Local
Marseille - There have been clashes between demonstrators and police in front of the town hall in Marseille. Several thousand people gathered in front of the town hall on Wednesday evening for "a march of anger", after the collapse of two buildings in the city centre which claimed eight lives.
Meanwhile authorities in Marseille have appealed for the donation of products to be handed out to those affected by the incident. 582 victims are currently supported by the town hall, including 33 people who were evacuated from their homes on Tuesday. Most of those are being accommodated in local hotels.
Pollution - 200 temporary workers are still struggling to clean up the beaches of Saint Tropez following the recent oil pollution which has hit the entire coastline of the Var. Pellets of oil still litter the sand as authorities say the clean-up operation could last at least until the end of March.
The Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, has announced the arrest of several people involved in the filming of a rap video in Nice. The video, which was apparently filmed in the Le Rouret and Las Planas , shows participants brandishing weapons, including Kalashnikovs. Several of those involved were arrested at the scene after authorities saw the filming on local video surveillance cameras.
Several arrests have reportedly been made across our region in connection with the trafficking of vehicles with false registration documents. Reports say that the arrests were centred in Le Muy but about a dozen other people were arrested in other areas including Frejus and Draguignan.
Hero - 46 year old Chistophe Boyer has been hailed a hero by local media after rescuing a 67 year old woman from drowning on Tuesday. The incident occurred on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.
National
Tweets from Donald Trump - France has responded to tweets made by US President Donald Trump mocking Emmanuel Macron saying they were inappropriate and showed a lack of “common decency”. On Tuesday, Mr Trump attacked Mr Macron over nationalism, plans for a European army and the French leader's ratings.
Speaking on national television on Wednesday evening when asked about the remarks Macron answered "Between allies we must show respect, that’s all”. During the interview he was also questioned about the “yellow vest movement”, which plans to block the country on November 17th, and his drop in popularity. Macron said that he was more than “aware of the anger from protesters” adding that he admitted to having failed to reconcile the French people with their leader. He concluded that his government should maybe consider “attending to the needs of people all over France through departments, ministers and advisers rather than everything being decided in Paris through one central government”. “A vast programme that would require mobilisation from the entire nation”.
Working from home while on sick leave - The French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has proposed plans to introduce a new system where employees on sick leave would be able to work from home. Aiming to reduce costs in social security the proposal would apply to those on a short term sick leave. Those opposed to the proposal say ‘it will only increase pressure on employees”. A complex matter the final report is expected by the end of December upon which the government will make a decision
Business
The pound has rallied after the British Prime Minister announced that she’s secured the backing of her cabinet for her Brexit withdrawal plan.
Sterling rose following a volatile day’s trading while the outcome of Theresa May’s 5 hour meeting with her ministers remained unclear.
The pound is still more than 10 percent lower than it was before the EU referendum in 2016 but it has rallied from some deeper lows in recent months as markets begin to express some optimism that some kind of deal can be struck.
However,the volatility is set to continue at least over the near term as internal wrangling over the deal within the ruling Conservative Party continues.
Reports last night said that at least 9 Brexiteer ministers had been unhappy about the deal with some resignations possible today.
There are also reports that angry backbenchers may have the 48 letters needed to be sent to the 1922 Committee which would force a leadership challenge.
The proposed deal still needs to be ratified by all 27 EU member states as well as the UK and European Parliaments.
Things, therefore are far from settled.
Uber has posted a loss in excess of one billion dollars as it prepares for a public stock offering next year.
The ride-sharing firm says that net losses widened sharply on a quarterly basis while revenues rose only slightly.
Uber was recently valued at some 72 billion dollars,making it one of the most valuable privately held firms in the world.
The company is now coming under increasing pressure to make itself profitable.
Japan’s Softbank has taken a 15 percent stake in Uber in a deal which foresees an initial public offering by the firm next year.
And-Germany’s economy contracted by 0.2 percent in the third quarter dented by weaker exports.
It was the economy’s first quarter-on-quarter fall since 2015 as global trade disputes had a knock on effect.
The eurozone economy as a whole grew at its slowest rate for four years in the third quarter according to the European Statistics Agency Eurostat.
Sport
Cricket-It’s day 2 of the second Test between Sri Lanka and England with the home side batting in reply to the tourist’s first innings total of 285.
Sri Lanka had moved on to 67-2 midway through the first session of the day.
Football-There’s action in the Uefa Nations League tonight as well as a stack of international friendly games.
Wayne Rooney will captain England for part of tonight’s match against the USA at Wembley as he makes his farewell to international football.
The Republic of Ireland play Northern Ireland,Germany host Russia and Poland play The Czech Republic.
Rugby Union-Manu Tuilagi is expected to make his return for England against Australia a week on Saturday.
The Leicester centre had been expected to make his return against South Africa in the first match of the autumn season but picked up a groin injury in training.
He won’t be fit enough in time for Saturday’s game against Japan but should be available for selection against Australia.
Scotland have made 6 changes to the side that beat Fiji last weekend for Saturday’s match against South Africa.
Hugh Jones returns at centre while Gordon Reid,Stuart McInally,Jonny Grey,Ben Toolis and Hamish Watson will all start.
Coach Gregor Townsend has warned his side that the Springboks have made vast improvements over the past three months and that he’s expecting them to be “confrontational”.
Tennis-World number one Novak Djokovic is through to the semi-finals of the season ending ATP Finals in London.
The Serb beat Alexander Zverev 6-4 6-1 and his place in the last 4 was confirmed later when Marin Cilic beat John Isner in the other group game.
Cilic can make the semi finals if he wins his final group game against Zverev.
Weather
Mainly fine with light south easterly winds and a high of 20 degrees.
Overnight lows of 13 degrees on the coast and 9 degrees inland with partially cloudy skies.
Friday and the start of the weekend – Fine tomorrow with a high of 16-18 degrees.Sunshine and showers on Saturday with a high of 15.
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