Traffic and travel - Local and intercity train services are operating on a skeleton schedule today because of the general strike – there are timetables up in local stations and on the website www.sncf.fr – services are due to return to normal tomorrow morning.  There are no city buses or tram services today in Nice and the Nice to Monaco and Cannes intercity TAM buses could be slightly affected.  Air travel is also subject to delays and cancellation, particularly on Air France – so the advice is to call the airline or to look at the website www.nice.aeroport.fr.

Var rape case - A Var court is due to hand out a verdict in a rape case involving a British woman who was sexually assaulted on a campsite in Agay in July as she slept in her caravan.  A 26-year-old man from Normandy risks 15 years in prison if found guilty.  After initially admitting robbery but denying rape, the suspect has reportedly confessed, after positive DNA test results.

Attempted murder in Hyeres - In Toulon, a man is in custody, awaiting trial for the attempted murder of a love-rival last Wednesday.  The victim, a restaurant employee from Hyeres, suffered multiple gun-shot wounds and remains critically ill in intensive care.  The suspect, a 50-year-old municipal worker, initially provided an alibi for his whereabouts at the time of the attack but police investigations found this to be false.

Local official dies in tree accident - In Saint-Martin-Vesubie yesterday, a municipal councilor was killed in an accident while chopping down a tree.  The trunk fell onto 63-year-old Jose Fructueux from Utelle, propelling him over a 30-metre drop to his death.

Mandelieu boat fire - In Mandelieu hospital, a man and a woman from Paris are in a serious condition after a fire on a boat in La Napoule port yesterday – 2 other people in their 30s and 40s were also hurt in the blaze, which is thought to have started in the engine but did not damage the boat.

Victim knew attacker - It is believed a man accused of killing a teenager may have known his victim. It was originally believed the 19-year-old died in a struggle after he was caught trying to steal a car at Cagnes early Sunday morning. However, it has been revealed he may have already known his attacker. It is believed he was killed with a golf club. A 31-year-old man is in custody.

In other French news

The Gard on Red Weather Alert - Meteo France has placed 10 departments on a level 3 Orange Weather Alert until tomorrow morning, with heavy rain and storms expected from the Loire to the Bouches-du-Rhone.  The neighbouring Gard department is on the highest Red Weather Alert, with warnings of dangerous conditions and extreme vigilance advised – schools in the region have been closed.

Michael Youn in custody - The comedian, Michael Youn, was arrested last night in Paris after being caught driving on the wrong side of a road in the 18^th arrondissement on his scooter.  He was taken into custody after an allegedly violent row with officers, during which it’s reported a policeman was injured when Mr Youn slammed a police car door onto his arm.

Sarkozy nationality vow - President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to strip French nationality from immigrants if they kill or try to kill police or public officials, as part of a controversial law and order drive. Defying both an international outcry over his targeting of foreigners and claims he is pandering to Far-Right voters, Sarkozy expressed determination to push ahead with a tough crackdown on foreign-born criminals; but he dropped a threat to strip foreign-born Frenchmen of their citizenship if they are convicted of polygamy. Instead, rules will be tightened to prevent them claiming welfare benefits for multiple wives.