A British man has died in an avalanche in the Savoie department. According to local reports, the man in his twenties was on a road near the ski resort at Val Thorens when he was hit by the snow slide. He was taken to the hospital in Grenoble in cardiac arrest but didn't survive. The department has been on an orange alert for avalanches.
The French government is setting up a unit "to combat disinformation in health matters". The plan was announced this morning by Health Minister Yannick Neuder. Speaking to French media, he said that the unit will report on so-called fake news which has spread on social media which will then enable legitimate health organizations to react.
Negotiations are still continuing with the SNCF after two major French railway unions threatened strike action over pay levels and timetable changes. The unions have filed a strike notice for the week of May 5 to 11, which includes the busy bank holiday on May 8.
Two men in their late twenties are being held in pre-trial detention in connection with the use of an automatic weapon in Avignon. The two are suspected of being involved in a shooting in March during which two people on a scooter opened fire on another armed individual also riding a scooter. Authorites are still searching for the third person involved in the incident.
A Public Information Meeting is taking place in Nice as part of preparations for the United Nations Ocean Conference, which will take place from June 9 to 13. The meeting is being held this coming Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cruise Tent on the Quai du Commerce on Port Lympia inNice. It will focus on access for local residents to the security perimeters during the conference as well as traffic, parking and commercial activities. The meeting will present the measures being put in place and aims to answer the questions of residents. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
The Var Prefecture has reminded residents that the department is subject to several natural and technological risks such as forest fires, floods, marine submersion and industrial risks. The prefecture's website describes these risks, municipality by municipality. You can find more information at https://www.var.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Risques-naturels-et-technologiques/Quels-risques-dans-ma-commune
In Monaco, the work to level Larvotto beach, which began on March 31, has had to be temporarily suspended because of the recent unsettled weather. As a result, the works, which were due to end today have been extended for one week, until Friday, April 25 inclusive. As a measure to protect users, sea bathing and diving will be prohibited until this date in the two coves of Larvotto. Restaurants and shops at the beach will remain open without restrictions.
It's set to be a busy weekend on French roads. Government roads monitor Bison Fute has a red level forecast for the direction of departures today and red for north-west areas of the country tomorrow, with yellow for the rest of France. Monday is set to be a busy day in the direction of returns.
BUSINESS
The US government has announced plans to impose port fees on Chinese ships to try to revive the US ship building industry. Under the plans, from mid-October this year Chinese ship owners and operators will be charged $50 per ton of cargo with the fees increasing each year for the next three years. The charges are the latest salvo in the US China trade war. A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said the fees will raise prices for American consumers and will not revitalise the US ship building industry.
Several major players in the UK food and drinks industry are calling on the European Union to "reset" trade in the sector. According to reports, companies including supermarket chains J Sainsbury, Morrisons and Asda have written to the EU vice-president in charge of trade negotiations with the UK to say that regulations on the movement of food and drink had made it "harder to supply the widest range of products at the best possible price to domestic and international markets".
SPORT
Women's Rugby Union...Alex Callender has been named in the Wales squad for their Six Nations game against Ireland on Sunday. Callender will be at number eight as Wales aim for their first win of 2025 and their first under new head coach Sean Lynn.
Cricket... Discussions are taking place about the formation of a Great Britain cricket team that could compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, that's according to Cricket Scotland chief executive Trudy Lindblade. Speaking to the BBC this morning she said that talks between the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Scotland to establish a Team GB side have begun as the sport prepares to make its return to the Games.
A British man has died in an avalanche in the Savoie department. According to local reports, the man in his twenties was on a road near the ski resort...
Read More
Senior US, European, and Ukrainian diplomats will meet again in London next week after what France called an "excellent" day of peace talks in Paris o...
Read More
Mainly fine with light winds and highs of 17 degrees in Nice and Saint-Tropez, 16 degrees in Monaco, 19 degrees in Toulon. This evening going down to ...
Read More
The French government has instructed local prefects across France to immediately reinforce surveillance and protection of prisons and their staff. The...
Read More
French President Emmanuel Macron has promised that those behind a wave of attacks on prisons and staff will be “found, tried, and punished,” calling t...
Read More
