Flights at Nice Cote d'Azur airport were briefly suspended this morning because of the presence of an unauthorized aircraft in French airspace. At five past nine this morning a French Air Force Mirage 2000 jet intercepted a light aircraft violating air traffic rules. After disrupting air traffic in Nice, the aircraft from Italy was intercepted towards Toulon and escorted by the jet before landing at Aix les Milles airfield.
A scooter driver died after an accident in Nice this morning. Reports say that the 74 year old was riding his scooter on the Voie Mathis when he apparently lost control and hit the wall at the side of the road at the Saint-Phillipe ramp. An investigation has been opened to establish the circumstances of the accident.
A civil security exercise has been taking place in the Cap Estel Tunnel on the basse corniche in Eze this afternoon. The accident simulation excercise is part of a regular crisis management training cycle, enabling the coordination of the various emergency services to be tested. The tunnel and surrounding roads reopened to traffic at 5pm this evening.
French health authorities are asking people who have Buitoni brand Fraîch'Up pizzas not to eat them and to destroy them. Sante Publique France said that authorities have been investigating serious cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome. It said that analyzes have confirmed a link between several cases and the consumption of frozen pizzas from the Fraîch'Up range of the Buitoni brand contaminated with Escherichia coli bacteria. Each household is invited to ensure that its freezer does not contain any of those pizzas. Sante Publique France also recommended that people holding frozen pizzas in their freezer that have been separated from their box, and whose range and brand cannot be formally identified or clearly known, not to consume them and to destroy them. The pizzas have already been subject to a recall notice since the middle of March.
French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal has confirmed that people who have Covid-19 will still be able to vote in the presidential elections. Speaking after the usual Wednesday morning Council of Ministers meeting, he said that voting is "a constitutional right". He added that the government recommends that such people wear a mask for voting.
BUSINESS
The German government has declared what it called an "early warning" over possible gas supply disruption because of a dispute over payments to Russia. It's urged consumers to reduce consumption in anticipation of possible shortages. Russia had demanded payment in rubles from 31 March, but the EU has rejected the demand. However, Russia has said today that ruble payments will be introduced gradually.
Meanwhile, inflation in Germany has risen to it's highest level since 1981. Federal statistics office Destatis said that the headline annual inflation rate was 7.3% in March, up from 5.1% in February.
SPORT
Cricket... A memorial service has been held for Shane Warne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Sir Elton John, Ed Sheeran and a host of former cricketers led the tributes. The service ended with the unveiling of the Shane Warne Stand at the ground.
Football... Egypt have lodged an official complaint against Senegal in which they claim their team was subjected to racism and "terrorized" by home fans at their World Cup qualifying match. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah was one of several visiting players targeted by green laser pointers. It is also alleged that the Egypt team bus was attacked.
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French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to welcome world leaders to the Olympic games opening ceremony tomorrow night and has been visiting key ...
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France will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alpes, conditional on state and regional financial guarantees. President Macron confirmed his full su...
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