Meteo France have an Orange weather warning in force for strong winds in the Var until 10pm this evening. It then becomes a Yellow warning until 2am. Meteo France said earlier today that gusts will frequently reach 80-100 km per hour. Gusts above 100 km / h are expected to be widespread throughout the Var department. It said that near the reliefs to low altitude, the gusts can reach 120 to 130 km / h, in particular on an axis going from the Haut-Var to Sainte-Beaume and the Monts Toulonnais. It said that on the coast of the Var gusts should rarely exceed 110 km / h. The strong winds are expected to subside quite quickly in the evening in the east of the department. Full details of the weather warnings are available on www.meteofrance.com
The Monaco government has announced the extension of remote working for all jobs that allow it until March 4. It said that the objective is to maintain the limitation of the spread of the virus, by reducing the flow of people in the Principality, as well as professional interactions, while maintaining economic activity. The government said that local and regional data indicate a worrying deterioration in the health situation. It said that the incidence rate in Monaco is also increasing sharply and the tension in the hospital has increased considerably in recent days with a sharp increase in the number of patients. It said that not since the start of the epidemic have such a number of Covid-positive patients been treated at the Princess Grace Hospital.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has been in Marseille today. He laid the foundation stone of a new headquarters building for the RAID elite national police unit. During his visit the minister also met with local elected officials and visited a company which produces an ultra-resistant smartphone adapted to assist law enforcement.
Provisional figures released today by French government agency Secutite Routiere show that there were 297 fewer deaths on French roads in 2021 than in 2019. 2,947 people lost their lives on the roads of mainland France in 2021 which is down by 9% compared to 2019 but up by 16% compared to 2020.
VINCI Autoroutes have said that toll rates for the vast majority of short-distance journeys on their network will not increase in 2022. The Nice bypass between Saint Isidore and Antibes will benefit from the announcement, with toll prices being frozen for the rest of this year.
The French government has announced that the “Culture Pass” will be extended to young people aged 15 to 17, who will be able to benefit from 20 euros the year they turn 15, 30 euros the year they turn 16 and 30 euros the year they turn 17.The amount allocated can be carried over from one year to the next if it is not fully spent. In total, the system allows young people to have access to 380 euros of cultural products and activities.
TER Sud and the management of the lignes Côte d'Azur have joined forces with the Pieces Jaunes fund raising operation. The campaign is an annual event by the Fondation des Hôpitaux to raise funds for the improvement of lives of children and adolescents in hospital. You can find donation boxes at local stations.
BUSINESS
Growth in the Eurozone slowed significantly in the final quarter of 2021 according to data published today. Growth of 0.3% was recorded in the October to December period, down from 2.3% in the previous quarter. The German economy contacted by 0.7% in the final quarter while French GDP grew by 0.7%.
Ryanair has reported a net loss of €96m for the final three months of 2021. The airline lost €321m in the same quarter in the previous year. It said that Omicron had severely damaged peak Christmas and New Year bookings and fares. In the company's third quarter report, CEO Michael O'Leary said that the outlook for pricing and yields for the remainder of its 2022 finacial year "is hugely uncertain". He also said that what he called "the tsunami of State Aid" from EU governments to their insolvent flag carriers "will distort EU competition and prop up high cost, inefficient, flag carriers for some years" and added that Ryanair was "one of very few airlines during the Covid crisis to place significant new aircraft orders, to expand our airport partnerships and to secure lower operating costs".
Output from China's factories slowed slightly in January according to official data. The Chinese Purchasing Managers Index fell to 50.1 from 50.3 last month. A figure below 50 would show contraction.
SPORT
Football... Frank Lampard has become Everton's new manager on a two and a half year deal. The former Chelsea player and manager replaces Rafael Benitez who left the club earlier this month.
Brentford have signed Denmark and former Tottenham player Christian Eriksen on a six-month deal. He hasn't played since suffering a cardiac arrest during Denmark's match against Finland at Euro 2020 last June.
Motorsports...Formula 1 has announced that it will make Covid-19 vaccines mandatory for all personnel this year. It will mean that no personnel will be able to work within the paddock without being fully vaccinated.
Cricket... Former England player Tim Bresnan has announced his retirement. The 36 year old played in 23 Tests and has most recently played for Warwickshire at county level.
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...
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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....
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French scientists have been developing technological tools for the past four years to help athletes optimize their training for the Paris 2024 Olympic...
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Nice airport says as many as 60% of flights will be cancelled tomorrow due to a nationwide strike by air traffic controllers....
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After eight months of work and several sea trials, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has begun a six-week operation in the Mediterranean, ...
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