Wojciech Janowski, who was on trial for the murder of Hélène Pastor, has been found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment by the court in Aix-en-Provence. Amongst the other defendants, the shooter, Samine Saïd Ahmed and the lookout Al Haïr Hamadi were also sentenced to life imprisonment. Pascal Dauriac, the former sports coach, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for organizing the murder.
Another body has been found in a rural area of the Aude Department, near the village of Villalier, bringing the death toll from the recent floods to 14, according to the prefecture. One person is still missing. The Aude river has continued to recede, with the Vigicrues information service lowering the alert level to yellow from the orange level which was in force yesterday, but saying that nevertheless, the levels remain high. Meanwhile, five people have been arrested on suspicion of looting food from a truck in an area affected by the flooding. Local reports say that over a thousand professional rescuers were mobilized in recent days to help in the emergency, including 680 firefighters, 250 gendarmes, 200 members of the civil security service and a hundred police officers.
A motorist is in a serious condition after crashing his four by four on the route Napoleon near the village of Seranon, north-west of Grasse. He was reportedly thrown from the vehicle on impact and was later airlifted to hospital in Nice.
A prisoner on temporary release has been shot dead in Aix-en-Provence this morning. The man was apparently standing outside a prison service office when he was shot at least six times. The attackers escaped in a car parked nearby.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has reportedly opened an investigation following yesterday’s raid on the home and office of the far left leader Jean Luc Mélenchon. The raid prompted a furious response from the politician. The investigation concerns "threats or acts of intimidation against the judicial authority" and "violence against persons holding public authority". Several unions representing police officers have condemned M. Mélenchon’s reaction.
According to figures released today, 2017 has been a “satisfactory" year for 90% of recycling companies in France thanks to a "growth of 2%" in terms of volumes collected. However, plastics were less recycled in 2017 with a 0.2% decrease in the number of tonnes collected. Only 25% of plastics are recycled by the French, compared to 40% by some European states, like Norway or Germany. Meaning France is still far from the goal of President Emmanuel Macron of 100% recycled plastics by 2025.
BUSINESS
In the UK, the Consumer Prices Index measure of inflation fell more than expected in September after hitting a six-month high in August. The Office for National Statistics said the fall to 2.4%, down from 2.7%, was largely driven by lower prices for food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Shares in budget airline Flybe have fallen heavily today after the company said full year losses this year would be more than expected. Analysts has been expecting losses of 3.5 million pounds, but the company said they are expected to be 12 million pounds. It blamed weak demand, a weaker pound and higher fuel prices.
Like-for-like sales growth at French food company Danone slowed in the third quarter - growing by 1.4%, a slowdown from the 3.3% growth in the second quarter and 4.9% growth in the first quarter.
Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund, has deferred a scheduled trip to the Middle East. Her trip was due to include a stop in Saudi Arabia to attend an investment conference. Several high profile business figures have pulled out of the conference since Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi vanished on 2 October after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
SPORT
Football… Fulham owner Shahid Khan has withdrawn his offer to buy Wembley Stadium from the Football Association. Khan had offered £600m for the stadium, with the FA retaining the Club Wembley hospitality rights. However, FA chief Martin Glenn said that the deal was "more divisive then expected". Reports say that Khan has not ruled out making another bid in the future if there’s more support from FA Council members.
Real Madrid have written to the Spanish Football Federation stating their opposition to plans to stage a Spanish league game between Barcelona and Girona in the United States. La Liga asked the Federation for permission to hold the match in Miami on 26 January next year. In the letter, the club said it was "fundamental" teams play "home and away at each other's stadium" for "the integrity and equality" of La Liga. The Spanish players' union has also spoken out against the match.
Cricket…Play was delayed at the start of the Third One Day match in Kandi because of rain - the match started at 4.45pm our time, but Sri Lanka are now in to bat.
Motorsports… Lewis Hamilton is on the brink of winning his 5th world championship at the US Grand Prix this weekend if he can better Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton will take the drivers’ championship at Austin if he wins the race and Vettel finishes third or lower. He’ll also be world champion if he outscores his Ferrari rival by 8 points.
France is bracing itself for major strike action this week. This Thursday the 18th of September, schools may close, transport workers will strike, cau...
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A major union representing French air traffic controllers has cancelled its strike notice for 18 September...
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Monaco’s new Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand has given his first press conference since taking office, pledging to serve with humility, transpar...
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Two additional people have been arrested today in Normandy in northern France in connection with a knife attack at a school in Antibes yesterday...
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Protesters across France have blocked roads, set fire to barricades, and clashed with police over President Emmanuel Macron’s planned spending cuts. L...
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