Since this morning it's been possible for all adults in France to make an appointment to be vaccinated from May 31. New appointment slots will be posted every day on the various French vaccination platforms such as www.sante.fr and www.doctolib.fr
Members of French state health insurance schemes who have been vaccinated can now download a vaccination certificate from the health insurance website www.ameli.fr The service can be accessed on computer, tablet and phone. You'll need to identify yourself with your FranceConnect details and then follow the instructions. A new version of the certificate is available after each vaccination. The certificate can be downladed and printed and there is also a QR code.
French Health Minister Olivier Veran has defended the cost of providing medical care to those who are present in France illegally. Answering questions in a committee meeting of the National Assembly, he said that the expenditure, which last year benefitted over 383,000 people and amounted to about 900 million euros, was "necessary" and the vast amount of those costs cannot be reduced.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex has unveiled a 650 million euro plan to diversify tourism in mountain regions. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Small and Medium Sized Businesses, Alain Griset, visited a ski resort in the Savoie today. The plan aims to develop other activities in resorts apart from skiing, particularly in the summer.
New figures from the French Ministry of Labour statistics agency show that the number of Category A job seekers rose by 1.7% in April. Over 3.8 million people are Category A unemployed, meaning that they have no activity. The number of Category B and C jobseekers, who have a partial activity, fell but this was partly because of some moving into Category A.
A man has been taken into police custody after brandishing a large kitchen knife on a TER train. Police boarded the train at Miramas station in the Bouches-du-Rhône after being alerted by passengers. An investigation has been opened.
An 82 year old man is in a critical condition after an ultralight aircraft crashed in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence this morning. Reports say that the man's 48 year old son was also injured. An investigation has been opened into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Traffic was severely disrupted on the A8 motorway late this morning after an accident between the A57 junction and exit 35, the Brignoles turn-off, in the direction towards Aix-en-Provence. An emergency services helicopter was reported to be on the scene. Traffic has now mostly returned to normal in the area.
It's been confirmed that that Herculis athletics meeting will be take place on Friday July 9 at the Stade Louis II in Monaco. The meeting will feature 14 events. Distancing measures will be in place in the stands and barrier gestures and the wearing of a mask will be required.
The land adjoining the Fort Carré skate park in Antibes is being transformed into a beach volleyball court. The works will start next week and will last for the month of June. The skate park will remain open during the works.
BUSINESS
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has said that the aviation sector is "beginning to recover from the COVID-19 crisis". It expects the commercial aircraft market to recover to pre-COVID levels between 2023 and 2025. Airbus said it expects to increase production of it's A320 family of planes to 45 aircraft per month in the final quarter of this year, and to 64 by the second quarter of 2023. Longer term, Airbus said it is investigating opportunities for rates as high as 75 A320 planes per month by 2025.
Meanwhile, aircraft enginge maker Rolls-Royce has inaugurated the world's biggest aircraft engine testbed. The facility, in Derby in the UK, cost £90 million.
Trade negotiators from the United States and China have held their first talks since President Biden took office. Both sides said they discussed the importance of the trade relationship between the two countries and said they had agreed to continue their negotiations.
SPORT
Football... Zinedine Zidane has left his post as Real Madrid manager. The club has failed to win a trophy this season and were beaten to the La Liga title by Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid thanked Zidane for his "professionalism, dedication and passion over the years and what he means to Real Madrid". He was formerly a player at the club from 2001 to 2006.
Rugby Union...Harlequins player Mike Brown has lost his appeal against a six-week ban for stamping during a match against Wasps earlier this month. He'll miss the rest of the season with Harlequins and will then leave to play for Newcastle.
A Polish man in his forties has been hospitalized in Valence after enduring a harrowing journey between two TGV carriages from Paris. ...
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Cloudy with sunny intervals. Light rain is forecast for the Var region with moderate to strong winds. Highs of 17 degrees in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, ...
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White smoe Is billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel meaning A new pope has just been chosen! 133 cardinals have gathered in the Sistine cha...
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No new pope has been elected yet, as black smoke signalled another inconclusive vote during the conclave in the morning of Thursday the 8th of May. ...
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Unions at the SNCF have announced new strike action for June 4th, 5th, and 11th, following ongoing disruptions to train services in France during the ...
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