A police union is set to hold a meeting with French Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin this evening after continuing union anger at the pre-trial detention of a police officer in Marseille after the recent riots. In a social media post today, the UNITE SGP union reaffirmed its position and its demands, including the creation of a specific status for a police officer under investigation without any provisional detention and complete anonymity of police officers.
As from this evening, Municipal police officers in Nice will wear a blue armband in support of their National Police colleagues. Nice mayor Christian Estrosi said that on behalf of the Ville de Nice, he wanted to tell the officers that "we fully support their initiative". The mayor also called for a review of the "attractiveness, status and working conditions" of police officers but added that "the duty of a political leader is first and foremost to support the national police rather than the criminals. If this message is not sent, then there will be no more Republic".
There's been another fatal shooting in Marseille. Initial reports indicate that the gunman hijacked a car and forced its driver to take him the the district of La Paternelle in the 14th arrondissement where he opened fire on the victim.
The price of stamps is going up in France. La Poste said that prices would increase by an average of 8.3% on 1 January 2024. It said that the increases should enable it to ensure a universal postal service in the light of inflation and falling volumes of mail.
A new municipal police post on the port of Nice has been inaugurated. Located on the Esplanade du Quai de la Douane, it is operational from today , Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for questions and information from Nice residents and tourists.
The fire in undergrowth near the village of Bairols in the arriere pays of Nice has consumed over 100 hectares so far. This afternoon the fire was said to be confined to a specific area in a valley and firefighters are creating fire breaks by clearing corridors of vegetation to contain the blaze.
Four people have been charged with a range of offences relating to the alleged passing of industrial secrets to China and France, according to reports in French media. An investigation has been opened by the national anti-terrorist prosecutor's office. Two of those charged are French nationals, the two others are of Chinese nationality.
BUSINESS
The European Central Bank has raised interest rates by a quarter of a per cent. As a result, the ECB's benchmark deposit rate now stands at 3.75%. It's the highest rate since 2001 in the early years of the euro, when it was also 3.75%.
British Gas has reported record half-year profits of £969m. About £500m of the figure was due to changes to the price cap made by the energy regulator. The company reported a profit of £98m in the same period the year before. Regulator Ofgem said the high profits were a "one-off" as they recoup "significant costs" from the impact of the Covid pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and that profits would then "fall back significantly". However, poverty campaigners said the profits "are a further sign of Britain's broken energy system".
Another UK energy company, Scottish Power reported half year profits of 576 million pounds today. It made a loss of 86 million in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, energy company Shell has reported profits sharply down from last year as a result of a fall in prices. It made a profit of 5 billion dollars, down from 11.5 billion a year ago.
SPORT
Football... Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq. The England player has moved to the club in a deal worth £12m plus add-ons.
In the Women's World Cup, Nigeria beat co-hosts Australia 3-2. In today's other matches, the USA drew 1-1 with the Netherlands and Portugal beat Vietnam 2-0.
Cricket...Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in the second Test in Colombo. Nauman Ali took seven wickets in the second innings.
It's the first day in the England against Australia Fifth Test. Australia lead series 2-1 and have already retained the Ashes but England are looking to avoid their first Ashes series defeat at home for 22 years. Australia won the toss and put England in to bat. In their first innings England were all out for 283.
The Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture has issued a warning about sea conditons
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Storm Benjamin swept across France on Thursday, battering much of the country with winds exceeding 160 km/h and leaving one person dead in Corsica. By...
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The Var and the Alpes-Maritimes are on Meteo France alerts for high winds until eight o’clock this evening as Storm Benjamin passes through our region...
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France is preparing for severe weather as Storm Benjamin sweeps in from the British Isles, bringing violent winds, heavy rain and powerful coastal wav...
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Storm Benjamin is on the way. It’s expected that the Atlantic coast and parts of north-west France will be worst affected, but Meteo France have yello...
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