Evening News Update Friday 8 February

The flu has already caused 1,100 deaths in France, with the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region being the second most infected region in France. Among the twelve thousand patients that were admitted to A&E last week, 1,823 of them have been hospitalized, 70% more than the week before.

Unions at Isola 2000 have threatened to block ski pistes in the resort during the school holidays which start today. Seasonal workers are protesting against working conditions, demanding an increase in salaries. According to reports Isola's employees receive 20% less than Auron's and for the last four years have been forced to contribute financially for accommodation. Talks were held on Thursday between the Mayor of Isola and unions in an attempt to reach an agreement.

The Assize court has sentenced a British man to 25 years in prison. 39 year old Dan Gooding was convicted of the murder of Alexandre La Torre in Valbonne in 2015. His friend Darren Jackson, who was accused of complicity in the murder, was acquitted for that offence but was sentenced to 3 years in prison for non-disclosure of a crime. Dan Gooding's ex-girlfriend, who was accused of aiding Darren Jackson's escape to the UK, was also acquitted

According to industry research, Nice remains the second most popular destination in Europe for private jets. The airport recorded over 35,000 flights in 2018.  Cannes-Mandelieu airport recorded nearly 14,000 flights, to take 14th place in the survey.  Paris-Le Bourget airport is the most popular airport in Europe for private aviation according to the survey.
A 60 year old man has died of a heart attack while cycling in Grasse.  He collapsed while riding with his brother in the Magagnosc district.  Emergency services were unable to revive him.

BUSINESS

Luxury goods company Hermes has announced that fourth quarter sales rose 9.6%. The company said that it is still growing strongly in Asia.

 Shares in Tata Motors have fallen in Mumbai after the firm posted a record quarterly loss - hit by troubles at Jaguar Land Rover. The firm's JLR unit has been hurt by softer demand in China, and has embarked on a major restructuring programme to boost profitability.

SPORT

Horse Racing…More than 100 stables are on lockdown as British horse racing attempts to control the equine flu crisis. A six-day shutdown of racing has been imposed, with hundreds of horses effectively under quarantine. Racing is suspended until Wednesday at the earliest as the sport awaits crucial test results. These will show whether the outbreak has spread further.

Football…In the English Premier League this weekend, on Saturday Fulham play Manchester United in the lunchtime game and then its Crystal Palace against West Ham. Huddersfield against Arsenal. Liverpool play Bournemouth. Southampton face Cardiff. Watford play Everton and Brighton host Burnley. On Sunday Spurs play Leicester and Manchester City play Chelsea. Wolves play Newcastle on Monday.

Rugby Union… Chris Ashton will make his first Six Nations start since 2013 when England play France at Twickenham on Sunday. He replaces Exeter's Jack Nowell, who drops to the bench. Lock Courtney Lawes is promoted from the bench to replace the injured Maro Itoje. Props Dan Cole and Ben Moon as well as second row Joe Launchbury are named among the replacements.

Cricket…Rohit Sharma has become the highest run-scorer in Twenty20 internationals as India beat New Zealand to level the three-match series at 1-1. He now has 2,288 runs, surpassing New Zealand's Martin Guptill's 2,272. Rohit made his T20 debut for India against England in 2007.