A French government Covid-19 meeting is underway in Paris. Prime Minister Jean Castex is meeting with his ministers to take stock of the impact of the Omicron variant and the continuity of essential public services.
French Minister of Labour Elisabeth Borne and Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire have announced further support measures for businesses affected by Covid-19 restrictions. Amongst the measures, partial activity will be reimbursed at 100% with no out-of-pocket costs for all companies that are subject to new health restrictions if they observe a loss of turnover of at least 65%. The fixed costs system is also changing and will be accessible to certain companies from 50% loss of turnover. It was previously 65%. Bruno Le Maire also said that the fixed costs system will be extended to all companies in the tourism sector.
The French National Assembly is debating government proposals to transform the “health pass” into a “vaccine pass”. The proposed legislation also aims to tighten control measures and sanctions against false passes. The President of the National Assembly, Richard Ferrand, has tested positive for Covid-19 and is replaced by the Assembly's Vice-President, David Habib, for today's proceedings.
Several new anti-Covid measures have come into force in France today, including compulsory teleworking for employees for three days per week, four days if possible. A useful summary of all the rules, including those introduced today, can be found on the government's website https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus
The Monaco government is launching a large Covid-19 testing campaign for employees in the Principality. The objective of this voluntary screening is to quickly break the chains of contamination by detecting positive people. 50,000 free self-tests are being made available to employers.
The Public Prosecutor of Nice has said that he will request that a murder suspect is placed in pre-trial detention. The man in his 60's is the main suspect in the death of a 45 year old woman in Nice who was his former partner. The prosecutor, Xavier Bonhomme, said that a judicial information had been opened for murder. The body of the woman was discovered In the boot of a car on the boulevard de la Madeleine on Saturday.
A man who went missing from the Alpes-de-Haut-Provence on 27 December has been found safe and well in Marseille. Reports quote relatives of 33 year old Jesse as saying that he had been assaulted by theives but was otherwise fine.
Nice Mayor Christian Esrosi has welcomed Drap and Chateauneuf-Villevieille to the Nice Cote d'Azur Metropolis. The two communes were previously part of the municipalities of the Pays des Paillons. The Prefect of the Alpes Maritimes approved the transfer last month and the two areas became part of the Metropolis on 1st January. Christian Estrosi attended a ceremony this morning in the presence of Edmond Mari and Robert Nardelli, the mayors of Chateauneuf-Villevieille and Drap. Drap will be home to the planned terminus of line 5 of the Nice tramway.
The Cannes town hall has launched a scheme to recycle Christmas trees. Dozens of glass containers have been placed around Cannes where trees can be deposited. The trees will be used as mulching on the green spaces of the municipality or as a supply for collective composting sites. You can find an map of collection points on www.cannes.com
BUSINESS
New data shows that Turkey's annual inflation rate hit more than 36% in December. The Turkish lira lost 44% of its value against the US dollar last year as the country's President Tayyip Erdogan reduced interest rates and prioritised exports.
Chinese real estate company Evergrande has suspended trade in its shares in Hong Kong. The statement to the stock exchange did not give a reason. Investors are currently awaiting news on its restructuring plan. Evergrande has more than $300bn of debt and is raising cash by selling assets and shares to pay suppliers and creditors.
SPORT
Cricket....India captain Virat Kohli is out of the second Test against South Africa, which began earlier today. He's suffering from a back spasm. KL Rahul is standing in as skipper.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket. He made his international debut in 2003.
Cycling.... Chris Froome has suffered what he called a "setback" in his preparations for the 2022 season because of a knee injury. Speaking on his YouTube channel the 36 year old revealed that he has damaged a tendon in his knee in pre-season training. He said that he's taking a week away from riding before a gradual return.
Tennis.. French player Richard Gasquet has tested positive for Covid-19 and has had to withdraw from the ATP tournament in Australia. The Australian Open is due to start in two weeks time.
French president Emmanuel Macron has called for stronger, more integrated European defences as he outlined his vision for a more assertive European Un...
Read More
The Côte d'Azur is on alert for a surge in imported cases of dengue fever. Since the beginning of 2024, a record 1,679 imported cases have been record...
Read More
The post-mortem will take place next Monday for a 33-year-old man whose body was recently found in the Var after being missing for more than a month....
Read More
French scientists have been developing technological tools for the past four years to help athletes optimize their training for the Paris 2024 Olympic...
Read More
Nice airport says as many as 60% of flights will be cancelled tomorrow due to a nationwide strike by air traffic controllers....
Read More
