Evening News Update Friday 23 November

Bad weather is affecting our region again.  Meteo France have issued an orange alert, which is the third highest out of four levels, for storms and heavy rain in the Var until 1.00am tomorrow.  An orange alert for storms in the Alpes Maritimes will begin at 8.00 this evening and is in force until 2.00 tomorrow morning.

Yellow vest protesters are making their way to Paris for a rally scheduled for tomorrow. The Interior Ministry said that the demonstration could be held on the Champ-de-Mars in the capital. Meanwhile, on the Cote d’Azur, about a dozen protesters were at the Cap 3000 shopping centre this morning, not to block access, but aiming to hand out leaflets and talk to shoppers about their campaign. Demonstrators have announced continuing protests in our region over the weekend, but with the intention of gathering to express their grievances instead of blocking traffic. Gatherings of protestors have already been announced in Nice, Grasse and Menton.

In Marseille a man has been stabbed to death in a dispute, apparently over a parking space. The 58 year old died at the scene despite the attempts of firefighters to save his life. Another person who tried to intervene was also injured in the attack.

An area of the Riviera has been selected to receive part of a 1.3 billion euro fund from French central government. 124 industrial areas across the country will share in the industrial areas fund, including the combined area of Sophia Antipolis, Grasse, Cannes and Carros.

BUSINESS

UK regional airline Flybe has confirmed that it is in talks about a sale or closer alliance with Virgin Atlantic.  Flybe said that Virgin was "one of the parties" it’s been in discussions with. Last month, the company warned its full-year losses would be £22m, blaming falling consumer demand, a weaker pound and higher fuel costs. Virgin Atlantic confirmed that it’s reviewing its options in respect of Flybe.

Business activity across the eurozone slowed in November, according to a new Purchasing Managers’ survey. The survey recorded the lowest reading since late 2014. It attributed the lower figures to the manufacturing sector and a slowdown in new orders, particularly for exports. The survey found that in Germany, "a near-stagnation in manufacturing output was the weakest performance since April 2013".

Thierry Bolloré, the deputy chief executive of Renault has attempted to reassure its shareholders over the car company's alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors following the arrest of chairman and chief executive Carlos Ghosn. He reportedly said that he would make sure the company’s stability was guaranteed and would stay focused on the sustainability of the alliance.

SPORT

Cricket…Jonny Bairstow hit a century on his England return on day one of the third Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. England reached 235-3 after tea but Sri Lanka fought back to restrict them to 312-7 at the close. England have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.

Motorsports…Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas was ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen in second practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix today. Daniel Ricciardo was third, ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

Football.. Former England manager Glenn Hoddle is out of hospital following his cardiac arrest in October. Hoddle collapsed at the BT Sport studios and later underwent surgery. A spokesman said Hoddle had "responded well to treatment" and had left St Bart's Hospital in London in order to continue his recovery.