Local
Nice Attack - France has raised its national security alert to the highest level following the knife attack in Nice on Thursday. Three people were killed in the attack at the Notre-Dame basilica. All three were attacked inside the basilica before the first Mass of the day.
Two died inside the church: a 60-year-old woman who was "virtually beheaded", and a 55-year-old man whose throat was cut. The male victim was a lay member of staff responsible for the upkeep of the church. He reportedly had a wife and two children. Another woman, aged 44, managed to flee to a nearby cafe after being stabbed several times, but died later. The perpetrator a 21-year-old Tunisian man who had recently arrived in Europe was shot by police and is in a critical condition. Speaking after visiting Nice President Emmanuel Macron said it was an "Islamist terrorist attack".
Lockdown - Lockdown measures have come into force across France as the country battles against the spread of Covid-19.
On Thursday Public Health France reported 47,637 new cases of Covid-19 and 250 new deaths.
France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex and his ministers confirmed on Thursday evening that teleworking would be the rule for employees who can. They also announced that a simple "sworn statement" would be required for people returning from holiday this weekend.
People are to stay at home as much as possible under the new lockdown. Travel will be limited, with a certificate, only to go to work, to go to a medical appointment, to assist a loved one, to do your shopping or to accompany your children to school with nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools remaining open. Universities and higher education institutions will provide online courses.
Individual and outdoor activities, such as jogging is allowed with parks, gardens forest areas and beaches remaining open to the public, but team sports are not allowed.
Places of worship remain open with funerals and weddings possible in small groups. Public services will remain accessible such as the Post Office and banks. DIY shops are to remain open along with opticians.
Demonstrations remain authorized on the condition that they are declared to the prefecture and closed shops and restaurants will be able to deliver or offer a takeaway service.
On Thursday traffic around Paris hit record levels just hours before the new national lockdown came into force across France.
French media report that many Parisians have left the city - and their often-cramped apartments - to spend lockdown in the countryside.
Nice Airport – As of today travel by plane must meet the travel requirements required by the authorities.
The declaration proving that your travel is necessary, for professional, personal or medical reasons will be required.
Over the coming weeks, airlines may need to reduce their flight schedules. We ask you to consult the airlines’ websites to ensure that your journey will go ahead.
Monaco - H.S.H Prince Albert II has announced several measures to strengthen the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in the Principality.
There will be no lockdown in Monaco but from midnight on Saturday a curfew will be put in place from 8pm to 6am and shops and restaurants will open with special arrangements.
The Princely Government will today hold a press conference to explain the measures and their implementation.
Disneyland Paris to close during lockdown - Disneyland Paris has closed as France heads back into lockdown. The park closed its doors on Thursday as France headed back into lockdown.
Disney's parks in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo and Florida will remain open with attendance limits and other safeguards in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Vendée Globe to go ahead - Organisers of the 9th Vendée Globe, the single-handed round-the-world yachting race, have announced that it will take place as planned on November 8th in spite of a new coronavirus lockdown in France. The event will be held behind closed doors without an audience.
The start, which attracted 300,000 people in 2016, will be broadcast live on the official website and on "numerous" television channels.
Business
The big four tech firms have reported big boosts to quarterly profits and sales.
Amazon is continuing to reap the benefits of online shopping as more and more people use its services during the pandemic with sales in the three months to the end of September up 37 percent to 96.1 billion dollars.
Facebook reported a massive 2.5 billion daily users across its platforms in September-up by 15 percent on year ago while Twitter said that it had 187 million daily active users in the third quarter while at the same time warning that an increase in costs would affect fourth quarter revenues.
Google beat analysts estimates after reporting a 14 percent year-on-year increase in revenue and profits rising by 59 percent to 11 billion dollars.
Sales at Apple reached 64.7 billion dollars up slightly on last year but the firm’s shares slipped back in after-hours trading as investors digested a more than 20 percent fall in iPhone revenues.
The US economy has emerged quickly from the depths of the financial crisis triggered by Covid-19 but a full recovery seems to still be out of reach.
Official data shows that the economy grew at a record 7.4 percent in the three months to the end of September but output remained 2.9 percent lower compared with the same period a year ago.
Analysts are warning that the recovery may now be running out of steam as coronavirus infections hit record highs and any additional fiscal stimulus unlikely to arrive until the start of next year at the earliest.
The US was not hit as badly as some countries in the spring when many nations went into lockdown. The economy shrank by 9 percent in the second quarter compared with a 20 percent contraction in the UK ,13.8 percent in France and 9.7 percent in Germany.
And-United Airlines is to start testing passengers for coronavirus.
The firm’s chief executive Scott Kirby says that the move is “key” to reopening the world economy.
United will start testing on some flights out of New York Newark to London Heathrow with Mr Kirby saying that the decision could provide evidence that will convince governments to drop quarantine restrictions for travellers.
Several countries have told United that they’re interested in using testing to open up their economies.
The International Air Transport Association has said that demand for international flights is down by some 90 percent compared with last year.
Sport
In the Europa League last night Spurs were surprisingly beaten 1-0 at Royal Antwerp in Group J while Arsenal beat Dundalk 3-0 in Group B.
Leicester were 2-1 winners at AEK Athens in Group G and Nice beat Hapoel Be’er Sheva 1-0 in Group C.
Rangers beat Lech Posnan 1-0 in Group D and Celtic drew 2-2 at Lille in Group H.
In the English Premiership tonight Wolves play Crystal Palace.
On Saturday Sheffield United play Manchester City.Burnley host Chelsea and Liverpool play West Ham.
On Sunday Aston Villa meet Southampton.Newcastle play Everton.Manchester United face Arsenal and Spurs play Brighton.
Fulham play West Brom and Leeds play Leicester on Monday.
Rugby Union-The Wales and Lions great JJ Williams has died at the age of 72.
Williams scored 12 tries in 30 Tests for Wales and won four 5 Nations titles.He also scored 5 tries for the Lions in seven Tests.
Wales players will wear black armbands for Saturday’s 6 Nations game against Scotland.
The 6 Nations Championship will finally conclude tomorrow after a lengthy delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Wales play Scotland.Italy host England and France play Ireland.
France ,Ireland and England can all win the tournament depending on results.
Formula 1-First practice for Sunday’s Emelia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola takes place at 10 am this morning with Lewis Hamilton looking to take a step closer to equaling Michael Schumacher’s all time record of 7 drivers’ championships.
Hamilton is the runaway leader again this season and nearest rival Valtteri Bottas desperately needs a win to try and close the gap.
Qualifying is at 2pm tomorrow with the race at 1.10 on Sunday.
The event is being held behind closed doors after the Italian government ruled that fans can’t attend because of the risk of coronavirus infection.
Cycling-Ireland’s Sam Bennett was denied victory on stage 9 of the Vuelta e Espana after picking up a penalty for shoulder charging Emils Liepens at the finish line.
Pascal Ackermann was declared the stage winner as Richard Carapaz retained the overall lead.
Carapaz holds a 13 second lead over Primoz Roglic with Dan Martin of Ireland 28 seconds back.
Weather
Mainly fine with light variable winds.
Top temperatures 19-20 degrees.
Overnight lows of 13 degrees on the coast and 11 degrees inland with partially cloudy skies.
The weekend-Mainly fine with highs of 18-19 degrees.
And Finally
What's your favourite scary movie? The most popular Halloween horror films around the world have been revealed.
According to Google search data, the overall most popular Halloween horror movie is Alien, which takes the top spot in England, New Zealand, Spain, France, Germany, Norway and Wales and has the biggest search tally in total.
The Shining is also a top choice, with America, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
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