Evening Update Friday 16 September 2022

President Macron is set to travel to London on Sunday for the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen on Monday. He said that "it will be a moment of contemplation and emotion alongside the British people". He added that he had invited King Charles to visit France at a time appropriate for him.

Flights to and from France as well as flights crossing French airspace are being disrupted today because of a French air traffic control strike. Ryanair has cancelled 420 flights, most of which were scheduled to fly over France, affecting 80,000 passengers. It said that all passengers affected have been notified. EasyJet has cut 76 flights, saying that it had cancelled flights at the request of French authorities. British Airways has reportedly cancelled 22, while Air France said it was running 45% of its short-haul flights.

Anti-racism organisation SOS Racisme has filed a complaint against two private beaches in Juan-les-Pins. The organization alleges that during a test operation filmed with a hidden camera, the two beaches discriminated against customers based on race.

The mayor of a village in the Bouches-du-Rhone has ordered the closure of the town hall after cracks appeared in the building. He also ordered evacuation of all buildings within 80 metres of the town hall in Gignac-la-Nerthe between Martigues and Marseille, including a primary school even though it is beyond the 80 metre area. A geological survey has been commissioned, the results of which are expected next month.

 

BUSINESS

UK retail sales fell sharply in August as the rise in the cost of living continued to