French and Riviera News Monday 14th October 2024

News 

Police appeal for public help in old legal case unsolved - Police in Nice have reopened an old legal case and are appealing for your help. Interpol, the international criminal police organisation, has launched a major appeal for witnesses regarding an unsolved case in Villefranche-sur-Mer, after a woman was found dead in 2008. The victim was found below the Grande Corniche Road, near Villefranche-sur-Mer, near Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) on March 5th, 2008. The only means of identification was a ring on her finger, however, more than 15 years later and the victim has still not been identified. Thought to have been born between 1933 and 1948 and aged between 60 and 75 the woman's body was discovered five meters below the road, on a cliff, amongst branches and bushes. She died of injury, suspected murder. Anyone who may have any information is invited to contact Interpol and the French police.

Prefecture announces plans to continue reinforced road checks - The Prefecture of the Alpes Maritimes has announced the continuation of reinforced road checks and a zero tolerance for alcohol, drugs and speeding following recent figures published. Four people died on the region’s roads in September and 45 since the beginning of the year. That is one victim every six days in the Alpes-Maritimes. The number of seriously injured people has almost doubled with 43 in September compared to 29 in September of last year. As a reminder, in 2023, 54 people were killed on the roads in the Alpes-Maritimes and 354 people were seriously injured.

Pizza van used a drug dealing point - A pizza van in the west of the Var region has been revealed as a drug dealing point. Customers were able to order for example a “Chorizo, coke and cannabis pizza”. Following an investigation the 40-year-old manager was arrested at the weekend and is to appear before the court accused of drug trafficking. According to police during a search of the vehicle drugs and cash were seized.

Study shows that the price of a hospital stay in Monaco is the most expensive in the world - According to a recent study carried out by HelloSafe, the cost of a hospital stay in the Principality of Monaco is the most expensive in the world. HelloSafe compiled data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Action International to conduct its study and compare hospitalization costs in 196 countries around the world. At the top of the world rankings was Monaco with an average price of 3,065 euros per day. This is almost twice as much as Luxembourg, second in the ranking, with an average of 1,648 euros for the average cost of a day of hospitalization. These rates are obviously to be qualified according to the number of days of hospitalization and the insurance that the patient has, since a person insured in Monaco will benefit from much more advantageous rates. France ranks 22nd in the study, with an average cost of 518 euros per day of hospitalization.

Project to ease daily commute into the Principality is slowly taking shape - A project to build a giant car park and an underground express link to Monaco, at an estimated cost of 1.2 billion euros, is reportedly slowly taking shape. The Monegasque government has just opened applications for the project on the Brasca site, between Eze and La Turbie. The objective is to relieve road traffic congestion for thousands of everyday commuters to and from the Principality. It was back in April of 2017, that the 20-hectare plot of land was purchased by the Monegasque State from the commune of Eze for 20 million euros. The intention to create a park and ride facility with more than 3,000 spaces was announced in October of 2023 by the Monegasque government and it has now officially called for applications for its design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance. Candidates have until February 28th, 2025, at 12 noon to submit their applications to Monaco’s Department of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning.

Driverless shuttle takes to the roads - A driverless shuttle has taken to the roads in Mandelieu La Napoule as part of an experiment. The autonomous shuttle is being tested until October 18th, 2024. Designed by IMREDD at the University of Nice residents in the region are invited to come and test the new mode of transport. With multiple sensors it is controlled by an artificial intelligence system but can be taken over manually by a driver if necessary. The vehicle can accommodate up to 5 passengers. To try it, you must register on the university website. Slots are available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Another successful sell out event for the Monaco Red Cross - The Monaco Red Cross is pleased to announce another sell-out success at the weekend as 3,500 visitors attended it annual flea market. 16 stands were set up, run by 200 volunteers from the Red Cross where visitors were able to find great deals on adult and children's clothing, leather goods, childcare and even household items. The money raised during the event and the raffle will go to the actions of the Monaco Red Cross.

