National civic service

National civic service - Nearly two decades after France phased out conscription for men, some 2,000 teenagers on Sunday began a pilot programme for a new national civic service, a project of French President Emmanuel Macron. For a fortnight, the 15- and 16-year-olds will leave home for training in first aid and other basic skills, followed later by another two weeks of volunteering. Macron caused surprise on the campaign trail in 2017 by promising to introduce a month-long compulsory national service, saying he wanted to give girls and boys "a direct experience of military life".

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Evening Update Friday 18th July 2025

A major wildfire broke out Thursday evening burning 240 hectares and prompting the evacuation of 104 people in Martigues, Bouches-du-Rhône. Meanwhile,... Evening Update Friday 18th July 2025 Read More

18/07/2025

French and Riviera News Friday 18th July 2025

Train traffic between Hyères and Toulon has been halted following a serious incident. Trains were affected on Thursday, July 17th, shortly after 1pm a... French and Riviera News Friday 18th July 2025 Read More

18/07/2025

Weather Forecast - Friday 18th July 2025

Clear skies with a gentle breeze. Highs of 30 degrees in Monaco and Antibes, 31 degrees in Nice and 29 degrees in Menton and Saint-Tropez. This evenin... Weather Forecast - Friday 18th July 2025 Read More

18/07/2025

Evening Update Thursday 17th July 2025

A 38-year-old man has been fatally struck by a truck early Thursday, the 17th of July, on the A8 motorway near Coudoux, Bouches-du-Rhône. ... Evening Update Thursday 17th July 2025 Read More

17/07/2025

French and Riviera News Thursday 17th July 2025

Tensions are running high in Antibes, where around thirty animal rights activists from the group One Voice have gathered outside the former Marineland... French and Riviera News Thursday 17th July 2025 Read More

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