DEVELOPING: London's Tube Grounds to a Halt as Strike Hits City for First Time in 9 Months

London's Tube Grounds to a Halt as Strike Hits City for First Time in 9 Months Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union have started a five-day walkout over pay and conditions, bringing London's Tube network to a near-standstill. The strike began at midnight on Sunday. The impact is immediate: limited services will operate until 18:00 BST on Sunday, but from Monday to Thursday, there will be little or no service on the Tube. The Elizabeth line and Overground are still operating, although may not stop at shared stations. The RMT union is demanding a 32-hour week and better pay, while Transport for London (TfL) has offered a 3.4% pay rise. TfL says it cannot afford to reduce the contractual 35-hour week. This strike marks the first time in nine months that the Tube network has been severely disrupted by industrial action. The last major strike was 18 months ago, and this walkout is expected to cause significant disruption for commuters. The RMT union has planned rolling action, with different parts of its membership walking out on different days. On Sunday, services were suspended or part-suspended on several lines, including the Bakerloo and Circle lines. This is a developing story, with further updates to follow as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*