday of July and August, the action is set to hit the tourism industry's peak summer season. Brit tourists should expect major disruptions as the unions intend to launch protests right outside the doors of hotels for maximum impact. Each of the scheduled walkouts and protests will be confirmed on June 16 when the dates are locked in place. Anti-tourist mob attacks holidaymakers with water guns as they vow Spain faces 'long hot summer' of protest carnage Despite the threat of the devastating strike, the manager of the local employers' association, Juan Pablo González, said they were "moderately optimistic" of making progress in the talks. Asked if they would be willing to make an exception to avoid a strike, he confirmed that "we limit everything to the table because that is how collective agreements are negotiated". The action comes after similar anti-tourism strikes have unleashed holiday hell for Brits in the Canary Islands. Brits headed to Tenerife over Easter faced nightmarish conditions as hotel and restaurant workers walked out on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday, after last-ditch talks to prevent the protests failed. "The Canary Islands have a limit" movement argues the Canaries' current economic model is "based on touristification, speculation, inequality and infinite growth in a very limited land". According to the Canarian Trade Union Federation, the wealth generated by tourism should be distributed more fairly to improve the labour and wage rights of more than 170,000 tourism workers in the Canaries. 7 Protesters gather in front of the Sagrada Familia under the slogan - 'The Canary Islands have a limit' Credit: Getty 7 Thousands of people are known to attend these protests, often held in dozens of cities across Spain They also demand fairer distribution of tourism revenue to improve life for Canarians, boosting public services like healthcare, affordable housing and transport to fix the current road collapses. The movement has issued ten key demands, including halting destructive developments, imposing a tourist tax, enforcing a moratorium on new tourist projects, protecting natural areas and stopping sea pollution, among others. On May 18, thousands of fed-up locals flooded the streets of the Canary Islands in Spain's third wave of protests against overtourism this year. Locals across the Canaries say their home has been turned into a playground for tourists. Demonstrations took place across the Spanish archipelago's islands, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. Holidaymakers awkwardly watched from the sidelines as the marches progressed through towns. What is the anti-tourist movement? Locals are calling for three key measures: Tourist moratorium: A freeze on new hotel and holiday rental licences, especially in overcrowded areas, to ease pressure on resources and protect rural and coastal land. Ecotax: A tourist tax to fund public services and offset the environmental impact of mass tourism. Holiday rental regulation: Stricter controls on platforms like Airbnb and real estate speculation to keep housing affordable for residents. In Santa Cruz alone, Tenerife's capital, around 7,000 people were estimated to be on the streets by Spanish security forces. In Gran Canaria, around 3,000 people were estimated to be present. Misbehaving Brits visiting the Canary Islands have also fuelled a growing sentiment against tourism among workers in Tenerife. Shocking footage showed two brits starting a vicious brawl in Tenerife while a crowd of yobs cheered them on. Viral footage recorded in Playa de las Américas, a popular resort in the holiday hotspot, showed the men throwing jabs at each other before bystanders started to intervene. And last week, dramatic footage also showed two Brit women scrapping in the streets of Tenerife while being leered at. Both fights sparked fury among locals, who complained of the manic Brit behaviour on their streets.
Irish Independent
24-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Staff on RTÉ's religious programmes to be redeployed as Donnybrook masses end
It has announced it will shift in-house Christian productions on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player to a variety of churches nationwide. The move is part of a plan to commission Christian worship content from independent producers from next year. An RTÉ spokesperson said the plan will be carried out in partnership with Ireland's 'major denominations' from a number of 'hub' churches. When asked if a Sunday mass will still be broadcast, he said there will be no change to the service, apart from it being produced in the independent sector. Roger Childs, RTÉ's commissioning editor of religious content, said masses, services and other forms of Christian worship will continue to be broadcast every Sunday and on Christian holidays. This includes St Patrick's Day, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. When asked about the impact of the move on workers, a spokesperson said management met with the team involved in the delivery of masses and services and 'they were informed that they would be redeployed to other programmes when this move happens'. A letter from the RTÉ Group of Unions to HR chief Eimear Cusack yesterday sought an urgent meeting to discuss the changes and impact on members. Siptu sector organiser Robbie Purfield said he believes fewer than 50 staff who work on religious programming will be affected. This is a public service and should be kept in-house. This could be the thin edge of the wedge. What's next? He said Siptu members want management to reverse the decision to outsource production, including the mass broadcasts, to the independent sector. ADVERTISEMENT 'These workers are in various grades, but the religious programme is not all they do,' he said. 'They would do everything from setting up the altar to the technical and operational elements, but now there will be less work for them. 'I know part of the strategy is that RTÉ needs to broadcast more from the independent sector, but this is a public service and should be kept in-house. This could be the thin edge of the wedge. What's next?' Mr Purfield said there has been no consultation with unions on the plan. RTÉ's managing editor of video and director of content, Seán Mac Giolla Phádraig, said technological advances mean it is possible to broadcast masses and services cost-effectively from churches nationwide. He said this would enable RTÉ to shift production from the Donnybrook studio base into 'authentic congregational worship settings' across 32 counties. Mr Childs said studio production of worship content has served audiences well for many years. However, the current production model requires groups to often travel long distances to Montrose. In addition, he said the studio's limited capacity allows for only a small representative presence from the featured parishes or school groups. A spokesperson said the launch of the new commissioning process is in line with RTÉ's 'New Direction' strategy. He said the Future of Media Commission recommended that 25pc of public funding to RTÉ is invested in the independent sector, and the Government intends to put this into legislation.
