Evening Update Friday 15 September 2023

Heavy rain is expected on the Riviera tomorrow, especially in the morning. Meteo France have a yellow warning for storms in the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes and also a yellow warning for heavy rain and flooding in the Var for much of the day tomorrow. The Gard and the Herault departments have been place on an orange warning for heavy rain and flooding tomorrow.

Four additional municipalities have been added to a list of municipalities in the Alpes-Maritimes classified as a state of natural disaster because of drought-soil rehydration from 1 April to 30 September last year. They are Colomars, Tourettes-sur-Loup, Drap and Rigaud. The interministerial decree was published on September 14 in the official journal. Those affected have thirty days from that date to submit an estimated statement of the losses they have suffered with their insurance companies, in order to benefit from the compensation scheme. The prefecture said that for the municipality of Menton, the request for recognition will be examined in the coming weeks.

A preliminary investigation has been opened after a dozen people were affected by botulism in Bordeaux. They reportedly fell ill after eating sardines at the same bar. One of the victims has since died.

Preparations are underway in Marseille for the visit of Pope Francis next Friday and Saturday. Over 50,000 people are expected at the Stade Velodrome for a special mass on the Saturday for which a ticket and ID will be required. Traffic diversions will be in place near the stadium. It's estimated that 100,000 people will also watch the mass on five giant screens nearby which will relay proceedings to those unable to get tickets. Authorities have said that 5,000 police and 1,000 private security officers will be deployed during the Pope's visit.

 

BUSINESS

The number of company insolvencies in England and Wales rose sharply in August. The Insolvency service said that insolvencies rose by 19% compared with the same month last year.

Workers at several major vehicle manufacturers in the United States are taking industrial action. The United Autoworkers Union said that work had stopped at three plants owned by General Motors , Ford and Stellantis. The industrial action affects over ten thousand workers.

Train drivers in the UK are taking part in two more strikes. The Aslef union said its members at 16 train companies would walk out on 30 September and 4 October. It also announced an overtime ban on 29 September and for five days from 2 to 6 October. The latest industrial action is part of a long running dispute between the union and rail companies.

 

SPORT

Football... Everton is set to have new ownership. Shareholder Farhad Moshiri has agreed to sell his 94% stake to an American investment fund. The sale to 777 Partners is expected to be completed by the end of this year subject to various approvals.

Motorsports... Charles Leclerc was fastest in first practice at the Singapore Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz was second ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen in third and Lando Norris in fourth. In second practice, Carlos Sainz was first, followed by Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Fernando Alonso.

Rugby Union...The Rugby World Cup continues with several matches this weekend including Wales taking on Portugal in Nice tomorrow. New Zealand are playing Namibia today in Pool A. It’s Ireland against Tonga and Samoa against Chile tomorrow. Then on Sunday England are taking on Japan, it’s Australia against Fiji and South Africa against Romania.

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