French senate passes Macron rail reforms

The French senate approved a landmark overhaul of state rail operator SNCF, cementing one of the key reforms launched by President Emmanuel Macron in his effort to improve public finances. Senators passed the rail reform by a vote of 245 to 82, a day after the National Assembly approved the final bill. Mr Macron pushed ahead with his overhaul despite resistance from unions, which have carried out their longest strike action in three decades on the railways to try to force the government to back down. Union leaders refused to concede, saying strikes will continue to at least June 28.