New figures released today by French statistics body INSEE shows that our region is the only area of France where the population growth isn't slowing. Nationally, as of January 1, 2020, 67,162,000 people live in France excluding Mayotte, which is an average growth of 0.3% per year since 2014, compared to 0.5% per year on average between 2009 and 2014.
An organization representing French pharmacists has announced today that it will be holding weekly meetings with the government to discuss shortages of medication. Speaking to French media today the president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France said that meetings would be held with the National Medicines Safety Agency and the General Directorate of Health to discuss matters including the distribution of drugs between pharmacies in France.
Four people accused of a homophobic attack in Nice earlier this week have appeared in court today. The court decided to postpone their trial until next summer.
The Var Prefecture has said that 2,000 Ukrainian nationals fleeing the war were welcomed in the department this year. State services, communities, institutions and associations were involved in coordinating the operation.
A call has gone out for people to donate blood. Supplies in France are running dangerously low with 1,500 bags of blood per day needed to make up the shortfall. You can find information and collection locations on https://dondesang.efs.sante.fr/trouver-une-collecte
Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene have paid tribute to Monsignor Bernard Barsi, Archbishop Emeritus of Monaco. They said that they had learned with deep sadness and great emotion of the sudden death of Monsignor Barsi. In a statement released today they said that the Principality keeps the memory of a passionate man of faith, attached to the priesthood and to the values of the Gospel, who, thanks to his benevolence and his ability to listen, knew how to make himself appreciated by everyone in the diocese. Their Serene Highnesses personally and on behalf of the people of Monaco, offered their prayers and their most sincere condolences to the family of Monsignor Barsi as well as to the people, clerics and laity, who were dear to him. The Prince's Government also gave its most sincere condolences to his family, as well as to the members of the Diocese of Monaco and to the Principality's Catholic community. It said that until his retirement in 2020, Monsignor Barsi "guided the Catholic community of Monaco, with benevolence and fraternity. Always listening to the faithful, he knew how to provide advice and comfort to everyone. His human qualities were unanimously recognized and appreciated".
BUSINESS
Jobless claims in the United States have risen slightly. New figures from the Labor Department released this afternoon show that there were 225,000 new initial jobless claims last week, which is an increase of 9,000 over the previous week.
Italy has called on the European Union to introduce Covid-19 testing for arrivals from China, following China's recent announcemnet of the removal of travel restrictions from January 8 and its surge in Covid numbers. The Italian government announced yesterday that it would test all arrivals from the country and is now calling for the same measures to be introduced throughout the EU.
SPORT
Cricket... Australia have beaten South Africa by an innings and 182 runs in the second Test to win the series. Resuming on 15-1, South Africa were bowled out for 204 before tea on the fourth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Rugby Union... It's been announced that Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins are leaving their Wales coaching roles. However, forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys will keep his job. New Wales coach Warren Gatland has been making changes to the coaching team.
Winter Sports... Austrian skier Matthias Mayer has announced his retirement after a career that featured three Olympic gold medals and eleven World Cup victories. The 32-year-old said that he'd had "a wonderful last season" and was happy but that he'd "had enough".
Speed restrictions are in place on all major roads in the Alpes-Maritimes today because of a smog alert....
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A Marseille magistrate has been sentenced on the 17th of June in Nîmes for repeatedly avoiding motorway tolls using fake license plates. ...
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A major police stop-and-search operation along France's borders is being carried out today, involving 4,000 police officers, gendarmes and customs off...
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SFR has announced automatic compensation of 100GB of free mobile data for affected customers following a major network outage on the 16th of June....
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French President Emmanuel Macron will chair a high-level Security and Defence Council meeting at the Élysée Palace today Wednesday, June 18th at 4pm, ...
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