French rail unions are calling for a national day of industrial action tomorrow. The SNCF have said that TER and Zou services will be severely disrupted. More information on specific trains can be found on https://www.ter.sncf.com/sud-provence-alpes-cote-d-azur/se-deplacer/fiches-horaires
An initial investigation has been opened after death threats were made against the president of Olympique de Marseille. The investigation has been opened by the local prosecutor despite a complaint not having been received. It follows a meeting between club president Pablo Longoria and a supporter’s group last week.
The French state is set to increase its payment to local communities. Speaking to French media today minister for local authorities Dominique Faure said that the budget will be increased by 220 million euros in 2024 and will therefore amount to just over 27 billion euros.
Two people are in a serious condition and six others have been injured in a fire in Paris. Over one hundred firefighters were involved in fighting the blaze which broke out early this morning in an apartment in a northern suburb just inside the Periphique in the 18th arrondissement.
The commune of Tourettes-du-Chateau is joining the Nice Cote d'Azur Metropolis. The hamlet of only 150 inhabitants is located in a rural area of the Alpes-Maritimes in the arriere-pays of Nice, not far from Levens. The admission was approved by the Metropolis in its meeting this morning. President of the group Christian Estrosi said that the Metropolis has "demonstrated that it can bring together urban and rural communities that have linked destinies within the same group".
The prefect of the Var was present at a ceremony of tribute to the Harkis and the auxiliary formations who fought for France during the Algerian War. Today is the national day of tribute to the Harkis, the native Muslim Algerians who served as auxiliaries in the French Army during the Algerian War from 1954 to 1962.
BUSINESS
Screenwriters in the US say they have reached a tentative deal with studios that could see them end their strike. A separate dispute involves actors, who are also on strike. The Writers Guild of America said the writers' deal was "exceptional - with meaningful gains and protections for writers" but union members still have to approve the agreement.
Amazon has announced a collaboration with AI company Anthropic. Amazon said that it will invest up to $4 billion in Anthropic and have a minority ownership position in the company. As part of the deal Amazon Web Services will become the company’s primary cloud provider.
Discount retailer Aldi has said that rising living costs in the UK have created a shift in attitudes. It said that British consumers are shopping very differently to 18 months ago by making fewer trips, buying more own label products, and switching supermarkets in search of better value. In the 12 months to December 2022, annual sales increased by almost £2bn to £15.5bn. Aldi overtook Morrisons last year to become Britain’s fourth biggest supermarket, whilst two thirds of British households now shop with the store.
SPORT
Cricket... The ECB has released its response to a report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket which alleged widespread discrimination in cricket in England and Wales. The ECB said that it wants "to change the game" and accepted "most" of the report's recommendations, including the creation of an independent regulator.
Football... the Dutch football association has announced that the abandoned match between Ajax and Feyenoord will be completed behind closed doors on Wednesday. Their match at the weekend had to be called off after supporters threw flares and fireworks onto the pitch.
Eric Ciotti, leader of Les Républicains, has expressed cautious support for new Prime Minister Michel Barnier if his policies align with law and order...
Read More
France has a new Prime Minister, after 51 days of waiting right-wing politician Michel Barnier was appointed Prime Minister on Thursday. ...
Read More
Michel Barnier has been announced as the new French Prime Minister, tasked with forming a unity government. Barnier, a veteran politician and former B...
Read More
The announcement of France's new Prime Minister is expected before 1 p.m. today, with Michel Barnier emerging as a leading candidate. Bernard Cazeneuv...
Read More
Marseille has been hit by heavy rain with businesses in the old port of the city flooded on Wednesday afternoon. Shopkeepers found themselves taken b...
Read More
