NEWS
Removal of Iron Bars in Rue Tivoli in Marseille - Collapse of the Rue Tivoli in Marseille. More than a year after the explosion and collapse of a building on Rue Tivoli, the structure that supported several buildings will be removed. On the 9th of April 2023, an explosion had taken the life of 8 people. Since then, the city of Marseille had installed large iron bars to support the adjacent buildings which are now being progressively removed. Controls will be held until October to ensure the safety of the structures.
14-year-old Commited Manslaughter - A 14-year-old has been arrested last night after killing another driver. After stealing a car at around 3am, the young man got chased by the police and attempted to flee. After losing control of his vehicle in the Haut-de-Seine, he crashed into a car which led to the death of the other driver. The young man had received minor injuries and was taken into custody after receiving treatment. An investigation for manslaughter has been opened.
Drug Traffic Dismantled - A drug trafficking operation has been dismantled in the Vaison-la-Romaine, Violès and Vinsobres communes of the Vaucluse department. Six people have been arrested suspected of taking part in a large drug trafficking operation of the Vaison commune. More than 4.5 kilos cannabis and 100 grams of cocaine, 3700 euros and a handgun have been seized.
Change of Suppliers for School Canteens - School canteens suppliers will soon change in Marseille. The city of Marseille has announced they aim not to rely solely on food and facilities management company Sodexo and promote local production instead starting in 2025.
Diabetes Prevention Week - This week is the national diabetes prevention week in France. For the occasion, screenings and fitness checks are proposed for free all week in Nice. In France, one person out of seven are diagnosed with diabetes. Until the 7th of June, you can undergo a free screening at the vaccination centre on 10 Rue Hancy in the centre of Nice, at 162 bd de la Madeleine, or on 157 route de Turin from 9 to 12:30am.
What Happens to Confiscated Items at Security Gates? - Confiscated items in the Nice International Airport are donated to the caritative association Les Restos du Coeurs. Each week, nearly a ton of unregulated objects are being confiscated at the security gates of Nice’s Airport. All of which are then being distributed to the Restos du Coeurs. In 18 months, they collected 117 000 objects from the airport.
BUSINESS
Toyota's headquarters have been raided by Japan's transport ministry amid a scandal over manipulated safety data. Toyota, the world's largest carmaker, apologized for the faulty data affecting safety certifications. The scandal has impacted rivals Honda, Mazda, and Suzuki, who also admitted submitting incorrect data. Despite Toyota selling over 11 million vehicles in 2023, it insists current vehicles remain safe. Production of three models has been suspended, and Toyota faces accusations of using modified vehicles in collision tests. Chairman Akio Toyoda publicly apologized. Inspections of Honda, Mazda, and Suzuki are also underway. Earlier this year, Toyota issued a "Do Not Drive" advisory in the US for 50,000 older models due to airbag issues.
Epoch Times’ chief financial officer, Bill Guan, has been arrested for allegedly participating in a global money-laundering scheme involving at least $67 million. Epoch Times is a far-right international multi-language newspaper and media company. Federal prosecutors claim Guan led a team that used cryptocurrency to launder crime proceeds. If convicted, he faces over 30 years in prison. The Epoch Times stated they will fully cooperate with the investigation and have suspended Guan. The scheme allegedly began in 2020, with funds moved through numerous transactions to enrich The Epoch Times, boosting its annual revenue significantly. Guan has been charged with money laundering and bank fraud, unrelated to the outlet's newsgathering activities.
SPORTS
Tennis - Alexander Zverev defeated Holger Rune at 01:40 in the morning local time in Paris to reach the French Open quarter-finals with a thrilling five-set win. The fourth seed needed 4 hours and 40 minutes to edge past Rune of Denmark 4-6 6-1 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 6-2.
Athletics - European 400m record holder Matthew Hudson-Smith and sprinters Zharnel Hughes, Imani-Lara Lansiquot and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake have withdrawn from the British team for the European Athletics Championships. Hudson-Smith reported wanting to focus on training for the Olympics while Mitchell-Blake was seen limping after his 100m race. Though no details of injury have yet been confirmed.
Rugby Union- Sale Sharks back row Tom Curry is straight back into the England training squad after missing nearly the entire club season to recover from hip surgery undertaken after the Rugby World Cup. After playing just 34 minutes from the bench in Sale's Premiership semi-final loss to Bath on Saturday, the 25-year-old has joined his twin brother Ben Curry in the 33-player squad.
WEATHER
Cloudy on the Riviera with risks of thunderstorms inland this afternoon. Highs of 22 degrees in Nice, 23 in Cannes and Marseille, and 24 degrees in Toulon and Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, the sky should clear up in most of the region while Nice’s skies remain cloudy with lows of 17 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, clear morning with cloudy skies in the afternoon that should clear up in the evening. Highs of 23 degrees.
Train traffic is completely halted after 5:30pm today, Thursday 17th of October.
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A 26-year-old biker has died following a road accident behind the Eze-Village tunnel.
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Thirteen departments in southern France are under orange weather alert for rain, flooding, thunderstorms, and/or river surges. ...
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All schools in the Alpes-Maritimes will be closed today Thursday 17th October, due to the orange weather alert which is to be reinstated from 9am this...
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The Alpes-Maritimes and Var regions were placed under an orange weather alert for storms and rain-induced flooding on Wednesday, the 16th of October,...
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