French government spokesperson Olivier Veran has said that the government has asked energy company Total and the CGT union to act quickly to put an end to the industrial dispute affecting several oil refineries. Speaking to French media today he said that there is not a shortage of fuel "because we have it". He said that tankers import more fuel to bypass the sites which are blocked but "there are stations which find themselves in difficulty, in tension, even in local shortage"
A 39 year old man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of his companion. Mickael Reynaud was convicted of killing mother of four Laetitia Hemery in Toulon over New Year 2020.
Reports in French media say that the southern zone director of the judicial police in Marseille has been dismissed. The move follows a demonstration held by police during a visit to Marseille yesterday by the director general of the national police in France. Protesting police officers gathered today at a police station in the second arrondissement to protest against the dismissal.
The UK and France have issued a joint statement after a meeting between President Macron and UK Prime Minister Liz Truss on the sidelines of the first Summit of the European Political Community in Prague. The President and the Prime Minister agreed to hold the next UK-France Summit in 2023 in France to take forward what they called "a renewed bilateral agenda". They discussed increased cooperation on energy. They also agreed to deepen cooperation on illegal migration and to tackle criminal groups trafficking people across Europe ending in journeys across the Channel.
Speaking at the end of the summit this evening President Macron announced further military support for Ukraine. He said that a special fund would be created which would allow Ukraine to buy equipment directly from manufacturers and that the fund would be capitalised at one hundred million euros initially. He also stated that France is working with certain other European countries on the further delivery of guns to Ukraine.
BUSINESS
Jobs growth in the US has slowed for a second month, in a sign that the US labour market may be starting to cool. Employers added 263,000 new jobs in September, compared to over 300,000 in August and over half a million in July. However, the unemployment rate fell slightly in the month to 3.5%.
The UK has opened a new licensing round for companies to explore for oil and gas in the North Sea. Nearly 900 locations are being offered for exploration, with as many as 100 licences set to be awarded.
SPORT
Motorsports... George Russell lead a Mercedes one-two in second practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, with team mate Lewis Hamilton in second place. Max Verstappen was third. In first practice earlier, Fernando Alonso was first, Carlos Sainz second and Charles Leclerc in third.
Football... Portugal forward Pedro Neto will miss the 2022 World Cup because he needs an ankle operation, according to his club Wolves. The 22-year-old suffered the injury in their game against West Ham last Saturday.
In Premier League action this weekend Bournemouth are at home to Leicester, Chelsea play Wolves, Manchester City face Southampton and Newcastle are at home to Brentford and Brighton play Tottenham. On Sunday Crystal Palace play Leeds and West Ham face Fulham, Arsenal are at home to Liverpool and Everton play Manchester United.
A powerful Mistral storm has swept through Provence, with wind gusts exceeding 150 km/h in some areas. ...
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France’s recently appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou has promised a new government "before Christmas" and reserves the possibility of using 49....
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French judges in Avignon will today Thursday 19th December, deliver their verdicts in a mass rape case against 51 men that has appalled France and the...
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Monaco Info and TV Monaco are set to make way for a new television channel on September 1st of 2025. During the debates on the 2025 preliminary budget...
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