French and Riviera News 12th November 2021

News

Covid incidence rate increases in the Alpes Maritimes - According to Public Health France, the latest figures published on Thursday November 11th, for the Alpes Maritimes, show that the number of positive cases of covid per 100,000 inhabitants stood at 102. An increase of almost 25% compared to the day before and 75% compared to the beginning of the month.

The incidence rate had not been calculated at more than 100 in the Alpes-Maritimes since September 20th. Since then, it had never fallen below the alert threshold set at 50 by the government. The current rate for Alpes-Maritimes is above the national average which stands at 94.

As a reminder, from December 15th, those over 65 will have to have a booster dose to keep their health pass. In addition, a campaign will be launched for the 50-64 year olds from the beginning of December for the booster jab. The mask will again be mandatory in elementary schools throughout France from Monday 15th November, while it is currently mandatory in 61 departments.

New variant of covid detected in Brittany - Meanwhile according to local media in Brittany, a new variant of Covid has been identified in a school in the Finistère. The facts date back to October 15th, when a covid cluster was identified in an elementary school. Eighteen students tested positive. As a precaution, two of the twelve classes in the school were closed followed by five more. Tests revealed the presence of an "abnormal" and "very particular" strain. A strain already identified in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Scotland and Italy, but also in Africa. For the time being investigations by the Regional Health Agency and Public Health France have concluded "the absence of a greater contagiousness". The authorities have nevertheless announced that they are monitoring the situation very closely.

Nightclubs no longer limited on capacity - All nightclubs in France will no longer have to limit their customers to three-quarters of their capacity, a measure which had been in force since the summer. Nightclubs have been particularly affected by the health crisis being forced, for more than a year, by an uninterrupted closure.

Motorist dies at the wheel - A motorist has died in a road accident in Vence. The accident occurred on Thursday afternoon at around 2pm. The victim, a 59-year-old man, is believed to have suffered a heart attack at the wheel of his vehicle on the chemin de Vosgelade. Emergency services intervened but the victim was declared dead at the scene.

Man drowns off the coast of Cannes - A 49-year-old man has died after drowning on Thursday afternoon between the Lérins Islands, off the coast of Cannes. The circumstances of the death remain to be determined. The victim was believed to have been out sailing at the time.

47-year-old man injured in hunting incident - A 47-year-old man has been seriously injured in the face after a hunting accident. The accident occurred on Thursday morning in Montauban southwestern France. The alleged shooter has been taken into police custody. According to the prosecutor's office, the two men knew each other and were probably hunting together at the time of the incident. The investigation continues.

Place Garibaldi evacuated - Restaurant terraces on the Place Garibaldi in Nice were evacuated after the discovery of suspicious baggage. Police evacuated the popular square on Thursday after a suitcase was discovered on a bench, abandoned for more than an hour.

Animal activist fined for tagging - Animal activists in the Var have been fined for tagging a slaughterhouse in the Alpes Maritimes. The three thirty-year-olds had painted slogans on the slaughterhouse in Puget-Théniers.

Jogger to be heard for a second time due to inaccuracies - After being found alive on Tuesday, the 17-year-old jogger who went missing in northwestern France on Monday, believed to have been kidnapped, will be heard again by investigators today Friday 12th November. The investigation continues due to several inaccuracies in her initial declaration requiring her to be heard again today.

Five European countries have denounced the European Union's classification of nuclear power as a "green" investment - At the COP26 in Glasgow on Thursday Germany, Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg and Portugal said that nuclear energy was "incompatible" with the criteria of the list of investments considered "sustainable" currently drawn up by the European Union. For them, this energy can be harmful to the environment and must therefore be excluded from the list. The European Commission must propose, before the end of the year, a list of energies considered virtuous for the climate.

In a joint statement, the environment ministers of the five countries fear that an inclusion of nuclear will permanently affect the "integrity, credibility and therefore usefulness" of this list. Ten EU states, led by France, had published, in mid-October, an opinion piece supporting nuclear power. Other countries such as Germany, Austria or Luxembourg say they are opposed, pinpointing the problem of the very long-term storage of radioactive waste.

Black hole - For the first time, a black hole has been detected directly in a young star cluster. Until now, scientists have been able to detect them indirectly, thanks in particular to the radiation emitted at their border. This time, according to a study published on Thursday, a team identified a black hole thanks to the proximity of a nearby star, whose orbit was disturbed. They used a completely new method that could improve the detection of these hard-to-pin objects. 

Business

According to a survey conducted at the end of October by OpinionWay the French plan to spend on average, 282 euros on their gifts this Christmas. An amount slightly up compared to last year (272 euros), but much lower than the level observed before the crisis, which was 342 euros. In a context of rising energy prices, French have planned to pay attention to their expenses for Christmas. Every year, several studies look at the average budget spent on Christmas gifts.

Meanwhile children in France have until December 17th to write to Santa if they want to receive a reply. La Poste made the announcement on Thursday saying that children can simply write "Father Christmas" on the envelope along with their address on the back with no need to stamp the letter. They can also choose the electronic version on pere-noel.laposte.fr by choosing "write to Santa Claus".

Launched during the "Made in France" MIF Expo which opened its doors on Thursday in Paris, a new logo has been issued aiming to bring together as many French products as possible. The new "Made in France" logo has been launched to highlight to consumers the products made on French soil, from a tin of ravioli to living room furniture.

Sport 

Cricket - Australia have come back from the brink to beat Pakistan by five wickets in another gripping Men's T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday afternoon. Australia and New Zealand, neither of whom have won the T20 World Cup, will meet in the final in Dubai on Sunday at 3pm French time.

Football – Steven Gerrard has ended his three-year reign at Ranger after being appointed manager at Aston Villa on Thursday on a three-and-a-half year deal. The former Liverpool captain leaves the Scottish champions having guided them to a first league title in 10 years last season. Gerrard will replace Dean Smith, who was sacked on Sunday after a run of five successive defeats. Villa are 16th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone.

No Premier league action this weekend it's all about the World Cup qualifying. Wales are officially guaranteed at least a place in the World Cup play-offs after Spain beat Greece 1-0. This evening England play Albania and on Saturday France play Kazakhstan.

Formula One – Ahead of this weekend's Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton says "every race is a must-win" as his title battle with Max Verstappen heads into its climax. Hamilton trails Verstappen by 19 points before this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with a maximum of 107 available over the remaining four races.

Rugby Union - Marcus Smith will start at fly-half for England against Australia on Saturday, with captain Owen Farrell shifting to inside centre.

Tennis - Britain's Andy Murray missed out on a first ATP Tour semi-final in two years after losing to American Tommy Paul in the Stockholm Open quarter-finals.

Weather 

Cloudy to start with, clearing by this afternoon with a moderate wind. Highs of 18 degrees in Monaco, Nice, Antibes and Saint Tropez. Scattered showers are forecast for the Var region. This evening going down to 11 degrees with clear skies.

The outlook for Saturday - Sunny intervals for the Alpes Maritimes. Fine in the Var. Sunday, risk of light rain in the Var. Highs of 18-20 degrees.

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