French and Riviera News Friday 18th August 2023

News

Man is arrested after parachuting from the top of the Eiffel Tower - A base jumper has parachuted from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The man climbed the east pillar of the Eiffel Tower on Thursday morning shortly after 5.30am before parachuting from the top of the monument shortly before 7am. The man landed on the ground of the Emile Antoine Stadium before being arrested by police.  A complaint was also filed by the operating company for endangering the lives of others and trespassing. The incident led to the opening of the monument being delayed. It’s the second recent incident at the popular tourist attraction, which welcomed 5.9 million visitors last year, after on Monday, two American tourists were found sleeping inside the Eiffel Tower after getting stuck while drunk spending a night under the stars in the famous monument.

Busy weekend on the roads in France - France’s traffic information service Bison Futé has warned motorists of an extremely busy weekend on the roads across France as many, return home from their summer break. Difficulties are expected throughout the weekend from today midday until Monday August 21st. In the southeast, the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and the Mediterranean the roads have been classified as red, while the rest of France has been classified as orange. Tomorrow, Saturday 19th August, has been classified as red across the country. Sunday is classified as orange at a national level and remaining red in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Mediterranean.

Heatwave - The forthcoming heatwave promises to be the hottest of this summer according to Meteo France. It said that the heatwave will intensify over the next few days and gradually widen. Temperatures of 40 degrees or more are expected in inland areas of the Var on Sunday. Nineteen departments, mostly in central and eastern areas of the country, are on a Meteo France Orange alert for high temperatures today. Peak intensity of the heatwave is forecast for Monday or Tuesday.

Meanwhile the French government has activated a toll-free number for members of the public calling for the greatest vigilance in the face of high temperatures. For any information and assistance, call 0800 06 66 66.

Forest fires – Along with the high temperatures and dry conditions comes the high risk of forest fires in our region resulting in the access to six forest areas in the Var remaining closed to the public today, Friday 18th August. The Centre-Var, the Maures, the Corniche des Maures, the Esterel, the Sainte-Baume and the Haut-Var are closed to all traffic and human presence.

Anti-mosquito operation - An anti-mosquito operation is taking place today in Hyères in the Var following a case of dengue fever. The ARS is organizing the operation as part of the fight against the tiger mosquito which has been found in the city center. The town council has specified that the preventive treatment, carried out on an exceptional basis, is essential in order to limit the risks of local transmission of the disease. Residents are, invited to stay at home and close the windows overlooking the public road, bring in laundry, children's toys or food, keep pets away and wait 3 days after treatment to eat fruit and vegetables from the vegetable garden.

Covid Campaign - France’s health Ministry is to launch a new covid vaccination campaign from October targeting those most at risk, but remaining open to all those who wish to be vaccinated. The only requirement is to respect a minimum period of six months after the last injection or infection. In August, the health services in France recorded a slight upsurge in Covid-19 cases. The figures are far from reaching the levels known during the peaks of contamination, but they show that the virus is still circulating in France. According to an official bulletin from the Ministry of Health dated July, this campaign will begin on October 17th.

Name Change Challenge – Finally, ever thought about changing your name? Well, you might want to think again? As the American fast food chain “Subway” launched in July an original initiative, the “Name Change Challenge”. In a statement, the company explains that it will offer sandwiches for life to anyone willing to officially change their name to now call themselves "Subway". The challenge obviously aimed at fans of the brand invited people to apply through their website the SubwayNameChange.com. The contest was open to both men and women. The winner soon to be announced will take the administrative steps to give up their current first name in favour of “Subway”. The company has specified that it will reimburse all legal costs related to this administrative procedure.

Business

Property giant Evergrande has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US as the real estate crisis in China deepens. It will allow the heavily indebted company to protect its assets in the US as it works on a multi-billion-dollar deal with creditors. Evergrande defaulted on its huge debts in 2021, which sent shockwaves through global financial markets. The move comes as problems in China's property market add to concerns about the world's second largest economy.

After a sharp rise in prices the fast food chain Burger King says it has removed tomatoes from its food in Indian outlets. Burger King said it made the decision because of "unpredictable conditions on the quality and supply of tomato crops". The burger chain is the second in the country after McDonald's to drop the ingredient from its menu. Experts say crop damage due to bad weather conditions have caused a shortage in the market. Earlier this week, US sandwich chain Subway also removed tomatoes from menus as India's food inflation hit its highest since January 2020 according to reports.

