Evening Update 07 Oct

In Nice police have impounded a motorbike caught doing 217km/h on the A8 motorway during the rush hour this morning.  The cyclists licence was also taken pending court action.

A French government minister has criticised climate protesters across the world who have kicked off two weeks of global protests today. Ségolène Royal said the protestors civil disobedience could quickly be taken over by violent groups. The protestors are backed by Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenager who addressed the United Nations last month.

In Monaco, the Prince’s Palace has announced the official appointment of Gilles Tonelli as Ambassador in charge of negotiations with the European Union. The negotiations are to forge a formal agreement between the Principality and the trading bloc. 

In Nice, a man has been sentenced to six years by the Assize Court for the rape of an American tourist in Cannes. The young lady was unable to re-enter her AirBnB after stepping out for a cigarette and accepted an offer from the man of accommodation for the night. It is there the rape occurred. The man has ten days to appeal the sentence.

Monaco has lowered the amount of recycle bins needed from three down to just two by expanding the amount of materials that can be added to a yellow bin. In addition to plastics, cardboard and metal waste, the  bin will now collect polystyrene trays, plastic bags, egg cartons, plastic wrapping film and more. The green bin will continue to be used solely for glass.

BUSINESS

The executive branch of the European Union has sent a questionnaire to Facebook seeking clarification about their proposed digital currency called libra. Its said the fresh questions go beyond previous antitrust concerns raised with the Libra Association. Regulators, policymakers and politicians around the world have piled on criticism of the project since it was unveiled.

President Donald Trump has lost a court action  seeking to block the release of his tax returns. The ruling flatly rejected what the judge described as an “extraordinary claim” by Trump that while he is president, he is immune not only from criminal prosecution, but also from being even criminally investigated.

SPORT

Tennis - Britain's Andy Murray continued his singles comeback with a first-round win at the Shanghai Open this afternoon. Murray, who has won the title in Shanghai on three previous occasions – took the game after a difficult opening set in which he was broken twice.

Soccer - Everton midfielder Fabian Delph has withdrawn from the England squad and will miss the Euro 2020 qualifiers in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. It’s due to a hamstring injury picked up on Saturday.

RUGBY WORLD CUP

There are no games today but tomorrow South Africa play Canada in Pool B.

On Wednesday Scotland meet Russia, with the Scott’s coach making 14 changes to the team, meaning winger Darcy Graham is the only player from last weeks starting 15 against Samoa to be retained.

Wales have made two back-row changes for their Rugby World Cup game against Fiji also on Wednesday. James Davies replaces the rested Justin Tipuric, while number eight Ross Moriarty comes in for Aaron Wainwright.

Rugby bosses in Japan are monitoring a powerful typhoon forming south of Japan which could bring fierce winds and torrential rain over the weekend. If weekend matches for Ireland or Wales are cancelled due to weather, the games will be registered as scoreless draws. A spokesman for the Scotland team said they are not concerned saying “We’re from Scotland. It doesn’t matter” !!