Local
Crowdfunding - A crowdfunding website has shut down a campaign for a former professional boxer filmed punching police officers during Yellow Vest protests in Paris, after French officials slammed the fundraising drive as encouraging violence against police. On Tuesday, just over 8,000 people had pledged more than 117,000 euros on the website which initially defended its hosting of the fundraising, saying that as a platform it was required to remain neutral. But on Tuesday morning, it announced that it had closed the fund.
Commander Didier Andrieux – Meanwhile the lawyer of police commander Didier Andrieux has released a video showing his client being beaten by several people during yellow vest demonstrations in Toulon on Saturday. Earlier in the week images had been released of Andrieux beating a yellow vest protestor however, according to his lawyer, new images show Andrieux being beaten two hours before the recording of the video where his client was seen hitting a man against a wall. The man was reportedly known to police services and according to the prosecutor was not wearing a yellow vest.
And - Following a meeting with the Mayor of Antibes and during a debate held on Tuesday evening yellow vest protestors occupying the roundabout in Antibes have said they will not leave their post. More than one hundred "yellow vests" decided during the meeting to maintain their presence. Authorities have removed several yellow vest encampments in the Alpes Maritimes causing long delays on the roads during rush hour traffic. Two people were arrested and in Cagnes-sur-Mer, reports say that a dozen yellow vests attempted to resist being evicted, but police eventually cleared the area. The Antibes roundabout has become a symbolic headquarters for “yellow vests” in the region police are expected to dislodge them in the coming days.
16 year old boy shot in the leg - A 16 year old boy has been injured after being shot in the leg while riding his scooter in Nice. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in the east of the city. The victim was taken to hospital and police are still looking for the gunman, the motive behind the attack remain unknown.
New hotels in Nice port - The Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi has announced plans to construct two hotels in the port area of Nice. He said that discussions had already started with potential hotel operators for the opening of hotels of 3 or 4 star standard. The mayor made the announcement while touring the works taking place for Line 2 of the tramway, which will open in Nice port this autumn.
Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo - Meanwhile here in Monaco, the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo is writing a new page in its history and at the end of the month will unveil Omer the new restaurant of Alain Ducasse and a spectacular suite, placed on its roof overlooking the Casino square. Established in 1864 the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo has recently been reinvented to an even greater meaning to the dream of its founder Francois Blanc "A hotel that goes beyond anything that has been created so far". A unique experience for exceptional travelers.
National
Poll - According to a poll published on Tuesday the French President’s popularity has risen by 5 points and that of the Prime Minister by 7. Following low popularity ratings at the end of last year January has shown a slight recovery. Figures also showed that for the first time in five years the National Gathering formerly known as the National Front party best embodies the opposition in the eyes of the French people.
National debate - Chantal Jouanno has withdrawn from her role as the president of the National Commission for Public Debate following controversy over her salary. French President Emmanuel Macron had set up the “big national debate” in an attempt to appease the “yellow vest” crisis. However Jouanno faced criticism after it was revealed that she received a monthly brut salary of 14,700 euros, an income equivalent to that of the President of the Republic or the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile the French government has assured that the abolition of the tax d’habitation for the wealthiest taxpayers would be “on the table” of the great debate and could be re-examined.
Business
The World Bank has warned of “darkening skies” for the global economy.
In its annual assessment of global prospects,the Bank said that it expects growth to continue this year and next but at a slower pace.
It’s forecast for the global economy is expansion of 2.9 percent this year and 2.8 percent in 2020.
However,the World Bank has predicted a slowdown in the global economy but its concerns are firmly fixed on developed nations and in particular the United States.
The Bank says that the US slowdown is the result of the fading impact of President Trump’s tax cuts and that by 2021,US growth will have almost halved to 1.6 percent compared with 2.9 percent last year.
Growth in China is expected to be 6 percent by 2021-far short of the 10 percent averaged between 1980 and 2010 while growth in emerging markets and developing economies is set to gather pace somewhat.
Apple is reducing production for its three new iPhone models by around 10 percent according to a report by the Nikkei Asian Review.
The report says that the planned cut exposes weakening iPhone demand in China-the world’s largest smartphone market where the slowing economy is also being affected by the ongoing trade war with the United States.
Many analysts and consumers think that the new iPhones are overpriced and Apple has asked its suppliers to produce fewer than planned units of the XS,XS Max and XR models.
The Nikkei Asian Review says that the request was made before Apple announced its forecast cut.
The market research firm Canalys estimates that iPhone shipments in China fell by 12 percent last year and expects numbers to drop by a further 3 percent this year to below 400 million for the first time since 2014.
And-Sears-the US department store that once dominated shopping malls may be getting a reprieve from liquidation.
Sears had been expected to ask a bankruptcy judge for permission to liquidate after failing to reach a deal with chairman Edward Lampert over a 4.4 billion dollar takeover.
However,its being reported that in last minute negotiations,Sears said that it would consider a revised offer from Mr Lampert which would keep around 425 stores open.
A final decision will be made on the 14th of January.
Sport
Football-Spurs hold the advantage over Chelsea following the first leg of the English League Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Spurs won 1-0 thanks to a 26th minute penalty which was awarded following consultation with the Video Assistant Referee.
Harry Kane tucked the penalty away and that was the only goal of the game with the return leg at Stamford Bridge on January the 24th.
The second semi-final first leg tie between Manchester City and Burton Albion is being played tonight.
Rugby Union-The Wales full back Lee Halfpenny has been ruled out for 3-5 weeks and is set to miss the start of the 6 Nations.
Halfpenny has already been out of action for two months following a concussion that he sustained in the Wales game against Argentina on November the 10th.
Wales start their 6 Nations campaign against France in Paris on the 1st of February.
Golf-Padraig Harrington will captain Europe when they defend the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in the US next year.
The 47 year old Irishman was vice-captain when Europe won the trophy back under the leadership of Thomas Bjorn last September.
He played in 6 successive Ryder Cups from 1999 and was on the winning side 4 times.
Lee Westwood and Luke Donald had also been considered as potential captains but Westwood has indicated that he’d rather take charge at the 2022 event in Rome.
Weather
Partially cloudy with moderate westerly winds in the Alpes-Maritimes and a moderate to strong Mistral affecting the westernmost parts of the Var.
Top temperature 13 degrees.
Overnight lows of 5 degrees on the coast and -1 degree inland with clear skies and a widespread frost.
Thursday and Friday-Mainly fine with highs of 11-12 degrees.
Nice airport says as many as 60% of flights will be cancelled tomorrow due to a nationwide strike by air traffic controllers....
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After eight months of work and several sea trials, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has begun a six-week operation in the Mediterranean, ...
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A group of experts have come up with more than 150 recommendations for how Nice can deal with the increasing effects of climate change....
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Some communes in the Alpes-Maritimes will be plunged into darkness this Monday evening. For the third year running to mark Earth Day, mayors in the Al...
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Gendarmes in the Var have appealed for information after a 34-year-old man went missing in Cavalaire-sur-Mer....
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