Evening Update Monday 23 November 2020

The French Prime Minister's office has said that a decision on the reopening of ski resorts will be made within the next ten days. The government held a meeting with those involved in the winter sports sector this morning.

The French Maritime Prefect has issued a reminder that all nautical activities including bathing in the sea are prohibited under current coronavirus measures. The statement from the Prefect comes after the body of a 68 year old bather was recovered from the sea by a rescue vessel off the Cap d'Antibes on Friday.

A building permit has been granted for the constructon of a new public nursing home in Cannes. Approval for the project at the Simone Veil hospital was obtained from the Ministry of Solidarity and Health earlier this year. The Cannes Town Hall said that the project will make it possible to welcome dependent elderly people in early 2023 in a modern and efficient establishment. The laying of the foundation stone will take place in February 2021.

The City of Nice has reactivated its the remote shopping assistance system for the most fragile and at risk people. To benefit from the service you must be 65 years of age or over and/or have a disability card. Volunteer agents draw up shopping and needs lists for eligible people. The  service then arranges delivery of the order within 3 days. Requests should be made on 04 97 13 32 92, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The South Region administration has said that everything possible will be done to re-open a school in Valdeblore in the haut pays next Monday after a coronavirus outbreak. Twenty positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among high school students in the boarding school. The South Region said today that a specialized company will carry out a complete disinfection of the premises. On Thursday a screening center will be installed and all students and staff will be able to be tested free of charge.

The residents of Drap have succeeded in their efforts to be classified as an area of natural disaster following storms and floods in November 2019. Many other areas of the Var and the Alpes Maritimes were quickly classified as being in a state of natural disaster. Because of the nature of the damage to properties, residents of Drap were not included in the initial list but following the publication of an order in the Official Journal, residents who suffered damage in the storm can now apply to their insurers for compensation.

The trial of Nicolas Sarkozy opened in Paris this afternoon but was supended shortly afterwards. The former French president is accused of corruption and influence-peddling for allegedly trying to bribe a magistrate in return for information about an investigation into his party finances. He denies the accusations made against him. The hearing is suspended until this Thursday afternoon.

BUSINESS

French food producer Danone has announced a reorganization which it says is expected to lead to €1bn in cost savings  by 2023. It expects to cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of the reorganization.

A widely watched survey of purchasing managers suggests that the Eurozone economy has contracted this month as lockdown measures have been introduced. The index by data company Markit shows the area's economy registering a figure of 45.1 in November, down from 50.0 in October. A figure below 50 indicates contraction. In the UK, the equivalent figure was 47.4, down from 52.1 in October.

UK motoring organization the AA has said that it's willing to recommend a takeover by two private equity businesses. The AA said that it is in "advanced discussions with the consortium in relation to the possible offer".

SPORT

Football... Jurgen Klopp has implored broadcasters talk to each other about the football schedule. In an interview on Sky Sports the Liverpool manager said "if we keep playing on Wednesday and Saturday 12:30 I am not sure if we will finish the season with 11 players." He added that the current contracts with broadcasters "were not made for a Covid season."

Rugby League... An Australian rugby league player has died at the age of 20. Keith Titmuss who played for Manly Warringah Sea Eagles fell ill following training. Titmuss had yet to make his NRL debut but was in the club's squad for next season.

Rugby Union... There’s one game tonight in the Guinness Pro 14. Glasgow play Munster.