Evening Update Monday 6 November 2023

Nine schools have been evacuated in the Alpes-de-Haut-Provence because of a bomb threat this morning. It follows e-mails received by schools saying that there were explosives on the premises. Security cordons were put in place and police were in attendance at each school. The Prefecture said that classes were taking place remotely.

The trial has begun in Paris of French Justice Minister Eric Dupond Moretti for illegal taking of interest. He's accused of using his position as Justice Minister to settle scores with magistrates he encountered whilst he was working as a lawyer. He denies any wrongdoing and says he followed the recommendations of his ministry.

A national day of industrial action will affect train services this Wednesday November 8. The SNCF have said that local TER traffic on the Nice - Tende and Nice - Ventimiglia lines will be affected. As usual, you can check your train the day before from 5 p.m. via the timetable search on https://www.ter.sncf.com/sud-provence-alpes-cote-d-azur

Ninety-three thousand homes in the north-west of France are still without electricity after last week's storm, according to electricity company Enedis. However, it said earlier today that 92.5% of customers who lost their power had now been reconnected.

A teenager is in a critical condition after being pushed into the port in Marseille over the weekend. Reports say that the 19 year old was pushed by a man in his twenties in the early hours of Sunday morning. The victim, who apparently couldn't swim, was pulled out by passers-by.

The theme of the 90th Menton Lemon Festival has been revealed along with the poster promoting the event. The festival takes place from 17 February to 3 March on the theme of the Olympics, which are taking place in France next year.

 

 

BUSINESS

Ryanair has reported a second half profit of €2.18bn, up from €1.37bn in the same period in the previous year. The company said that the increase was thanks to a strong Easter in the first quarter, record summer traffic and higher fares which offset significantly higher fuel costs in the half year. Passenger numbers rose 11% to a record 105.4 million in the half year.

The UK new car market grew by 14.3% which is 7.2% above pre-pandemic levels and marks the best month since 2018, according to the latest figures from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It's the 15th month of consecutive growth. The organization said that October's increase was driven almost entirely by large fleet registrations, which grew 28.8%. Private demand was stable. Electrified vehicle uptake continued to increase in October accounting for 37.6% of all new car registrations.

 

SPORT

Rugby Union...New Zealand captain Sam Cane has been banned for three games for his red card in the World Cup final. The red card was awarded for a high tackle. Cane intends to complete a tackling course which will reduce the ban by one game, meaning he'll miss two matches for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan which he's joining for a sabbatical year away from his club in New Zealand.

Cricket…Bangladesh have beaten Sri Lanka by three wickets in the World Cup. Sri Lanka batted first and were all out for 279. Bangladesh were 282 for 7.

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