Spain’s first general strike in 14 years begins

Millions of workers across Spain are striking to demand government action over the country’s housing crisis, less than three weeks before a national election that could bring the far right to power. The 24-hour walkout, which began at midnight on Wednesday, disrupted public transport and forced businesses, factories and shops to scale back operations or close entirely across the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy. It’s Spain’s first general strike in 14 years. Minor incidents were reported in the first hours, including roadblocks with burning tyres in Barcelona, the second-largest city in the country. There were also scuffles between picketers and police near the country’s main wholesale market on the outskirts of the capital, Madrid.