News stops: Tiger mosquito on the prowl

A STRUGGLING French market, alongside the euro crisis, could see the UK building supplies company, Wolseley, withdraw from France.

In a statement the company said European trading conditions were difficult, and that it is looking at ways to sell or restructure its French business.

Less than two months ago Wolseley said it would not exit any of its European markets, with the French business making up 10% of the group and employing 5,420 people.

Tiger mosquito on the prowl
People living around the Côte d’Azur are being warned to keep an eye out for the tiger mosquito as victims of it can suffer rashes and swellings, with heavy flu-like symptoms.

The striped mosquito is attracted to areas of stagnant water, such as water butts and plant pot trays, so home owners are being asked to tip out water or ensure water tanks are sealed.

The moustique-tigre has caused problems on the French island of Réunion, located in the Indian Ocean, in recent years but with increased trade and travel the presence of mosquitos commonly found in the Tropics has seen them gain a foothold in France.

A crowded Mont Blanc
The recent deaths of climbers near Chamonix, which saw nine climbers killed and 28 people caught up in an avalanche, has made some people ask if the Alpine region is becoming too popular.

With queues of people waiting to head up the mountain, and huts on the slopes needing to be booked well in advance, there is a fear that people are taking too many risks on the peaks.

Visitors may only have a small period of time to climb the mountains, before returning home, and knowing how difficult it is to get a spot they push the limits and go ahead despite questions over the weather.

But with the increasing importance of the tourism trade to the area, ideas on restricting access to Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains are often ignored.

Death penalty for killing four French troops
An Afghan soldier has been sentenced to death for killing four French soldiers during a joint training and operation earlier this year.