It's been announced that French politician Jean-Marie Le Pen has died at the age of 96. He founded the far-right National Front party in 1972. Le Pen reached the presidential election-run off against Jacques Chirac in 2002. His daughter, Marine Le Pen, succeeded him as leader in 2011 and went on to rebrand the party as the National Rally. In 2015, he was expelled from the party after repeating a denial of the Holocaust.
Ceremonies have been held to mark the tenth anniversary of the Islamist attacks in Paris, including the attack on Charlie Hebdo. A total of seventeen people lost their lives in attacks from the 7th to the 9th January 2015. Twelve people died when Islamist militants opened fire at the magazine Charlie Hebdo's offices. Four people also died at the Hypercacher store in Portes de Vincennes and a police officer died in Montrouge.
Inflation in France was unchanged in December from November at an annual rate of 1.3%, according to government statistics office INSEE. It said that energy prices rose slightly in December but manufactured goods declined in price.
Protesting farmers dumped farm waste in front of government offices in Gap this morning. The farmers had been blocked from advancing on Paris in a convoy yesterday.
The SNCF have announced that fares on TGV Inoui and Ouigo services will be going up from tomorrow. Ticket prices will be increasing by 1.5% on average across all tickets on those services, which the SNCF says is in line with inflation.
Police in the Alpes-Maritimes have said that they carried out 41 road check operations between December 30 and January 5 in the department, involving checks on almost 2,500 vehicles. 300 fines were issued. 55 vehicles were immobilized and 14 were impounded. The police said that in 2024 in the Alpes-Maritimes, alcohol consumption was a factor in 19% of fatal accidents and drug consumption in 17%.
Police in the Var are appealing for information about a missing teenager. 16 year old Imran Biondi went missing after leaving his home in Frejus on Saturday. He is 1.75 metres tall, has mid-length brown hair and brown eyes and wears dental braces. When last seen he was wearing a red pullover, a black jacket and white shoes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police in Frejus on 04-94-51-90-00.
Two African nations have reacted strongly to remarks by President Emmanuel Macron about countries being ungrateful over France's role in helping fight militant jihadist activities in Africa. President Macron said yesterday that states "forgot" to thank France for its role, amid the continuing withdrawal of French troops from West African countries. He said no nation in the central north Africa region would be a sovereign nation without France's intervention which he said prevented them from falling under the control of militants. In response, Chad's Foreign Minister said the comments had revealed President Macron's contempt for Africa. Senegal's Prime Minister said France had in the past contributed to "destabilizing certain African countries such as Libya".
BUSINESS
Inflation in the eurozone rose slightly last month from November, according to official figures released today. Inflation in December stood at an annual rate of 2.4%, up slightly from the 2.2% recorded in November. The rise had been widely expected by economists.
The US has added several Chinese technology companies to a list of businesses it says work with China's military. Those added include gaming and social media company Tencent and battery maker CATL. Inclusion on the list does not mean an immediate ban but it can add pressure on the US Treasury Department to impose sanctions. Both companies have denied involvement with the Chinese military. The Chinese government said the decision amounted to "unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies".
Growth in the UK construction sector slowed during December according to a widely watched survey. The S&P construction PMI survey fell to a reading of 53.3 from 55.2, but a figure over 50 still indicates expansion.
SPORT
Football... Tottenham have triggered an option to extend Son Heung-min's contract by a year, until the summer next year. He joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and plays for South Korea at international level.
Tennis... British number two Cameron Norrie has avoided disqualification at the Auckland Open after throwing his racquet, which accidentally hit a spectator. Norrie apologized but received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct for the incident. The spectator was not injured.
Rugby Union...Toulon captain Charles Ollivon said that he won't be playing for the rest of the season. He was injured in the side's match against Racing 92 at the weekend.
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