There were only ten arrests in the Alpes-Maritimes and none in the Var in connection with last night's World Cup match between France and Morocco. However, litter bins were ignited by a small group of youths on the Avenue Jean Medecin in Nice who were dispersed by police using tear gas. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said that he saluted the behavior of the supporters who as a whole were respectful but denounced what he called "the thugs who took advantage of the match to burn garbage cans and try to sow disorder".
Three companies have appeared before the criminal court in Grasse today accused of allowing their customers to swim with dolphins from boats they operated. Legislation is in force which regulates the distance boats are permitted to approach dolphins. The prosecutor has requested suspended prison sentences as well as fines and the confiscation of boats. The court's verdict is expected to be delivered in January.
Consumer prices in France increased by 6.2% year on year in November, which is the same figure as in October. French government statistics office INSEE said that manufactured goods rose by 4.4% and food prices by 12.1%. Despite the decline of fuel rebates, the rise in energy prices slowed slightly to 18.4% in November, from October's 19.1%.
A security control operation has taken place during the boarding of a ferry from Toulon to Corsica. The National Police, French Customs, the Maritime Police and the Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry were involved in the operation which was carried out by 30 staff and 4 dogs specialized in the discovery of weapons and narcotics. 130 vehicles were checked which resulted in the seizure of eight weapons, one detention for narcotics, one use of false documents and two drivers without driving licences.
Meteo France have a yellow warning for storms in the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes until 7pm this evening and also for heavy rain and flooding until 11pm tonight in the Var and until midnight tonight in the Alpes-Maritimes. There are also yellow warnings for high waves in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var from 7pm this evening until 6am in the Var and until midday tomorrow in the Alpes-Maritimes. Full details can be found on www.meteofrance.com
A strike by SNCF signal operators is starting this evening, Thursday, at 8pm and will run until Monday at 8am. The SNCF have said that train traffic will be slightly disrupted on certain lines, including on TER and TGV trains. The government has said that it expects only about 20 cancellations tomorrow out of 700 services on TGV lines and most of those will be on the Paris-Bordeaux line.
BUSINESS
The Bank of England has increased interest rates by 0.5% to 3.5%. Six members of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee voted in favour of the half per cent rise, but two others voted to keep rates at 3% and one member voted for a rise to 3.75%.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank has raised its deposit rate by 0.5% to 2%. The ECB said that inflation remains "far too high" and that interest rates will still have to rise significantly "at a steady pace".
Industrial action by ground handlers at Heathrow airport is going ahead after the Unite Union and employer Menzies failed to reach agreement. Unite said that a 72 hour strike will begin at 4am UK time tommorrow. A further 72 hour strike is planned to start on 29 December. The action involves ground handlers at Terminals 2, 3 and 4 at Heathrow. The airport said it would support airlines to minimise the impact on passengers and pointed out that no flights were cancelled during similar industrial action last month. Menzies said it was "well prepared" for the action.
SPORT
Football... Arsenal defender Pablo Mari has returned to training with his loan club Monza two months after being stabbed in a supermarket. He had surgery to reconstruct two injured muscles in his back.
Cricket... England's women's team have beaten West Indies by 16 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the Twenty20 series in Barbados. It is England's fifth consecutive win on the tour after a 3-0 victory in the one-day internationals. There are three T20s remaining.
WORLD CUP REPORT
France will face Argentina in Sunday's final after their 2-0 win against Morocco last night. Argentina last won the World Cup 36 years ago. France aim to become the second country to win consecutive World Cups, after Brazil did so in Sweden in 1958 and then in Chile four years later. The final is on Sunday, with kick off at 4pm our time.
