News
Strike action - Due to a national strike across France today Thursday 27th January, disruptions are expected on transport networks and in some schools. Several unions have called for action against poor wages and working conditions. According to the SNCF between 33% and 90% of trains will be running depending on the lines. Due to the strike action no trams will be running in Nice and very few buses will be circulating. Passengers are advised to check on the SNCF and the Ligne d'Azur website.
Health agency warns of rise in covid deaths in the Alpes Maritimes - The regional health agency for the Alpes Maritimes has warned of a rise in the number of covid deaths in the region's hospitals. Figures have shown an increase since the beginning of January with 176 deaths since January 1st, which is already 40% more than in December. It is also higher than the total number of deaths due to covid in the Alpes Maritimes last October, November and December.
138 new cases of covid in Monaco – Meanwhile 138 new cases of covid have been identified in Monaco on Wednesday bringing the total number of residents affected to 7,928. Sixty-four people are currently in hospital and 365 are being followed by the Home Monitoring centre.
Drug network dismantled in Toulon - Following nine months of investigation police in Toulon have dismantled a drug network. 53 kilos of cannabis and 19,000 euros in cash were discovered as several arrests were made in the western district of the city.
Napoleon's landing cancelled once again - The festivities related to the landing of Napoleon have once again been cancelled. The event was due to take place on March the 5th and 6th in Vallauris-Golfe-Juan. The city council has said that "there are still too many uncertainties concerning the health situation". The last festivities of its kind were held in 2018.
Victorine studios in Nice - The Victorine studios in Nice is continuing its development in a new collaboration with the Nice Conservatory and the Cours Florent from this Spring. The new courses will be open to all from 17 years of age and will take place between April and August. In recent months the studio has worked on several important partnerships including most recently with Amazon Prime.
National
"Good signal" following meeting on Russia and Ukraine - France and Germany have said that they got a "good signal" following a European diplomatic meeting on Wednesday January 26th in Paris held in an attempt to lower tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Russian, Ukranian, French and German negotiators met at midday in the French capital to try to defuse the crisis after a series of talks between Russia and the US last week. France's head of state Emmanuel Macron spoke of a "good signal" from the Russians even if the meeting was "difficult". Russia and Ukraine will continue their discussions with France and Germany in two weeks in Berlin.
Arrests made related to fake health passes – Thirteen people suspected of participating in a network which established more than 60,000 falsified health passes have been arrested in Lyon and Paris. This network is suspected of having created more than 62,000 fake certificates by impersonating the digital identity of 35 doctors across France.
Origin of meat to be indicated in restaurants from March 1st - The origin of all meat served in French restaurants as well as school and company canteens must be indicated from March 1st. The obligation has only concerned beef since 2002 and will now apply to all meats. The packaging must specify the country of breeding and the country of slaughter. It will also be necessary to mention whether it is fresh, chilled, frozen or deep-frozen meat. According to France's Minister of Agriculture Julien Denormandie, this will notably make it possible to improve the quality of the meat served to children in school canteens. According to figures from the ministry, 50% of the meat consumed in school canteens is imported. This is the case for 60% of meat in collective catering.
Wordle - You may be one of many who now plays Wordle every morning however on Wednesday Twitter suspended an account which insulted players of the new famous word game along with revealing the answer to the next day's game. The online word game, which offers only one puzzle per day, has conquered millions of people. The twitter profile was suspended for violating Twitter's rules on automated profiles and for sending unwanted 'mentions'.
Business
The US Federal Reserve has announced that it intends to raise interest rates as it starts to unwind the support that it's given to the economy since the start of the pandemic.
The Fed left interest rates on hold
