Evening Update 11 Oct

The death of two motorcyclists in a head-on collision at Golfe-Juan last night brings to 27 the number of motorcycle road deaths this year alone. A road safety expert, urging vigilance, said the majority of accidents happen during journeys to & from work and often when a car is turning left. Despite making up just 10% of road users, motorcyclists account for 57% of all road deaths.

Following a truck fire on the A8 Wednesday morning, which caused tailbacks lasting hours, Vinci AutoRoutes says it is ready to compensate users. It follows a motion passed by Nice Council directing the the motorway operator to offer refunds. People seeking compensation are invited to write outlining their claim, which will be examined on a case-by-case basis and limited to just the cost of a toll charge.

An investigation is to be held into the suicide of a teacher from an international school in Valbonne three weeks ago. The investigation will examine if the teachers working conditions may have led to his suicide.

BUSINESS NEWS

Sterling surged to a three-month high today amid investor optimism about a last-minute Brexit deal between Britain and the EU. The currency has rallied more than 3% since yesterday, its biggest two-day gain since before the referendum in June 2016 on leaving the EU.

French car manufacturer Renault has dismissed its chief executive with immediate effect in what’s being seen as a brutal and ruthless corporate bloodletting. The CEO was a close associate of former Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn who remains in police custody after being involved in a major financial scandal last year. It’s believed the sacking is to appease tensions between Renault and its industrial partner Nissan.

SPORT

Football – Despite missing Kylian Mbappe, Hugo Lloris and Paul Pogba, France are confident of their chances in their Euro 2020 qualifier tonight against Iceland. However, they’re not being complacent as Iceland’s main strength is their home form, where they are undefeated in nine European Championship qualifiers. Kick-off is at 8.45 tonight.

At the same time England will take on the Czech Republic while tomorrow Ireland face Georgia, Denmark play Switzerland and Malta line up against Sweden.

Formula 1 – All tomorrows activities have been cancelled at the Japanese Grand Prix as this years biggest typhoon is set to hit Japan. However, second practice has already taken place with Valtteri Bottas leading Lewis Hamilton to a Mercedes one-two. The race itself is expected to go-ahead on Sunday as planned.

MA NOLANS RUGBY WORLD CUP REPORT

In todays only game Australia laboured to victory over Georgia during a game played in swirling wind and rain as the season’s biggest typhoon approaches Japan. The Wallabies took 22 minutes to open the scoring eventually closing the game 27 – 8.

Tomorrow, the New Zealand/Italy and England/France games have been cancelled, leaving Ireland still in play against Samoa. The Irish need a bonus-point win to guarantee themselves a quarter-finals spot. The game will be shown live tomorrow lunchtime at Ma Nolans in Nice and Cannes.

As Sundays match between Scotland and hosts Japan hangs in the balance, Scottish Rugby says they believe they have a legal case against the games governing body should the game be cancelled, knocking Scotland out. Chief executive Mark Dodson argued that rugby fans around the world are absolutely astounded and thinks the match should be played on Monday if it cannot go ahead on Sunday.