Lunchtime News Tuesday 18th January 2022

News

Apartment fire - One person has been seriously injured after a fire broke out this morning in a 2nd floor apartment in a six-storey building in Nice city centre. Firefighters intervened shortly after 8.30am on rue Alfred Binet. Traffic was heavily disrupted in the area.

Man shot dead in Marseille - A man has been shot dead in Marseille. The shooting occurred on Monday evening in the north of the city, in a district known for its drug trafficking network. The 29 year old victim was known to police and the incident is believed to be linked to a drug trafficking network. In 2021, fifteen people died in settling of accounts in the Bouches-du-Rhône.

Sleeping bags for the homeless - The Samu social de Nice has appealed for residents in the Var and the Alpes Maritimes to donate sleeping bags for the homeless. The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Red Cross. As the sleeping bags need to be cleaned before being distributed several dry cleaners in the region are offering their services.

Presidential candidate fined for racist hate speech - The Paris Criminal Court has issued French far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour with a 10,000 euro fine for racist hate speech after he called unaccompanied child migrants "thieves, murderers and rapists." Zemmour's comments during a debate on CNews sparked outrage. His lawyer said he would appeal.

National Rally - Meanwhile the National Rally candidate for the presidential elections Marine Le Pen, will be in Fréjus in the Var on Thursday to discuss her proposals to the health service in France. The day's schedule includes a visit to a nursing home and a round table with carers. Marine Le Pen will be greeted in the morning by the mayor of Fréjus David Rachline, who decided on Monday to take legal action against the compulsory wearing of masks outdoors.

EDF strike action - The four main unions in the energy sector have launched a joint call for a strike by EDF employees on 26th January in protest against the measures that the government plans to impose on the group to contain the increase in electricity bills. In order to limit the rise in electricity prices for consumers, within the context of soaring energy prices, the French government on Thursday asked EDF, of which the state owns 84%, to increase by 20% the volume of nuclear electricity sold at a reduced price to its competitors this year. The group will therefore sell at a reduced price up to 40% of its electricity production in 2022, instead of selling at high market prices, and lose billions of euros - about 8 billion on its gross operating surplus in 2022 according to the unions. The decision has even caused a stir amongst the managers at EDF with CEO Jean-Bernard Lévy describing the government's decision as a "real shock". "This is not what we had proposed to the government" and this decision "will weigh heavily on our results".

Paris Fashion Week - Paris Fashion Week starts today as the industry is determined to get back on the catwalk after nearly two years during which most brands were forced online. Despite the complications caused by the pandemic, the fashion community is stepping out regardless. Most fashion houses are returning to live shows as the menswear week kicks off, followed immediately by haute couture shows. 

Sport

Francisco Paco Gento - Football legend Francisco "Paco" Gento has died aged 88. Gento, who spent 18 years with Real Mardrid from 1953-1971, is the only player to have won six European Cups. He won 43 caps for Spain and represented his country in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. Gento started his career at Racing Santander before his move to the Spanish capital.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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