An explosion has taken place at a pizza restaurant in Grasse this evening. The explosion occurred at about 5.00pm at a restaurant on Boulevard Maréchal Leclerc. Reports say that one person has been seriously injured and about thirty firefighters are currently attempting to extinguish the fire. Motorists are advised to avoid the centre of Grasse.
The Prefecture of the Alpes Maritimes has banned all field and garden fires until March 4th. Amongst a long list of measures in the decree, it is prohibited to burn all waste, including green waste, or to smoke in forests or on scrubland or on roads crossing those areas. It is also prohibited to use fireworks or to light cooking fires without permission of the local mayor. Any offender is liable to a fine of 450 euros. The current drought conditions have made vegetation particularly sensitive to fire.
Public finance staff of the centre Cadeï tax office in Nice have been on strike today. About one hundred staff blocked access to the building. The employees were protesting at job losses and the cost of living.
A couple in their twenties are being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. The couple called emergency services in the early hours of this morning after feeling ill. They had apparently used an outdoor auxiliary heater to warm the interior of their home. They were taken to La Fontonne hospital in Antibes.
Two people have been arrested in the Ariane district of Nice after a fire in the early hours of this morning. The two are alleged to have set fire to garbage in the middle of a road, called the fire brigade and then pelted the emergency services with missiles when they arrived.
As the flu epidemic continues in our region, medical emergency services, have said that the number of calls received have doubled over the last 10 days. Patients are asked to remain patient and call the SOS Medecin which despite long delays, due to the number of cases, are able to come to their homes.
The International Wine Organization has published figures which show that wine consumption in France has dropped dramatically in recent years. French wine drinkers now consume over twenty per cent less than they did in 2000. On average, each French adult drinks 51.2 liters of wine annually, according to data from 2016.
French MP’s have voted for an amendment which was presented by Eric Ciotti which would make it mandatory to have the French flag in all classrooms. The presence of the French and European flag and the words of the national anthem would be mandatory in all French schools, from nursery to high school.
The body of 54 year old France Mazenc, who had been missing since the 8th January has been discovered in wasteland in Grasse. A passerby alerted police on Monday evening. Mazenc had not been seen since leaving her home in Mougins. An autopsy is to be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.
Figures released have shown that the turnout at Saturday’s Yellow Vest protests fell sharply, with 51,400 attending demonstrations nationwide as opposed to 69,000 just two weeks ago. After drawing 282,000 people nationwide during the first weekend of protest in November, less than a fifth of that turned out on Saturday for “Act 13”, according to the French Interior ministry.
BUSINESS
Nissan has taken a 9.2bn yen charge tied to compensation for former chairman Carlos Ghosn. The charge was reported in the firm's first results since Mr Ghosn's arrest for financial misconduct, and Nissan said it reflected additional expenses related to payments to its former boss. Nissan reported a 76% fall in net income for the three months to the end of December. It also downgraded its sales outlook for the full-year.
Kering, the owner of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, has reported a 24% rise in comparable sales in the October to December period, compared to the previous year. Profits hit a record 3.7bn euros for 2018. Gucci accounted for about 80% of Kering's income in 2018.
Travel company TUI has posted a loss for the last three months of 2018 of €83.6m, up from €36.7m a year ago. Last week, the company slashed its earnings guidance. It had previously told shareholders to expect 10% growth per year but now it forecasts no growth.
SPORT
Cricket…It’s day four of the England against west Indies Test Match in St Lucia. England in their second innings were 361 for 5 wickets declared.
Rugby Union..England prop Mako Vunipola has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations with an ankle injury. He's expected to be out for 10 weeks and will return to his club Saracens.
Leigh Halfpenny has recovered from concussion and will return to Wales training tomorrow as the squad prepares to face England in the Six Nations. Fly-half Rhys Patchell is also fit following his hamstring injury.
Formula 1… Renault have unveiled their 2019 car at their Oxfordshire factory. The team finished fourth last season. Former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo joins Nico Hulkenberg at Renault for 2019.
Football…Legendary England goalkeeper Gordon Banks has passed away at the age of 81. Part of the 1966 England World Cup squad, Banks was named Fifa goalkeeper of the year six times and earned 73 caps for England, as well playing for Leicester and Stoke City.
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