Another stormy period of weather is expected for the Riviera. Meteo France has issued an Orange alert for storms and heavy rain in the Var from 7.00 this evening until 3.00 tomorrow morning. Stormy conditions are also expected in the Alpes Maritimes although Meteo France has a lower level Yellow warning in operation for the Alpes Maritimes tonight. Gusts of up to 70 km per hour are also expected in both departments. The prefect of the Var has issued a statement asking parents who have children in nurseries or activity centres to collect them as soon as possible to avoid having to travel during the forthcoming bad weather. The prefect has also decided to activate the Departmental Operations Centre which co-ordinates state resources during a major event.
After the recent storms, the mayor of Roquebrune Cap Martin, Patrick Cesari, is reportedly asking the French government to declare the municipality as an area of natural disaster. He said that “significant damage” has been caused. The storm caused damage to seaside restaurants in Menton, depositing large amounts of sand. Rocks were deposited on several coastal roads in the area. Amongst other areas of the Riviera affected by the storm, the port of St Laurent du Var is reported to have suffered significant damage although the beach restaurants have remained unscathed. The mayor has closed the local beaches until the weather improves. In Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, the famous pontoon at Paloma beach didn’t survive the storm. The pontoon had been a Riviera attraction since 1970. However, there is good news from the Jean Cocteau Museum in Menton. Officials now believe that the majority of the 1,500 works in the collection can be saved after flooding in the museum’s basement.
Two men have been sentenced to four and five years in prison for kidnapping by the Criminal Court in Grasse. They were accused a kidnapping two teenagers who were hitchhiking late one night in Vence just over a month ago. The men locked the doors of the car and drove the passengers down a small isolated path. The two teenagers managed to escape and make their way back home.
New works have been announced which will affect train services between Toulon and Les Arcs-Draguignan stations over the weekend of 10th and 11th November. The works, which are necessary to replace portions of the track between the two stations, mean that trains will not run from 7.30 on the morning of the 10th until 3.10pm on the afternoon of the 11th. Reports say that no replacement bus services will be provided.
A 20 year old Latvian tourist has been handed a six year prison sentence after being arrested at Nice International Airport in possession of 14 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of 548,000 euros. The man was arrested and the weekend and appeared before the court on Tuesday.
In France November will see changes for Ryanair passengers, those who rent apartments and anyone who uses gas. Passengers using Ryanair will be charged for cabin luggage. As of Thursday November 1st the annual winter truce comes into force which basically forbids landlords and courts from evicting tenants until the weather warms up next April and for those who use gas to heat their homes and for cooking tariffs with the provider Engie will rise by an average of 5.79 percent from November 1st compared to prices in October.
BUSINESS
Plane maker Airbus has announced third quarter net profit of €957m, which is more than triple the same period last year. The company is maintaining its forecast for deliveries of 800 commercial aircraft this year.
In the UK, Channel 4 television has chosen Leeds as the location for its new national headquarters while Bristol and Glasgow will host the new creative hubs. About 200 of its 800 staff will move to Leeds.
GM has announced better than expected quarterly profit numbers due to strong demand for its new pick-up trucks. Net profit was $2.53bn. Revenue rose 6.4% to $35.8bn.
Restaurant owner Yum Brands has posted strong third-quarter profits thanks to growth at its KFC and Taco Bell chains, but Pizza Hut continued to struggle. Taco Bell recorded a 5% rise in same-restaurant sales while KFC jumped 3%. Pizza Hut sales fell by 1% due to declines in the US and China.
SPORT
Cricket… England have drawn their warm-up match in Colombo. They reached 365-7 from 90 overs in reply to their host’s total of 392-9 declared. Captain Joe Root scored a century while Moeen Ali made 60.
Rugby Union.. Gethin Jenkins is set to retire from rugby after playing in Sunday's home Pro14 match for Cardiff Blues against Zebre. Jenkins, who is 37, played 129 times for Wales and made five Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions.
Football.. Fifa president Gianni Infantino has said that the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams could be brought forward to 2022 from the planned tournament in 2026. If adopted, the change would require Qatar to share 2022 hosting duties with other countries in the region.
In the English League Cup, there are 4 ties tonight. Arsenal play Blackpool, Chelsea are at home to Derby, West Ham play Spurs and Middlesbrough host Crystal Palace.
Tennis… Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Paris Masters because of an injury. It means that Novak Djokovic will replace him as world number one when the rankings are released on Monday. Earlier today world number three Roger Federer made it through to the last 16 without playing, when Milos Raonic pulled out with an elbow injury.
Madison Keys has beaten Daria Kasatkina in the WTA Elite Trophy. The top sead was knocked out of the tournament 6-2 6-4.
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The owners of a vast floating artificial island that had been planned for last summer off the coast of Mandelieu have won a legal battle to be allowed...
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