(Nice attack) France facing 'serious new challenge'

A minute's silence was held in the French National Assembly, where Prime Minister Jean Castex had just been giving details of the coronavirus lockdown measures coming into force on Thursday night, the BBC reports.

"Without question this is a very serious new challenge that is striking our country," he said, appealing for unity and cohesion.

The French Council of the Muslim Faith condemned the Nice knife attack and spoke of its solidarity with the victims and their families.