French Finance Miniser Bruno Le Maire has said that the government plans to spend over 20 billion euros to combat the effects of rising inflation on purchasing power. Speaking on Franceinfo he estimated that the freeze on gas prices would cost the government about 10 billion euros this year, the limit on electricity prices about 8 billion euros and compensation for inflation 4 billion. He added that the government was ready to take more measures, which would be targetted at those who need it the most.
President Macron has said that "France is not at war with Russia" and he wants to stop the conflict in Ukraine "without becoming belligerent ourselves". Speaking in an interview on LCI television this afternoon, he criticised Russia's offer to create humanitarian corridors which would direct Ukranians towards Russia and Belarus, calling it "cynicism, moral and political" and said it was "unbearable" to him.
The President of the French Constitutional Council has confirmed that there will be twelve candidates in the first round of the Presidential election. The closing date for candidates was last Friday evening. The first round will take place in just under five weeks time, on 10 April.
There's been another murder in the 15th arrondissement of Marseille. A man in his twenties was reportedly shot dead last night in what is believed to be a settling of accounts in the drug dealing community.
The French National Police have launched a new app. The Ma Securite app, which is available for Android and Apple devices, provides the public with advice, useful numbers, local news and a map. Users are also be able to access chats with the gendarmerie and police.
BUSINESS
Accountancy and professional services organization EY has announced that it has begun a restructuring to separate its members in Russia from its global network. It said it has over 4,700 colleagues in Russia and described the decision as "heart breaking". It said that in the light of the escalating war, which it described as "shocking and abhorrent", the EY global organization will no longer serve any Russian government clients, state-owned enterprises or sanctioned entities and individuals anywhere in the world.
Wholesale european gas prices rose to new highs earlier today. Gas for next day delivery in the UK also hit a record high in the face of continuing disruption as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.
SPORT
Rugby Union... Ireland's Jordan Larmour will miss the rest of the Six Nations because of a hip injury sustained whilst playing for Leinster. However, Iain Henderson is back in the squad for Ireland's game against England on Saturday.
Cricket... Police in Thailand have confirmed that Shane Warne died from natural causes. A senior Thai police official said that a post mortem showed no signs of foul play. The Australian government is bringing his body back to Australia where he will receive a state funeral.
Football... There’s one game in the English Premier League tonight. Spurs play Everton. The remaining FA Cup 5th round tie is being played tonight. Nottingham Forest face Huddersfield Town with the winners to play Liverpool in the quarter finals.
A decree banning the use of electric bikes and scooters in certain parts of Nice city centre over the summer comes into force today....
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