French and Riviera News Friday 29th October 2021

News 

Mediterranean episode forecast this weekend - Météo France has forecast a "Mediterranean episode" this weekend from Saturday into Sunday with heavy rain expected particularly in the Var and the southeast region of the Alpes Maritimes. Between 50 and 80 mm of rain is expected. 

France's Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin - France's Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin will be in the region today Friday 29th October, firstly to attend the funeral of the mayor of Menton before going to the tribute ceremony to the three victims on the first anniversary of the terrorist attack at the Basilica of Nice. Darmanin will at 3pm attend the funeral of Jean-Claude Guibal the mayor of Menton and president of the French Riviera Community who died on Monday at the age of 80. The Minister of the Interior will then travel to Nice where he will participate at 5pm in the tribute ceremony to the victims of the attack on Notre-Dame Basilica. At 7 p.m., a mass will be held in the basilica, presided over by Monsignor André Marceau, Bishop of Nice. Church bells across Nice will be rung as a mark of respect.

Motorist responsible for fatal road accident handed a five-year prison sentence - The motorist responsible for killing two Monegasque firefighters in a road accident in Puget-Théniers on August 31st has been given a five-year prison sentence. The 24-year-old craftsman appeared in court in Nice on Thursday. Four motorcyclists all firefighters from Monaco were mowed down during a leisurely motorcycle trip. Two were wounded, two others killed, 22-year-old Sapier Matis Canavese, and 42-year-old Sergeant Stéphan Hertier.

Drug trafficking dismantled - A dozen people involved in drug trafficking between Paris, Marseille and the Var have been handed heavy sentences on Thursday October 28th before the criminal court of Toulon. A six-month investigation had led to several arrests back in July of last year. According to reports the cocaine was hidden in cans of paint and the money travelled by taxi.

Bronchiolitis epidemic spreading - As the bronchiolitis epidemic spreads in France, the president of the French Society of Pediatrics has advised parents to avoid exposing children under two months of age to other adults. The health authorities have warned that the epidemic is already affecting 11 of the 13 regions of France, and the last two, Brittany and Corsica, will soon be included. 

AS Monaco train in front of supporters for the first time in two years - It was a moment not to be missed as the players of AS Monaco trained in front of nearly 400 Monegasque fans at the Louis-II stadium on Thursday, ahead of their trip to Brest on Sunday. For the first time in two years due to the health crisis supporters who had previously registered on the club's website were able to watch and meet the players.

Netflix is looking for extras for the shooting of a film on the French Riviera - Extras who live on the Côte d'Azur are invited to participate in a casting on Friday, November 5 in Villefranche-sur-Mer, for the upcoming Netflix movie Apnea.

People wishing to apply must be between 20 and 60 years old. You can apply on the Castprod website. You must also specify your surname, first name, age, height, city of residence, department codes (06, 13, 83, etc.) and specify if you have a means of transport. It is also necessary to attach a photo.

Antibes amongst top healthiest towns in France - Antibes has been named amongst the top healthiest towns and cities to live in France. The ranking by Le Figaro compared 100 towns and cities to see where people have a greater chance of living into old age in the best health. Antibes was ranked 5th, Grenoble 4th, Bordeaux 3rd, Tarbes came 2nd and Albi took the top spot.

Business

The UK has condemned "unjustified" threats from France and summoned the country's ambassador, in an escalating row over post-Brexit fishing rights. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is calling for talks later, asking Catherine Colonna to explain "disappointing and disproportionate threats".

Amazon has said it will spend several billion dollars to manage labour shortages and supply chain issues in the run up to Christmas. The online retail giant said it was doing "whatever it takes to minimise the impact" on customers and sellers. The warning came as it revealed its net income had dropped to $3.2bn (£2.3bn) in the third quarter, compared to £6.3bn in 2020.

The European Central Bank on Thursday kept its key interest rates at an all-time low on Thursday maintaining all its measures to support the economy despite the sharp rise in inflation in th