Evening News Update Friday 11 January

Two paragliders collided in mid-air in Gordon this morning. They were airlifted to the Pasteur 2 hospital in Nice, where they are reported to be in a serious condition.

Police in the Alpes-Maritimes have appealed to the public following the disappearance of a 54 year old woman. France Mazenc left her home in Mougins on Tuesday dressed in black trousers, jacket and a beret and was last seen in Grasse on Tuesday afternoon. Described as having short brown hair, brown eyes and a pale complexion police have asked for anyone with any information to contact them on 04.93.75.50.00.

An epidemic of gastroenteritis has been reported in the Var. The strain is particularly contagious and is characterized by vomiting and diarrhoea with the main risk being dehydration. Meanwhile, the Alpes-Maritimes is already plagued by an epidemic of chicken pox, which concerns mostly children. Adults who have not contracted the disease can check via a simple blood test and if necessary, be vaccinated.

Police leaders have met with the Prefect of the Var ahead of Saturday’s “Act 9” of the “yellow vest” protests planned in Toulon. Police have demanded that every policeman be provided with necessary protection. The request comes following violent incidents in last weekend’s protests in which not all police were correctly protected. The movement plans to prepare new gatherings across France this weekend ahead of the great national debate which will be held on January 15th by French President Emmanuel Macron. Approximately 80,000 police and gendarmes will be mobilized throughout the country.

BUSINESS

British airline Flybe is being bought for £2.2m by a consortium including Virgin Atlantic and Stobart Group. It will operate under the Virgin Atlantic brand. Based in Exeter, Flybe carries around eight million passengers a year from airports such as Southampton, Cardiff and Aberdeen, to the UK and Europe. The sale comes after Flybe issued a profits warning in October.

Prosecutors in Japan have charged former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn with two new charges involving financial crimes. Mr Ghosn was charged with aggravated breach of trust and understating his income. He denies all wrongdoing.

SPORT

Tennis - Andy Murray says he plans to retire after this year's Wimbledon but fears next week's Australian Open could be the final tournament of his career. The three-time Grand Slam winner, who is struggling to recover from hip surgery, held a tearful news conference in Melbourne today. He said he wanted to get to Wimbledon and then stop but he wasn’t certain he could do that. Murray says he still intends to play his Australian Open first-round match against Roberto Bautista Agut next week.

Football- Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller is set to miss both legs of the club’s Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool after he was given a two-match European ban. Muller was sent off in December's match against Ajax for kicking Nicolas Tagliafico in the head. He has appealed against the decision.

There’s a full programme in the English Premier League this weekend. On Saturday West Ham play Arsenal. Brighton host Liverpool. Burnley play Fulham. Cardiff host Huddersfield. Crystal Palace play Watford. Leicester play Southampton and Chelsea face Newcastle. On Sunday Everton play Bournemouth and Spurs host Manchester United. Manchester City play Wolves on Monday. There’s one game in the English Championship tonight. Leeds play Derby.

Rugby Union-There’s one game in the European Champions Cup tonight. Gloucester play Munster in Pool 2  while tomorrow Leinster play Toulouse in Pool 1  and Ulster play Racing 92 in Pool 4.