French and Riviera News Monday 2nd December 2019

Local

Bad weather - Five people have been killed following Sunday’s bad weather. Just a week after the region had suffered torrential rain and flooding in parts of the Var and the Alpes Maritimes more rain on Sunday saw both regions placed on a red alert. In the Var two people have been killed after being swept away by heavy rainfall and 3 emergency workers were killed in a helicopter crash near Marseille while on a rescue mission.

An investigation is under way to determine the circumstances of the crash. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said in a statement that “While France is preparing today to pay tribute to 13 of its soldiers who died serving the country in Mali, our country is losing three everyday heroes who gave their lives to protect the French”.

Sirens were heard across the region on Sunday afternoon as members of the public were advised to stay indoors, shopping centres closed early. Train services were suspended with passengers left stranded in Nice and the A8 motorway was closed in both directions for four hours on Sunday evening. Those in high risks areas were evacuated from their homes.This morning several schools remain closed in Cannes, Mandelieu and Pégomas.

Many, cultural and sporting events were also called off due to the bad weather, including Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 match at Monaco. Those attending the match were left stranded unable to return home. 

During the previous weekend, heavy rains caused the deaths of six people in the Var.

Changes as of 1st December – As with every first of the month several changes have been announced in France. From Sunday the regulated gas tariffs applied by Engie to 4 million French households will increase on average by 0.6%. As of the  1st December several aspects of the procedures for workplace accidents will change. “If the employer thinks that the employee’s accident is not work related the employer now has ten days from the declaration date to contest the accident”. From now on temporary rental platforms such as Airbnb may be forced by local councils to give once a year, a detailed list of housing which is rented through them.

And finally, tax credits are to be introduced on income tax for those using a home help or childcare.

The Repcet - During a press conference in Toulon in the Var an association has emphasized the importance of ships being equipped with the “Repcet” a device which allows ships to avoid collisions with sea animals such as whales and dolphins. A legal obligation in France, to French flagged vessels, more than 24 metres in length that regularly circulate in the Pelagos areas. The association claimed that only 39 ships in France comply with the legal obligation.

National

National strike - The French cabinet has met in a crisis session convened by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe to discuss tactics in the face of Thursday's nationwide strikes against proposals to pension reforms.

With a series of strikes planned in key sectors like transport and teaching, the government met on Sunday. Disruption on Thursday is expected to be widespread, with train and bus drivers, Air France pilots, air traffic controllers, electricity supply workers, truck drivers, oil refineries, teachers, students, police officers, lawyers, judges and street-cleaners all threatening to stay out of work for an indefinite period.

A similar strike in the winter of 1995, also against pension reform, forced the Alan Juppé government to reverse plans to change the system. The Interior Minister Christophe Castaner has admitted that Thursday will be difficult, especially in the public transport sector.

Black Friday protest – Meanwhile activists across France have staged Black Friday protests against Amazon and its impact on the environment. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the company's French headquarters north of Paris. Protesters also tried to blockade a shopping centre in Paris and a logistics centre near the eastern city of Lyon. The protests aimed to disrupt Black Friday, a discount shopping day that activists have blamed for environmental damage.

Business

Sources citing US President Donald Trump’s negotiating team have said that a trade deal between Washington and Beijing is now “stalled” because of Hong Kong legislation.

A report on the Axios news website says that a phase one interim trade deal will not be signed in the near future because the domestic policies of Chinese President Xi Jinping need time to “calm” and that Beijing is very unhappy over Mr Trump’s decision to sign a bill backing anti government protestors in Hong Kong.

On Thursday ,the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that legislation signed by Mr Trump backing Hong Kong protestors was “a serious interference in Chinese affairs”.

 

The governor of the Bank of England has been appointed as United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance.

Mark Carney will take up the role once his term as governor of the Bank ends on the 31st of January 2020.

The announcement came ahead of the start of the UN’s annual climate change conference COP25 which starts in the Spanish capital Madrid today.

Mr Carney says that he’s “honoured” to be asked to take on the role.

He said that the UN Climate Change Conference provides a “platform” to bring the risks from climate change and the opportunities from the transition to a net- zero economy into the heart of financial decision making.

He added that the disclosures of climate risk must become comprehensive ,climate risk management must be transformed and investing in a net-zero world must go mainstream.

Mr Carney will be tasked with mobilising private finance to take climate action and help transition to a net-zero carbon economy for the 26th COP meeting in Glasgow in November 2020.

 

And-Oil prices have risen by more than 1 percent this morning as signs of rising manufacturing activity in China pointed to increasing fuel demand along with hints that OPEC may deepen output cuts at its meeting this week.

Brent Crude futures were up 76 cents or 1.3 percent a little earlier at 61 dollars 25 with West Texas Intermediate up 91 cents or 1.7 percent at 56 dollars 08 cents.

On Friday ,oil prices fell sharply on concerns that talks to end the trade war between China and the US would be disrupted by Washington’s support for protestors in Hong Kong.

Prices rose this morning though after Chinese factory activity for November increased for the first time in 7 months because of rising domestic demand amid government stimulus measures.

Sport

Cricket-England have fought back well on day 4 of the Second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton.

Resuming their first innings on 269-5 ,the tourists were finally bowled out for 476 with Ollie Pope adding a valuable 75 to Joe Root’s 226 and a century from Rory Burns.

In their second innings ,New Zealand had reached 79 for 2 still trailing England by 22 runs.

It’s day 4 of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan in Adelaide with the home side closing in on victory.

Pakistan had reached 155-5 in their second innings after following on and still trailing Australia by 132 runs.

Football-There were 4 games in the English Premier League on Sunday.Norwich and Arsenal drew 2-2.Wolves and Sheffield United drew 1-1.Leicester beat Everton 2-1 and Manchester United and Aston Villa drew 2-2.

In the Scottish Premier League on Sunday the leaders Celtic were 4-1 winners at Ross County and second placed Rangers thrashed Hearts 5-0.Both sides have 37 points with Celtic top on goal difference.

There were 4 games in the FA Women’s Super League on Sunday with Arsenal running up an all time record score as they demolished Bristol City 11-1.Manchester City beat Liverpool 1-0 and West Ham beat Manchester United 3-2.

Formula 1-Lewis Hamilton rounded off the season in style as he celebrated his 6th drivers’ championship in style with victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton cruised away from pole and won at a canter with Max Verstappen in the Red Bull second and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari in third.

Hamilton has won 11 out of the season’s 21 races and his career wins now stand at 84 just 7 behind the all time record held by Michael Schumacher.

The season ends with Ferrari having a lot of thinking to do as to how they’re going to close the gap on Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel saying that he has to improve after finishing behind team-mate Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ championship.

Rugby Union-There were two games in the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday.Bristol and London Irish shared a 27-27 draw and Harlequins beat Gloucester 23-19.

Weather.

Rain clearing away then partially cloudy with light variable winds.

Top temperature 16 degrees.

Overnight lows of 10 degrees on the coast and 6 degrees inland with clear skies.

Tuesday and Wednesday-Mainly fine with highs of 16-17 degrees.

Finally 

Ever wondered if your other half is cheating? According to a new survey their star sign may be a signal

Research found that Capricorns topped the charts with 16% of cheaters belonging to this star sign, closely followed by Libra’s with a staggering 13%.

Want your partner to remain faithful? Dating a Sagittarius is a good move with only 4% cheating on their partner.

Other star signs less likely to cheat are Aquarius (5%) and Pieces (5%).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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