UK nurses launch historic strike

British nurses have launched a historic strike as pay and staffing crises threaten the NHS. Predicted to be the largest strike in the history of the Royal College of Nursing, as many as 100,000 nurses are expected to participate.

The RCN is asking for a 5% pay raise above retail inflation and for additional staffing to cover a record number of vacancies. UK Health Secretary Steve Barclay, however, responded in a statement, saying the demands are "not affordable."