Evening Update Friday 17 November 2023

Details of the number of road accidents in the Var have been published by the Prefecture. Since January, 51 people have died on the department’s roads - 19 on motorized 2 wheelers, 15 in cars, 9 pedestrians, 2 cyclists, 2 on electric scooters, 2 in SUVs and 2 in heavy goods vehicles.

An investigation for attempted murder has been opened after a man allegedly shot his wife in Nice. Reports say that the woman suffered slight injuries to the head after being shot in the Ariane district of the city last night. Police are attempting to locate the suspect.

The prefect of Var has issued a statement condemning what he referred to as "the vile and unacceptable damage" at the home of the mayor of Saint Mandrier-sur-Mer. On the night of November 15 to 16 a swastika was painted on a exterior wall of the home of the mayor. The Prefect said that he "condemns these acts in the most extreme firmness" and assures the mayor of his support.

Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi has held a meeting with local residents of the Promenade du Paillon construction site. Project managers made a presentation detailing progress of the demolition works at the site. The mayor said that asbestos removal in the building at the site is now completed, which allows the demolition to be fully carried out. This will be made possible by the arrival of a giant crane, capable of extending over 30 metres, to demolish the tallest concrete structures.

The mother of 17 year old Nahel who was fatally shot by police in Naterre in the summer has called for a demonstration to be held on Sunday. It follows the realese of the police officer accused of his shooting from pre-trial detention earlier this week. There were riots in many cities across France following the teenager's death last June.

The National Police have reminded users of social networks to report illegal content, calls for violence, incitement to racial hatred, discrimination or apology of terrorism they may see on social networks. The police said that people should not share such items and should report them on the PHAROS platform. More details are available on https://internet-signalement.gouv.fr/PharosS1/

 

BUSINESS

The volume of retail sales in the UK fell 0.3% in October, following a fall of 1.1% in September, according to estimates by the Office for National Statistics. Automotive fuel sales and food sales both fell. Non-food sales also fell, with retailers surveyed by the ONS suggesting that the cost of living, reduced footfall and the wet weather in the second half of the month contributed to the decline.

Bank of England Deputy Governor Sir Dave Ramsden has said that he believes a "restrictive" UK interest rate policy "is likely to be warranted for an extended period of time" to bring inflation down sustainably to the Bank's 2 per cent target. Speaking to a meeting of economists today he also said that he wouldn't rule out an increase in rates in response to "evidence of more persistent inflationary pressures".

European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde has called for the EU to establish a single regulator of capital markets similar to the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States. Speaking at the European Banking Congress in Frankfurt today she said that Europe’s capital market remains too fragmented.

 

SPORT

Football... Everton have received an immediate 10-point deduction after being found to have breached the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. The decision means that Everton are now 19th in the table. The club said it was "both shocked and disappointed" by what it called the "wholly disproportionate and unjust" ruling and said it intends to appeal.

Motorsports... The first day of the Las Vegas Grand Prix has been hit by problems with the new street track. The first session was called off after just nine minutes when Carlos Sainz's Ferrari hit a loose manhole cover, badly damaging his car. The second session started two and a half hours late. When track running finally finished, Charles Leclerc led Carlos Sainz, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was third and and Red Bull's Sergio Perez was in fourth.

Football... Supporters of Amsterdam club Ajax have been banned from travelling to their club's away game at Olympique de Marseille. A prefectoral decree was issued to prohibit them attending next Thursday's game at the Velodrome. The move follows an attack on a bus carrying Lyon players last month.

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