Evening Update Thursday 2 January

The strike by railway workers has entered its 29th day, making it the longest rail workers' strike since May 1968. More talks are due to be held between unions and government on 7 January but rail services remain disrupted. President  Macron has called for a “rapid compromise” between unions and his government, which has already offered concessions to a growing list of sectors.

A flight en-route from Nice to Nantes had to make an emergency landing in Lyon yesterday afternoon. According a passenger on the flight quoted by local media, after just a short time in the air the captain announced that the cabin had depressurized and that the plane needed to land urgently. The aircraft landed at Lyon without incident and passengers continued their journey to Nantes on another flight.

Emergency services in the region are currently saturated due to the epidemic of gastroenteritis in the region. Health officials said on Wednesday that doctors have been “overwhelmed” by the number of patients and have asked that only the most vulnerable cases, such as young children and the elderly contact the “Samu” which is currently receiving one call every minute in the Alpes Maritimes with people reporting symptoms of gastroenteritis.

Nine people have been injured, including three seriously, in an accident involving a minibus and another vehicle. The accident happened this morning in the industrial area at Fos-sur-mer in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Reports say that in total, about 40 people and a dozen emergency vehicles as well as a civil security helicopter were involved in the rescue of those affected.

A base jumper is missing in the Gorges du Verdon. The jumper launched themselves from a cliff at about 3.00 this afternoon but, according to a witness, their parachute didn’t open. A police helicopter is involved in the search.

The dismembered body of a woman has been found in a refrigerator in the Haute-Vienne department in central France. Reports say that pompiers were called to a fire at an apartment in a village near Limoges and made the discovery while on the premises. The 83 year old’s grandson has been taken into police custody.

Shoppers wishing to grab an early bargain in the region can do so in Monaco as the winter sales start today in the Principality. On until the 15th February the sales in Monaco come 6 days ahead of those in the Alpes Maritimes which will begin on January 8th.

 

BUSINESS

Lebanon has received a notice from Interpol for the arrest of the ex-head of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn. The request was received by Lebanon's internal security forces today, according to reports. Mr Ghosn, who was facing trial in Japan for alleged financial misconduct, arrived in Beirut on New Year's Eve. The private jet on which he escaped reportedly landed in Istanbul first. According to Turkish media, seven arrests have been made in connection with the case - four pilots, a cargo company manager and two airport workers.

A widely watched survey of UK manufacturing activity has shown a sharp deterioration. The survey went down to 47.5 in December from 48.9 in November. A figure below 50 indicates contraction. It’s the eighth month in a row with a figure below 50.

 

SPORT

Cricket… Rory Burns added to England's worries for the second Test against South Africa after limping out of a football match in practice. Burns, who was England's top scorer in the first Test, injured his left ankle and was taken for a scan. England are calling up fast bowler Jofra Archer after he was unable to play a full part in training before the second Test against South Africa, which starts on Friday. The 24-year-old is suffering with soreness in his right elbow.  Meanwhile, Mark Wood is yet to return to match fitness while Jack Leach has been ruled out through illness. Dom Sibley is expected to be fit after coming down with the sickness bug that has swept through the squad.

Football..

Arsenal have confirmed that defender Calum Chambers ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee in the match against Chelsea. Chambers had successful surgery today but is expected to be out for action for six to nine months.

Former Everton midfielder Li Tie has been appointed as China head coach. He replaces Marcello Lippi, who quit the job for a second time in November. Li made 92 appearances for China and played at the 2002 World Cup.

Two Brighton fans and a Chelsea fan have been arrested for alleged "unacceptable abuse" during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Amex Stadium. Brighton say all three were arrested by Sussex police outside the stadium and "now face prosecution".

Rugby Union… Fiji lock Leone Nakarawa has rejoined Glasgow Warriors until the end of the season after leaving Racing 92. He was released by the Paris side having reported late from the Rugby World Cup. Despite being courted by clubs in France and England, he has chosen to return to Glasgow, where he excelled in a three-year stint until 2016.

 

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