Several local towns are following an initiative in Nice to make the wearing of masks in popular outdoor areas compulsory. The towns include Biot, La Gaude, Menton, Mougins, Nice, St-Cezaine, St Laurent-du-Var and Vence. In Nice it’s compulsory to wear a mask in outdoor areas from Nice Ville station down to the Promenade des Anglais. So far the mayors of Antibes, Cannes and Grasse have resisted moves to introduce masks in outdoor areas.
In Paris, compulsory testing on arriving passengers at Charles de Gaulle Airport has been put in place from today. As yet, there has been no announcement if similar measures will be introduced in Nice.
Meanwhile Italian aviation authorities are threatening to ban Ryanair from their skies for not complying with Covid-19 safety rules. They say is the airline does not comply, they will force it to fly at half capacity or not fly at all.
Two beach private beach clubs at Pampelonee Beach, just 15 minutes from St Tropez, have been shut by authorities today for not enforcing social distancing. The two week closure comes after previous formal notices from the Perfecture were ignored.
President Macron, in Lebanon today to offer help and support after Tuesdays massive explosion, has urged the Lebanese government to carry out ‘essential reforms’. He said that without them the country would continue to sink. Anger is growing in Beirut at a ruling class who many see as corrupt and incompetent. Some citizens are circulating a petition for Lebanon to once again become a French administered area, as it was during the 1920’s and 30’s. President Macon told the international press in Lebanon today France had been demanding the reforms for years.
BUSINESS
Analysts at Bank of America say they expect gold to hit $3,000 an ounce over the next 18 months. They said the global pandemic is providing a sustained boost to gold, due to increased savings, growing inequality, vast capital destruction, declining productivity, rising public debt levels, and most importantly, falling equilibrium real interest rates. Gold has made records this week by trading at over $2,000 an ounce for the first time ever.
Three more former board members of car-maker Audi are to be charged with fraud for cheating on emission tests. Audi said it would continue to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities, in order to reconstruct the circumstances that led to the so-called diesel-gate crisis.
Meanwhile Toyota have posted its smallest quarterly profit in nine years as the pandemic halved its car sales. However, shares in Japan’s largest car-maker have risen on the news as most investors had been expecting a loss.
SPORT
Football - Inter Milan have completed the permanent signing of Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez on a three-year deal. The Chile international joined the Italian side on a season-long loan last August and has scored four goals in 29 appearances in all competitions. Inter expect to have him available for the Europa League 'final eight' in Germany.
Manchester City defender Eric Garcia says he does not want to extend his contract at the club. Garcia has one year left and City have been trying to persuade him to stay amid rumours of a return to Barcelona.
Formula 1 - Valtteri Bottas has secured a new contract to stay at Mercedes throughout 2021. He’s likely to partner Lewis Hamilton, although the six-time world champion has not yet agreed a new deal with the team. Bottas said he was very happy to stay with Mercedes and build on the success they’ve enjoyed together already.
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