Investigators believe player died in an accidental fall in Brittany, which is hosting World Defence Rugby competition
A British armed forces rugby player has been found dead in France, where the World Defence Rugby competition is being held.
Investigators believe the player may have died in an accidental fall in northern Brittany, a prosecutor said.
Continue reading...Despite progress towards a 2045 zero-emission goal, the high price of EVs has created a headache for governments
European countries are struggling to persuade people to switch from combustion engine cars to electric ones, experts warn.
Europe sells 10 times more electric cars today than it did just six years ago, according to the International Energy Agency, but its fleet is cleaning up too slowly to meet its climate goals. Governments across the continent are struggling with the price-tag of electric vehicles, which can cost several thousand euros more upfront than comparable ones that burn fossil fuels.
Continue reading...The ultimatum was rejected by France’s foreign ministry, which said it did not recognise the junta’s authority
Niger’s junta said on Friday it had ordered French ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours, as relations between the west African country and its former colonial ruler deteriorated further.
The junta-appointed foreign ministry said the decision to expel the ambassador was a response to actions taken by the French government that were “contrary to the interests of Niger”.
Continue reading...Fund aims to help struggling winemakers as they adjust to consumers’ changing habits
The French government has announced it is to set aside €200m to fund the destruction of surplus wine production in an attempt to support struggling producers and shore up prices.
Several major wine-producing regions in France, particularly the Bordeaux area, are struggling because of a cocktail of problems including changes in consumption habits, the cost of living crisis and the after-effects of Covid-19.
Continue reading...Gérald Darmanin sounds alarm over far-right leader as he positions himself as centre-right candidate
The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen could win the next presidential election in 2027, the interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, has said, as he positions himself as a potential candidate for the centre-right.
“The fact of the matter is that in five years’ time, a victory for Madame Le Pen is quite probable,” Darmanin told La Voix du Nord, in an interview published on Friday.
Continue reading...AU opposes countries outside Africa getting involved, but gives more nuanced position on any Ecowas military action
The African Union (AU) appears to have left room open for military intervention by a west African political bloc to restore democracy in Niger, as Algerian state radio said it had refused a French request to fly over its airspace for a military operation.
France’s joint defence staff, however, denied the country had made any request to Algeria to use its airspace for a military operation in Niger.
Continue reading...Weather ballon climbs to 5,300 metres before temperature falls to 0C amid late summer heatwave
A Swiss weather balloon had to climb to an unprecedented 5,300 metres (17,400ft) before the temperature fell to 0C (32F), meteorologists have said, as a late summer heatwave and wildfires continue to pummel swathes of continental Europe.
A man was found dead in a blaze raging north of Athens on Monday as the Greek government warned of an “extreme” risk of fire across the country, while more than half of mainland France was placed under an amber heat alert.
Continue reading...Canary Islands regional president opens inquiry into fire, while people flee from four Greek villages
An out-of-control wildfire on Tenerife that has forced thousands to flee was started deliberately, authorities have said, as four more villages in Greece were evacuated in the face of another advancing blaze and more than half of mainland France was on extreme heat alert.
As much of southern Europe continues to roast after July was named the world’s hottest month on record, the Canary Islands regional president, Fernando Clavijo, said on Sunday that police had confirmed the blaze raging on the Spanish island since Tuesday had been lit intentionally, and had opened three separate lines of inquiry.
Continue reading...Mayor threatens sanctions over reported practices of large minimum spends and selecting diners by size of previous bills
The mayor of St-Tropez has threatened “racketeering” restaurateurs in the Med’s most famous – and overpriced – former fishing village with sanctions after reports that some are selecting diners by the size of previous bills and are setting minimum spends.
“These accusations are extremely shocking to me because they are unfortunately true,” Sylvie Siri told local media, adding that she “and the entire council are totally opposed to such despicable practices”, which were “ruining the town’s image”.
Continue reading...Body of former chief of defence staff Jean-Louis Georgelin, 74, found on Mount Valier in Pyrénées
The French army general appointed by Emmanuel Macron to oversee the reconstruction of the fire-ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral has died while hiking in the Pyrénées.
