Local
Protest - Thirty road blocks have been planned for tomorrow Saturday 17th November in the Bouches du Rhone, Alpes Maritimes and the Var as part of the protest against the rise in petrol prices. The protest which has been dubbed the “yellow vest” movement is expected to see several main roads blocked from 8am. In the Var the road between Hyeres and Le Lavandou will be blocked from 2pm and in Nice protestors are planning to block several pay tolls on the A8 motorway at Nice Saint Isidore, Villeneuve Loubet and Antibes.
Meanwhile the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, has announced that a payment of 20 euros will be given to certain individuals to help offset the rise in fuel taxes. The payment is limited to inhabitants of the 49 metropolitan municipalities who fulfil a certain criterea. The measure is expected to cost 500,000 euros for 2019.
Nice flower market - The city council in Nice has announced plans to renovate the Cours Saleya in Old Nice. The 5 million euro project will be carried out in installments from March next year until February 2021. It was under the municipality of Malausséna in 1861 that the first flower, fruit and vegetable market was created on the Cours Saleya.
Marseille - Two elected officials have been suspended by the President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region in connection with the Marseille building collapse. The two officials are Xavier Cachard, a Vice-President of the Region, who was one of the owners of one of the buildings which collapsed, and Arlette Fructus, Deputy Mayor of Housing, City Policy and Urban Renewal, and President of Marseille Habitat.
National
Brexit - During a visit to Dunkirk on Thursday the French Prime Minister Edouard Phillippe has expressed his concern that there could still be no agreement on Brexit due to British political infighting. British Prime Minister Theresa May defended her Brexit deal with the European Union in parliament on Thursday following Tuesday’s 600 page agreement between the UK and Brussels.
Ex-minister cleared by French court - Ex-government minister Georges Tron has been cleared of rape and sexual assault charges made by two former employees. The women alleged that Georges Tron - then mayor of Draveil, a town outside Paris - had assaulted them between 2007 and 2010. Mr Tron resigned as a junior minister when the allegations surfaced in 2011.
Paris - The Mayor of Paris has plans to pedestrianise the centre of the French capital. The plans would severely restrict traffic in the city's first four districts with electric shuttles as an alternative. The plan would happen in Anne Hidalgo's next term, assuming she is re-elected. Hidalgo has made reducing pollution a central part of her policy. Last month the European Environment Agency warned that air pollution caused 500,000 premature deaths in Europe every year.
Business
The pound has fallen by 1.7 percent against the US dollar and by 1.9 percent against the euro after a number of UK government ministers resigned over Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal with the European Union.
Shares in banks and homebuilders were also badly affected with Royal Bank of Scotland falling by 9 percent and falls of 7 percent for Persimmon,Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Developments.
Analysts say that the market has punished stocks which are heavily exposed to the UK economy such as banks,retailers and construction firms.
The odds of a fresh general election have increased over the past 24 hours too with the market not relishing the prospect of a Jeremy Corbyn led government entering Downing Street with the prospect of higher taxes on companies and a nationalisation programme.
Markets also judge that the chances of a disorderly Brexit have increased following Thursday’s resignations and the potential prospect for more today and then a Conservative leadership challenge in a bid to oust Prime Minister Theresa May.
The pop superstar Beyonce has ended a business venture with Sir Philip Green by buying him out of the gymwear label that they founded together.
Ivy Park was launched two years ago and played on the personal brand of the US star and leading feminist.
The buyout comes just two weeks after Sir Philip Green was named in the UK Parliament as having taken legal action to prevent publication of allegations of sexual harassment of staff.
Sir Philip has categorically denied the allegations.
And-Revenue at Manchester United slipped in the first quarter as the Premier League club played fewer home games.
Sales for the three months to the 30th of September came in at 135 million pounds compared with 143.7 million a year earlier.
United did manage to stick to their full year forecast.
Sport
Cricket-It’s day 3 of the 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and England in Kandy with the tourists batting in their second innings and trying to set an imposing total for the home side to chase.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 336 in their first innings and England had reached 41-1 in their second innings after 11 overs still trailing by 5 runs.
Rugby Union-The autumn internationals continue tomorrow.
Italy play Australia.Wales play Tonga.England host Japan.Scotland face South Africa.Ireland play New Zealand and France play Argentina.
Football-Wayne Rooney had a fine send off to end his international career as England beat the USA 3-0 in a friendly match.
Also last night the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland drew 0-0.Germany beat Russia 3-0 and the Czech Republic beat Poland 1-0.
There’s action in the Uefa Europa League tonight.The Netherlands play France in Group A1 while Wales face Denmark in Group B4.
Tennis-Roger Federer is through the ATP Tour Finals in London.
The 37 year old Swiss beat Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-3 to take his place in the last 4.
He’ll avoid Novak Djokovic in the semi finals if the world number one beats Marin Cilic in his final round robin game today.
Weather
Mainly fine with light south westerly winds and a high of 18 degrees.
Overnight lows of 10 degrees on the coast and 7 degrees inland with partially cloudy skies.
The weekend –Partially cloudy tomorrow with occasional showers and a high of 15 degrees.Clear skies on Sunday with a high of 14-15.
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