News
Calls for rallies against the current wave of antisemitism in France -The Association of Mayors in France has called for rallies to be held against the current wave of antisemitism in France. Elected officials plan to gather in front of regional prefectures this Sunday afternoon to coincide with the march planned in Paris. The move comes after some where left surprised to not see any action being taken on a regional level in departments across France following the call from the Presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly to march on Sunday in the French capital.
Meanwhile, after having not given an answer as to whether they would attend the march in Paris France’s far-left political party La France Insoumise has announced plans to participate in another gathering “against the war and for a ceasefire” on Saturday in Paris. Speaking to French media a member of the party said "we are organizing this march to demand, as we will do every Saturday, that there be an immediate ceasefire and that the President of the Republic demands this ceasefire following in the footsteps of the Secretary General of the United Nations and even the Pope." Before adding that while “the LFI will no participate in the march against anti-Semitism on Sunday due to the participation of the far-right National Rally, they will be present at all initiatives to combat all forms of racism, hatred, discrimination, but without the far right, out of principal”. Sunday’s march between the National Assembly and the Senate is expected to see former French Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande attend as well as former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.
Macron rejects Israeli plans to push civilians into safe zones - It was on Thursday that French president, Emmanuel Macron, rejected Israeli plans to push civilians into safe zones in the south of Gaza adding that the world must pursue a humanitarian ceasefire which is the only way to save lives in the territory. Macron made the comments whilst opening a hastily assembled humanitarian conference in Paris attended by politicians, NGOs and leaders of the UN humanitarian movement. Macron described the proposal for safe zones in the south of Gaza as a very bad idea that would not guarantee safety because no political agreement existed for them. The conference did, however, hear support for a maritime humanitarian corridor from Cyprus to Southern Gaza. Israel rejected Macron’s invitation to the Paris conference, but the Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, attended and asked those present whether killing six children an hour was a sufficient bloodbath, saying: “this war was not against Hamas, but against all Palestinian people”, and urging the international community not to endorse the Israeli plan to force the people of Gaza to the south. Macron said he would speak to Israeli officials at the end of the conference.
Train traffic disrupted this weekend due to work being carried out on the line - Regional train traffic will be disrupted this weekend in the Var and the Alpes Maritimes due to work being carried out on the rail network. Three maintenance and modernization projects are being carried out by SNCF Réseau in Marseille and Cagnes-sur-mer impacting rail traffic on November 11 and 12. A coach service will be in place and to find out more about traffic conditions, during the work passengers are adviced to check on the SNCF website: https://www.ter.sncf.com/sud-provence-alpes-cote-d-azur/se-deplacer/info-trafic/travaux/interruptions-week-ends and www.sncf-connect.com. You can also call on 0 800 11 40 23.
Fire destroys chalet in the hinterland of Nice - A fire has destroyed a chalet in the hinterland of Nice. Firefighters intervened on Thursday evening shortly after 7.30pm in Valdeblore. The blaze ravaged the top floor and the roof of the chalet and is believed to have been started by a chimney fire. Luckily the occupants managed to escape, no one was injured and the fire did not affect any neighbouring properties.
Snowfall - The first snowflakes have fallen on the peaks of the Southern Alpes from Auron to Isola 2000 via Valberg. Thursday 9th November, saw snow cover the hilltops ahead of the season. Skiers will have to wait until December 2nd, before taking to the slopes, the planned date for our regions resorts to open.
World record for the largest oyster - The largest oyster in the world has been discovered near Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône. While the people of Marseille are affectionately known to occasionally exaggerate, Daniel Castejon was genuinely taken by surprise and at first thought it was a rock! Weighing 2.360 kg, 31 cm in length, 12 cm in width and 10 cm in thickness it is indeed an oyster. Speaking to local media he said, « we are facing the largest specimen in the world and against all expectations, in the Mediterranean, in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône”. Oysters in the Mediterranean are not common and the record for the largest oyster in the world, was until now held by an oyster farmer from Finistère.
