Evening Update Tuesday 16 May 2023

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne is beginning two days of meetings with union leaders this evening to discuss the pension reform legislation. The five main French unions will be attending the talks. The government said that it wishes to re-establish what it called "a peaceful and constructive dialogue". Unions are currently still planning to hold their 14th day of action and demonstrations on June 6.

An earthquake of magnitude of 4.1 was recorded in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence this morning. The quake, at 8.24am near Barcelonette, was strongly felt according to a French earthquake monitoring centre. Falling objects were reported locally.

Two volunteer firefighters have died of gunshot wounds in the Haut-Rhin department. The bodies of the two men in their early 20's were discovered at a house yesterday evening. The local prosecutor said today that their service weapons were not used in the shooting. At this stage it's believed that one man shot the other before turning the weapon on himself.

The Principality of Monaco has taken part in a high level meeting of World Health Organization smaller states. At the meeting in Luxembourg, the Monegasque delegation spoke about measures taken in the field of prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, steps taken for the detection of addictions and the strengthening of mental healthcare. Delegates were invited to a symposium on the emergence of new viral risks which will be held in Monaco this coming October.

The 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is getting undeway this evening. The prestigious Palme d'Honneur will