Evening News Update Tuesday 27 November

Speaking earlier today, President Emmanuel Macron said he will not abandon the controversial fuel tax, but said he was open to ideas on revising how the fuel tax was applied. He said the tax could be adjusted when fuel prices rose to ease the burden on motorists. Commenting on the recent yellow vest protests, he said that he sympathised with his fellow citizens, but he would “not give in to violence." He also announced that France would close all coal powered power stations by 2022, along with a number of nuclear plants. Yellow vest protests were still being held at several motorway junctions in our area this afternoon, including Brignoles, Le Muy, Puget-sur-Argens and Frejus Est on the A8 and also at La Ciotat and Bandol on the A50.

In Marseille, prosecutors have opened a judicial investigation against persons currently unknown for “involuntary homicides” in connection with the recent building collapse. Eight people lost their lives in the collapse of the buildings on November 5th. 

A civil security exercise, involving personnel from Monaco and France, will take place this evening.  The exercise, which is designed to test procedures in case of an emergency in the Rainier III tunnel   connecting Monaco and the A8 means that the tunnel will be closed from 9pm to midnight tonight. The exercise will also involve the closure of the Albert II tunnel and several nearby roads.

A senior official in the French Senate has been arrested on suspicion of spying for North Korea, according to reports. He was arrested over the "collection and delivery of information to a foreign power” and is being questioned by the domestic security agency, the DGSI. The reports say that he is a senior civil servant, working for the Senate's department of architecture, heritage and gardens. He is also president of the Franco-Korean Friendship Association, which promotes closer ties with North Korea and supports the reunification of the divided Koreas.

The “Restos du Coeur” has launched its winter campaign in Nice. In its 34th year the movement collects food for those in need. There are over 680 volunteers in the Alpes Maritimes. For more information and donations you can call 04.92.08.00.80.

BUSINESS

Uber has been fined £385,000 for a security breach in 2016 in which hackers stole data on 2.7 million UK customers. Uber has also been fined 600,000 euros by data regulators in Holland over the same breach. 

Travel operator Thomas Cook has warned that its annual profits are set to be about £30m lower than expected. It’s the company’s second profit warning in two months. It also said its bookings for this winter were down three per cent on last year.

According to a new survey by the CBI, retail sales in the UK picked up in November. However, business expectations for the next three months dropped to their lowest level since May 2017.
Bank note and passport printer De La Rue has issued its first figures since losing the contract to make the UK's post-Brexit passports. Adjusted operating profit dropped 36% to £17m for the six months to the end of September but revenues were up 5%.

SPORT

Cricket… Yasir Shah claimed the second best match figures ever by a Pakistan bowler as they beat New Zealand by an innings and 16 runs in the second Test.  Shah finished with 14 for 184, behind  Imran Khan, who took 14 for 116 against Sri Lanka in 1982. New Zealand were dismissed for 312 on day four in Dubai, having been bowled out for 90 in their first innings. The series is now 1-1 with a single remaining match to play.

Football… Former England defender Sol Campbell has been appointed as manager of Macclesfield Town, the bottom club in the English Football League. It’s Campbell’s first managerial position. He played 73 times for England and appeared in six major tournaments.