Local
Tougher measures expected due to Covid-19 - French President Emmanuel Macron has announced tougher measures, with new restrictions set to be introduced in France as part of the fight against Covid-19.
France’s Health Minister is expected to make an announcement today with more French cities expected to follow similar restrictions which are already in place in Paris and Marseille.
Macron made the announcement during a television appearance last night following his visit to the Alpes Maritimes earlier on Wednesday. Macron visited three of the villages most badly affected by Storm Alex.
Macron visit - The Head of State began by visiting the village of Tende where he spoke to local officials, rescuers and local residents. He thanked rescuers for their courage and told local residents "the Nation will be with you".
During a press conference in Breil-sur-Roya President Macron revealed that the death toll as a result of the storm in the Alpes Maritimes has now risen to five.
President Macron confirmed that an order had been made recognising the floods as a natural disaster. He said that it would "allow compensation to be triggered". To receive compensation those affected must submit claims to their insurance company within ten days of the order being published in the Official Journal today. In total 55 municipalities will be covered by the order.
Macron said that an emergency fund will be established to which the French state will contribute 100 million euros in the coming days.
AS Monaco - Local football club AS Monaco is providing four housing units to victims of the floods from Saint-Martin-Vésubie. There are close connections between the club and the village. The AS Monaco Academy holds it's summer camp in the village for three teams, the National 2, the U19 and the U17 , for their pre-season preparation courses. The stadium in Saint-Martin-Vésubie which is usually used for training was completely destroyed by the storm.
Nightclub manager found dead in Corsica - The body of a 33-year-old night club manager has been discovered in the Haute-Corse nearly a month after he went missing.
The lifeless body of Damien Barchilon was found in Cap Corse. According to reports Barchilon who was last seen on September the 9th had been shot dead.
As the investigation into his death continues police believe it to be related to an organized crime ring in Marseille.
Professor Raoult suggests current Covid-19 is more dangerous that previous wave in the summer - During an interview on French television Professor Raoult of the University Hospital in Marseille has suggested that the “Covid-19 virus which was circulating during the summer was less dangerous than the current Covid-19”.
Raoult pointed out that according to figures published the previous wave of infections was less severe than those being experienced today while he also called for caution “as to the interpretation of the first data”.
Raoult went on to underline the importance of reducing social contact in order to limit the pandemic.
Italy makes face masks mandatory – Meanwhile in Italy it’s become mandatory to wear face masks in outdoor spaces across the country in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Italians must also wear masks indoors everywhere except in private homes.
Although Covid-19 cases are much lower in Italy than in many other European countries, there has been a steady rise in infections.
National
Police officers shot at - Two police officers have been left in a critical condition after being shot in the Paris region on Wednesday evening.
Police are actively looking for three people in connection with the shooting. The incident occurred when the attackers stole the weapons from the officers who were at the time in civilian clothing.
Protection for young media stars – The French government has introduced a new law to protect young social media stars.
The legislation aims to regulate the hours under-16s can work online and what happens to their earnings.
It also enshrines the right to be forgotten, meaning that platforms will be obliged to take down content on the child's request.
The popularity of child influencers has grown rapidly in recent years, with a number of young names appearing on the list of YouTube's top earners.
CDC clarifies position on airborne transmission of Covid-19 - The Center for Disease Control (CDC) health agency in the United States has clarified its position on airborne coronavirus transmission days after French MP Martine Wonner claimed in parliament that the agency had taken a position implying that face masks were not an effective way to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Wonner, claimed on Friday that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) health agency in the United States had effectively ruled out airborne spread and the effectiveness of face masks in regard to Covid-19.
Her remarks were relayed on social media among users critical of the French government’s imposing of lockdown, mandatory masks and overall handling of the Covid-19 epidemic.
Restaurant owners organize an aperitif in the Paris metro - Angry restaurant owners have organized an aperitif in the Paris metro. The move came as restaurant owners denounced on Tuesday, the different treatment in the face of controlling the spread of the coronavirus in the capital with restaurants forced to close while the metro and shops “remain open and crowded”.
Toy sales accelerate in France - The sale of toys in France continues to accelerate with some products already out of stock almost three months before Christmas.
Figures show that while toy purchases fell 25% in April, since the end of lockdown sales have shot up by 80% increasing by 15% compared to last year’s figures.
The JouéClub brand, leader of the sector in France, observed a 20% growth in sales in September alone. Stores are already afraid of stock shortages on certain products which is already the case for the range of surprise dolls from Mattel Barbie Colour Reveal which have sold out in most stores.
Sold for 20 euros in August, the doll is now offered by some sellers for more than 52 euros, an increase of 160%.
