A national taxi strike has seen drivers stage go-slow or operation snail protests in many cities across France today. In our region, taxi drivers set off from Cannes and from Nice early this morning, affecting traffic on the A8 motorway and parts of east and central Nice, including the Voie Mathis. Similar operations also took place in Toulon and Marseille.
Protesting farmers have converged on Paris with tractors, blocking many of the main access roads to the capital, including the A4, A6, A10, A13 and A15 motorways. About 15,000 police and gendarme officers are mobilized in Paris in order to keep the airports and the Rungis market in the south of the city open. The market is the second largest wholesale food market in the world. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that armored vehicles and helicopters would be used "to watch and anticipate the movement of tractors". He said that there would be no question of the lines of tractors being allowed into central Paris, a move which in any event farming unions have said that they do not wish to pursue. Meanwhile, new measures aimed at meeting the demands of the farmers will be announced shortly according to French Minister of Agriculture Marc Fesneau. Speaking to French media this morning, he said that "a certain number" of new measures will be added to those already announced at the end of last week by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
A migrant has died whilst apparently trying to get to the UK from France. The man was in the trailer of a truck which was in Calais and was about to make the journey across the channel. Initial investigations suggest that the migrant may have been crushed by the cargo of metal bars being transported by the truck.
The annual meeting of the Alpes-Maritimes departmental civil security council has been taking place. Those involved in crisis management were present including gendarmerie representatives, police and firefighters. Matters discussed included assessing risks, preparing crisis management and promoting volunteering.
The inauguration ceremony took place of the renovated building of the Surete Publique in Monaco. The inauguration was performed by HSH Prince Albert II in the presence of HE the Minister of State, Pierre Dartout and several government ministers. The building received a blessing by Father Julien Gollino, Chaplain of the Surete Publique.
BUSINESS
Ryanair has reported a profit after tax of €15m for its third quarter. It compares to €211m in the same period in the previous year. The airline said that higher fuel costs offset revenue gains. It said that while traffic and fares were ahead of the prior year, certain Christmas and New Year loads and yields were softer than previously expected as Ryanair lowered prices in response to the removal of flights from some online travel agencies in early December. Profit after tax for the 9-months ended 31 December was up 39%.
Sweden's GDP decreased by 0.3 percent in December. The initial figures from Statistics Sweden also show that for the fourth quarter as a whole GDP increased by 0.1 percent compared with the preceding quarter.
SPORT
Cricket... India players Rav-indra Jadeja and KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second Test against England because of injury. India are already without Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Rugby Union.... Scotland player Cameron Redpath has signed a new contract to stay at Bath until 2027. He's made 55 appearances for the club so far and has been selected for Scotland's Six Nations squad for the upcoming tournament.
Eric Ciotti, leader of Les Républicains, has expressed cautious support for new Prime Minister Michel Barnier if his policies align with law and order...
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France has a new Prime Minister, after 51 days of waiting right-wing politician Michel Barnier was appointed Prime Minister on Thursday. ...
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Michel Barnier has been announced as the new French Prime Minister, tasked with forming a unity government. Barnier, a veteran politician and former B...
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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...
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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...
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