-
Increase in unpaid sick days proposed by French government
Plans are due to come into force in 2026
-
France urges flu vaccination after 17,000 deaths last winter
Last year’s season was particularly severe due to ‘low vaccination coverage’, experts say
-
Air traffic controller defends colleagues over near-fatal air crash at Nice
He blames airport lighting issues and claims ‘staff are deeply affected’ over the incident
Bridges must be checked, say French senators
Senators are calling for a major study of the state of France’s bridges and for every one to have a “health record” book to make sure it is properly maintained after a collapse led to two deaths.

The senators, part of a group which issued a study this summer saying at least 25,000 bridges need “particular vigilance”, again raised the alarm after the collapse at Mirepoix, Occitanie.
They said too many bridges are neglected and the state does not budget enough for them or pay sufficient attention to them.
Investigators at Mirepoix said the excessive weight of a lorry – over 50 tonnes on a bridge signed as having a limit of 19 – was the cause of the accident there, and the Haute-Garonne departmental council said all bridges in the area are already checked.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France