A woman has died after being hit by a train in Antibes this morning. Services along the coast were stopped in both directions between Nice and Antibes until early this afternoon. Meanwhile, the SNCF have said that a person was also hit by a train at La Ciotat station this evening. Traffic was interrupted in both directions between Aubagne and Toulon but is now gradually returning to normal.
The prefect of the Haute-Corse department in Corsica has warned that "there will be no more water in 25 days" at the current rate of water consumption and given the expected weather changes. The prefect said that "each of us can act to save water and reduce the consequences of drought".
French Minister of Justice Eric Dupond-Moretti has been in Marseille today where he visited the Baumettes prison. Local residents have complained of noise and traffic congestion from the prison as well as insults and threats from prisoners. During his visit the minister announced a plan to reduce noise and said that police patrols in the area will be increased.
A prisoner has died from stab wounds at the prison in Avignon this morning. A prison officer's union said that the prisoner was attacked during a morning walk and that union members had faced "acts of incredible violence" this morning.
The French National Assembly has voted in favour of the purchasing power bill which aims to ease the effects of recent high inflation. It goes before the senate this evening where it is expected to be definitively adopted.
Two forest fires in the Alpes-de-Haut-Provence have been brought under control and virtually extinguished by firefighters. The fires in the communes of Villeneuve and Niozelles broke out yesterday and by this morning had burned through 220 hectares. The Prefect said that the efforts of 300 firefighters backed up by water bombing aircraft had enabled the progression of the fires to be stopped and they were now concentrating their efforts on areas of heat and the edges of the fire.
BUSINESS
The OPEC+ group of oil producing nations has said that it will increase output by 100,000 barrels of oil per day next month. The increase, which represents only about 0.1% of global demand, is far less than had been anticipated by many western nations. It follows recent meetings by President Macron and President Biden with Saudi Arabian leaders aimed at encouraging a significant increase in production.
Output in the Eurozone declined in July according to a survey of purchasing managers by S&P Global. The fall was the first since February 2021, as a deepening manufacturing downturn was accompanied by a further slowdown in the service sector. There were also additional signs of the negative impact that high inflation was having on demand. However, the survey suggested that there was a slight cooling of inflationary pressures during July.
SPORT
Football... Premier League players will stop the pre-match anti-racism gesture of taking the knee before every match. The decision was taken by Premier League captains after consulting with players. However, the gesture will still be made before certain matches in the Premier League calendar.
Rugby Union...Exeter Chiefs have signed Tonga international Solomone Kata on a one-year deal. He began his career in rugby league in Australia before switching codes in 2020.
A powerful Mistral storm has swept through Provence, with wind gusts exceeding 150 km/h in some areas. ...
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France’s recently appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou has promised a new government "before Christmas" and reserves the possibility of using 49....
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A four-day strike at DHL has caused delays in package processing, raising concerns about on-time deliveries for Christmas....
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French judges in Avignon will today Thursday 19th December, deliver their verdicts in a mass rape case against 51 men that has appalled France and the...
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Monaco Info and TV Monaco are set to make way for a new television channel on September 1st of 2025. During the debates on the 2025 preliminary budget...
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