French and Riviera News Monday 17th June 2019

Local

High school student dies from meningitis - Parents and staff at the Lycée Sasserno in Nice have paid tribute to one of their students 17-year-old Marie, who died from meningitis last Thursday. According to the regional health agency this strain of meningitis affects 1 in every 100,000 each year. The lycée has since set up a psychological support unit for fellow students.

Medical breakthrough - In a world first, the face and neck institute in Nice has made a medical breakthrough to cure severe deafness through a numeric implant. Following years of research, it was announced on Friday that two patients in the region have successfully been treated through the sensory aid.

Baccalaureate - Good luck! to the 740,000 candidates aged from 11 to the eldest aged 77 that will be sitting their philosophy baccalaureate this morning. As students sit the first exam teachers’ unions have threatened strike action in protest against a reform planned for 2021. According to reports the threat of strike action is highest in Paris, Lille, Montpellier, Toulouse and Marseille.

New train link faces opposition - Plans for a new train link between Nice and Marseille have been met by opposition. Following the announcement that a draft plan is under discussion at the National Assembly involving the “new Paca line” activists have launched a campaign calling it an “ecological disaster”. The project with an estimated cost of 26 billion euros is planned for 2060 with two high speed services between Aubagne (Bouches-du-Rhône) and Le Beausset, as well as between Le Muy and Cannes. A public meeting on the matter organized by the SNCF is to take place later today in Toulon.

Cat-fox - According to researchers from the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS), the 'cat-fox' from Corsica could be a new species of feline. The animal at first appears to be much like an ordinary furry domestic cat but at closer inspection it is much longer than an average cat, measuring around 90cms, its ears are larger and it has overly developed canines. Pierre Benedetti, one of the researchers with the ONCFS says that “the Corsica cat-fox has existed for some time in local legend,

National

State of natural disaster - France has announced that it will declare a state of natural disaster after rain and hailstorms lashed the south-east on Saturday, devastating crops. The flash storms, which brought hailstones as big as Ping-Pong balls to some areas, killed two people in France and Switzerland, and injured at least 10 others. France’s agriculture minister Didier Guillaume said the government would organise a “general mobilisation” and introduce emergency measures to deal with what he described as a disaster for farmers.

Notre Dame - The Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, has held the first mass at Notre Dame on Saturday since a devastating fire destroyed the roof and spire. Only about thirty people were allowed to attend the mass, due to "security reasons" with those taking park wearing hard helmets.

Giant fresco - A giant fresco showing joined hands has been unveiled at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in Paris in support of SOS Mediterranee, a charity which rescues migrants. Over 50 non-profit organisations gathered to show their support for people forced to flee their homes. The 15,000 square metre image of hands clasped together, was designed by the French artist Saype. It's unveiling comes just ahead of World Refugee Day on 20 June.

Nenette turns 50 - France's most famous orangutang Nenette, resident artist at the “Jardin des Plantes” zoo in Paris, has celebrated her 50th birthday. The ape arrived at the zoo aged three in 1972 and took up painting several years ago. She works in crayon and watercolour, on paper or using the glass of her enclosure as a canvas. Nenette's paintings have previously been sold to raise funds for a new orangutan enclosure, with one painting having fetched thousands of euros. The gifted great ape celebrated her birthday with a party at the zoo on Sunday.

Business

A report by the British Chambers of Commerce(BCC) says that Brexit concerns will result in business investment contracting faster this year than was previously thought.

The BCC says that firms are putting resources into contingency plans including stockpiling in a way that is “not sustainable”.

The report says that companies should be investing in measures aimed at economic growth.

The BCC growth forecast for this year is slightly higher than previously forecast driven by the rapid stockpiling seen at the start of 2019.

However ,the report said that growth would be subdued in 2020 and 2021.

Growth expectations for 2019 are now put at 1.3 percent-up from an earlier forecast of 1.2 percent while growth for 2020 has been downwardly revised to 1 percent from 1.3 percent and to 1.2 percent from 1.4 percent in 2021.

 

India has said that it will impose tariffs on 28 US products including almonds and apples.

The move comes in response to Washington’s refusal to exempt Delhi from higher taxes on steel and aluminium imports.

Some of the new duties on US products will be as high as 70 percent in the wake of an announcement by President Trump that he was withdrawing India’s preferential trade treatment.

India’s Ministry of Finance says that the measures were in the “public interest”.

 

And-The President of Argentina has promised a “full investigation” after a massive electrical failure left tens of millions of people without power on Sunday.

Media reports say that the power failure occurred shortly after 7am local time on Sunday causing trains to be halted and failures with traffic signalling.

The blackout was caused by a failure in an electrical grid that supplies both Argentina and Uruguay.

The outage occurred as people in Argentina were preparing to go to the polls for local elections.Voting was delayed in several regions as a result.

Sport

AEROPORT DE NICE –QATAR AIRWAYS FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP REPORT.

There were 2 games at the women’s World Cup on Sunday.

Sweden made sure of their place in the knockout phase with a 5-1 win over Thailand at the Stade Allianz Riviera in Nice while the defending champions the USA also made the last 16 with a 3-0 win over Chile.

There are 4 games today.South Korea play Norway in Group A while the hosts France play Nigeria.

In Group B China play Spain  and South Africa play Germany.

Both Nigeria and Norway can still qualify from Group A depending on results while in Group B it’s winner takes all in the game between China and Spain with Germany having already qualified.

Football-Maurizio Sarri has left Chelsea to join Juventus on a three year deal.

Sarri won the Europa League in his one season in charge at Stamford Bridge and took the club to third place in the English Premier League.

He wasn’t a big hit with the fans with many questioning his tactics and substitutions.

The former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is favourite to take over.

Golf-Gary Woodland of the United States has won the US Open at Pebble Beach,California.

Woodland held off a late challenge from the two time US Open winner Brooks Koepka to win by 3 shots following a final round of 69.

Justin Rose faded in the final round and ended joint third while Rory McIlroy ended on 5 under  and Tiger Woods ended on 2 under par.

It’s Woodland’s first major success after leading from the first round.

His best previous finish was joint 6th at last year’s USPGA.

Cricket-Rain affected Sunday’s needle World Cup match between India and Pakistan at Old Trafford  but it didn’t prevent India from winning by 89 runs under the Duckworth Lewis Method.

India batted first and managed to complete their 50 overs despite a rain delay making 336-5 including 140 from Rohit Sharma.

Pakistan’s innings was in serious trouble at 166-6 when more rain came and the target was rescheduled to another 136 from 30 balls-an almost impossible task.

In the end Pakistan finished on 212-6 from 40 overs.

There’s one game today.West Indies play Bangladesh in Taunton.Play is due to start at 11.30.

Weather

Clear skies in coastal areas .possible thunderstorms inland later.

Light to moderate south westerly winds and highs of 26-30 degrees.

Overnight lows of 21 degrees on the coast and 17 degrees inland with clear skies.

Tuesday and Wednesday-Clear skies with highs of 25-31 degrees

 

 

 

 

 

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