French and Riviera News Wednesday 1st May 2019

Local

May Day - Yellow Vest protesters, trade unions and climate activists are expected to join the main march for International Workers’ Day, in Paris today resulting in Police ordering businesses in the area to close over concerns of rioting. Many Yellow Vests plan to join the climate march, which will itself join the main march organised by trade unions. In Nice unions plan to gather at 10.30 this morning at the main train station and march to Place Garibaldi.President Macron’s administration has warned it will not tolerate rioting or violence targeting security forces.

Formula One Roadshow - Due to the Formula One Roadshow taking place in Nice today sections of the Promenade des Anglais are closed to motorists, on the Quai des Etats Unis and between Gambetta and the Jardin Albert 1er and no trams or buses are running with the closure in place until 8pm this evening.  The event which starts at 10am this morning will see demonstrations of a racing car by driver Daniel Ricciardo as well as several events along the sea front. Motorists are advised to use the Voie Mathis or the A8 motorway.

Marseille - 6 months after the collapse of buildings in the Rue d’Aubagne in Marseille which left 8 dead, authorities have reported that 650 people are still in temporary accommodation. On November 5th the collapse of the dilapidated buildings claimed 8 lives with the situation leading to 250 reports of other “dangerous” buildings in some of the city’s poorest areas. Without a fixed address, those staying in hotels have emphasized the difficulties encountered. 34 hotels have been reserved by the town hall but with the summer season fast approaching there are calls for immediate action.

Firefighters appear in court - Four firefighters have appeared before the Criminal Court in Nice for "obstructing traffic” and causing “damage to property”. The case dates back to February 22nd 2016 when following strike action, in protest at working conditions, 600 firefighters demonstrated on the A8 motorway which led to burning tyres and vandalizing security barriers. 8 protestors were slightly injured during the demonstration. Following the incident Vinci Autoroutes took legal action. The court will deliver its judgment on May 22nd.

National

Sexual harassment fines - Following the introduction of a new legislation which came into effect in France eight months ago French police have handed out almost 450 fines for sexual harassment. The law covers sexist insults, degrading or humiliating comments, or hostile and offensive “sexual or sexist” behaviour towards a person in public areas, schools or workplaces. France’s equality minister, Marlène Schiappa, said the 447 fines demonstrated that the law against street harassment, which she had earlier described as a “culture battle”, was working.

The law allows for on-the-spot fines of between €90 (£78) and €750, a measure designed to avoid victims having to go through a lengthy, formal complaints process.

Game of Thrones - As a tribute to the American series “Game of Thrones” a passionate fan has produced a wine at his family property in Saint-Emilion. Thibault Bardet, has recreated, a "Dornish Wine" and "The Imp's Delight".  The eighth and final season is currently being aired in 186 countries.

Business

Sales of Apple iPhones fell at their steepest ever rate in the three months to the end of March.

Apple unveiled its quarterly results on Tuesday and said that revenue from the iPhone tumbled by 17 percent to 31 billion dollars.

However ,the firm’s chief executive Tim Cook said that iPhone sales were stronger towards the end of March ,particularly in China where prices have been cut to boost demand.

Apple warned on iPhone sales earlier this year and cited China as a key battleground where its battling for market share with cheaper rivals including Huawei.

The company has lifted its outlook for the second            quarter which sent its shares more than 5 percent higher in after-hours trading.

 

US President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of the Federal Reserve and has called on the central bank to cut interest rates by 1 percent.

The Fed is due to announce its latest move on rates later today at the end of its two day policy meeting in Washington.

The central bank has already indicated that it’s unlikely to change interest rates from the current target range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent for the rest of the year.

On Tuesday ,President Trump called on the Fed to cut borrowing costs to help the US economy “go up like a rocket”.

The latest GDP figures show that the economy grew at a faster than expected pace of 3.2 percent in the first quarter.

Mr Trump said that China was doing well because the government was providing economic stimulus as well as keeping interest rates low.

 

And-A report in the Guardian newspaper says that the future of Sir Philip Green’s business empire is “hanging in the balance” as industry insiders say that a planned rescue may struggle to win approval from landlords.

The paper says that board directors from Sir Philip’s Arcadia Group  which owns a string of UK high-street chains including Topshop ,Miss Selfridge ,Dorothy Perkins and Wallis were locked in an all-day meeting yesterday trying to agree a way forward for the group.

Arcadia’s advisers at Deloitte are reported to be pushing ahead with plans for insolvency process that would involve rent cuts and the closure of around 50 of the groups 570 plus stores.

Industry sources say that Arcadia may struggle to gain enough support for the restructuring  which requires 75 percent approval from landlords.

Sport

Football-Ajax hold the advantage over Spurs after coming out 1-0 winners in the first leg of their European Champions League semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last night.

Van de Beek scored the only goal of the game on 15 minutes and Spurs suffered a serious injury blow to their already depleted squad when Jan Vertonghen was taken off following a first half aerial collision.

Tonight-Barcelona play Liverpool in the second semi final.

In the English Championship last night.Bristol City kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 win at Millwall.

Derby are currently in the final playoff place and need a win over Swansea tonight to boost their chances of making the end of season contest for the final place in the Premier League next season.

Rugby Union-Wales have called up two uncapped players in an extended squad to prepare for the World Cup in Japan later this year.

The Cardiff Blues prop Rhys Carre and wing Owen Lane are both included.

Wales will open their World Cup campaign against Georgia in Tokyo on the 23rd of September.

Meanwhile , outgoing coach Warren Gatland says that he hasn’t been approached by England to take over from Eddie Jones.

Boxing-Anthony Joshua will face Andy Ruiz of the United States in New York on the 1st of June.

Joshua was due to fight Jarrell Miller but the American failed a drug test.

Ruiz ,who’s 29 has fought for a world title before  but lost on points to Joseph Parker.

Joshua hasn’t been in the ring for 9 months and will be looking to extend his 22-fight unbeaten record.

Weather

Clear skies with light to moderate south easterly winds.

Top temperature 20 degrees Celsius.

Overnight lows of 11 degrees on the coast and 9 degrees inland with clear skies.

Thursday and Friday-Sunshine and occasional showers.Highs of 16-19 degrees.

 

Finally 

In what could be of the most British of crimes, UK holidaymakers have been revealed to steal over £3million worth of tea bags from hotels every year. The study, revealed that Brits are nicking millions of pounds worth of tea bags annually.

In fact, tea and coffee was one of the top three items which Brits think they should be allowed to take from hotel rooms.

Top 10 items most commonly taken from hotels

  1. Towels
  2. Full size toiletries
  3. Lightbulbs
  4. Pillows/Cushions
  5. Dressing Gowns
  6. Books (Bible/Other)
  7. Plants
  8. Crockery (Mugs and Glasses)
  9. Batteries (from the remote)
  10. Curtains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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