Pope Benedict XVI offered his prayers today for the victims of the ice rink collapse in Germany, his native country, and wished a swift recovery for the injured.

THE FRENCH government yesterday warned that protracted public sector strikes would have dramatic consequences for the French economy as Paris commuters faced yet another day of scant subway and train services and airlines cancelled flights.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is having medical tests to ensure he is not carrying the deadly Sars virus when he meets world leaders on the fringes of next month’s G-8 summit in France.

Six people have died after their hot-air balloon hit a power line and burst into flames in eastern France this morning.