Oktoberfest is back - The Oktoberfest is back, making a return to Monaco at the Café de Paris. After a four-year absence, the event is to return from Friday 18th to Sunday 27th of October from 7:30pm. Interrupted due to the restructuring work on the brasserie, the annual German festival will once again be celebrated on the Place du Casino, on the ground floor terrace of the brasserie. Music and dancing in a friendly and festive atmosphere is guaranteed for more information and reservation call: +377.98.06.76.23.

Eagle land on café terrace - Finally, an eagle has landed on the terrace of a café in Antibes. The strange mishap took place in old Antibes when the bird, visibly injured, literally fell onto the terrace., in front of stunned customers. It was entrusted to an expert, who came to pick it up as vets do not take care of wild animals.

Business

At a major business conference being held in London today Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to pledge to get rid of regulation that "needlessly holds back investment".  The government is eager to show it is making progress on its mission to deliver economic growth after marking 100 days in office and ahead of the chancellor's first budget on 30 October. The UKs Chancellor has warned of "tough decisions" at the spending review as Labour says it needs to plug a £22bn "black hole" in the public finances left by the Conservatives.  The government says that international investment will help with its goals to create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off.

The main producer of advanced chips used in artificial intelligence applications is expected to report a 40% leap in third quarter profit this week thanks to soaring demand. TSMC, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world's largest contract chipmaker, whose customers include Apple, has benefited from the surge towards AI.

And - Space agencies from around the world are meeting in Milan this week as geopolitical rivalry fuels a new global race in Earth's orbit and on the moon, with heavy involvement from a private sector working hard to keep pace with Elon Musk's dominant SpaceX. The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) since 1950 has been a venue for the scientists, engineers, companies and political leaders to discuss cooperation, even in times of heightened tensions among world powers.

Sport

Football – In the Nations League on Sunday evening England beat Finland 3-1 meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland lost 2-0 to Greece. In this evening’s action France play Belgium and Wales face Montenegro.

Rugby Union - Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Ronnie Dawson has died at the age of 92. The Dubliner, who represented Ireland 27 times between 1958 and 1965, passed away on Friday after a long illness.

Tennis - Novak Djokovic missed the opportunity to claim the 100th title of his stellar career as Jannik Sinner won a high-quality Shanghai Masters final. World number one Sinner, 23, continued his dominant form this season with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victory over the 37-year-old Serb.

Golf - England's Dan Bradbury fired three consecutive birdies on the back nine to emerge from a pack of title contenders and win the Open de France at Le Golf National. Bradbury carded a 66 in the final round to finish on 16 under par and take his second title on the DP World Tour.

Weather

Mostly cloudy, some sunny spells later in the day. Moderate winds and highs of 21 degrees in Monaco, Nice and Marseille, 23 degrees in Cannes and 25 degrees in Saint-Tropez and Draguignan. This evening going down to 16 degrees and cloudy.

The outlook for tomorrow and Wednesday. Tomorrow sunny intervals. Wednesday heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds, highs of 22 degrees.

Sunrise 07.43am

Sunset 06.47pm

Weather elsewhere

London 13 light rain

Paris 21 sunny intervals

Dublin 13 sunny intervals

And Finally

A recent survey carried out in the UK has shown that the garden shed is not just somewhere to store garden tools or the lawn mower but is in actual fact the perfect place to escape from the other half or unwanted guests. Nearly eight in ten Britons own a garden shed, with 43 per cent using it for DIY and 29 per cent for gardening. But one in three of us retreats there to escape the attentions of a partner, with about the same number escaping into one to avoid neighbours or visitors. One in ten have used their shed to lay low for up to four hours. Another 27 per cent use their shed as somewhere peaceful to scroll through social media, for 22 per cent it is a place for ‘me time’ away from the family, while 17 per cent use it to do online shopping. More than 15 per cent have invited someone into their shed for a private conversation and some 20 per cent of respondents would build a secret room if they could. To make room for a TV, underfloor heating and even a bar.

 

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