Women in Nice and Grasse have been protesting today, International Women’s Rights Day, against gender pay gaps and the increasing number of femicides in France. In the last two weeks alone, a woman in her forties perished at the hands of her partner in Cagnes-sur-mer, while another woman in Villeneuve-Loubet is in critical condition after being attacked in her home by her partner on Wednesday. Thousands of women have joined protests in 200 cities across France.
Meanwhile, a former police commissioner is being sent to prison for ordering a charge against yellow vest protestors in Nice in 2019. During the incident, on Place Garabaldi on March 23rd, a 78-year-old activist Geneviève Legay was injured and the medics assisting her arrested. Madame Legay spent several weeks in hospital recovering. The commissioner Rabah Souchi received a six-month sentence at the criminal court today.
Authorities are urging Riviera residents to stay home tomorrow as the Alpes-Maritimes braces for a third ‘mediterranean episode’ tonight. Strong winds and up to 100 mm of rain are expected in the next 24 hours. Marie’s along the coast are expected to close parks and some coastal roads as a precaution. Organisers of this weekends ‘Biotrail’ in Biot say the event is still going ahead but will be postponed if an Orange weather alert is issued by Meteo France.
French President Emmanuel Macron has used a Napoleon-era press, to seal the right to abortion into the country's constitution. It follows an historic vote by parliament on Monday. The President also paid tribute to feminist figures including Simone Veil from Nice, who first introduced the law on abortion when she was Minister of Health in 1974.
In Vallauris police are investigating an incident where a concrete block and a chair were thrown at a police car on patrol. The assailants, who were controlled earlier in the day, escaped into a block of apartments before disappearing.
And two people are recovering after their glider crash landed the Var this morning. The light aircraft came down in a field near Avenue Jean Jaurès in Claviers. The pilot and passenger are recovering in hospital in Toulon.
BUSINESS NEWS
The number of family offices in the world has tripled since 2019. A new report out today from Preqin, says family offices — the private investing arms of wealthy families — topped 4,500 worldwide last year. North America has the largest share with over 1,500. No official figures exist for the number of family offices based in Monaco but it’s believed to be in the region of 50.
Shares in the international ‘meal-kit’ company HelloFresh have plunged by more than 40% after it warned earnings would fall below expectations. The Germany based company, who operate across the EU, US and Australia said it expected earnings of €400m this year, down from an estimated €568m. The company also scrapped its revenue and profit targets for next year, pointing to higher costs in the development of its ‘ready-to-eat’ business.
European Central Bank policymakers are lining up in support of an interest rate cut in the coming months as inflation in the euro zone falls faster than they had anticipated. Central bank governors from Germany, France, Finland and Lithuania all talked up the chances of the ECB lowering borrowing costs perhaps as soon as June.
Markets
€1 will buy you; STG £ 0.85
US $ 1.09
£1 will buy you; EUR € 1.17
Bitcoin is hovering around € 62,000 a coin
Forex Gold Index is at $ 2,153 oz
Brent Crude Oil on market $ 82.48 a barrel
SPORT
Cycling: Due to the bad weather, tomorrows 7th stage of the Paris Nice race has been modified. Originally planned from Nice to Auron, it will now be shortened and no longer pass by La Colmiane but instead by La Madone d’Utelle. The final stage, ending on the promenade in Nice, is expected to ahead as planned on Sunday.
Rugby: The spotlight is on a struggling France this weekend in the Six Nations after a poor 13 all draw with Italy in Rome two weeks ago. This weekend’s clash with Wales sees Les Bleues make eight changes, including Thomas Ramos switching from full-back to fly-half, while number eight Gregory Alldritt returns as captain. Kick off in Cardiff is at 4pm on Sunday.
Tomorrow Italy face Scotland at 3.15pm and there is a daunting Six Nations encounter, with Grand Slam-chasing Ireland against England, in front of a capacity crowd of 82,000 at Twickenham. That match kicks off tomorrow at 5.45pm French time.
Formuala E have announced an all-female day is to be held as part of this year’s race at Monaco. Teenagers from 12 to 18 are invited to take part in a series of activities, including going behind the scenes at the Monaco E-Prix and meeting personalities behind the sport. You can register using this link for the FIA website.
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