Evening Update Wednesday 16th December

All 27 countries in the EU, including France, are expected to start vaccinations against Covid 19, as soon at the vaccine is given approval by the EMA next week. The French government are currently debating how the vaccine will be distributed, with an expectation that nursing homes, the elderly and health workers will be first in line. Prime Minister Jean Castex has said their goal is for one million French people to be vaccinated in January and 15 million before the summer. The City of Nice is already registering applications from people who want to take the vaccine. You can do so on the city council website at nice.fr

The town of Grasse is recovering after a serious traffic accident this morning, where a car driven by an 80 year old ran over three people, trapping one man in his late seventies under the wheels of the car. The man was flown to Nice Pasteur Hospital by helicopter where he is making a recovery.

The new curfew which came into operation yesterday will be strictly controlled by authorities. The Interior Minister has said they will be particularly severe with what he described as ‘wild parties’ over New Year. The Minister also revealed 298,000 fines were handed out during the second lockdown, including 900 for irregular opening of public places.

BUSINESS

Cannes city council has said it intends to continue its planned investments without increasing taxes, despite the impact of the health crisis. The 2021 budget is being discussed by elected officials this week who say their intention is to bring stability.

Monaco’s Department of Tourism and Congress has revealed a 63% drop in accommodation revenues this year. The result was announced at the DTC annual meeting, which also heard that it could be 2025 before airline capacity returns to pre-virus levels. The DTC is considering a number of strategic initiatives to re-think and reconquer the market.

Uber has been fined a record $69 million for refusing to hand over the details of more than 1,200 alleged victims of sexual assault involving its drivers. Uber argued that public disclosure may be traumatic for survivors, potentially putting them in danger and discouraging others from coming forward. However the Californian authorities, who imposed the fine, said it did not require a public disclosure. Uber has 30 days to pay the fine or have its service suspended in California.

SPORT

Sailing - Officials for the Vendée Globe have awarded skipper Jean Le Cam an extra six hours and fifteen minutes after he came to rescue of a wrecked competitor in the southern seas on Monday.  The bonus will be effective once the finish line has passed.

Football - Paris Saint-Germain are growing increasingly confident they will be able to sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer from Barcelona. Messi’s relationship with the Spanish club is ‘messy’.  The player was on the brink of leaving last summer before legal obligations forced him to stay. This year, Barcelona say they won’t offer any enticement for him to re-sign but instead will offer a pay cut. In Paris, the PSG marketing department has briefed shops around the capital to prepare for a rush of trade if the deal is announced.

Sam Allardyce could be back in a management role in UK football soon.  West Brom have just sacked Slaven Bilic and Allardyce is named as the most likely to replace him before Sundays match against Aston Villa.

Formula 1 - Japan's Yuki Tsunoda will make his Formula 1 debut with Red Bull next year. The 20-year-old, who finished third in his first Formula 2 season this year will join Frenchman Pierre Gasly.

All 27 countries in the EU, including France, are expected to start vaccinations against Covid 19, as soon at the vaccine is given approval by the EMA next week. The French government are currently debating how the vaccine will be distributed, with an expectation that nursing homes, the elderly and health workers will be first in line. Prime Minister Jean Castex has said their goal is for one million French people to be vaccinated in January and 15 million before the summer. The City of Nice is already registering applications from people who want to take the vaccine. You can do so on the city council website at nice.fr

The town of Grasse is recovering after a serious traffic accident this morning, where a car driven by an 80 year old ran over three people, trapping one man in his late seventies under the wheels of the car. The man was flown to Nice Pasteur Hospital by helicopter where he is making a recovery.

The new curfew which came into operation yesterday will be strictly controlled by authorities. The Interior Minister has said they will be particularly severe with what he described as ‘wild parties’ over New Year. The Minister also revealed 298,000 fines were handed out during the second lockdown, including 900 for irregular opening of public places.

BUSINESS

Cannes city council has said it intends to continue its planned investments without increasing taxes, despite the impact of the health crisis. The 2021 budget is being discussed by elected officials this week who say their intention is to bring stability.

Monaco’s Department of Tourism and Congress has revealed a 63% drop in accommodation revenues this year. The result was announced at the DTC annual meeting, which also heard that it could be 2025 before airline capacity returns to pre-virus levels. The DTC is considering a number of strategic initiatives to re-think and reconquer the market.

Uber has been fined a record $69 million for refusing to hand over the details of more than 1,200 alleged victims of sexual assault involving its drivers. Uber argued that public disclosure may be traumatic for survivors, potentially putting them in danger and discouraging others from coming forward. However the Californian authorities, who imposed the fine, said it did not require a public disclosure. Uber has 30 days to pay the fine or have its service suspended in California.

SPORT

Sailing - Officials for the Vendée Globe have awarded skipper Jean Le Cam an extra six hours and fifteen minutes after he came to rescue of a wrecked competitor in the southern seas on Monday.  The bonus will be effective once the finish line has passed.

Football - Paris Saint-Germain are growing increasingly confident they will be able to sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer from Barcelona. Messi’s relationship with the Spanish club is ‘messy’.  The player was on the brink of leaving last summer before legal obligations forced him to stay. This year, Barcelona say they won’t offer any enticement for him to re-sign but instead will offer a pay cut. In Paris, the PSG marketing department has briefed shops around the capital to prepare for a rush of trade if the deal is announced.

Sam Allardyce could be back in a management role in UK football soon.  West Brom have just sacked Slaven Bilic and Allardyce is named as the most likely to replace him before Sundays match against Aston Villa.

Formula 1 - Japan's Yuki Tsunoda will make his Formula 1 debut with Red Bull next year. The 20-year-old, who finished third in his first Formula 2 season this year will join Frenchman Pierre Gasly.