French and Riviera News Thursday 27th June 2019

Local

Air pollution alert - The Alpes Maritimes region has been placed on a level one air pollution alert caused by the current heat wave. Speed limits have been decreased on the region’s roads including the A8 motorway and traffic has been alternated in Marseille. With temperatures expected to reach up to 39 degrees on Friday the pollution alert remains in place heading into the weekend as the region remains on an orange heat wave alert. 78 departments in France are now on alert due to the high temperatures.

As the region faces high temperatures the Var Prefecture has warned of the “severe” fire risk in the region asking the public to be extremely vigilant.   

The extreme heat has also led to schools in Toulon and La Seyne remaining closed on Friday as a preventative measure.

Dengue fever - The regional health agency has announced that there have been eighteen confirmed cases of dengue fever and one probable case of chikungunya reported in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. With a current epidemic in the Reunion the virus is believed to have been airlifted via a contaminated passenger.

Tram line - The layout of the future tram line 4 has been presented in Cagnes-sur-Mer. The line which will link the two riverbanks of the Var sill see 15 new tram stops created. The project will cost an estimated 212 million euros and is planned to be up and running by 2026.

Meanwhile, this Friday, June 28th, line 3 in Nice will be inaugurated at Jean Médecin in Nice.

Nicolas Sarkozy - With the release of his new book today, former President of the Republic Nicolas Sarkozy has spoken of his first steps in politics which took place in the capital of the Riviera. It was in June 1975 in Nice that a 20 year old Sarkozy made his first political speech as a departmental delegate for UDR youth from the Hautes de Seine. Speaking of his fondness for Nice Sarkozy added "I love this city, I have always loved it, since the first day I set foot in in Nice in June 1975”.

Tourism - According to the tourist office of Montpellier Russian nationals are turning away from the French Riviera as a destination and may be tempted to go elsewhere. Speaking to French media the president of the tourist board says that recent studies show a form of saturation for the French Riviera where they are tired of being taken for “cash cows”. Russians have been an important part of Nice since 1770 with the largest Orthodox church outside Russia in the Riviera   capital.

National

Climate targets - France is falling way short of its self-set climate targets as carbon emissions from transport and buildings are not dropping as planned. The country’s new climate council has said that the government will have to triple its efforts to get back on track.

In its first report, France's newly appointed independent climate advisory council, the Haut Conseil pour le Climat (HCC) said that in 2015-18, emissions fell by just 1.1 percent, just over half the 1.9 percent that was prescribed.

France was the driver behind the 2016 Paris Agreement to limit global warming and the French parliament is now debating an energy bill that targets net zero emissions by 2050.

Business

US regulators have announced that they’ve uncovered a possible new flaw in Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft that’s likely to push back test flights.

The Federal Aviation Administration said that it had identified the “ potential risk “ during simulator tests but did not reveal specific details.

Boeing’s top selling aircraft was grounded in March following two crashes.

The firm is upgrading the plane’s anti-stall software  which has been the focus of crash investigations.

Airlines using the planes had hoped that they’d be cleared to return to the skies this summer but the timetable had already been pushed back to late this year before the latest development.

 

Bitcoin has risen  to its highest level in 17 months ,extending its rally to nearly 60 percent in June so far.

Bitcoin futures hit 13,680 dollars on Wednesday before tumbling back by more than a 1,000 dollars after reports that the Coinbase website had crashed.

The value of the cryptocurrency has now surged by 320 percent since December with traders saying that the market is experiencing “euphoria”.

The reasons for the latest rally are unclear but some point to increased investment volume in bitcoin  while other say that interest is being stimulated by Facebook’s plans for its own cryptocurrency Libra which is being seen as  an implicit endorsement of blockchain technology.

 

And-President Macron of France has said that there’s no need for the government to lower its stake in Renault and that he wanted the firm’s alliance with Nissan to work on strengthening its synergies.

Relations between the two companies have been strained since the arrest of former boss Carlos Ghosn last November but Mr Macron described that as a “personal issue” which should not have a bearing on the partnership.

Mr Macron’s comments contradict recent remarks made by the French Finance Minister Bruno Le Marire who said that the government  was ready to reduce its 15 percent stake in Renault  in the interests of bolstering the alliance with Nissan.

Sport

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

The first of the women’s World Cup quarter finals is being played this evening with England facing Norway in Le Havre.

The match is set to be played in heatwave conditions with forecasts suggesting that the temperature will be hovering around the 25 degree mark at kickoff time.

The England coach Phil Neville says that won’t be a factor and that his players had trained to play in hot conditions.

England have a couple of injury concerns ahead of the match with Steph Houghton and Mille Bright both rated as doubtful.

Kick off is at 9pm tonight.

Meanwhile Fifa has announced that its opened disciplinary proceedings against Cameroon following the bad tempered round of 16 game against England on Sunday.

Cameroon are being investigated for team misconduct ,offensive behaviour and breaches of fair play.

The match was marred by Cameroon players reaction to two VAR decisions and by a number of poor challenges.

President Trump has launched a verbal attack on the United States team co-captain after she said that she would not visit the White House if they won the World Cup.

Megan Rapinoe is a vocal  critic on social justice issues  and has expressed opposition to Mr Trump’s presidency.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday ,Mr Trump told her “not to disrespect the country” and later said that he’d invite the USA team to the White House whether they “win or lose in France”.

Football-The former Chelsea captain John Terry has said that there is no-one “better equipped” to manage the club than Frank Lampard.

Discussions are taking place between Lampard and Chelsea with a view to him taking over at Stamford Bridge.

Terry said that it would be perfect timing for both him and the club.

Lampard’s current club Derby County are still hoping to persuade him to stay on.

Cricket-Pakistan have beaten New Zealand by 6 wickets in the World Cup to keep their hopes of making the semi-finals alive and pile the pressure on England.

New Zealand batted first and made an under-par  237-6 from their 50 overs.The innings was rescued in great part by Jimmy Neesham who made 97 not out.

In reply Pakistan got to the target in a total of 24-1 for 4 in 49.1 overs with Babar ending on 101 not out.

Pakistan have now moved to within a point of England in the table and only wins in their final two group games against India and New Zealand will guarantee them a place in the last 4.

Today West Indies play India at Old Trafford.Play starts at 11.30.

Tennis-Johanna Konta suffered a shock third round defeat at the Eastbourne International tournament on Wednesday as her Wimbledon preparations were brought to an abrupt halt.

The British number one was beaten 6-3 6-2 by world number 62 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.

The defending champion Caroline Wozniacki is also out.She was beaten in 3 sets by Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.

Weather

AN ORANGE HEATWAVE ALERT IS IN FORCE FOR THE ALPES MARITIMES AND THE VAR.

Clear skies with  light to moderate variable winds .

Top temperatures  35 degrees in coastal areas and up to 39 degrees inland.

Overnight lows of 28 degrees in coastal areas and 24 degrees inland with clear skies.

Friday and the start of the weekend.SEVERE HEATWAVE CONDITIONS TOMORROW with highs of 35-40 degrees.A bit cooler on Saturday with highs of 30-35.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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