And - The UK government is encouraging councils to get pubs open earlier on Sunday ahead of the Women's World Cup final. It comes after pubs called for licensing laws to be relaxed to allow venues to serve alcohol from 10:00 BST ahead of the much-anticipated match.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) wants pubs to be able to sell drinks before kick-off. Government called for "rapid" action from councils.

Sport

Football – The heat is on as football fans get ready for the Women’s World Cup Final which is taking place on Sunday between Spain and England. Kick off is at midday French time. Saturday will see the 3rd/4th place play off between Sweden and Australia. Kick off is at 10am French time.

In the Premier League this evening Nottingham Forest are at home to Sheffield United. Kick of is at 8.45pm French time.

And there is more Premier League action on Saturday, Fulham are at home to Brentford, Liverpool face Bournemouth, Wolves play Brighton, Tottenham play Manchester United and Manchester City are at home to Newcastle.

Rugby Union - Ireland coach Andy Farrell has called the controversy over son Owen's current disciplinary process a "circus" that is "absolutely disgusting". England captain Farrell's World Cup participation is in fresh doubt. This follows World Rugby's appeal against a decision to overturn last Saturday's red card against Wales. "The circus that's gone on in and around all of this is absolutely disgusting, in my opinion, disgusting," said the Ireland coach.

Weather

A heatwave warning is in place with temperatures expected to rise over the coming days and into next week. Sunny, highs of 29 degrees in Monaco, Nice and Saint-Tropez. A moderate breeze. This evening going down to 21 degrees along the coast with clear skies.

The outlook for the weekend remaining fine with highs of 30 degrees along the coast and reaching 35 degrees inland.

Sunrise       06.33am

Sunset        08.32pm

Beach Weather

Nice – Sea temperature 26 degrees. Air temperature 28 degrees. UV level 9.

Saint-Tropez - Sea temperature 26 degrees.. Air temperature 31 degrees. UV level 9.

 

 

News

Man is arrested after parachuting from the top of the Eiffel Tower - A base jumper has parachuted from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The man climbed the east pillar of the Eiffel Tower on Thursday morning shortly after 5.30am before parachuting from the top of the monument shortly before 7am. The man landed on the ground of the Emile Antoine Stadium before being arrested by police.  A complaint was also filed by the operating company for endangering the lives of others and trespassing. The incident led to the opening of the monument being delayed. It’s the second recent incident at the popular tourist attraction, which welcomed 5.9 million visitors last year, after on Monday, two American tourists were found sleeping inside the Eiffel Tower after getting stuck while drunk spending a night under the stars in the famous monument.

Busy weekend on the roads in France - France’s traffic information service Bison Futé has warned motorists of an extremely busy weekend on the roads across France as many, return home from their summer break. Difficulties are expected throughout the weekend from today midday until Monday August 21st. In the southeast, the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and the Mediterranean the roads have been classified as red, while the rest of France has been classified as orange. Tomorrow, Saturday 19th August, has been classified as red across the country. Sunday is classified as orange at a national level and remaining red in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Mediterranean.

Heatwave - The forthcoming heatwave promises to be the hottest of this summer according to Meteo France. It said that the heatwave will intensify over the next few days and gradually widen. Temperatures of 40 degrees or more are expected in inland areas of the Var on Sunday. Nineteen departments, mostly in central and eastern areas of the country, are on a Meteo France Orange alert for high temperatures today. Peak intensity of the heatwave is forecast for Monday or Tuesday.

Meanwhile the French government has activated a toll-free number for members of the public calling for the greatest vigilance in the face of high temperatures. For any information and assistance, call 0800 06 66 66.

Forest fires – Along with the high temperatures and dry conditions comes the high risk of forest fires in our region resulting in the access to six forest areas in the Var remaining closed to the public today, Friday 18th August. The Centre-Var, the Maures, the Corniche des Maures, the Esterel, the Sainte-Baume and the Haut-Var are closed to all traffic and human presence.

