French Minister of the Sea Annick Girardin has said that funds could be made available to compensate owners of French fishing boats who do not get a licence to fish in British waters. Speaking at a conference in Finistere this morning she said that 40 to 60 million euros could be made available. Negotiations between the governments of the UK, France, Guernsey and Jersey regarding post-Brexit fishing licences are still ongoing after heated disputes in the past few months.
The French parliament has adopted a new law designed to prevent the abuse of animals. Under the legislation the sale of kittens and puppies in pet stores will be prohibited from 1 January 2024. Other provisions include the introduction of a "certificate of commitment and knowledge" which will be issued before the purchase of a pet in order to reduce the number of abandoned animals. It also provides for the gradual prohibition of the use of wild animals in circuses, but doesn't include provisions regarding hunting, which had been called for by some parliamentarians.
President Macron has been giving the closing address at the annual gathering of the Mayors of France Association in Paris this afternoon. He paid tribute to the mayors saying that they had always been in the heart of crises, dealing with such matters as flooding, terrorist attacks and social mouvements. He condemned violence against elected officials saying the reaction to such incidents must be immediate and "the sanction decisive".
Authorities have conducted a large anti-drugs operation in Marseille. The local prosecutor said that 23 people had been arrested after raids in the 15th, 14th, 13th and 3rd arrondissements.
A special drone light show is taking place this evening in Monaco at 8pm. It's part of the festivities organized by the Monaco Town Hall for this year's National Day. 196 light drones will fly in the sky above the Palace for 12 minutes of a show imagined and choreographed by the MC-Clic company. It will all take place with a musical accompanyment and will be visible from the fair on the Port of Monaco. In addition, a secure area with sound will be reserved for the public on the north side of the port.
BUSINESS
New unemployment claims in the United States have dropped to their lowest level since the pandemic began. The US Department of Labour said that there were 268,000 initial jobless claims in the week ending 13 November, which is 1,000 less than the previous week.
New passenger car registrations in the EU fell by 30.3% in October, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline this year amist the ongoing semiconductor supply shortage. Trade body the European Automobile Manufacturers Association said that it was the weakest result in volume terms for a month of October since records began. Over the first 10 months of 2021, new car registrations in the EU were up 2.2% compared to one year earlier, totalling around 8.2 million units.
House of Fraser has said that it will be vacating it's store on London's Oxford Street. The business said that it had been served notice by its landlord. Planning permission has reportedly been given for the building to be converted into offices, retail spaces and a restaurant.
SPORT
Cricket.... The Ashes in Melbourne will be played at full crowd capacity after Covid-19 restrictions were eased in the state of Victoria. State Premier Dan Andrews said there would no longer be limits on gatherings at major sporting events. The decision means that the Australian Open Tennis tournament in January can also be played in front of capacity crowds.
Rugby Union... Several Wales players have been announced as fit to start in the match against Australia on Saturday. Josh Adams, Tomas Francis and Aaron Wainwright are all in the starting squad.
Meanwhile, England have said that Bevan Rodd and Jamie Blamire will be in the starting squad for the match against South Africa. Joe Marler, who's been isolating because of Covid-19, is named on the bench. Courtney Lawes is captain, replacing the injured Owen Farrell.
