Evening Update Thursday 5 January 2023

President Macron has announced that certain businesses will be able to renegotiate their electricity supply contracts. He said he was “tired” of people making excessive profits because of the crisis. He said that very small businesses who were being charged above the reference price at the end of last year set by the Energy Regulation Commission would be able to renegotiate their contract.

Trains between Cannes and St Raphael were interrupted in both directions early this morning after a train was in collision with a car. The car had fallen onto the tracks near St Raphael. The driver managed to get out of the vehicle before it was hit and didn't suffer any injuries. There was disruption to train services for much of the day but normal service has now resumed.

Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi has announced that the city will host the finals of the Ironman athletic event for the next four years. The finals for men and for women will alternate between Nice and Hawaii for the next four years. The mayor hailed the economic benefits of hosting the event saying that a study by the Ironman organization suggests an average spend of 200 euros per day per person and an average stay of seven days in Nice.

A motorist in his sixties has been charged with intentionally killing a 21 year old motorcyclist in Hyeres. The incident happened on 6 December and the accused was arrested on 2 January. He admits having caused the fatal accident with his utility vehicle but denies it was deliberate.

A school in the Alpes-Maritimes was evacuated after a  bomb threat this morning. Reports say that the Lyce