Anti-mosquito operation - An anti-mosquito operation is taking place today in Hyères in the Var following a case of dengue fever. The ARS is organizing the operation as part of the fight against the tiger mosquito which has been found in the city center. The town council has specified that the preventive treatment, carried out on an exceptional basis, is essential in order to limit the risks of local transmission of the disease. Residents are, invited to stay at home and close the windows overlooking the public road, bring in laundry, children's toys or food, keep pets away and wait 3 days after treatment to eat fruit and vegetables from the vegetable garden.

Covid Campaign - France’s health Ministry is to launch a new covid vaccination campaign from October targeting those most at risk, but remaining open to all those who wish to be vaccinated. The only requirement is to respect a minimum period of six months after the last injection or infection. In August, the health services in France recorded a slight upsurge in Covid-19 cases. The figures are far from reaching the levels known during the peaks of contamination, but they show that the virus is still circulating in France. According to an official bulletin from the Ministry of Health dated July, this campaign will begin on October 17th.

Name Change Challenge – Finally, ever thought about changing your name? Well, you might want to think again? As the American fast food chain “Subway” launched in July an original initiative, the “Name Change Challenge”. In a statement, the company explains that it will offer sandwiches for life to anyone willing to officially change their name to now call themselves "Subway". The challenge obviously aimed at fans of the brand invited people to apply through their website the SubwayNameChange.com. The contest was open to both men and women. The winner soon to be announced will take the administrative steps to give up their current first name in favour of “Subway”. The company has specified that it will reimburse all legal costs related to this administrative procedure.

Business

Property giant Evergrande has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US as the real estate crisis in China deepens. It will allow the heavily indebted company to protect its assets in the US as it works on a multi-billion-dollar deal with creditors. Evergrande defaulted on its huge debts in 2021, which sent shockwaves through global financial markets. The move comes as problems in China's property market add to concerns about the world's second largest economy.

After a sharp rise in prices the fast food chain Burger King says it has removed tomatoes from its food in Indian outlets. Burger King said it made the decision because of "unpredictable conditions on the quality and supply of tomato crops". The burger chain is the second in the country after McDonald's to drop the ingredient from its menu. Experts say crop damage due to bad weather conditions have caused a shortage in the market. Earlier this week, US sandwich chain Subway also removed tomatoes from menus as India's food inflation hit its highest since January 2020 according to reports.

And - The UK government is encouraging councils to get pubs open earlier on Sunday ahead of the Women's World Cup final. It comes after pubs called for licensing laws to be relaxed to allow venues to serve alcohol from 10:00 BST ahead of the much-anticipated match.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) wants pubs to be able to sell drinks before kick-off. Government called for "rapid" action from councils.

Sport

Football – The heat is on as football fans get ready for the Women’s World Cup Final which is taking place on Sunday between Spain and England. Kick off is at midday French time. Saturday will see the 3rd/4th place play off between Sweden and Australia. Kick off is at 10am French time.

In the Premier League this evening Nottingham Forest are at home to Sheffield United. Kick of is at 8.45pm French time.

And there is more Premier League action on Saturday, Fulham are at home to Brentford, Liverpool face Bournemouth, Wolves play Brighton, Tottenham play Manchester United and Manchester City are at home to Newcastle.

Rugby Union - Ireland coach Andy Farrell has called the controversy over son Owen's current disciplinary process a "circus" that is "absolutely disgusting". England captain Farrell's World Cup participation is in fresh doubt. This follows World Rugby's appeal against a decision to overturn last Saturday's red card against Wales. "The circus that's gone on in and around all of this is absolutely disgusting, in my opinion, disgusting," said the Ireland coach.

Weather

A heatwave warning is in place with temperatures expected to rise over the coming days and into next week. Sunny, highs of 29 degrees in Monaco, Nice and Saint-Tropez. A moderate breeze. This evening going down to 21 degrees along the coast with clear skies.

The outlook for the weekend remaining fine with highs of 30 degrees along the coast and reaching 35 degrees inland.

Sunrise       06.33am

Sunset        08.32pm

Beach Weather

Nice – Sea temperature 26 degrees. Air temperature 28 degrees. UV level 9.

Saint-Tropez - Sea temperature 26 degrees.. Air temperature 31 degrees. UV level 9.

 

 

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