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Independent sector to produce mass, services on RTÉ
RTÉ has launched a commissioning process that will see all of its Christian worship content produced in the independent sector. Currently, worship content is produced in a studio in RTÉ in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, however, it is hoped that by the start of next year, production will be shifted to a number of designated "hub" churches. The move is part of the broadcaster's new direction strategy. The production will be delivered in partnership with Ireland's major denominations based on production models already pioneered by other European braodcasters, RTÉ said. RTÉ's Managing Editor, Video and Director of Content, Seán Mac Giolla Phádraig said: "Advances in technology mean that it is now possible to broadcast Masses and services cost-effectively from a variety of churches nationwide, enabling RTÉ to shift production of this important content from the current Donnybrook studio base into authentic congregational worship settings across the 32 counties of Ireland, without any diminution in technical or editorial quality." Roger Childs, RTÉ's Commissioning Editor of Religious Content, said: "RTÉ remains fully committed to broadcasting a broad range of Christian worship content, reflecting the diversity of denominations and styles of worship across the 32 counties of Ireland in the long term. "Masses, services or other forms of Christian worship will continue to be broadcast every Sunday and on key Christian holidays: St Patrick's Day, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day." Mr Childs said the current production model means groups often have to travel long distances to Montrose and that the limited capacity of the studio "only allows for a small representative presence from each featured parish or school group". "In contrast, broadcasting from "hub" churches in each region will enable RTÉ to feature authentic congregational worship in those areas," he added.
Herald Malaysia
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
US priest-podcaster urges laity to pray for the conclave
'We're called to be spiritually present through our intercession,' says Father Mike Schmitz May 08, 2025 Father Mike Schmitz. (Photo: Facebook) By Jack Figge, OSV NewsAs the cardinals prepare to enter into the Sistine Chapel to vote on the next supreme pontiff May 7, faithful across the world are watching in of the "Bible in a Year" and "Catechism in a Year" podcasts and a frequent presenter for Ascension, Father Mike Schmitz has been leading a novena praying for the cardinals and the upcoming conclave, which over a million people have an interview with OSV News, Father Schmitz said the most important thing for the laity to do during this time is to pray. "First and foremost, we should be praying -- fervently," Father Schmitz said. "A conclave isn't just an election; it's a spiritual event. The Holy Spirit is active, and we're called to be spiritually present through our intercession." Praying the novena has presented the opportunity for thousands of Catholics to come together during this historic time as one church in preparation for the conclave, and prayer allows the laity to participate in this historic moment. "We are one body. The men entering the conclave aren't just making a strategic decision -- they're listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit," Father Schmitz said. "Our prayers help dispose their hearts to that voice. We often forget how much weight is on them: they're carrying the responsibility to discern God's will for the whole church. When the laity pray, we're not passive bystanders -- we're participants in this sacred moment. Our prayer helps prepare the soil for what God wants to plant." This conclave, he also shared, offers a twofold opportunity to reflect on the previous pontificate and to learn more about the life and history of the Catholic Church. In recent weeks, Father Schmitz has reflected on the impact that Pope Francis' pontificate had on his priesthood, specifically the time the late pope washed the feet of inmates on Holy Thursday. "That moment wasn't just powerful -- it was deeply Christlike," Father Schmitz said. "It reminded me of the heart of priesthood: to serve in humility, not to be served. His constant emphasis on mercy, encounter, and going to the peripheries has challenged me to not remain in comfort zones but to go where the Gospel is most needed. His call to be a 'field hospital' for souls has shaped the way I try to serve as a priest -- meeting people where they are, with love and truth." With the abundance of news outlets and media attention focusing on the conclave, these days provide a unique opportunity for the laity to learn about new aspects of the church. "It's a great time to learn more about how the church works -- how the Holy Spirit has guided the church through 2,000 years, even through difficult or confusing times," Father Schmitz said. "Read about the role of the pope, the history of the conclave and what it means for the church. But above all, be at peace. Jesus is still Lord. He promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against his church -- and he meant it." As the conclave begins, many commentators speaking to media outlets have attempted to cast the conclave in political terms, highlighting various tensions within the church. Father Schmitz warned that Catholics should be wary of this narrative, opting instead to root oneself in Jesus Christ. "We should never be naïve about tensions -- they're real. But we should also never forget who the church is: the bride of Christ," Father Schmitz said. "She is more than a set of ideologies or factions. The church is where sinners are saved, saints are formed, and the truth is proclaimed. We navigate tensions by rooting ourselves not in opinion, but in Christ." Amongst all the noise and commentaries surrounding the conclave, Father Schmitz urged Catholics to look past the tensions and disagreements between different factions and instead keep charity and unity at the forefront of one's mind. "Don't let the noise define your faith -- let Jesus do that," Father Schmitz said. "Unity doesn't mean uniformity; it means charity. So even in disagreement, we choose to love, to forgive and to stay close to the heart of the church."--
NBC News
05-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Pope Francis gave his remaining money to fund pasta factory at juvenile detention center
Before Pope Francis died, he donated the money remaining in his personal bank account to fund Pastificio Futuro, a pasta factory that employs current and former inmates from the Casal del Marmo detention center. Pope Francis visited the facility and washed inmates' feet twice on Holy Thursday. His donation will pay the factory's mortgage and help change the lives of more inmates. NBC News' Anne Thompson has our Good News 5, 2025
