French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal has said there will be no change in government ministers until the 13th of May, the date that Emmanuel Macron’s first five-year term expires. Gabriel Attal also said that no approaches have been made to potential new government ministers. Emmanuel Macron is due to be inaugurated for his second presidential term at a ceremony at the Elysees Palace this Saturday.
During his usual press conference after the council of ministers meeting this morning Gabriel Attal said that France will continue to support Ukraine as much as necessary. He said that 100 million Euros of humanitarian aid had so far been provided along with 615 tons of medical and humanitarian equipment and about 50 emergency vehicles.
Nice mayor Christian Estrosi has expressed his support for police officers on the one year anniversary of the death of an officer in Avignon. Police officer Eric Masson was shot dead whilst on duty by a dealer in Avignon during an anti-drug operation. In a Twitter post, the mayor expressed his thoughts for the officer, his family and his colleagues and said that “every day, our law enforcement officers risk their lives to protect us”.
A Lignes d’Azur bus driver was taken into police custody after an accident in Nice last night. The Line 7 bus collided with two cars on the avenue Denis Semeria, just off the route de Turin. Reports say that an test established that he was under the influence of alcohol and he has been suspended by the company.
Figures released by the PACA Regional Health Agency today show a reduction in the number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised in the Var. As at yesterday, there were 165 hospitalised patients, which is down 64 on the previous week. However, 15 people died from the virus in the department’s hospitals during the week. The fall in patients receiving hospital treatment reflects the picture nationally as the number of cases continues to fall from its peak around the beginning of April.
The speaking clock in France is due to come to an end on the 1st of July. Orange which is responsible for the service said that the service would end on that day because of equipment reaching the end of its life and the falling number of calls to the speaking clock number 3699.
Business
Online fashion retailer Boohoo has announced a 94% fall in profits for the year to the end of February. However sales rose by about 14%. During the year the company relaunched its recently acquired Dorothy Perkins and Burton brands.
The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen and has proposed a total ban on oil imports into the European Union from Russia. Speaking at a meeting of the European Parliament this morning she said Russian President Vladimir Putin had “paid a high price for his brutal aggression in Ukraine”. Currently oil imports from Russia account for about 25% of EU supplies. Ursula von der Leyen said the aim was to bring in a total ban I within six months
It’s been announced that the long awaited Crossrail project in London will finally open on the 24th of May. In a press release Transport for London confirmed that subject to final safety approvals the Elizabeth line will open on Tuesday the 24th of May. It said that the line will transform travel across London and the South East by dramatically improving transport links, cutting journey times, providing additional capacity and transforming accessibility. The Elizabeth line will initially operate as three separate railways with services from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield connecting with central tunnels from autumn of this year
SPORT
Rugby Union...Ospreys have signed Jack Walsh from Exeter Chiefs. He's signed a two-year deal for 2022-23. Walsh was born in Florida but has spent much of his career in Australia. Before joining Exeter he played for Manley Marlins in Sydney.
Football… Watford boss Roy Hodgson has said he will not be at the club next season. The 74-year-old added that he doesn’t expect to take another managerial job in the Premier League. Hodgson has also managed clubs including Inter Milan, Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool, and West Brom. He was at Buckingham Palace today to be presented with a CBE for his services to football.
A new optional regional transport tax for businesses, introduced in France’s 2025 budget, aims to fund eco-friendly mobility projects. ...
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A judge has authorised a dive to inspect the wreckage of a plane in the sea off Antibes. The plane crashed into the Mediterranean on September 11 1968...
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In France, drinking water is heavily contaminated with "forever pollutants," particularly trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), as revealed by two studies from ...
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The trial of the Tunisian man accused of the murder of three people in the Nice Basilica attack is continuing in Paris. Yesterday the families of the ...
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Four cities in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region made Booking.com's 2025 list of the "most welcoming destinations in France." ...
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