French and Riviera News Monday 29th August 2022

News

Case of dengue fever in Saint-Jeannet - An investigation has been launched by the Regional Health Agency following the discovery of a case of dengue fever in Saint-Jeannet. The local council has informed inhabitants and has initiated a mosquito control operation in the sectors concerned.

Beach closed in Antibes due to traces of E.Coli bacteria in the sea – The Crouton beach in Antibes has had to close due to the presence of E. Coli bacteria. The local council made the discovery during a routine check of the sea water. As a precaution, swimming was therefore prohibited on Saturday August 27th while more checks were carried out to monitor the water.

Mayor of Nice to take legal action following messages posted on social networks in reference to the Nice attack - The mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi has said that he will take legal action following the posting of, what he referred to as “despicable messages” accompanied by images on social networks of the truck that killed 86 people on July 14th 2016 on the Promenade des Anglais. The trial of the Nice attack is due to begin on Monday September 5th in Paris. Speaking to reporters on Sunday evening Estrosi expressed his thoughts and sympathy towards the victims and their relatives and appealed for the authors of the messages “to act responsibly”.  

Family turned away from OGC Nice match - A family have been turned away from the OGC Nice match at the Allianz Riviera stadium on Sunday afternoon because the children were wearing shirts of a different club. The rather embarrassing situation saw stewards refuse entry to the young supporter an hour before kick-off of the match between OGC Nice and Marseille. The incident gathered momentum after being posted on social media. OGC Nice went on to lose the game 3-0.

19-year-old student and voluntary firefighter found guilty - A 19-year-old student and voluntary firefighter from the Gironde has been charged and sentenced for starting around thirty forest fires in the region. Arrested on Friday morning, the young man admitted "in part" his involvement during his police custody and is accused of being at the origin of 31 fires which occurred between July 29th and August 21st.

Flights cancelled at major Portuguese airports due to strike action - Flights have been cancelled on Sunday arriving and departing from major Portuguese airports due to strike action by baggage handler Portway, a company owned by airport manager ANA, which is part of the French group Vinci. 69 flights were cancelled at Lisbon and Porto airports as strikers demanded "an immediate increase in wages" allowing employees to "regain their purchasing power". Portway, which employs some 2,500 people, is 100% owned by ANA, a subsidiary of the French group Vinci, which in 2013 obtained the concession for Portuguese airports. Management has called the strike action "irresponsible" and regret "the significant damage caused to passengers and airline companies.

French pastry chef of the White House dies aged 78 - French pastry chef Roland Mesnier has died at the age of 78. Born in Bonnay, a small village near Besançon, Mesnier was hired by the wife of former American President Jimmy Carter in 1979 and went on to serve five American presidents at the White House leaving in 2004 after 25 years of remarkable and loyal service.

Dinosaur footprints to be exhibited - Dinosaur footprints discovered in Saint-Etienne de Tinée in the Alpes Maritimes are to be exhibited next year to raise awareness amongst the general public of certain changes. It was back in 2020 when a walker made the unusual discovery in the region, reptile footprints dating back 242 million years. Researchers found that they belonged to a reptile of 3 to 4 meters long, which populated the lands of the Alpes-Maritimes, 242 million years ago. The exhibition looks back on the discovery, but also aims to explain the origins of the extinction of these species and to discuss the new challenges that humanity will face in the decades to come.

Business

Following the announcement from the head of the US central bank that it would continue to raise interest rates to tackle soaring prices, shares in Asia have fallen. Jerome Powell warned that the Federal Reserve's policies will cause "some pain to households and businesses".

Belgium's energy minister has warned that EU countries will face "five to ten" "terrible" winters if nothing is done to reduce natural gas prices. EU states have been struggling with huge energy price hikes since key gas supplier Russia invaded Ukraine in February, triggering sanctions.

Meanwhile speaking to French media on the increase of the price of energy in France, French government spokesperson Olivier Véran has insisted that "what is happening in England and Belgiu