Business
In the long-running saga between the EU, Apple and the Irish government a legal adviser to the European Court of Justice has argued that a ruling which allowed Apple to avoid paying €13bn (£11bn) in back taxes should be overturned. Three years ago, a ruling which found Apple had been given illegal tax breaks by the Irish government was overturned. But General Giovanni Pitruzzella at the Court of Justice said the case should be reviewed again arguing that a series of legal errors had been made.
Meanwhile, Apple has agreed to pay $25 million to settle a Department of Justice case alleging that the company illegally discriminated against US citizens during their hiring process. Apple was accused of not advertising positions on its external website and erecting hurdles such as requiring mailed paper applications.
US actors are expected to resume work after their union agreed a tentative deal with Hollywood studios to end a four-month strike. The shutdown - combined with a separate writers' strike - paralysed the entertainment industry and disrupted numerous major films and TV shows. Actors have been calling for better pay and safeguards on the use of AI.
Sport
Football - Liverpool have been stunned in Toulouse after losing 3-2 last night in the Europa League. Jurgen Klopp’s men were not just beaten by their French hosts but they were also left furious at a controversial VAR call chalking off a stoppage-time equaliser. Meanwhile, according to police and local media Colombian-born Liverpool footballer Luis Díaz's father has been released by the left-wing guerrillas who kidnapped him 13 days ago.
And – According to reports Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to make an instant impact on the completion of his purchase of a stake in Manchester United. The British billionaire is set to purchase a 25% stake in the club, taking control of football operations, and is also thought to be set to pledge £245million to improve infrastructure. He is also believed to already be planning an overhaul of the club's scouting and acquisition network.
In the Premier League tomorrow Wolves are at home to Tottenham at lunchtime with a 1.30pm kick off French time Tottenham's trip to Wolves will make Premier League history with bodycams being used for the first time. In the afternoon action Arsenal play Burnley, Crystal Palace face Everton, Manchester United play Luton Town kick off is at 4pm French time and Bournemouth are at home to Newcastle United kick off is at 6.30pm French time.
On Sunday with a 3pm kick off French time, Aston Villa play Fulham, Brighton are at home to Sheffield, Liverpool play Brentford, West Ham play Nottingham Forest. With a 5.30pm kick off Chelsea are at home to Manchester City.
Cricket - New Zealand have beaten Sri Lanka by five wickets in the World Cup. Sri Lanka batted first and were all out for 171. New Zealand were 172 for 5. The win has increased New Zealand's chances of making the semi-finals. Sri Lanka were already out of the tournament.
Cycling – According to Cycling Weekly the British cyclist Bradley Wiggins is reportedly at risk of being declared bankrupt. 43-year-old Wiggins who won five Olympic gold medals during his career, is still yet to pay a claim against him of nearly £1m according to the liquidators of his company.
Weather
Mainly fine in the Alpes Maritimes with a fresh breeze. Highs of 18 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Cannes. Light rain is forecast for Saint-Tropez and the Var coastline with highs of 16 degrees. This evening going down to 10 degrees along the coast and 7 degrees inland with clear skies.
The outlook for the weekend remaining fine with high of 18-19 degrees and light to moderate winds.
Sunrise 07.17am
Sunset 05.10pm
TGV services across much of France are gradually improving after several arson attacks affected the network in the early hours of this morning....
Read More
Paris is getting ready to shut down it’s city centre and its airspace as well as mobilise 45,000 police and several army units in what has been billed...
Read More
Lucie Castets, the left-wing candidate for Prime Minister, reiterated her desire to lead the government during a media appearance on July 25. A poll s...
Read More
French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to welcome world leaders to the Olympic games opening ceremony tomorrow night and has been visiting key ...
Read More
France will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alpes, conditional on state and regional financial guarantees. President Macron confirmed his full su...
Read More
