Unions have called for another day of national industrial action next Thursday, the 13th of April. It will be the twelfth day of action in protest at the French government's pension reforms. The date is significant in that it is the day before the Constitutional Council's decision on the reforms. Almost two million people demonstrated as part of yesterday's day of action according to unions, but only 570,000 according to the government. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that a total of 111 people had been arrested during the demonstrations. He said yesterday evening that 154 police officers had been injured, some seriously. He offered his "full support for the police, the gendarmes, the firefighters who protect the demonstrators and public and private property".
The French National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office has recommended that fourteen people face trial in the case of Samuel Paty. The teacher was beheaded by an Islamist extremist in October 2020. The prosecutor has recommended that various charges be brought against the individuals concerned including complicity in a murder and terrorist criminal association. Amongst the accused individuals are the father of a pupil at Samuel Paty's school who had posted a video on social media calling for action to be taken against the teacher.
A man in his seventies has been arrested after the discovery of his daughter's body at a property in Marseille. Local reports say that the daughter in her thirties had been prevented from leaving home and was suffering from malnutrition. An autopsy is being carried out.
The A500 Monaco tunnel leading to and from the A8 motorway was closed for about an hour this morning because of an accident. A collision between two cars occurred at around 8:50 a.m. in the tunnel, resulting in an interruption of traffic for all vehicles heading towards Monaco and towards Nice. Traffic resumed at about 10.00 am.
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi has attended a ceremony at which a medal of honour was awarded to 228 employees from local communities. The mayor said that he was proud of each of them and thanked them for their service. The mayor also presented Janine Gilletta, who served with Christian Estrosi on the Nice municipal council, with the insignia marking her promotion to the rank of Officer of the Legion d'Honneur.
President Macron has continued his state visit to China today. He addressed students at a university in Canton and is having dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus announced the signing of a contract with a Chinese company for fifty helicopters during President Macron's visit.
BUSINESS
Samsung Electronics has said that it will cut memory chip production after forecasting a 96% drop in its quarterly operating profit in the January to March period. The company said that sales had dropped sharply due to a slow global economy and less demand after Covid.
Employers in the United States added 236,000 jobs in March. The number was close to that expected by analysts, but below the number created in February. Bars and restaurants led the hiring. The jobless rate remains near historic lows at 3.5%.
SPORT
Cricket... Bangladesh have beaten Ireland by seven wickets on day four of the one-off Test in Mirpur. Ireland resumed on 286-8 after a fightback on day three but only added another six runs to their lead of 131 before being bowled out. Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie said that the side had "shown a lot of grit".
Football...Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that winger Luis Diaz will make his return from injury in the match against Leeds on 17 April. He's been out since last October with a knee problem.
In the Premier League tomorrow Manchester United are at home to Everton, Aston Villa play Nottingham Forest, Brentford play Newcastle, Fulham are at home to West Ham, Leicester play Bournemouth, Tottenham play Brighton, Wolverhampton play Chelsea and Southampton face Manchester City. On Sunday Leeds play Crystal Palace and Liverpool are at home to Arsenal.
TGV services across much of France are gradually improving after several arson attacks affected the network in the early hours of this morning....
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Paris is getting ready to shut down it’s city centre and its airspace as well as mobilise 45,000 police and several army units in what has been billed...
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Lucie Castets, the left-wing candidate for Prime Minister, reiterated her desire to lead the government during a media appearance on July 25. A poll s...
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French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to welcome world leaders to the Olympic games opening ceremony tomorrow night and has been visiting key ...
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France will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alpes, conditional on state and regional financial guarantees. President Macron confirmed his full su...
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