In what could be the final day of the trial on tax evasion charges of Harry Redknapp and Milan Mandaric, defence counsel for the two accused will try tomorrow to convince the jury that the £187,000 placed in a Monaco bank account was not directly-related to earnings. Instead, it will be argued that Mr Mandaric had placed the funds in the HSBC account of his friend as a float for investments. On Friday, John Black QC, in his closing speech for the prosecution, urged the jury to forget about Redknapp’s standing in UK football. He told them to “keep their eyes on the ball”…

PHOTO: Harry Redknapp

The Belgians José Lareppe and Joseph Lambert have won the 15th Historic Monte-Carlo Rally in their 1978 Opel Kadett GTE 1978, ahead of Italians Mario and Maurizio Sala Torlasco (Porsche 911), who had been strong leaders since Thursday morning. The weather had also been a strong adversary in the final stages of the rally, with two out of five stages abandoned because of the conditions. First three: 1. Lareppe Lambert (BEL/Opel Kadett GTE) 4614 pts 2. Coppola-Sussot (FRA/Alpine Renault A310) 4708 pts, 3. Karlan-Jensen (NOR/Porsche 911) 6651 pts.

PHOTO: Prince Albert at the starting line on Port Hercule. Photo courtesy Automobile Club of Monaco

Most incoming flights to Nice from London were cancelled during today, including British Airways flights from Heathrow due to arrive at 12:55, 15:20, and 19:45 and the 20:50 BMI flight. The knock-on effect resulted in flights to the UK capital being cancelled. An easyJet flight from Gatwick, due to arrive at 21:00, has been delayed. The airport authorities at Heathrow yesterday announced that one-third of departures scheduled today would be cancelled due to forecasts of snow and fears of freezing fog. In the end, only one-half of planned flights took off during the day, although the airport operator said flights tomorrow (Monday) will operate normally. RELATED STORY: French aviation workers to strike from tomorrow - see below

Princess Charlene visited Monaco’s parliament on Thursday evening, alongside Prince Albert, to sign the Livre d’Or. The event is significant, since the late Princess Grace visited parliament only once. The occasion marked a further important step in a process of integration for Princess Charlene, following the opening of a children’s home bearing her name earlier this week.

PHOTO: Princess Charlene looks on as Prince Albert addresses the National Council. Courtesy Prince's Palace

Some disruption to air travel is expected from Monday until Thursday, as a number of French aviation unions protest against government plans to restrict strikes. Staff from pilots to ground handling agents are expected to be involved, with the potential for delays for airlines such as easyJet as well as French domestic carriers. Air France has said it expects 80 percent of its short and medium haul flights to be unaffected, and 85 percent of long-haul flights. However, the airline warned that these are estimates, depending on how many employees observe the strike call and turn up for work. In a statement yesterday, easyJet said it does “not anticipate major disruptions on flights to or from French airports," despite the strike call.

PHOTO: Courtesy Air France