Long distance train services in France are set to be disrupted by industrial action this weekend. SNCF said that it will cancel 60% of TGV and inter-city trains from Friday 2 December to Sunday 4 December. No night trains will run. The exact number of trains which will operate will vary from region to region and by type of service. Tickets can be refunded or changed for another train where there's space until Thursday 8 December.
2022 is set to be the hottest year ever recorded in France. Meteo France said that depending on whether December is warm or cold, the average temperature for the year will be somewhere between 14.2 and 14.6 degrees. That beats the previous record set in 2020 and will be the warmest since records began in 1900.
Sante Publique France has said that there's been an early increase in flu indicators. It moved Brittany and Normandy to the "epidemic phase". The agency said that the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is one of several regions in the "pre-epidemic phase".
The new departmental director of public security in the Alpes Maritimes has presented data regarding crime figures in the department. Frédéric Pizzini confirmed the significant drop in local crime, which he said was down by 28% in Nice and 30% in Cannes. As regards the whole department, foot patrols by police increased by 129%. Burglaries were down by 14%, violence on public transport by 50% and victims of domestic violence were down by 4%.
UNESCO has added a staple of French cuisine to a special list. The French baguette is the latest edition to the organization's "Intangible Heritage" list. Commenting on the move on social media, Nice mayor Christian Estrosi said that it's "a magnificent reward for all the artisan bakers in France who, early every morning, perpetuate our traditions".
BUSINESS
Inflation in the Eurozone has fallen for the first time in 17 months. The EU's statistics office Eurostat said that annual inflation in the Euro area was estimated at 10.0% in November, down from 10.6% in October. The price of energy rose by 34.9%, while food, alcohol and tobacco rose by 13.6%.
Security staff who work on the Eurostar train service are to strike for four days in the run-up to Christmas in a dispute over pay. The walk outs are planned to take place on the 16, 18, 22 and 23 December. Members of the RMT union employed by a private contractor voted in favour of the action.
Meanwhile several thousand bus drivers in London have voted for industrial action. Drivers who are members of the Unite Union won't be working from tomorrow, 1 December to this Saturday 3 December.
In other industrial action in the UK over levels of pay, 80 workers at Imperial Chemical in Stowmarket, Suffolk, which makes Dulux and other paints, stopped work today.
115,000 workers at Royal Mail have started a new 48-hour strike in a row over pay and conditions. Another wave of strikes is planned in the run-up to Christmas.
SPORT
Rugby Union... England and Bristol player Kyle Sinckler will be out up to four weeks because of injury. He was replaced at half time during England's match against South Africa after suffering a leg injury.
Wales women's team captain Siwan Lillicrap has retired from the international game. The 35-year-old made her debut against Ireland in 2016 and has made 51 international appearances.
WORLD CUP
There's been an upset today after Tunisia beat France 1-0. However, France still finished top of Group D and go through to the last 16.
Meanwhile, Australia reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years after beating Denmark 1-0.
England will be facing Senegal in last 16 on Sunday after topping Group B with their 3-0 win against Wales last night. Wales finish bottom of the group and are eliminated.
An all-female refereeing team will take charge of a men's World Cup game for the first time in tomorrow's game between Costa Rica and Germany. Stephanie Frappart from France will become the first woman to referee at a men's World Cup.
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