A student in Nice has died from meningitis. Reports say that the 17 year old girl was a pupil at the Sasserno school in Nice. The school has set up a psychological support service for students.
The national police in Hyeres in the Var have launched a call for witnesses who may have information about a major fire in undergrowth this afternoon. About one hundred firefighters and twenty appliances brought the blaze under control in the area of the Val des Rougières and the Mont Soleil estate. About 10 hectares were consumed by the fire. Two Canadair water bombing planes and two tracker aircraft were also utilized. Meanwhile, the road between La Londe and Bormes-les-Mimosas was briefly closed today after a nearby fire in undergrowth which was brought under control with pompiers using about twenty appliances. A fire also broke out in Le Lavandou this afternoon, burning about 6 hectares.
French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn has promised 70 million euros to help health professionals. The measure comes after national industrial action at hospitals earlier this week. 55 million euros of that amount will go towards a net amount of 100 euros monthly paid in July to all emergency services professionals, excluding doctors.
Train services between Nice and Aix en Provence have resumed after a trackside fire affected services this morning. The fire near Cannes La Bocca was fanned by strong winds but was quickly extinguished by pompiers.
Schools in Ajaccio in Corsica have been closed today due to a peak in high temperatures and air pollution. Temperatures are around 38 degrees on the island today accompanied by strong winds. The city council made the decision to close all nursery and primary schools following the warning by Meteo France.
With one week to go before the French Grand Prix takes place at Castellet in the Var. Organizers have announced that there are still tickets available. This year new measures have been put in place to ease traffic in the area and parking for those attending the event. There will be entertainment for all ages including a three day music festival with DJs Martin Solveig and Bob Sinclar performing.
BUSINESS
Vodafone says it is working to tackle "disruption" to its mobile and fixed-line broadband services this afternoon. It has reportedly experienced a fault with an international link used to transmit data between countries but is rerouting traffic to address the issue.
The US Commerce Department said retail sales rose 0.5% in May, boosted by car sales and other goods. The data for April was revised upwards to show retail sales rising by 0.3% instead of falling by 0.2%.
Swiss Re, the Zurich-based insurance company, has announced plans to float its £3.5bn UK life insurance arm in London. Reports say that the listing should be completed in July.
SPORT
Cricket… England have beaten the West Indies by 8 wickets in Southampton today. West Indies were 212 all out in their innings. England were 213 for 2.
Cycling… Chris Froome is facing "at least six months" away from cycling according to the surgeon who operated on him after his crash on Wednesday. Froome had a six-hour operation, which has been described as a "success" but the surgeon said said it was "difficult to be sure" on an exact length of time for his recovery.
Football...In the Women’s World Cup, Scotland's chances of qualifying from their Women's World Cup group hang by a thread after a 2-1 defeat by Japan. It’s Jamaica against Italy in Group C this evening.
Speed restrictions are in place on all major roads in the Alpes-Maritimes today because of a smog alert....
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A Marseille magistrate has been sentenced on the 17th of June in Nîmes for repeatedly avoiding motorway tolls using fake license plates. ...
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A major police stop-and-search operation along France's borders is being carried out today, involving 4,000 police officers, gendarmes and customs off...
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SFR has announced automatic compensation of 100GB of free mobile data for affected customers following a major network outage on the 16th of June....
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French President Emmanuel Macron will chair a high-level Security and Defence Council meeting at the Élysée Palace today Wednesday, June 18th at 4pm, ...
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