Evening Update Weds 15th January

Thousands of homes across the Riviera will be hundreds of euro richer from today thanks to a 5.5-billion-euro tax credit handout by the government. The credit, worth an average 628 euro per household, is for expenses claimed in last year’s tax returns including charitable donations, employees in the home, childcare or even nursing home expenses.

Victims of Fr Bernard Preynat have been lining up in court in Lyon describing abuse they suffered at the hands of the paedophile priest. The 74-year-old is accused of assaulting at least 80 young boys throughout the 80s and 90s and faces ten years in prison if convicted.

Following the bus crash Monday which injured up to 20 people north of Antibes, the speed limit across the Valmasque d'Antibes bridge has been reduced to 30km/h. The city mayor also announced reinforcement works will take place within the coming weeks.

In Monaco, the Prince Albert Foundation has announced it will assist Australia to restore eco-systems being ravished by bushfires sweeping the country. Using the network of Honorary Consuls in Australia, it will identify organisations and projects to support. Meanwhile Australians and the concerned international community across the Riviera are set to gather on Saturday week, the 25th of January, at the Duke in Antibes for a region-wide fundraiser.

Staying in Monaco, the Minister of the Interior has revealed crime rates in the Principality has dropped 16% since 2016. The Minister attributes this to the effectiveness and diligence of the Public Safety Department.

BUSINESS

Civil Aviation Monaco have announced their new head will be Jérôme Journet. Monsieur Journet worked for more than ten years with Parisian airports.

Meanwhile, IAG has filed an EU complaint arguing Flybe's rescue breaches state aid rules after the UK government announced plans to defer some of Flybe's air passenger duty payments, thought to top £100m. EasyJet and Ryanair said taxpayer funds should not be used to save a rival.

SPORT

Football - The atmosphere is electric in Monaco as the principality braces itself for the second leg of AS Monaco’s incredible match against Paris St-Germain tonight.  On Sunday the red’n’whites scored three goals against PSG, the first time in nearly ten years that the Parisian’s have conceded three goals at home in the league.

The 3-3 draw at Parc des Princes has continued Monaco’s recent promising form, which has seen Robert Moreno’s team on a five-game unbeaten run. Monaco’s attacking prowess has been key to that recent improvement, as they have found the net at least twice in four of their last five league outings. Star striker Wissam Ben Yedder has been in lethal form this season, scoring 14 times in 17 Ligue One appearances.

If tonight’s clash is as good as the weekend meeting in Paris, we are in for a treat. The game kicks off at Stade Louis II at 9pm.

Tennis - Nine French players take to the Melbourne courts later today including 21 year-old Niçois Elliot Benchetrit who will face his Bordeaux club teammate Steve Darcis.

Conditions are expected to be much better for tomorrows play after heavy rain overnight. Yesterday a number of players had to leave the court with sore chests and breathing problems. Tournament organisers say they are working with authorities and monitoring the fitness of air quality on an hourly basis.

Formula 1 - Israeli Roy Nissany is to be Williams' test driver in for 2020. The 25-year-old, who last raced in Formula 2 in 2018, will drive in three practice sessions and one test as part of his role.

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