French and Riviera News Monday 12th September 2022

News

French President holds phone call with Vladimir Putin - French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw Russian weaponry from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant while Putin has warned of the potential "catastrophic consequences" of what he said were Ukrainian attacks on the facility. According to the Elysee, Macron had told the Russian leader in a call on Sunday that "the Russian occupation was the reason for the risks”. However, according to the Kremlin, Putin "drew attention to regular Ukrainian attacks on (Zaporizhzhia nuclear) facilities, including a radioactive waste storage facility, which is fraught with catastrophic consequences." Ukraine's nuclear energy agency said on Sunday that the final reactor at Zaporizhzhia was shut off as a safety measure.

Mayor begins hunger strike due to closure of a class - The mayor of Gap has begun a hunger strike this Monday morning against the closure of a class in one of the city’s schools. Mayor Roger Didier, denounces an “incomprehensible decision” from the National Education board. The school located in the city centre has already had three other classes closed.

22-year-old shot at in Marseille - A 22-year-old man is in a critical condition after being shot several times in the Belle de Mai district of Marseille in the 3rd arrondissement. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning and the individual was known to police and believed to be part of a local drug trafficking network. Seven days ago, on Saturday September 3, 2022, another 22-year-old man was the target of Kalashnikov fire in the 15th arrondissement of Marseille. He died on the spot.

Road accident causes long delays - An accident has caused long tail backs on the A8 motorway. The accident occurred shortly after 6pm on Sunday evening eastbound at Saint-Laurent du Var causing long traffic jams after exit 44 Antibes. Three vehicles were involved no casualties were reported.

French mayor refuses to join tributes to Queen Elizabeth II - A mayor in northern France has refused to join tributes following the death of Queen Elizabeth II denouncing a request from France’s Prime Minister to lower flags in his municipality. According to the elected official, his refusal is above all "an opportunity to reflect on the notion of the Republic and what it stands for" questioning the logic of putting school flags at half-mast where the motto "Liberty, equality, fraternity" is inscribed, adding that “no concept is further from “equality” than that of the monarchy”.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – It was on Sunday that Britain's Queen Elizabeth II embarked on her final journey with thousands lining her coffin's route from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh. A hearse carrying the coffin of Britain's longest-serving monarch made the six-hour journey through Scottish towns before arriving in Edinburgh, where it will now rest for two days so people can pay tribute. The king himself will travel to Edinburgh today for a prayer service, before the body of the queen, who died at Balmoral on Thursday aged 96, is flown to the capital on Tuesday. She will then lie in State for four days in an event expected to draw at least a million people, ahead of her funeral on September 19th which is set to be watched worldwide and draw numerous heads of state.

New wave of high temperatures in certain parts of France - Météo France has warned that some regions of France will experience a new wave of hot weather today especially in the Southwest and the Massif Central. The high temperatures reaching up to 35 to 38 degrees are expected to be accompanied by winds from North Africa bringing clouds of sand from the Sahara.

Business

France and Romania will sign an agreement today Monday 12th September, to facilitate the export of cereals from Ukraine by land. French Minister Delegate for Transport Clément Beaune made the announcement on Sunday just two days after a Kremlin statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to talk with his Turkish counterpart about a deal allowing Ukraine to export its grain.

The Bank of England has postponed a key decision on interest rates following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It said that "in light of the period of national mourning", the Monetary Policy Committee's decision would now be announced at midday on September 22nd instead of this Thursday. It follows moves by several public bodies in the UK to change their plans following the death of Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

According to report,s the Biden administration next month plans to broaden curbs on U.S shipments to China of semiconductors used for artificial intelligence and chipmaking tools.

Sport

Tennis - Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz has beaten Casper Ruud in the US Open final. Alcaraz won 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 in his first major final. The 19-year-old is the youngest men's Grand Slam champion since Rafael Nadal won the French Open in 2005. Ruud, 23, would have become the new world number one if he had won, but has now lost both of his two major finals.

Formula One - Red Bull's Max Verstappen inflicted a home defeat on Charles Leclerc and Ferrari in the Italian Grand Prix to continue his cruise to a second world title. Verstappen beat Leclerc after the Italian team tried a questionable two-stop strategy, surrendering the lead to the reigning champion twice on track. Verstappen's 11th win this year puts him 116 points clear of Leclerc and means he could potentially clinch the championship at the next race in Singapore.

Cycling - Remco Evenepoel safely came through the final stage in Madrid to seal overall victory in the Vu