President Macron has presented a major new investment plan at the Elysee today in the presence of ministers, business leaders and elected officials. The "France 2030" plan aims to enable the country to achieve environmental, industrial, technological, health and cultural independence. President Macron said that the pandemic had shown the reliance of France on foreign economies and it was necessary to rebuild independent French and European production. He announced that 30 billion euros would be spent over five years to achieve this aim. Projects will include the continued develpoment of green hydrogen production, the develpoment of small scale nuclear reactors, increased production of electric and hybrid vehicles and the production of the first low carbon aircraft by 2030. The President also laid out plans to invest in agriculture, concentrating on the digital, robotics and genetic areas whilst using less pesticides and lowering carbon emissions. He said that three billion euros would be allocated to producing biomedicines for the treatment of serious diseases and steps would be taken to secure France's supply of raw materials and components.
The wearing of a mask in outdoor public spaces is no longer mandatory from today is most areas of Monaco. Because of the favourable evolution of the health situation, there is no longer an obligation to wear a mask in outdoor public spaces in the Principality, except in situations of significant public presence. A mask is still required on The Esplanade of the Fontvieille shopping centre, areas of access to public transport and in particular bus stops and service roads to the railway station, the Condamine and Monte-Carlo markets between 7 am and 2 pm. and the Place du Palais between 11 am and 12:30pm. A mask also remains mandatory in all enclosed spaces open to the public.
The Monaco government is opening a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to Monegasques and residents aged 65 and over, as well as for health professionals vaccinated for more than 6 months. The Government has just sent them a letter to offer them the opportunity to have a third dose of vaccine in order to strengthen their immune protection. The government is also reminding people of the importance of improving the vaccination rate and invites all people who have not been vaccinated to do so for their own protection and that of others.
Meanwhile, the Prefect of the Var has reminded residents that many vaccination appointments are available at the twelve permanent vaccination centres in the department. Vaccination is also possible at other locations such as a doctor or nurse's office and pharmacies.
The public prosecutor of Bayonne in south-west France has held a press conference this afternoon following the deaths of three people who were hit by a train early this morning. One person survived the incident and is in hospital but their life is not in danger. Jerome Bourrier said that all were of Algerian nationality and three of the four had been subject to deportation proceedings in Spain. At this stage only one of the victims, a 21 year old man, has been identified with certainty. He said that the victims were "lying down" and "the impact was inevitable".
Tributes have been paid to one of the Alpes-Martimes leading firefighters. Colonel Alain Degioanni was head of the operational coordination functional group. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi sent his deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and all of his colleagues.
Meanwhile, 87 cyclists left the Alpes-Maritimes this morning to cycle to Marseille in memory of two firefighters from the department. Bruno Kohlhuber lost his life whilst involved in rescue operations in Storm Alex last October. Fellow Alpes-Maritimes firefighter Jean-Pierre Ronchetti died in a cycling accident this summer.
TV executives from across the world are meeting in Cannes for MIPCOM. The event was originally launched is 1985 and brings together executives for several days of networking, creative exchange, screenings and talks.
BUSINESS
The number of job vacancies in the UK is at its highest level since comparable records began in 2001. The Office for National Statistics said that the number of job vacancies in the July to September quarter stood at 1,102,000, which is 318,000 higher than its pre-pandemic level in January to March last year.
Easyjet has said that the recent UK government announcement to remove and relax restrictions and testing has created positive booking momentum. The airline has added 100,000 seats for the October to December quarter with particularly strong demand for winter sun destinations. Capacity is now expected to be up to 70% of 2019 levels in the October to December period.
Economic sentiment in Germany decreased once again in October. The ZEW economic sentiment index fell 4.2 points from September to a new reading of 22.3. It's the fifth time in a row that the index has fallen. The organization said that the economic outlook for the German economy has "dimmed noticeably" and the decline is mainly due to supply chain bottlenecks.
SPORT
Rugby Union... The possibility of setting up a British and Irish Lions women's team is to be considered by a new feasibility group. It will be chaired by former Wales and Lions wing Ieuan Evans, who is a Lions board member. The 13 strong panel also includes England international Shaunagh Brown and Ireland's Niamh Briggs.
Cycling... Great Britain's squad for this month's Track Cycling World Championships in Roubaix has been announced. Olympic medalists Katie Archibald, Neah Evans and Josie Knight are in the women's endurance squad for the championships. The men's endurance squad includes Olympic Madison silver medallist Ethan Hayter and Olympians Charlie Tanfield, Ethan Vernon and Ollie Wood.
A man from Nice used a stolen bank card to make purchases in Monaco, spending over €1,700 in various shops, mostly on airpods that he planned to resel...
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Electric bike-sharing firm Pony says all of its vehicles will be back out on the streets of Nice no later than June, after they were withdrawn last mo...
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Gabriel Attal announced new measures In response to recent acts of violence among young people during a visit to Viry-Châtillon. Attal highlighted the...
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The owners of a vast floating artificial island that had been planned for last summer off the coast of Mandelieu have won a legal battle to be allowed...
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The Monegasque State has successfully conducted its first national voluntary surrender operation, with 123 firearms being handed over by private indiv...
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