Nice attacks-The people of Nice are remembering the victims of the terror attack that killed 86 on the 14th of July 2016.
Several ceremonies are taking place in the city today amid subdued Bastille Day celebrations.
The 86 who died were mowed down on the promenade des Anglais by a truck driven by terrorist Mohamed Bouhlel who was shot dead by police but only after he’d left a trail of carnage in his wake. As well as those who died ,dozens more were seriously injured with some still suffering as a result of the wounds that they sustained to this day.
No disco- The French State Council has rejected demands for French discotheques and nightclubs to be allowed to reopen because of fears of the spread of Covid-19.
The National Discotheque and Nightclub Federation had been hoping that businesses could reopen again with strict hygiene measures but the State Council says that the risks are too great.
Discotheque and nightclub owners are unhappy with the decision and have complained that a pop concert was allowed to go ahead in Nice last weekend where there was little observation of social distancing.
The government has said that nightclubs may be allowed to open again in September.
St Marguerite- Local officials in Cannes have reacted with dismay over the sale of the only private residence on the Ile St Marguerite to a Swiss group.
The Grand Jardin residence was sold to Ultima Capital of Switzerland on the 7th of July for 45 million euros.
The new owners are intending to create a luxury tourist destination with exclusive services but local councillors in Cannes say that the Island’s nature reserve will be spoiled as a result.
The Mayor of Cannes David Lisnard has pledged that “under no circumstances” will a hotel be allowed to be constructed on the site.
The Lerins Islands which comprise St Marguerite and neighbouring St Honorat are both Unesco World Heritage sites.
Mine sweeper-The French minesweeper Orion has docked at Port Vauban in Antibes to observe the Bastille Day national holiday.
The vessel is tied up on the quai d’honneur until tomorrow when it will return to its home port at Toulon.
No visits will be allowed on board because of Covid-19.
Covid-19- Health experts in the south of France are urging the public to be on their guard against the spread of coronavirus.
The government is concerned that the public is becoming complacent over the spread of the virus and health experts say that people should still be washing their hands regularly using alcohol hand gel and wearing masks where appropriate in confined spaces.
Thousands of tourists are now visiting the region from other parts of France as well as the rest of Europe and the reproduction rate ‘R’ has been increasing over the past couple of weeks.
In National News.
Pay rises-The French government has reached agreement with unions over pay rises for health workers following 7 weeks of negotiations.
Staff working in the health service have been greatly appreciated by the public during the coronavirus pandemic and the French Prime Minister Jean Castex has conceded that the increases were “long overdue”.
The average hospital and care home worker will receive an average rise of around 180 euros per month with doctors working solely in the public sector also getting an increase.
The total package is worth around 8 billion euros but the militant CGT union has not signed the accord suggesting that the government may face further protests.
Bastille Day-President Macron will give an interview to two leading French journalists this afternoon as part of muted Bastille Day celebrations.
Mr Macron will address the economy ,pension reforms and the health service during the televised interview.
He’s also expected to outline the government’s programme for the final two years of his Presidency.
The President has been struggling in the opinion polls of late and is keen to relaunch his leadership ahead of the 2022 elections.
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