The French government's pension legislation has continued its passage through the National Assembly today ahead of tomorrow’s protests. Deputies voted in favour of the abolition of most special pension schemes for new recruits, but there are certain exceptions such as special pension schemes for lawyers. A day of protest at proposed pension changes is still planned for tomorrow. Demonstrations are set to take place across our region, including in Nice starting at 11am in the place Garibaldi, and in Draguignan at 6.30pm at the sub-prefecture. Workers at the SNCF are not expected to take industrial action tomorrow. Meanwhile the SNCF-Cheminots union has said that it wishes to see large scale industrial action on the railways from 7 March and it is entering into discussions with other unions representing SNCF workers.
A man has received a 30 year prison sentence for the fatal stabbing outside a night club in Cannes. 23 year old Kevin Ribal died outside a club on the Croisette in October 2018. Another of the accused received a prison sentence of 15 years, being viewed by the court as a co-perpetrator of the attack. A third man was sentenced to three years in prison.
There's been disruption to train services between Marseille and Toulon today because of the theft of copper signalling cables. Some services to and from Nice were also affected. Staff from the SNCF have been working at the location of the incident between Marseille and Aubagne and it's expected that services will gradually return to normal this evening.
A teenager is in a serious condition in Marseille after being shot. The incident happened in the early hours of this morning in La Paternelle in the 15th arronissement which has been the scene of shots being fired recently in connection with drugs trafficking.
BUSINESS
The UK economy saw zero growth between October and December last year according to data released today by the Office for National Statistics. This was despite a 0.5% fall in economic output during December. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the figures showed "underlying resilience" but said "we are not out of the woods". The figures mean that the UK has not entered a recession, which is usually defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. However, the Bank of England still expects the UK to enter recession this year.
Internet company Yahoo has announced plans to lay off about 20% of its workforce as part of a major restructuring. The company is reorganising its advertising unit. It's the latest technology firm to announce job losses recently.
SPORT
Cricket...It's been the second day of the first Test between India and Australia. Todd Murphy took five wickets on his debut for Australia. India's Rohit Sharma hit 120 as India finished the day on 321-7, leading by 144 runs.
Football... In the Premier League this weekend, West Ham are at home to Chelsea tomorrow, Arsenal play Brentford, Crystal Palace face Brighton, Fulham are at home to Nottingham Forest, Leicester play Tottenham, Southampton play Wolverhampton and Bournemouth are at home to Newcastle.
RUGBY REPORT
In the Six Nations this weekend, tomorrow Ireland play France at 3.15pm. France narrowly beat Ireland in Paris last year on their way to Grand Slam victory. Ireland have made one change to the side as Rob Herring replaces injured hooker Dan Sheehan.
In Saturday’s other Six Nations match Scotland play Wales at 5.45pm. Scotland prop Zander Fagerson will return for the match at Murrayfield after recovering from a hamstring injury.
On Sunday England play Italy at 4pm French time. England have dropped Marcus Smith and selected Owen Farrell to start at fly-half.
France is preparing for severe weather as Storm Benjamin sweeps in from the British Isles, bringing violent winds, heavy rain and powerful coastal wav...
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Storm Benjamin is on the way. It’s expected that the Atlantic coast and parts of north-west France will be worst affected, but Meteo France have yello...
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Dozens of left-wing activists have marched through Nice, protesting plans to name a public square after former president Nicolas Sarkozy, the march oc...
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Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has started a jail sentence for campaign finance conspiracy today...
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A 61-year-old British woman died of a suspected heart attack while on a cruise off the coast of Cannes during the night of Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 Oc...
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