Two people have been arrested after an attack on a policewoman in Nice this afternoon. According to reports, the officer was performing a check on a car on avenue de la Californie when one of the occupants of the vehicle bit her and threw her to the ground. The officer lost consciousness and was taken to hospital suffering from head injuries.
Two people have drowned on the Cote d'Azur's beaches this morning. A man in his sixties was seen to be in difficulties in the water off a beach near the old port in Cannes at about 9.30 this morning. The man could not be rescussitated despite the efforts of rescuers. A man thought to be about 80 years old drowned in Cavalaire-sur-Mer, also at about 9.30 this morning. The latest incidents mean that at leat eight people have drowned or almost drowned in our region over the past week. Yesterday, a 90 year old woman drowned at a beach in Saint Laurent du Var. Last Saturday a man in his eighties lost his life whilst swimming off Cannes. Authorities have advised people not to swim alone, especially if they are elderly, and to swim at a supervised beach and not too far from the shore. Elderly or infirm swimmers should also notify nearby lifeguards before swimming. Rescuers add that the depth of water should be checked before diving or jumping into the water. They also remind swimmers that risks exist in swimming pools as well as in the sea.
French Secretary of State for Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, has said that there will be an increased number of Air France flights serving Nice Cote d'Azur airport this summer. Alpes Maritimes deputy Eric Ciotti has been lobbying the French government to increase flights, saying that Air France "must assume its responsibilities as a national company" which has recently received 7 billion euros from the French state. Reports today say that Air France plans to cut over 7,500 jobs by the end of 2022, including over 1,000 positions at it's regional airline Hop. The plans are due to be officially presented to unions later this week.
Swimming will be banned on beaches between Cagnes sur Mer and Villeneuve Loubet on Thursday and Friday because of work being carried out on sewage pipes. Beaches between Epi and Villeneuve Loubet will be closed as a precaution while the work is carried out. Tests will then be carried out on the seawater to confirm its safety.
A police officer has taken his own life at a police station in Marseille. The officer, who was 20 years old, reportedly killed himself with his service weapon.
Caregivers have staged a demonstration in Paris this afternoon to demand more resources from the government. Reports say that there was a larger and more visible police presence than on previous such demonstrations. Other demonstrations took place in several cities across France including in Montpellier, Lyon and Strasbourg. The French government's Segur de la Sante consultation excercise on the funding of healthcare is due to end this Friday.
BUSINESS
The Office for National Statistics in the UK has revised down its previous estimate of economic activity in the January to March quarter. The ONS now says that UK GDP fell by 2.2% instead of the previous estimate of 2%. It's the largest fall since the July to September period in 1979.
Oil company Royal Dutch Shell has said that the low price of oil could reduce the value of its assets by up to $22bn. Rival BP warned earlier this month that its assets could be worth $17.5bn less than previously thought. Shell said that it expects the price of Brent crude to be 35 dollars this year and 40 dollars next year, rising to a long-term price of 60 dollars after 2023.
Next year's Geneva Motor Show has been cancelled. Organisers said that the majority of exhibitors who took part in a survey said they would "probably not participate" in a show next year. This year's event in February was cancelled at short notice because of the pandemic. The next show was scheduled for March 2021. Organisers also announced plans to sell the show's assets to the owners of the conference centre in Geneva where the event is held.
SPORT
Rugby Union... New Zealand have been awarded first place in the mens and womens World Sevens Series after the cancellation of the remaining rounds. England finished fifth in the men's competition, and eighth in the women's. Ireland were 10th in both the men's and the women's tournaments.
Football.... The Premier League says that it has contingency plans in place for Leicester's home match against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Stricter lockdown measures have been implemented in the city. Chief executive of the Premier League Richard Masters said the game could be moved or postponed to a later date if required. This morning he said that the League was waiting to hear if the new lockdown measure's would affect Leicester's ability to hold games at the stadium.
Valencia have sacked manager Albert Celades after only nine months in charge. Voro Gonzalez has been appointed manager on a temporary basis until the end of the season. Valencia's sporting director Cesar Sanchez has resigned.
The Confederation of African Football has announced that next January's Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed to January 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The women's tournament next year has been cancelled.
There's one game in the English Premier League tonight. Brighton play Manchester United.
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