The Nice prosecutor has asked an investigation into the attack of July 14, 2016 to re-classify the facts as "involuntary homicides and injuries". In a document submitted to investigating judges, Xavier Bonhomme said that failures in security measures on that evening or a series of shortcomings are "likely to have contributed to the realisation" of the attack. The terrorist aspects of the attack were investigated by a court in Paris last year but there is also a continuing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Renaud Muselier and Christian Estrosi have been attending a meeting at the Elysees today. The President and the deputy-Chairman of the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur region are in Paris to discuss a French bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics, which would see the PACA region joining with the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region to host the event. Christian Estrosi said that a letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee will be sent in the next few days.
A 58 year old British man has died in a canyoning accident in the Hautes-Alpes. According to the local prosecutor, the man was on a river with his family yesterday evening when the accident happened near the town of Champcella.
Brigitte Bardot has reportedly been admitted to hospital, suffering from respiratory distress. Firefighters were called to her home in St Tropez this morning and she was later taken to hospital where she is undergoing tests.
Firefighters in the Var said earlier this afternoon that there had been a breakdown of the Orange telephone network in the town of Collobrieres. As a result, they said that all emergency calls in the area should be made using another operator or a fixed line.
Two forest massifs in the Var have been closed to access today because of the risk of fire. Les Maures and the Corniche des Maures are at "very severe" risk and access is therefore prohibited. Seven other massifs are at "severe" risk and access is not recommended. An interactive map on the prefecture's website provides frequently updated information on the governing regulations, access and work in the various forest areas of the Var. The address is www.var.gouv.fr
The French National Police are carrying out joint patrols with Italian police officers in Nice as part of cooperation between European police stations. The objectives are to improve assistance to the public and to victims who speak Italian.
The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, which is based in Toulon, has a new commander. Georges-Antoine Florentin was recognized at a special ceremony as commander of the ship, replacing Sébastien Martinot.
Due to a concert by The Weeknd at the Allianz Riviera Stadium, bus lines 17, 52 and 69 on the Lignes d'Azur network are diverted this Saturday July 22 and Sunday July 23, from 4:00 p.m. to the end of service. You can get more information on https://lignesdazur.com/
BUSINESS
The euro area annual inflation rate was 5.5% in June, down from 6.1% in May according to EU statistics body Eurostat. The highest contribution to the inflation rate came from food, alcohol & tobacco. Inflation was lowest in Luxembourg at 1%. Inflation in France was 5.3%.
Meanwhile, in the UK, data from the Office for National Statistics showed that inflation slowed to 7.9% in June, down from 8.7% the previous month. However, the UK's inflation rate remains much higher than the Bank of England's official target of 2%.
Jaguar Land Rover-owner Tata has confirmed plans to build an electric car battery factory in the UK. The new plant will be at a site in Somerset in south-west England. Tata said it will invest £4 billion and it's believed that the UK government is providing subsidies worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
SPORT
Cricket... It's the first day of the fourth Ashes Test. Australia currently lead the five-match series 2-1.
Rugby Union... The British and Irish Lions will play a New Zealand and Australia invitational team as part of their tour scheduled for 2025. The historic fixture in Adelaide will precede Test matches with the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Football... It's been announced that Spain's Jordi Alba has signed a contract with Inter Miami. He will join former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets who are already at the club. Alba left Barcelona after more than ten years having helped them win six La Liga titles and the Champions League.
Eric Ciotti, leader of Les Républicains, has expressed cautious support for new Prime Minister Michel Barnier if his policies align with law and order...
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France has a new Prime Minister, after 51 days of waiting right-wing politician Michel Barnier was appointed Prime Minister on Thursday. ...
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Michel Barnier has been announced as the new French Prime Minister, tasked with forming a unity government. Barnier, a veteran politician and former B...
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The announcement of France's new Prime Minister is expected before 1 p.m. today, with Michel Barnier emerging as a leading candidate. Bernard Cazeneuv...
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Marseille has been hit by heavy rain with businesses in the old port of the city flooded on Wednesday afternoon. Shopkeepers found themselves taken b...
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