Evening News Update Tuesday 18 December

Two people have received prison sentences after 67kg of cannabis resin and herb was found in their motorhome when it was stopped at the La Turbie toll booths. The couple, from Milan, received sentences of 30 months in prison and also will have to pay a fine of 114,000 euros, estimated to be the wholesale value of the drugs. 

A group of pensioners demonstrated in Nice this morning, disrupting tramway services as the march followed the route of the tramway. Estimates put the number of demonstrators as being between 250 and 400 in number. The demonstrators were seeking several changes to pensions laws.

Vinci Autoroutes has announced that it will not try to collect tolls from those users who passed through toll booths without paying during the yellow vest protests. The company said that the procedure, which it said was probably insufficiently explained, and therefore poorly understood, has given rise since yesterday to a large number of negative reactions. VINCI Autoroutes nevertheless  called for what it called the good citizenship of everyone in these exceptional circumstances.

Four students from the Audiberti high school in Antibes have saved their teacher after he suffered a heart attack during a sports lesson on Monday. The teacher, in his forties, had a heart attack in the gym while giving a weight training class to his students. The students placed him in the safety position and found that he was no longer breathing. One of the students alerted the school nurse while another gave him a cardiac massage and another used a defibrillator.

Easyjet has announced a new route from Nice Cote d’Azur airport.  From next spring, the airline will fly three times a week from Nice to Rennes in Brittany.

In national news, the French government has proposed making a payment of 300 euros to 111,000 members of the police force who were mobilised during the recent yellow vest protests.  The proposal comes after police unions called for a national day of “minimum service” today and also tomorrow, during which police would not leave police stations unless there is an absolute emergency. The government has also proposed a payment of 200 euros to prefecture staff who were involved in protecting public order during the yellow vest protests. 

BUSINESS

Dublin Airport has announced that thirty million passengers have passed through the airport so far this year - the highest in its 78 year history. Passenger numbers are up 6% so far this year, with European, transatlantic and other long-haul markets all growing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed that his country will not develop at the expense of other nations, in a speech marking 40 years since China introduced major economic reforms. However, he also said that the global superpower would not be told what to do by anyone. Late leader Deng Xiaoping's campaign of "reform and opening up" began four decades ago. Critics point to China’s continuing infringement of human rights and say that while China is helping to build much-needed infrastructure across Asia and Africa, it is saddling countries with billions in debt in a bid to gain strategic influence.

SPORT

Football.. Manchester United have sacked manager Jose Mourinho. He took over in May 2016 and led United to League Cup and Europa League titles, but the club is currently 6th in the Premiership and19 points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Uefa is to investigate alleged racist incidents during Chelsea's Europa League game at MOL Vidi. A vocal minority chanted offensive songs about Tottenham fans during Thursday's 2-2 draw in Hungary.
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Cricket….Australia have levelled the series against India with a 146 run victory in the second Test in Perth. Australia dismissed India for 140 on the final morning of the match. The series is tied at 1-1 with the 3rd Test due to get underway in Melbourne next week.