French MPs to debate proportional representation in elections - French prime minister François Bayrou has announced plans for a consultation on proportional representation in the country's legislative elections. According to the Journal du Dimanche, the prime minister wants to bring all of France's main political parties and parliamentary groups round the table to debate the possible change. Since the Fifth Republic was established in France in 1958, MPs have been elected to the national assembly by winning a majority in a two-round system. President Emmanuel Macron first floated the idea of moving towards a form of proportional representation in 2018, but the reform was abandoned. The president of the national assembly is reportedly in favour of such a system in the bigger French departments, which have at least 11 seats. She hopes the move can be debated in parliament in July.
'Choose France for Science' - President Emmanuel Macron has invited scientists from all over the world to come and work in France, as US president Donald Trump's new administration has started slashing funding for universities and research bodies. France has launched a new platform called "Choose France for Science", operated by the French National Research Agency, which enables universities, schools, and research organisations to apply for co-funding from the government to host researchers. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Macron said: "Here in France, research is a priority, innovation is our culture." Macron did not specifically mention the US, where hundreds of scientists have been dismissed in cutbacks to research that come amid a broader clash between Trump and Ivy League universities.
Nestlé recalls baby food - Nestlé has announced a recall of baby food after detecting abnormal levels of certain toxins in some samples. The affected jars have been sold since September last year in most French supermarket chains under the P'tite Recette and P'tit Souper brands. They include pots of paella, spaghetti bolognese and chicken tagine. Nestlé says the recall is a precautionary measure after one batch of food was found to not be compliant. Customers are urged to take the affected products back to the shop for a full refund. You'll find the details of the recall on the Rappel Conso website here.
16-year-old stabbed in Nice - Prosecutors have opened an investigation into attempted murder after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed in the east of Nice in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police were called out to reports of a fight at the Roquebillière housing estate near the Paillon viaduct. The victim suffered serious injuries and has since been allowed to return home after having surgery to his hand. Three people were arrested near the scene and since released without charge.
Cannes convicted over death of toddler - The City of Cannes has been fined €100,000 and convicted of manslaughter after an 18-month-old girl was crushed to death by a tourist train in April 2020. The girl was walking with her family along Cannes seafront when she briefly escaped her parents' attention and was run over. Grasse criminal court also ordered the company that operated the train to pay a €50,000 fine. Its driver was handed a one-year suspended prison sentence.
Marseille car parks data breach - The operator of several public car parks in Marseille has become the victim of a cyber-attack, putting customers' personal data at risk. Indigo Parking Group emailed drivers who have used the city's car parks to warn them of the data breach. The stolen data includes email addresses, names, phone numbers, postal addresses and car registration numbers. Indigo said that those affected should remain vigilant when receiving emails and text messages, especially any suspicious messages requesting further personal information. It said that no banking data or passwords had been compromised.
Americans jailed for theft - Two American men have been jailed for two years each after going on a shopping spree in Cannes using several stolen bank cards and fake IDs. The Americans, both in their early 30s, were arrested after visiting a range of luxury boutiques on the Croisette last Tuesday, with purchases totalling more than €34,000. Police searched the Airbnb they were renting and found numerous credit cards and piles of cash. As well as the two-year jail sentence, the court in Grasse ordered them to repay American Express for its losses and banned them permanently from visiting France again.
Larvotto swimming ban extended - A ban on swimming at Larvotto beach in Monaco has been extended after resurfacing work to smooth out the level of the beach took longer than planned. The levelling operation, which aims to make the slope down to the sea less steep, began at the end of March and had to be temporarily suspended due to several days of unsettled weather. It was due to be completed last Friday but will now take until at least this coming Friday, 25th April. Bathing and diving remain banned at Larvotto until further notice. The seafront shops and restaurants remain open as usual throughout the works.