Business
A report by Reuters says that the scathing US Congressional verdict against the big four tech firms could spell big trouble for them if Joe Biden wins next month’s Presidential Election.
Antitrust experts and congressional aides have told Reuters that the 449 page report lays out a roadmap for the Democratic Party to put the brakes on the dominance of Google ,Apple ,Facebook and Amazon who have all been accused of abuses of market power.
With the November the 3rd election rapidly approaching and a new Congress due to be sworn in in January ,there is not likely to be any action on the report’s recommendations this year but new laws could appear quickly in the event of a Democratic win and information from existing investigations would be used against large tech firms by state attorneys general and government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission.
Joe Biden has previously said that antitrust enforcement has not been good enough and that tech firms deserve to be probed by government agencies that oversee competition.
The World Bank has said that extreme poverty is set to rise this year for the first time in more than two decades.
The coronavirus pandemic is expected to push 115 million more people into extreme poverty with conflict and climate change adding to the problem.
The Bank said that by 2021 ,an extra 150 million people could be in the category.
Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than 1 dollar 90 per day and is now likely to affect between 9.1 and 9.4 percent of the world’s population.
At the other end of the scale ,billionaires have seen their fortunes hit record highs during the pandemic with top executives from technology and industry earning the most.
And-A survey by the World Economic Forum has found that unemployment is seen as the biggest concern over the next 10 years followed by the spread of infectious diseases.
The survey of business executives around the world said that unemployment disruptions caused by the pandemic as well as rising automation and the transition to greener economies is fundamentally changing labour markets.
The WEF said that as we emerge from the current crisis ,leaders have a remarkable opportunity to create new jobs ,support living wages and reimagine social safety nets to adequately meet the challenges in the labour market of tomorrow.
12,012 business leaders from 127 countries were questioned for the survey which will be included in the WEF’s global competitiveness report which will be published next month.
Sport
Tennis-Novak Djokovic has battled into the semi-finals of the French Open despite an under par performance against Pablo Carreno Busta.
The world number one lost the first set before coming through 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-4. He’ll play Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last 4.
In the women’s event Petra Kvitova has reached the last 4 for the first time since 2012 as she beat Laura Siegemund of Germany 6-3 6-3. She’ll now face Sofia Kenin of the United States in the semi finals.
The other semi is between Nadia Podoroska and Iga Swiatek.
Athletics-Two world records have been smashed at a special event in Valencia.
Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda broke the men’s 10,000 meters record by more than 6 seconds in a time of 26 minutes 11 seconds and Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey broke the women’s 5,000 meters world record in a time of 14 minutes 6.62 seconds.
The feats were achieved at the NN Valencia World Record Day in the Turia Stadium with 400 people watching.
Football-There are a stack of European Championship qualifying games tonight with Northern Ireland away at Bosnia Herzegovina in Group B and the Republic of Ireland travelling to Slovakia.
Scotland host Israel in Group C while England play Wales in a friendly.
Rugby Union-Sale’s final English Premiership game against Worcester was called off on Wednesday after 6 more Sale players tested positive for coronavirus.
The development means that Sale miss out on a place in this weekend’s playoffs with Bath taking the final place.
Cycling-Felippo Ganna won stage five of the Giro d’Italia on Wednesday while Joao Almeida retained the leader’s Pink Jersey.
Britain’s Simon Yates is still just about in touch with the leaders but he’s got a lot of work to do if he’s to make up the 3 minutes 56 seconds up to Almeida.
Weather
Clear skies with light variable winds.
Top temperatures 22-23 degrees.
Overnight lows of 14 degrees on the coast and 12 degrees inland with clear skies.
Friday and the start of the weekend-Cloudy tomorrow ,fine on Saturday.Highs of 18-21 degrees.
And Finally
Over 60,000 items amassed by Britain's biggest ever hoarder has been discovered crammed into a terraced house.
The hoard was so vast that the late owner was forced to move into a bed and breakfast for the last year of his life because he ran out of room for even himself.
The hoard has been estimated at between £500,000 and £4m it reportedly includes thousands of items of Beatles memorabilia, signed photos and letters, over 6,000 vintage comics, over 4,000 rare books, 3,000 vintage chemistry sets, brand new cameras and 12 Rickenbacker guitars from the 1960s and '70s.
There is also an 'excellent' collection of Russian and American space exploration memorabilia that includes slides and photos as well as cinema reels, radio equipment, ghetto blasters from the 1980s, Airfix models and lots of jewellery.
A lot of the items are in a brand new or pristine condition from where they haven't been opened or touched.
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