Four people have died whilst attempting to cross the English Channel. The bodies of three people were discovered yesterday afternoon on beaches on the Channel coast. One other person died earlier in the day whilst attempting a crossing. The Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea said that authorities were informed that a group of people, trying to board an inflatable intended to cross the Pas-de-Calais Strait, were in difficulty. A lifeboat and helicopter were dispatched to the boat which was carrying about fifteen people. They were all winched to a nearby beach but one of the evacuated people was declared dead despite being taken care of by the emergency services.
The Prefect of the Var has issued decrees prohibiting certain activities around Halloween because of security and public order concerns. Activities prohibited from October 31 at 5:00 p.m. to Friday November 1 at 8:00 a.m include the purchase, retail sale and transport of combustible or corrosive products, fuels and flammable gases in a wide variety of containers, as well as the sale and use of certain pyrotechnic articles. The Prefect reminded residents that two further decrees are already in force covering the holding of musical festivities and transportation of sound equipment up to and including November 3 and the sale and consumption of alcohol. Full details of the decrees can be found on the prefecture’s website www.var.gouv.fr Certain decrees to help ensure public order have also been made in the Alpes-Maritimes and can be found on www.alpes-maritimes.gouv.fr
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi has expressed his support for those in Spain who have been affected by the recent floods. In a post on social media he expressed his “total support for the Spanish people and the victims of this disaster”. He said that “the Mediterranean is the epicentre of climate change, we must adapt our urban spaces as quickly as possible”. Over seventy people have lost their lives and large amounts of infrastructure have been destroyed by severe flooding in south-east Spain in recent days.
Paths have been closed on a mountain near Aix-en-Provence because of a landslide. The Aix-Marseille Metropolis said that a major landslide has occurred in the limestone rock of the Sainte-Victoire mountain, in the commune of Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon. The rockfalls have damaged two particular trails, which are currently impassable. It said that unstable blocks are still threatening to slide down the slope, so it is imperative to avoid the area.
Customs officers in Marseille have made an unusual discovery. During a warehouse inspection of a container imported from the United States, officers discovered a collection of several hundred stuffed butterflies. After examination of the cargo, they concluded that many specimens were protected by an international convention which ensures the preservation of endangered species. The specimens which were in violation of the convention were seized.
Business
The US economy grew in the three months to September, expanding at an annualised rate of 2.8%, according to new data released by the US Commerce Department. Growth in the previous quarter was 3%. Consumer spending was the biggest driver, picking up from earlier in the year.
The Office for Budget Responsibility has predicted that the UK economy will grow slightly faster than expected this year and next, but the pace of growth will then ease. It predicted the UK economy would grow by 1.1% this year and 2% in 2025. But from 2026, growth is predicted to be weaker than previously forecast, slowing to 1.5% by 2028.
Women’s Professional Leagues Limited have agreed new multi-year football broadcast deals with Sky and the BBC. The Leagues said that it represented “the most significant broadcast partnership ever for women’s football in the UK & Ireland”. The new deal sees both broadcasters commit to the Barclays Women’s Super League for a further five years and means that viewers can watch every match from the top tier of women’s professional football in England live. The amount of the deal hasn’t been disclosed.
Sport
Football… Spanish side Valencia's match against Parla Escuela has been postponed after the recent flash floods in Spain. Valencia's away game was due to be played in Parla, which is about 25 kilometres from Madrid, on Wednesday. The match has been rescheduled to 6 November at the same venue.
In other football news, Uefa has promised to commit 1bn euros to women's football over the next six years in a bid to make it the most played team sport by women in Europe. It said it will use money from "competition revenues and Uefa investment" to distribute to national team competitions, club competitions and national associations. Uefa said that it wants to make Europe "the home of the world's top players" with six fully professional leagues and 5,000 fully professional players across the continent.
Tennis… British number one Katie Boulter is into the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Open after beating China's Wang Xiyu. The final score was 7-6 6-4.
Prince Albert II of Monaco has appointed Christophe Mirmand as the new Minister of State on the 3rd of July, following Philippe Mettoux's recent withd...
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More than 100 flights departing from and arriving at Nice airport today have been cancelled due to a nationwide strike by French air traffic controlle...
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Due to an ozone pollution spike, only vehicles with Crit’Air green, 1, or 2 stickers can drive in Marseille's Low Emissions Zone (ZFE) on Wednesday, t...
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Four departments in central France remain on a rare red heatwave alert today.
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This first summer holiday weekend will see very heavy traffic across the VINCI Autoroutes network, especially in the Rhône Valley, towards the Atlanti...
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