Evening Update 16 Jan

French ministers are to meet tomorrow to accelerate plans for a no-deal Brexit. The country is speeding up preparations, and has already recruited extra customs agents for the Channel ports. Following last nights dramatic rejection of the Brexit deal, the British government today faces a no-confidence vote, which will be held around 8pm this evening French time.

In Menton the bus strike at Zest Bus is to continue with another day of action by drivers tomorrow. Details of disturbances can be found on ZestBuz.fr

As OGC Nice prepare to take on AS Monaco, in one of the biggest matches of the year, Nice supporters will not be making their traditional trip to Stade Louis II on scooters. Normally, hundreds of fans make their way on two wheels to Monaco, but the trip has been cancelled this year, due to it being a mid-week match with an unusually early start.

Flu across the PACA region has officially reached epidemic proportions, with nine people across France already dying from the virus. All the dead are adults including five aged 65 or over. To protect yourself, health authorities recommend washing hands frequently, sneezing into your elbow (rather than your hands) and if you contract any ‘flu like symptoms, to wear a disposable mask.

Teachers’ unions have sent an open letter to the Education Minister asking for tests, to be taken by first year primary school students, to be scrapped. The teachers say they are pointless, promote anxiety, and are inappropriate for CP students who have yet to learn how to read.

BUSINESS

Renault are moving to replace boss Carlos Ghosn who is in detention on charges of financial misconduct. While the CEO of Renault denies all the charges, and the company have stood behind him, lawyers now estimate he could be in custody for many more months to come.

China's central bank has pumped $83 billion into its banking system, in a sign that the economy could be under enormous stress. The yield on 10-year government bonds fell below 3.1% today, its lowest in more than two years. 

UK inflation fell two percentage points in December, down to 2.1%. The figure is close to the Bank of England's target of 2% and may mean the Bank is less likely to consider rate rises in the near future.

SPORT

Football - Tonight’s derby between OGC Nice and AS Monaco is not just about the two teams facing off .. it’s also about the two managers clashing. Monaco’s Thierry Henri and OGC Nice’s Patrick Vieira are both former France national players and former teammates at Arsenal.  

Tonight’s game, could be closer than thought, as Monacos tremendous point in Marseille on Sunday, has pumped a bit of wind back into their sails. It means they have now lost just one of their last five games, after losing four of the previous five. Nice are also bouncing back after a six game losing streak, after a one-nil win against Bordeaux at the weekend.

The atmosphere at Stade Louis II will definitely be electric for kickoff at 7pm this evening.  

Rugby - Touloun are to lose Malakai Fekitoa to Wasps, as the player announced an undisclosed length contract with the UK club. Fekitoa is halfway through his second season with Toulon.

Tennis - Britains Dan Evans gave defending champion Roger Federer a run for his money today,with a very close 7-6 7-6 6-3 game. Federer complimented the UK player afterwards, cheekily saying it was like playing himself in the mirror. Federer next plays Taylor Fritz in the third round, after the American dispatched Gael Monfils from France.

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