Our region is preparing for the national day of strike action tomorrow. An inter-union protest meeting is planned for the Place Garibaldi in Nice at 10.30 tomorrow morning. Many forms of public transport will be affected by the national day of action tomorrow, with no trams operating in Nice and bus services widely disrupted in our region, including in Cannes, Nice, Antibes and Grasse. The industrial action will also impact the operation of various schools and other educational establishments. SNCF have said that nationally three out of five TGVs are expected to run tomorrow, one Intercity out of five and two TER trains out of five on average. Locally 50 per cent of trains on the Grasse - Cannes - Nice – Vintimiglia line should run and about 50 per cent of services between Nice and Marseille should operate.
The departmental director of public security for the Alpes Maritimes has been removed from his post by the French Minister of the Interior. Christophe Castaner announced today that Jean-François Illy has been dismissed. He had been in his current job for just under a year.
New figures have shown that Nice Airport has broken its record for the number of passengers in 2019, for the 8th consecutive year, with 14 million passengers travelling through the airport - an increase of 4.7% on the previous year. The airport remains France’s second busiest airport after the Paris airports.
Police are appealing for the public’s help in locating a 65 year old man missing in Nice. Gilbert Ardouin is deaf and mute and was last seen on the 2nd of January in Nice. He is 1 metre 70 tall, of normal build and has short brown hair and a greying beard. If you have any information you’re asked to call the police on 04 92 17 22 93.
The route for the Paris to Nice 2020 cycle race has been unveiled today. The race, which begins on the 8th of March will pass through Sorgues, Apt and La Colmiane in our region, before ending in a loop around Nice on the 15th of March.
Air France has announced that it has suspended all flights over Iraqi and Iranian airspace. Several other international airlines have also said they will not be flying over the two countries after a missile strike by Iran on two Iraqi military bases last night.
An investigation has been launched after a tragic discovery at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris this morning. The body of a child, thought to be about 10 years old, was discovered in the undercarriage of a Boeing 777 plane. The flight had originated in Abidjan, the capital of the Ivory Coast.
BUSINESS
The fugitive ex-boss of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn has said the decision to flee Japan, where he was charged with financial misconduct, was the most difficult of his life. Speaking at a highly anticipated news conference in Lebanon this afternoon, Mr Ghosn said his treatment went against international standards of justice. He described his treatment as "brutal". Despite speculation, he did not give details of his escape from Japan.
It’s reported that Anglo American is in advanced talks to buy Sirius Minerals for 5.5p a share, valuing the business at £386m. The offer is about 40% above Tuesday's closing price. Sirius Minerals has been involved in a controversial mining project beneath the North York Moors National Park. Sirius succeeded in overcoming local opposition and winning planning permission, only to fail to raise the funds needed.
SPORT
Motorsports… Formula 1 says it is monitoring the Australian fire crisis before the start of the 2020 season in Melbourne which is on from the 13th to the 15th March. The country has witnessed the worst fire season in its history and air quality in Sydney and Melbourne has been at unhealthy levels. F1 says it is in constant contact with the race organisers on the issue. The F1 community, including the teams, and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation are also planning some form of support for the victims of the fires, although details are still being worked out.
Football… Lazio have been fined 20,000 euros for their fans' racist abuse of Brescia striker Mario Balotelli. Sunday's match between the two teams was briefly halted and a stadium announcement was made urging away fans not to sing discriminatory songs. Balotelli later said the fans should be ashamed of themselves.
The second semi-final first leg of the League Cup in England is being played tonight. Leicester take on Aston Villa.
Tennis… A win by Rafael Nadal has put Spain into the ATP Cup quarter-finals in Australia. Robert Bautista Agut had earlier beaten Go Soeda. Nadal then paired up with Pablo Carreno Busta to win the doubles rubber and end Japan's chances of a last-eight spot. Argentina later beat Croatia to go through to the next round.
Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal will take part in an exhibition match to raise money for a bushfire relief fund in Australia. The match is scheduled for 15 January, five days before the start of the Australian Open. Australian Nick Kyrgios will also be playing, along with Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki and other big names from the world of tennis.
Gabriel Attal announced new measures In response to recent acts of violence among young people during a visit to Viry-Châtillon. Attal highlighted the...
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The owners of a vast floating artificial island that had been planned for last summer off the coast of Mandelieu have won a legal battle to be allowed...
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The Monegasque State has successfully conducted its first national voluntary surrender operation, with 123 firearms being handed over by private indiv...
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A hospital in Cannes has had to postpone all non-urgent consultations and operations after falling victim to a cyberattack....
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Potential presence of broken glass in pizzas. A recall has been issued for several pizzas distributed by Auchan Avallon in France due to the potential...
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