The body of a man has been discovered on the Cap de Nice this morning. It is thought that the man’s death may be suicide. Local reports say that he arrived in the area on a bike and threw himself onto the rocks. A helicopter was used this lunchtime to recover the body.
The results have been released of a survey showing the impact of the Yellow Vest movement on businesses in the Alpes Maritimes. The Chamber of Commerce of Alpes-Maritimes carried out the study at the beginning of February, in which almost 1,200 businesses participated. One third of shops participating in the survey experienced declines in business of between 10 and 20%. 54% of shop owners said that they are worried by the yellow vest movement.
Security forces are conducting exercises in the centre of Cannes today. Authorities say that noises similar to gunshots or explosions may occur as part of the exercises, which are centred around the rue d'Antibes and the Croisette.
Vegitation is being burned off by the authorities in several communes in the arriere pays of Nice today. The actions are planned and controlled and are preventive burns on livestock lands.
The Prefecture of the Alpes Maritimes has reminded skiiers of the safety precautions they should take for off-piste skiing in the light of the raised risk of avalanches at the moment. The avalanche risk is estimated at 3 out of 5 in the Alpes-Maritimes and the prefecture say that 80 per cent of avalanches involving people are triggered at level 3 and on relatively gentle slopes. The Prefecture say to ensure that you are in good physical condition, never go out without the necessary equipment – a shovel, probe and avalanche victim system, check the weather and the stability of the snowpack and never go out alone.
A bank in the Place de la Libération in Nice has suffered damage after an attack by a man who had been using the cash machine. When the man was unable to withdraw enough cash from the machine, he attacked the entrance to the bank, which has been closed for much of the day today to allow repairs to be carried out. After being apprehended by police, the man returned to the branch to apologise for his actions. The bank has announced its intention to file a complaint.
A large chalet near Valberg has been partially destroyed by fire. According to reports, the second floor and roof were on fire when firefighters arrived. The fire broke out at the residence in a hamlet between Valberg and Péone last night. Firefighters have been at the scene today to ensure that the fire is fully extinguished.
Fans of petanque will learn next week if it’s to become an Olympic sport. The Summer Olympics are being hosted by France in 2024 and the French Petanque Federation is hoping that the sport will be represented at the games for the first time. In Marseille, pétanque is already an international sport with the "Mondial à Pétanque" held each year bringing together 15,000 players from 27 different countries around the world.
BUSINESS
Inflation in the UK fell to a two-year low in January, mostly because of falling energy bills and fuel prices. The Office for National Statistics said CPI inflation was 1.8% last month, down from 2.1% in December.
Ford has said a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic for the company's manufacturing operations in the UK and that it would do "whatever is necessary" to protect its business. The comments were made after a report in the Times newspaper that the carmaker was stepping up preparations to move production out of the UK because of Brexit.
President Donald Trump has said he could extend the 1st March deadline to reach a trade deal with China if good progress is being made in talks. Chinese and US officials will hold high-level discussions this week aimed at halting their trade war. US officials had previously said 1st March was a hard deadline for achieving a deal.
All flights in and out of Belgium have been cancelled for today to strike action. Strikes started at 10pm yesterday and will run for 24 hours. The day of national strikes, called by Belgium's three major trade union federations, follows a disagreement over wage growth.
SPORT
Cricket… West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been banned for the first four one-day internationals against England. Gabriel accepted an ICC charge over comments he made to England captain Joe Root during the third Test in St Lucia. Gabriel now has eight demerit points in a two-year period, resulting in a four-match ODI ban.
Golf…It’s been announced that golf's biggest first prize will be awarded at the European Tour's season-ending event in Dubai in November. The winner will net $3m. The aim is to encourage more big name players to complete the Race to Dubai. The overall prize fund remains at $8m.
Formula 1… Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said that the team are taking nothing for granted this season. Mercedes have won the past five constructors' championships. He was speaking at the launch of Mercedes' 2019 car, which has been under development for the past 16 months. Meanwhile, Williams have reportedly cancelled a planned 'shakedown' run of their new car in Barcelona this weekend. Williams say they are trying to maximise development time on the car. The Formula 1 season begins in Melbourne on 17 March.
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