Evening Update Friday 16 September 2022

President Macron is set to travel to London on Sunday for the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen on Monday. He said that "it will be a moment of contemplation and emotion alongside the British people". He added that he had invited King Charles to visit France at a time appropriate for him.

Flights to and from France as well as flights crossing French airspace are being disrupted today because of a French air traffic control strike. Ryanair has cancelled 420 flights, most of which were scheduled to fly over France, affecting 80,000 passengers. It said that all passengers affected have been notified. EasyJet has cut 76 flights, saying that it had cancelled flights at the request of French authorities. British Airways has reportedly cancelled 22, while Air France said it was running 45% of its short-haul flights.

Anti-racism organisation SOS Racisme has filed a complaint against two private beaches in Juan-les-Pins. The organization alleges that during a test operation filmed with a hidden camera, the two beaches discriminated against customers based on race.

The mayor of a village in the Bouches-du-Rhone has ordered the closure of the town hall after cracks appeared in the building. He also ordered evacuation of all buildings within 80 metres of the town hall in Gignac-la-Nerthe between Martigues and Marseille, including a primary school even though it is beyond the 80 metre area. A geological survey has been commissioned, the results of which are expected next month.

 

BUSINESS

UK retail sales fell sharply in August as the rise in the cost of living continued to hit households. Sales volumes fell by 1.6% which was larger than expected. Sales across all retail sectors fell.

The World Bank has said that interest rate hikes by central banks around the world could trigger a global recession in 2023. It said that central banks have raised rates "with a degree of synchronicity not seen over the past five decades".

The German government has taken temporary control of several Russian-owned oil refineries in the country.  The three Rosneft refineries include a key facility in the northeast of the country which supplies around 90% of Berlin's fuel. The economy ministry claimed that the move was necessary to counteract an impending threat to energy security.

 

SPORT

Rugby Union....Worcester Warriors have been given permission to play this weekend after proving they can safely host matches. Sunday's Premiership game against Exeter can go ahead after they showed the Rugby Football Union they had obtained a general safety certificate. Both Worcester and Exeter delayed the announcement of their teams for Sunday while the issue around safety was being resolved, with the RFU having threatened to suspend Warriors from all competitions had they failed to be issued the relevant certificate. The RFU said they are "pleased the matter has been resolved".

Cricket... Middlesex fast bowler Umesh Yadav will miss their final two County Championship games with a thigh injury. He had been scheduled to return for the side's match at Leicestershire after rehab on the injury in India.

 

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