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News Ukrainian President to speak to the French Parliament this afternoon - The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will speak to the French Parliament this afternoon. Today marks the 28th day of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. On Tuesday the UN General Secretary said in a statement 'It's time to end this senseless war'. Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron has held another telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war. According to the Elysée, there is currently no agreement between the two parties, but the French president says he remains convinced of the need to continue his efforts. Aid - Today Wednesday 23rd March, 100 firefighters and rescuers will set off from France to transport donated vehicles and equipment to the border with Ukraine. There will be 11 fire engines, 16 personal rescue vehicles and 23 trucks carrying 49 tons of medical and rescue equipment such as protective equipment, ladders, fire hoses and medical equipment. In other news Corsica - President Macron has called for calm in Corsica after the death of separatist Yvan Colonna. Marches took place across the island on Tuesday. Several high schools were blocked by students and there was a march on the Prefecture in Ajaccio. Pedestrian hit by lorry on Croisette - A pedestrian has died after being hit by a lorry on La Croisette in Cannes. The accident occurred at around 4.30pm on Tuesday afternoon when the vehicle was reversing near a pedestrian crossing. The elderly victim died as a result of his injuries. An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances. Crime figures - Figures from the Ministry of the Interior have shown the crime rate in the Alpes Maritimes with the majority of incidents occurring in Nice, La Trinité, Saint-Laurent du Var, Cagnes sur mer, Vence and Villeneuve Loubet. The report shows that urban areas are the most affected. Head of World Health Organisation says France lifted covid measures too soon - The head of the World Health Organization in Europe has named France as one of the countries which have lifted their Covid-19 measures too abruptly. Hans Kluge said that he was "optimistic but vigilant" about the progress of the pandemic in Europe. However, he said that France, along with the UK, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Germany, "are lifting restrictions brutally from too much to too few". Presidential elections - Former French President François Hollande has announced his support for left wing candidate Anne Hidalgo expressing his determination for the "reconstruction" of France’s socialist party. Hollande was present at Hidalgo’s meeting in Limoges on Tuesday. The socialist presidential candidate is currently struggling in the polls as Hollande called for "the great movement called socialism to continue”. Blue Bay Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel - The Blue Bay restaurant of the Monte-Carlo Bay hotel here in the Principality has been awarded two Michelin stars. The 2022 edition of the Michelin Guide, and its famous stars, were revealed on Tuesday. |
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Business Asian markets have hit three week highs this morning as cash flowed back into equities from the battered bond market and oil and other commodities remain at elevated prices owing to the continuing carnage in Ukraine. Bond markets have retreated even further today with investors bracing for even tighter monetary policy from the US central bank with 10 year yields at their highest level since 2019. Investors continue to be impressed by US economic growth despite headwinds from war and inflation. Tech firms have benefited the most as investors bet on expanding revenue and the ability to control costs. On the currency markets the yen has continued to weaken as traders worry about the widening policy gap between Japan and the rest of the world and high energy prices taking a toll on the country’s trade balance. Oil has risen again by 0.5 percent with Brent crude at 116 dollars 13 cents and wheat and corn also up on fears of a supply shortage. US Federal Reserve officials have called for bigger rate hikes to control inflation. Speaking to Bloomberg television last night, the St Louis Fed President Jimmy Bullard said that the central bank should raise its benchmark overnight rate to 3 percent by the end of the year. His comments echo sentiments being expressed by other members of the Federal Open Markets Committee with some feeling that the recent 25 basis point hike is not enough. Mr Bullard said that “faster is better” and that the Fed needs to “move aggressively” to bring inflation under control. On Monday, the Fed chair Jerome Powell said that the central bank must move “expeditiously” to raise rates and hinted that there may be a 50 basis point hike at the next policy meeting on May the 3rd and 4th. However, the Fed is attempting a delicate balancing act with concerns that raising rates too quickly could blow a hole in the economy and provoke a recession. The UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak will make his Spring Statement today amid rising prices and a big squeeze on household incomes. The Chancellor is facing a dilemma but is promising a “stronger and more secure economy” to help people struggling with the cost of living. There have been calls for a cut in fuel duty to help motorists and a delay to the increase in National Insurance contributions which the government says are necessary to help fund social care. Mr Sunak will make his statement in the House of Commons at 1.30 French time this afternoon. He’ll address the conflict in Ukraine and its effect on prices and is also set to pledge to a faster growing economy, more resilient public finances and security for working families through help with the cost of living. Sport Tennis - The world number one Ashleigh Barty has made a shock announcement that she’s retiring from the game at the age of just 25. The Australian made the announcement on social media earlier this morning. She |