Mountain gendarmes discovered the body of Jean-Louis Georgelin, 74, the former chief of the defence staff, after he failed to return to a mountain refuge on Friday.
Continue reading...At least two of detained Iraqis and Sudanese suspected to have links to human trafficking networks
Four people have been arrested in France after the deaths of six men whose boat capsized while crossing the Channel.
French judges are considering charges including involuntary manslaughter against the Iraqi and Sudanese suspects, according to reports.
Continue reading...Suspects accused of using chemicals to destroy locks of apartment doors during 90 break-ins
Five people have been charged over 90 burglaries in the Paris region in which acid was used to break the locks on apartment doors.
Four of the suspects have been held in pre-trial detention since Wednesday and the fifth is being monitored by police, prosecutors in Nanterre, north-west of the French capital, told AFP.
Continue reading...French police stress rules on taking blooms of plants such as edelweiss as drought affects some areas of country
French police have warned Alpine hikers they will be fined hundreds of euros if they pick too many blooming plants on their summer walks.
Officers confiscated thousands of génépi sprigs and edelweiss flowers during a week-long enforcement operation this month.
Continue reading...Blaze in popular tourist area in the Pyrenees forced evacuation of 2,000 people before it was brought under control
A fire in the south of France burned through 500 hectares (1,240 acres) of land and destroyed a campsite, with 2,000 people evacuated before the blaze was brought under control on Tuesday.
The French environment minister said the climate crisis was exacerbating conditions of drought that fed the fire. No one was injured in the fire, authorities said.
Continue reading...Protection group appeals for funds after accepting 12,000 animals since beginning of summer
French animals rescue centres say they have reached “saturation” with abandoned pets this summer.
More than 100,000 pets are abandoned to fend for themselves in France every year, more than half of them dumped just before or during long summer holidays when they are often found next to routes heading for the coast or countryside. Last summer, 60,000 pets were dumped, and animal rescuers say the figure is expected to be higher this year.
Continue reading...Improving weather and sea conditions have raised fears of further attempts to reach the UK on small boats
French coastguards have mobilised six patrol boats in the Channel and a helicopter in anticipation of further attempts by migrants to cross as weather and sea conditions improve.
The high alert comes as prosecutors opened an investigation for manslaughter after at least six people died as a result of a small boat capsizing and sinking in the early hours of Saturday. Rescuers are still searching for at least one other missing person presumed drowned.
Continue reading...Hunt is on for survivors after at least six people die, while activists call for more safe and legal routes
The government’s controversial asylum policy faced renewed criticism on Saturday when at least six people died after a small boat crossing the Channel capsized and sank.
Another two people are still believed to be missing after the sinking, prompting fresh calls for the government to urgently introduce safe routes for asylum seekers to prevent further tragedies.
Continue reading...Lack of safe passage described as ‘moral disgrace’ as helpers say legal routes would end dangerous crossings
Calls are mounting in the UK and France for the introduction of safe routes for refugees crossing the Channel after a French organisation said it had received multiple distress calls from people making the crossing in recent days.
At least six people lost their lives early on Saturday trying to cross the Channel in a small boat and the organisation issued warnings that more lives would be lost in future unless there were significant government policy changes.
Continue reading...La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara lights up the internet seamlessly blending French with English with a few choice words
French may be the language of Baudelaire, Rimbaud and Voltaire, but sometimes it takes a rugby player from Cork to inject extra oomph.
Ronan O’Gara, a former Ireland international who coaches the French club La Rochelle, has lit up the internet with a pep talk to his team that seamlessly blended French with English swearing, graced with a Cork accent.
Continue reading...Fire service says 17 people escaped ferocious blaze at gîte in Haut-Rhin
Eleven people have died in a fire at a holiday home for disabled people in north-east France.
The death toll was confirmed by a public prosecutor after firefighters spent hours combing the destroyed building – a converted barn – for the bodies of victims.
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