News
Shooting in Marseille - Two people have been killed and one injured by gunfire in a shooting in Marseille. The shooting occurred on Thursday evening in a working-class neighbourhood in the north of the city and is believed to be linked to drug trafficking, which is plaguing France’s second largest city. Since the beginning of the year 42 people have lost their lives linked to drug trafficking in Marseille.
Bonus for teachers – France’s Education minister Gabriel Attal has announced an “exceptional bonus” for 730,000 teachers and National Education agents. The “exceptional purchasing power bonus” of 380 euros for teachers and 500 euros for other agents, will be included in their October payslip.
Dangerous game circulating in the school playground – Meanwhile, a student from a high school in Brignoles in the Var, has been hospitalised following a new popular disturbing game which has surfaced online among school children called the “comma game”. The new trend which notably surfaced on social media platforms such as TikTok and is named after a football move involves a child violently twisting another child's head from side to side, often from behind. The trend has rapidly gained popularity, with videos encouraging others to perform the “best comma” going viral since the start of the school year, with some accumulating over 100,000 views. Following the incident, the head of the establishment as well as the Nice Academy announced that there would be sanctions.
Court hearing against racial profiling in France - Six French and international organisations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are to appear in a historic court hearing in Paris today Friday 29th September, calling for France to end the widespread racial profiling of people of black and north African heritage who are routinely stopped by police and asked to show their identity papers with no explanation. In the first class action of its kind against the French state, the organisations want French authorities to be found at fault for failing to prevent the widespread use of ethnic profiling.
Top school - One of Monaco’s top schools has been named as one of the best private schools in the world as part of the fourth annual Schools Index, led by education consultants at Carfax Education. The International School of Monaco was named as one of the Top 15 Schools in Europe, and among the best 125 private schools internationally in the index. The schools index has been reviewed and selected by a panel of education experts, led by Carfax Education. As well as formal criteria, such as academic results and preparation for university entry, schools are selected for their unique ethos, their reputation both locally and internationally, and how they prepare students for life beyond academia.
SBM announces increase in revenue and profit - In Monaco, the Société des Bains de Mer and its subsidiaries have reported an increase in revenue and profit. Consolidated revenue for the fiscal year 2022/2023 was €667 million, which is an increase of 26% from the previous fiscal year. The SBM Group’s operating profit was €72.2 million, compared with €35.4 million the previous fiscal year. The disposal of an interest in the online gaming business Betclic Everest Group resulted in an exceptional profit of €813.5 million.
Monaco Yacht Show - Finally, the Monaco Yacht Show is still on with prospective buyers, designers, builders, suppliers, brokers and superyacht enthusiasts from across the globe gathering here on the port. Some of the biggest names in the international luxury yachting sector are here along with some of the largest and most expensive superyachts in the world. The Monaco Yacht Show runs until Saturday 30th September and brings an estimated 30,000 visitors to Monaco for what is undoubtedly the most glamorous event in the yachting calendar. Stay tuned to Riviera Radio and check out our social media to hear and see all the latest from this year’s show.
Business
The chairman of Evergrande has been put under police surveillance as the problems for the Chinese property giant mount. Evergrande said its shares would remain suspended until further notice. It’s another low for the heavily indebted property giant which defaulted in 2021, triggering China's current real estate market crisis.
The company which makes one of the world's most successful video games Fortnite, is cutting 870 jobs, representing around 16% of its workforce. Epic said in a statement that it had tried to cut cost but was still spending more than it was making. They are also set to sell the only music site Bandcamp which they acquired just last year.
A ban on single-use plastic cutlery, plates and polystyrene trays comes into force in England on Sunday. But Environmental campaigners say the ban does not go far enough to cut plastic waste, as the new rules do not apply to plastic plates, trays and bowls used to pre-package food in shops and takeaways. Meanwhile, the government said it was the "next big step" in its "journey to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042".
Sport
Rugby World Cup – Japan’s win against Samoa 28-22 in the Rugby World Cup has meant that England are now through to the quarter-finals. Both nations went into the game in Toulouse on Thursday evening with a realistic chance of qualifying from Pool D - but only if they won.
This evening in Pool A New Zealand play Italy. Kick off is at 9pm French time.
Football - Fenway Sports Group the owners of Liverpool football club have agreed to sell a minority stake in the club worth between £82m and £164m to global sports investment firm Dynasty Equity. The deal ends the search for new investment by FSG, who wanted to retain majority ownership of the Reds. The new investment will primarily be used to pay off the club's bank debt.
Tomorrow in the Premier League in the lunchtime game, Aston Villa are at home to Brighton kick off is at 1.30pm French time. In the afternoon with a 4pm kick off Bournemouth play Arsenal, Everton are at home to Luton, Manchester United play Crystal Palace, Newcastle are at home to Burnley, West Ham face Sh
