Mediterranean

In contrast to other EU and Nato allies, France has strongly backed Greece in its burgeoning showdown with Turkey over hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the waters off their coasts.

Move comes as President Emmanuel Macron called on Turkey to halt oil and gas exploration in disputed waters that has heightened tensions with Greece. 

The two départements  affected, Alpes-Maritimes and Var, were placed on 'red alert' weather warnings  and official warnings were also issued about high waves off the coast. 

Authorities in the Côte d’Azur region moved people out of tents, campsites and holiday homes around the hilltop town of Bormes-les-Mimosas.

The flight data recorder was found in the tail of the Airbus A320 which crashed en route from Paris to Cairo last month for unknown reasons.

Number is France's proposed 'share' of 40,000 asylum-seekers already in Italy and Greece plus 20,000 refugees currently outside Europe.

Authorities are serving notice to owners of 'private beaches' on France's coastline that buildings must be pulled down once permit comes to an end.

French prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault says it is up to European political leaders to find a solution, adding 'compassion is not enough'.

Museum of Civilisations from Europe and the Mediterranean, opening 7 June, explores European and Mediterranean cultures past and present.