French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has resigned this evening. In a post on social media, President Macron said "your work in the service of our Nation has been exemplary every day. You implemented our project with the courage, commitment and determination of women of state. With all my heart, thank you". The President had held a meeting with Elisabeth Borne earlier today, following a meeting last night. It is expected that a new Prime Minister will be announced shortly along with a cabinet reshuffle.
Train services in our region are seriously disrupted today because of industrial action by SNCF staff. Services are also expected to be seriously disrupted tomorrow. Trains affected are on the lines between Nice and Marseille and the Roya Valley. The SNCF have advised travellers to postpone their journey as much as possible or to use alternative means of transport. Details of individual services which may be running are available at local stations and on the website https://www.ter.sncf.com/sud-provence-alpes-cote-d-azur
Private hire VTC drivers have been staging an operation go-slow on the roads on Marseille today. The demonstration caused major traffic jams in the centre of the city this morning and also on the A7 motorway. They are protesting at the calculation of their rate per kilometre and also the number of new drivers.
A man in his seventies is in a serious condition after being shot in his own home in Cannes-la-Bocca at the weekend. The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently unclear and an investigation has been opened.
The French Minister of Housing Patrice Vergriete has announced an additional 120 million euros for emergency housing. Speaking during a visit to a day reception centre in Paris today, he said that the funds will create 10,000 additional places. He added that the funds will be used to address urgent housing shortages, especially homeless women and children.
BUSINESS
Energy company Shell has said that it expects earnings for it's integrated gas division to be higher in the fourth quarter of last year than the previous quarter. It's set to announce figures for the quarter on 1 February. However, the comany said that it will be writing down between 2.5 and 4.5 billion dollars on its assets due to external conditions and its operations in Singapore.
UK energy regulator Ofgem has announced that three energy firms will be allowed to resume installing pre-payment meters in homes to recover unpaid debts. EDF, Octopus and Scottish Power can install the meters again after meeting various requirements set by Ofgem. All such installations had been suspended by Ofgem when agents for British Gas were found to be installing them inappropriately.
SPORT
Rugby Union.... Ireland's Mack Hansen has been ruled out of their Six Nations campaign because of injury. He suffered a dislocation of his shoulder in a club match over the weekend. He's expected to be out for three to four months.
Football... Birmingham City have appointed Tony Mowbray as their new manager. It follows the sacking of Wayne Rooney as manager last week. Mowbray, who left Sunderland in December, has been appointed on a two-and-a-half year contract.
Train traffic is completely halted after 5:30pm today, Thursday 17th of October.
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A 26-year-old biker has died following a road accident behind the Eze-Village tunnel.
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Thirteen departments in southern France are under orange weather alert for rain, flooding, thunderstorms, and/or river surges. ...
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All schools in the Alpes-Maritimes will be closed today Thursday 17th October, due to the orange weather alert which is to be reinstated from 9am this...
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The Alpes-Maritimes and Var regions were placed under an orange weather alert for storms and rain-induced flooding on Wednesday, the 16th of October,...
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