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".

Last local news

Evening Update Monday 6th October 2025

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned today, just weeks after his appointment. Evening Update Monday 6th October 2025 Read More

06/10/2025

French and Riviera News Monday 6th October 2025

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced his new government. Key ministers remain in place, including Bruno Retailleau at the Interior, G... French and Riviera News Monday 6th October 2025 Read More

06/10/2025

Evening Update Friday 3rd October 2025

Antonio Caroli, a leading Italian engineer and real estate developer in Monaco, has died at 77. Evening Update Friday 3rd October 2025 Read More

03/10/2025

French and Riviera News Friday 3rd October 2025

Protesters have gathered outside Nice’s city hall to oppose Mayor Christian Estrosi’s plan to name the new police headquarters square after former Pre... French and Riviera News Friday 3rd October 2025 Read More

03/10/2025

Evening Update Thursday 2nd October 2025

Monaco’s parliament has approved a law to legalise abortion, and the government has until the 15th of November 2025, to decide whether to adopt, modif... Evening Update Thursday 2nd October 2025 Read More

02/10/2025