French and Riviera News Friday 23rd September 2022

News

“Mediterranean episode” - Météo France is closely following the possibility of a “Mediterranean episode” expected this weekend between the Hérault and the Alpes Maritimes. The first storms are expected this evening above the Pyrenees and around Toulouse and then on Saturday moving east, towards the PACA region and then Corsica. Meanwhile on Thursday the coastal path in Antibes was closed due to a strong sea swell and is expected to remain closed at least until this Friday morning.

Health workers denounce catastrophic situation of the health care system - Health workers have gathered in Nice to denounce the catastrophic situation of the healthcare system. Caregivers gathered on Place Garibaldi on Thursday evening protesting against the lack of beds, staff and equipment.

Text scam - The French state has warned that any text messages about renewing your “carte vitale” is a scam. In recent days many people have received such a text informing them of the expiry of the health insurance card and directing them to a website to give personal details including name, address and bank details in order to obtain an updated card. It should be known that the social security in France never asks by message to update your carte vitale and secondly updating a card is completely free of charge and can be done at specific terminals in pharmacies or at your doctor’s never on the internet.

Independent report reveals prevalence of incest in French families - Following the publication of an independent report on the prevalence of incest in French families, the French government has announced legal changes to deal with sexual crimes against children. Among other measures, parental authority can now be withdrawn from those convicted of incestuous acts. An estimated 160,000 French children are victims of incest every year.

Offshore windfarms - French President Emmanuel Macron has inaugurated the first planned series of offshore windfarms on Thursday on the Atlantic coast off the western city of Saint-Nazaire. The project is intended to make France less dependent on non-renewable energy and, in the shorter term, answer national needs in the wake of Russian power cuts. The French leader promised to cut by half the administrative delays slowing renewable energy projects.

Quality of drinking water in France - Two surveys carried out by Le Monde and "Complément d'Enquête" have reported that water quality thresholds have been exceeded in many municipalities in France. As studies are lacking to assess the dangerousness thresholds of certain molecules. The two medias denounce malfunctions in the monitoring of the quality of the drinking water network. According to the surveys contamination is widespread with some 12 million French men and women in mainland France being exposed in 2021 to tap water considered non-compliant. This result represents a clear increase compared to 2020. Some regions seem more affected, notes Le Monde. Like the Hauts-de-France, where 65% of the population was affected - regularly or occasionally - by drinking water non-compliance in 2021, Brittany (43%), the Grand-Est (25.5 %) and the Pays de la Loire (25%).

Households leaving the French capital - The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) has published a study on households that have left Paris. 25% of departing households from the French capital are concentrated in eleven cities across France including Marseille, Nice and Aix-en-Provence. 1,747 households have settled in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône). 1,053 households in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) and 636 households in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône). In 2018, INSEE indicates that nearly 240,000 people left the Paris region for other regions of France and overseas departments. Most of them are young couples. 45% of households leaving the Île-de-France are under 40. In Nice, the under 40s remain the majority, as in Toulon and Marseille. For the other municipalities on the Mediterranean coast, such as Antibes, Cagnes sur mer and Cannes the over 60s are the most numerous.

Antibes invests six million euros to embellish the ramparts - The city of Antibes is investing six million euros to embellish the ramparts. After having carried out the first phase with the Garden of Poets, the city will from January until the beginning of April embark on the second phase. Parking spaces will give way to a belvedere and benches to admire the view from the ramparts and alternative solutions will be provided with a shuttle service through the ramparts during the summer months. During the works, which should last until the beginning of April, the section will be closed to traffic.

Opening in Nice of the first Bacchus Business Club on the Côte d'Azur - The Bacchus Business Club, a private club of business leaders and economic personalities created by Terre de Vins, has just opened on the Côte d'Azur, in Nice. A club which combines gastronomy and winemaking know-how, while instilling a taste for entrepreneurship. After successful launches in Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier in 2021 the club has now found a place on the Riviera.

Grande Braderie of Juan les Pins - The Juan les Pins “Grande Braderie” starts today Friday 23rd September and runs until Sunday. Organized by the Juan-les-Pins Tourism Trade Federation, clothes shops will offer unbeatable prices on summer collections and restaurants will also be taking part. In total, nearly a hundred traders in the seaside resort are taking part in this year’s edition.

Business

Sri Lanka's annual inflation rate surged to more than 70% in August as it struggles with its worst economic crisis in over seven decades. Official data also showed food prices rose by 84.6% compared to a year ago. The South Asian nation of 22m people was plunged into financial and political chaos this year as it faced a shortage of foreign currencies. The country has been unable to afford key imports - including fuel, fertiliser and med