Evening Update

A leading gillets jaunes activist has slammed donations from France’s billionaires, to help re-construct the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.

Ingrid Levavasseur denounced what she called the benefactors ‘inertia in the face of social misery’ while somehow they could make huge sums of money appear for the cathedral.

The Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi defended the donors saying they were business leaders who created thousands of jobs in our country. Monsieur Estrosi said the Nice-Cote d’Azur region would contribute €1 per inhabitant, or €700,000 to the Notre-Dame fund. He also called on the government to allow tax breaks for any private donations.

Following a special cabinet meeting on the tragedy today, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has announced an international architects’ competition to rebuild the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral. He said authorities have no estimation yet of the total cost of the renovation work, despite President Macron saying he wants the cathedral to be rebuilt within five years.

The A8 motorway has reopened between Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Menton after a major accident this morning. It happened after a heavy goods vehicle lost control and ripped over 50 meters of protective railing from the side of the road. Repairs are being carried out this afternoon causing some minor delays.

A study has shown life expectancy in France has gone from an average 66 years of age in 1950, to 82 years of age today. It means France has overtaken Sweden in the life expectancy stakes in Europe, while worldwide, the Japanese have the longest life expectancy of all, at 87 years.

BUSINESS

The EU has proposed tariffs on $20bn of US goods in a long-running dispute over Boeing aircraft subsidies. In turn, the US say they are considering tariffs on about $11bn worth of EU goods in response to Airbus subsidies.

Shares in Italian football giant Juventus fell by 22% on the Milan stock market this morning, after the club was knocked out of the Champions League by Ajax Amsterdam last night. By midday the shares had recovered slightly but were still down 15% at €1.43.

SPORT

Champions League - Porto are looking for an unlikely turnaround when they face Liverpool this evening, while Manchester City are hoping to overturn their narrow deficit when they host Tottenham.  Both games kick off at 9pm.

Manchester United defender Ashley Young has been the target of online racist abuse following their Champions League defeat to Barcelona last night. The club say they are working to identify the individuals involved and have promised to take the strongest possible action against them.

Rugby - Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder will leave the Premiership club at the end of the campaign to become head coach at Japanese side Toshiba. Blackadder signed a contract extension until the end of next season but has been granted an early release. Former captain Stuart Hooper is expected to take on Blackadder's role.

TENNIS MASTERS

Britain’s Cameron Norrie recovered from three games down to beat Marton Fuc.sovics and reach the Monte Carlo Masters last 16. He beat the Hungarian 7-6 6-3 in an hour and 46 minutes.

This afternoon, defending champion Rafael Nadal made his first appearance this year with a convincing win over Roberto Abu.tista Agut winning 6-1 6-1.