Evening Update Monday 10 June

Taxi drivers in Nice have expressed their anger at being threatened with summonses after the France v Norway match at the Allianz Stadium.  The taxi drivers say that police threatened summonses despite the taxis being the requisite 300 metres away from the stadium. The distance is set by law for security reasons. The drivers also allege that VCT vehicles, which are supposed to operate on a reservation only system, were present in large numbers and were allowed to solicit customers.

A 62 year old motorcyclist has died after apparently losing control of his bike in Nice this afternoon. The incident happened on the boulevard du Mercantour in the west of Nice.  There were no other vehicles involved and authorities are still trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Fifteen thousand people have gathered to pay tribute to the three lifeboat crew who lost their lives in storms off western France last week. The tribute took place earlier today on the beach at Sables-d'Olonne in the Vendée department. About one hundred boats gathered offshore as local mariners also paid their tribute to the three men who were lost after going to the aid of a trawler in difficulties in the storm.

Five people have been injured after a collision on the RD25 between Sainte-Maxime and Le Muy this lunchtime. The accident involved two vehicles, apparently travelling on opposite sides of the road. One of the injured was airlifted to hospital in Toulon suffering from back injuries.

Traffic restrictions will affect the Promenade des Anglais for the next month.  Works are being carried out to improve security and to renovate the area.  Only the southern carriageway, in other words the one nearest the sea, will be affected and all the works are scheduled to be carried out overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on every other night.  The voie rapide will be kept fully open throughout this period.

Twelve French orphans, whose parents were members of the Islamic State, have been transferred to French authorities by Kurdish officials. The children, who had been living in camps run by Kurdish forces, arrived in Paris today after being handed over to a French delegation yesterday. The French government says that, in total, there are about 450 French nationals linked to IS who are still in prisons or camps in Syria.


BUSINESS

The UK economy contracted 0.4% in April from the previous month, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics.  The ONS said the contraction was because of a "dramatic" fall in car production because of Brexit related planning by the automotive industry and also an easing of stockpiling by manufacturers.

The UK and South Korea have signed an outline free trade agreement that seeks to maintain existing trade arrangements after Brexit. The agreement marks the first post-Brexit trade deal the UK has secured in Asia. Reports say that its terms are broadly in line with the terms of the existing Korea-EU free trade agreement.

Thomas Cook has received a takeover approach for its tour business from a Chinese firm. Chinese company Fosun is already Thomas Cook's largest shareholder, and also owns the Club Med holiday business. Thomas Cook said it was in talks with Fosun, but added there could be "no certainty that this approach will result in a formal offer".

 

SPORT

Cricket…The South Africa against West Indies world cup match has been abandoned because of rain today. South Africa were 29 for 2 with 42.3 overs left when rain stopped play in Southampton.

Indian player Yuvraj Singh has retired from international cricket. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011 but returned after treatment. He played in 40 Tests, 304 one-day internationals and 58 “T20s” in an international career that spanned 13-years. He will, however, continue to play in domestic T20 leagues.

Tennis… Venus Williams has confirmed she will play at the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham later this month. Also playing in the tournament at the Edgbaston Priory Club will be world number one Naomi Osaka and French Open champion Ashleigh Barty and defending champion Petra Kvitova. The tournament runs from 15-23 June.

Cycling…Belgian rider Jolien D'hoore has taken the Green Jersey on the first stage of Britain's biggest women's pro-cycling race.  The 157.6km first stage of the OVO Energy Women's Tour started this morning in Beccles in Suffolk and finished this afternoon in Stowmarket. There are six stages in total, the final one being in Wales on Saturday.

 

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