Evening Update 16 April

LOCAL NEWS

A passanger on a local TER train has died as the result of a heart attack.  The man, apparently in his forties, was found unconscious on a train from Nice to Ventimiglia yesterday evening.  According to reports, pompiers boarded the train at Beaulieu-sur-Mer station about 7.00 yesterday evening but were unable to revive him.

The beaches in Menton have been closed to the public until at least midday tomorrow.  The closure is because of suspected pollution after a strong smell of oil was reported at around lunchtime today.

Negotiations between certain employees and management of Air France resumed this morning, but the eigth day of industrial action is still scheduled to go ahead as planned tomorrow.  Locally, about 25 arrivals and departures on Air France are cancelled at Nice airport tomorrow.

The A8 motorway was closed to traffic this lunchtime to allow the use of an air ambulance following a serious accident near the St Maximin exit, according to local reports.  Enquiries are underway to establish the circumstances of the accident. The motorway has now re-opened.

The Penetrante between Cannes and Grasse is going to be partially closed at various  times from 10pm this evening until 6am on Thursday for road resurfacing. For more details see the website www.inforoutes06.fr

BUSINESS

Biotechnology company Shire is selling its cancer treatment unit to Servier of France. Olivier Laureau, President of Servier Group said that the transcation enables Servier to meet its strategic ambitions to become a key player in oncology globally. Shire said it may also sell other assets that it believes are not central to its business.

Bank of America has announced that first quarter profits have risen by just over a third. The bank had net income of $6.5 billon for the first three months of the year. Revenues at Bank of America's consumer banking business increased by 9% to $9.03 billion.

In the UK, household spending has fallen to its lowest level since 2012.  Visa's UK Consumer Spending Index  found that spending fell by 1.4% year-on-year for the first three months of this year.

SPORT

TENNIS..The first round matches have been underway today at the Monte Carlo Masters. 9th seed Novak Djokovic is through to round two, defeating Dusan Lajovic 6-love, 6-1.  Meanwhile, 11th Seed Roberto Bautista Agut emerged victorious against German Peter Gojowczyk in two sets. In other matches Jared Donaldson of the United States beat Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Andrey Rublev defeated Dutch player Robin Haase and Borna Coric beat Frenchman Julien Benneteau in two sets, 6-2, 6-3.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES..Scottish runner Callum Hawkins has been discharged from hospital after collapsing during the Commonwealth Games men's marathon yesterday. Hawkins was treated at Gold Coast University Hospital after being affected by the heat while only about a mile from the finish line. The Scottish team have asked organisers why Hawkins had to wait several minutes for treatment at the roadside.

RUGBY UNION...Bristol  have announced a new name in preparation for their re-entry into the Premiership.  From 1 June they will be known as Bristol Bears. The club will return to the Premiership in the 2018-19 season as Championship title winners.