Evening Update Friday 3 February 2023

A man has been arrested for allegedly making "threats of an attack" on board a TGV train. The train was stopped by police at a TGV station in the Moselle department while on route from Colmar to Paris. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin praised the police involved in making the arrest and said that the "Travel Protect" system "proves its effectiveness every day for the safety of French people in transport".

Supporters of OGC Nice have been banned from attending the match against Marseille on Sunday. The Prefect of Police for the Bouches du Rhone said that previous meetings of supporters of the two clubs had led to "serious disturbances to public order" and several police orders had been made "to ensure the smooth running of this sporting event".

It's been announced that the Olympic flame for the 2024 Olympic Games will begin in Marseille. France is hosting the games in 2024. The flame will be lit in Greece and then transported to Marseille on board the Belem, a three masted nineteenth century ship. The flame will arrive in Marseille in April 2024 before beginning its journey through France, finally arriving at the opening ceremony in July.

The Var prefecture has reminded motorists to check their preparations for winter driving ahead of possible cold weather on Monday. There's been an obligation to have snow chains or to equip your vehicle with winter tires in 28 municipalities in the north of the Var, which has been in place since November 1.

Legendary French Fashion designer Paco Rabanne has died at the age of 88. Paco Rabanne was born in Spain in 1934 and fled to France during the Spanish Civil War and launched his own fashion house in the 1960's. Paying tribute, Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said that his "creative genius, his innovative and avant-garde vision marked the history of fashion and inspired countless vocations".

 

BUSINESS

The US economy added 517,000 new jobs in January. The figure was far higher than expected. December's figure was also revised upwards. The government said that the growth in jobs was widespread, led by gains in hospitality, professional and business services and healthcare.

Train services in England have been severely disrupted because of industrial action today. Drivers who are members of the Aslef union are striking at fourteen train companies in a long running dispute over pay. It's the second 24 hour strike affecting train services this week, with drivers also striking on Wednesday.

 

SPORT

Motorsports... Ford are returning to Formula 1 after more than 22 years out of the sport. The company announced that it will be participating in the 2026 season for the first time since 2004. The team will part-fund Red Bull's engine from 2026 taking over from Honda.

Football... In the Premier League this evening Chelsea are at home to Fulham - kick off is at 9pm French time. Tomorrow Everton play Arsenal, Aston Villa are at home to Leicester, Brentford face Southampton, Brighton are at home to Bournemouth, Manchester United play Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton play Liverpool and Newcastle are at home to West Ham. On Sunday Nottingham Forest are at home to Leeds and Tottenham are at home to Manchester City.

 

RUGBY REPORT

The Six Nations Championship gets underway tomorrow as Wales play Ireland at 3.15pm French time. England play Scotland at 5.45pm with Ollie Hassell-Collins making his England debut and it will be Steve Borthwick's first game as England head coach. Scotland are unbeaten in their last two matches at Twickenham.

Liam Williams will start at full-back for Wales in their match against Ireland in Cardiff. Leigh Halfpenny is out because of injury. Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong isn't playing and is replaced by Finlay Bealham.

On Sunday, France will start the defence of their six nations title against Italy at 4pm French time. Italy have only won three of their previous 46 meetings with France.

 

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