French and Local News Friday 25th January 2019

Local 

Plane diverted -A flight from Paris to Tunisia has been diverted to Nice International Airport after violent behaviour from one of its passengers. According to reports a 30 year old man was acting violently towards stewards before attempting to enter the cockpit. The flight landed in Nice shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday.

International Congress for Victims of Terrorism - The city of Nice will, for the first time hold the international Congress for Victims of Terrorism. From November 21st to 23rd victims of terror attacks from all over the world will meet in Nice. It will be the 8th Congress of its type with victims from 35 different countries expected.

Weather - A level two cold weather plan has been put into place in the Vauclause. The Prefect activated the plan due to particulary low temperatures expected in the region. -10 degrees was recorded this morning. Following the announcement an accomodation centre providing emergency shelter was set up in Avignon. The cold spell is expected to last into the weekend.

Drivers launch operation escargot in Marseille today - Private hire car drivers have announced strike action in Marseille today with an operation escargot planned around the airport from 1pm. The drivers are protesting against tensions with taxi drivers and the governments general disregard for their profession.

Football - Monaco have sacked manager Thierry Henry after twenty games in charge. The news was announced on Thursday saying he had been suspended. However according to reports this is merely a procedure and Henry is believed to have left the club. Leonardo Jardim is expected to replace Thierry Henry.

National

Yellow Vests - The Yellow Vest protest movement has named 10 candidates for the May European Parliament elections but says it aims to expand the list to 79. Raillement d'initiative Citoyenne has a range of aims from forcing Emmanuel Macron to resign to obtaining significant tax reductions and better public services.

Meanwhile French media has described the Presidents surprise apparence at a people's debate  on Thursday as a "political coup". Macron arrived at the debate in Bourg de Péage south of Lyon. Macron spent three hours at the debate, shorter than his previous gathering with 600 mayor which lasted nearly 7 hours, listening attentively to complaints from the gathering including some Yellow Vest protesters. Asked about his bankground in banking Macron was quick to make it clear that he had " worked hard to get where he was today and had not been born with a silver spoon in his mouth or into a banking family".

Business

The new chief executive of Goldman Sachs has said that a hard Brexit will negatively affect its investment plans in the UK. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, David Solomon said that there had been a hiring freeze in the UK over the past two years but that the bank had been expanding in the EU. He said that the outcome of Brexit would affect decisions about staff resources. Goldman Sachs currently employs 6,000 staff in the UK and Mr Solomon said that some staff have already been asked to move to locations elsewhere in Europe.

The President of the European Central bank has painted a gloomy outlook for the euro zone as he said that economic data had been weaker than expected and that risks to growth have increased.

Sport

Football - Chelsea are through to the English League Cup Final after beating Spurs on penalties. Chelsea won the penalty shoot out 4-2 and will meet Manchester City in the final at Wembley next month.

Formula One - The former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has described Sebastian Vettel as a "one trick pony" and says that he's overrated. Irvine saus that he can't understand how Vettel has won four World Championships and said that Lewis Hamilton is the best driver of the current era. Irvine raced for Ferrari from 1996 to 1999 and finished runner up in the 1999 Championship.

Rugby Union - There are three games in the Guinness Pro 14 tonight. Glasgow play Ospreys. Leinster face Scarlets and Ulster host Benetton.

Weather

Clear skies with light to moderate westerly or variable winds. Top temperature 14 degrees.

Overnight lows of 5 degrees on the coast and -2 degrees inland, with clear skies.

The weekend mainly fine highs of 12-14 degrees.

 

 

 

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