BUSINESS
Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have held what Downing Street has described as "ongoing and productive" trade talks in their first call since the US president imposed tariffs on UK goods. The prime minister stressed his commitment to "free and open trade and the importance of protecting the national interest". The two leaders also discussed "the situation in Ukraine, Iran and recent action taken against the Houthis in Yemen". Starmer is hoping to secure a deal with the US after Trump unveiled 10% tariffs on UK goods and a higher 25% rate on imports of cars, steel and aluminium.
DHL Express is suspending deliveries to the US worth more than $800 (£603) because of a "significant increase" in red tape at customs following the introduction of Donald Trump's new tariff regime. The delivery giant said it will temporarily stop shipments from companies in all countries to American consumers on Monday "until further notice". It added that business-to-business shipments will still go ahead, "though they may also face delays". Previously, packages worth up to $2,500 could enter the US with minimal paperwork but due to tighter customs checks that came into force alongside Trump's tariffs earlier this month, the threshold has been lowered.
And British supermarkets have been criticised for using vegetables as the latest weapon in their burgeoning price war, charging as little as 8p for a 2kg bag of potatoes in an attempt to lure shoppers over Easter. Growers said they feared the massive discounts, which are also deployed at Christmas, could permanently devalue their produce. Asda and Aldi are charging 8p for a 2kg bag of potatoes and Tesco and Sainsbury’s are charging 15p for loyalty card holders, compared with normal prices of about £1.35. Bags of carrots, broccoli and other vegetables and fruit including courgettes are also included in the promotions. The president of the National Farmers’ Union said it was important that the drastic price cuts don't have a long term impact on the public’s perception of true market value.
SPORT
Formula One - Lando Norris suffered a big crash in his McLaren in a dramatic qualifying session for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Norris lost control on the exit of Turn Four, his car sliding on to the kerb at Turn Five and flicking into the wall on the exit. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said the crash was a reflection of Norris' struggles with the behaviour of this year's car.
Rugby Union - In the Women's Six Nations, England scored nine tries to hammer Scotland 59-7 in Leicester and set up a Grand Slam decider against France next Saturday. The victory extends the Red Roses' winning run to 24 games before a home Rugby World Cup that starts in August. The Red Roses are chasing a fourth successive Grand Slam and a seventh Six Nations title in a row. Scotland, who finished fourth in last year's championship, will host Ireland next Saturday.
Football - Ollie Watkins inspired Aston Villa to a statement win over Newcastle in the race for Europe with a goal and an assist in a 4-1 victory. Villa recorded their fifth consecutive league win. Meanwhile, Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo scored twice as the Bees dealt a blow to Brighton's hopes of qualifying for next season's European competitions. It was Brentford 4, Brighton and Hove Albion 2. And Manchester City remain on track to qualify for next season's Champions League after a 2-0 win away at Everton with two late goals.
WEATHER
It should be mostly fine and sunny today with some light cloud here and there, a gentle breeze - except in western parts of the Var where some strong winds are forecast, gusting up to 45 kilometres per hour. Temperatures this afternoon reaching 17 degrees Celsius on the Alpes-Maritimes coast, 19 on the Var coast and up to 20 inland in the Var. Clear skies tonight, light winds and temperatures going down to 13 degrees Celsius. The outlook for Tuesday: hazy sunshine on the coast, the chance of some occasional light rain inland in the Alpes-Maritimes, light winds in general, still with those strong gusts on the western Var coast and temperatures up to 19 degrees on the coast and 21 inland.
President Macron has paid tribute to Pope Francis who has died today at the age of 88. The President expressed his condolences to “Catholics around th...
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French prime minister François Bayrou has announced plans for a consultation on proportional representation in the country's legislative elections....
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A British man has died in an avalanche in the Savoie department. According to local reports, the man in his twenties was on a road near the ski resort...
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Senior US, European, and Ukrainian diplomats will meet again in London next week after what France called an "excellent" day of peace talks in Paris o...
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Mainly fine with light winds and highs of 17 degrees in Nice and Saint-Tropez, 16 degrees in Monaco, 19 degrees in Toulon. This evening going down to ...
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