tobacconists

Six hostages are being held by a gunman in a tobacconist's store in Blagnac, close to Toulouse in south-west France, local media report, and has threatened to kill one of his captives while demanding to negotiate unknown terms with police.

In a ruling that could set a precedent, shop is told to stop selling e-cigarettes as it breaches French state rules over sale of tobacco.

France's huge network of tobacconists are to offer a stripped-down banking business as major banks cut back their services in a stagnating economy.