Evening Update 09 Oct 2019

The deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes Eric Ciotti has lambasted the government for their handling of the terror attack on a Police Headquarters in Paris which led to the deaths of four people. Monsieur Ciotti said mistakes were made and the whole truth must be told. In response an inquiry into the attack is to be established and will start work next week.

Traffic remains congested on the eastbound A8 motorway this afternoon between Nice and Antibes. At lunchtime, the motorway was fully re-opened at St-Laurent-du-Var after a truck caught fire in the location over-night, but two further accidents are now affecting traffic. Motorists are advised to avoid the A8 eastbound between St-Laurent-du-Var and Antibes and also this evening when further works will take place to repair the roadway where the truck was on fire.

Owners of some private beaches in Nice are up in arms today after their licences were not renewed. Out of twenty available licences only 14 were renewed. However its not all good news for those who retained a licence, as rents are due to increase by approximately 60% bringing them to almost €100,000 a year.

BUSINESS

US drug firm Johnson & Johnson has been told to pay $8bn to a man over claims he was not warned that an anti-psychotic drug could lead to breast growth. Johnson & Johnson say they will appeal the ruling, which they consider to be grossly disproportionate.

U.S. stock futures pushed higher this morning after a report suggested that Beijing is willing to discuss a partial trade deal with Washington. The reports say China is willing to talk about a possible agreement as long as no more tariffs are imposed by the Trump administration, including planned levies due this month and in December.

SPORT

Football - Tammy Abraham says England are prepared to walk off the pitch if they are targeted by racist abuse in their Euro 2020 qualifiers this week. England face the Czech Republic on Friday, then play Bulgaria on Monday, in a partially-closed stadium because of fans' racist behaviour in June. Abraham reported Harry Kane as saying that if one player is not happy, we all come off the pitch together.

Golf - Justin Rose remains confident of launching another late challenge for the Race to Dubai title but concedes he may need "two or three wins" to contend. Rose is among a strong field for this week's Italian Open, the fifth of the eight Rolex Series events on the European Tour this season

RUGBY WORLD CUP WITH MA NOLANS

A Josh Adams hat-trick ensured Wales are into the World Cup quarter-finals with a pulsating 29-17 victory over Fiji. The treble from wing Adams was added to by a Liam Williams try, two Dan Biggar conversions, a Rhys Patchell penalty and further Patchell conversion, in a thrilling contest where every point mattered. But the victory might come at a cost of several player injuries and it was telling that none of the players celebrated at the final whistle.

Scotland are hoping for a World Cup showdown with hosts Japan after a comfortable bonus-point win over Russia this morning. However, the Scots must take four more points than Japan in their next game on Sunday to reach the quarter finals.