French and Riviera News Monday 31st October 2022

News

French President hails victory of new Brazilian president - In a message posted on Twitter in Portuguese and French, French President Emmanuel Macron has hailed the victory of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, elected on Sunday as President of Brazil. Macron congratulated Lula on Sunday evening, saying that his election "opens a new page in the history of Brazil". Adding that “together, we will join forces to meet the many common challenges and renew the friendship bond between our two countries”. In his first speech after his election, Lula notably affirmed that he was going to fight against the deforestation in the Amazon saying that "Brazil and the planet needed a living Amazon”.

Woman attempts to throw soup over artwork - An investigation has been opened after a young woman attempted to throw soup over a painting in the Musée d'Orsay, in Paris. The museum announced that it has since filed a complaint. The woman was at the time wearing a t-shirt in the name of the Just Stop Oil collective. France’s Minister of Culture has called on all national museums to be extra vigilant.

Local News

Mother kills her autistic son - A 39-year-old mother is to appear before the judge today Monday 31st October, after admitting to killing her 11-year-old autistic son with a kitchen knife. The incident occurred on the banks of the Huveaune river in Marseille. Speaking to investigators the mother said that the “child’s screams which were constant, had become unbearable and that she could see no end”. The child’s body was found by his father and uncle on Saturday evening. The investigation continues.

Woman seriously injured in motorcycle accident - A woman has been seriously injured after a 10-meter fall on a motorcycle on the road to Lorgues in the Var. The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon. The 41-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital in Toulon. The exact circumstances of the accident remain to be determined.

In other news

New “green” school - Plans for a new “green” school in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin have been revealed. The program, designed by architects from Nice, aims for energy autonomy while aiming to be a comfortable building during hot weather and should see the light of day by the beginning of the 2025 school year. The brand-new school with an area of approximately 3,000 square meters will also combine homes, offices and shops on the new premises able to welcome 420 children from nursery to elementary school.

Housing renovations, city of Menton offers aid - As part of its commitment to renovating housing the city council in Menton is offering aid to homeowners and tenants. Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month between 9.30am and 12.30pm a hotline has been made available with a tailor-made assistance. Launched by the CARF, the Programmed Housing Improvement Operation (OPAH) helps owners and tenants wishing to improve their housing. For more information go to www.menton.fr/L-OPAH-des-aides-pour-la-renovation. Call 04.93.83.83.75 or email: opahcarf@urbanis.fr

National Day of Monaco - As every year, the Town Hall of Monaco is getting ready to celebrate the Principality's national day on November 19th, with free entertainment for Monegasques and residents of all ages. This year, four shows are organized at the Espace Léo Ferré and like last year on Friday November 18th at 8pm 200 luminous drones will fly in the Monegasque sky above the Prince's Palace for a 12-minute show. Tickets for the shows are available at the Espace Léo Ferré from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., on presentation of ID.

Environmental Photography Prize – Meanwhile, from tomorrow you will be able to register to take part in the 3rd edition of the “Prince Albert II Foundation Environmental Photography Prize”. The Foundation will launch the competition in partnership with Barclays Private Bank and the SEK International University. The Environmental Photography Prize is an annual competition aimed at rewarding photographers who put their creativity at the service of raising awareness of environmental protection. Photographers are invited to take a look at our relationship with nature and the close links between human and planetary health. Registration is free and is open until January 15, 2023, on the specialized Photocrowd platform.

Alpes Maritimes marathon - John Langat has won the Alpes -Maritime marathon, which took place this Sunday morning between Nice and Cannes. Kenyan John Langat beat 5,300 participants in the 14th edition in 2h10'24''.

Business

Russia has announced it is suspending its involvement in the internationally-brokered deal that allows Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports. It comes after Russia accused Ukraine of a "massive" drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet. Ukraine has not admitted the attack and President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Russian move "rather predictable". Without providing evidence, Russia also accused British troops of being involved in Saturday's attack. It also accused the UK of blowing up gas pipelines last month.

Elon Musk has denied a New York Times report that he plans to lay off Twitter workers before the start of next month to avoid having to make payouts. Replying to a Twitter user asking about the report, he said: "This is false."

According to Eurostat the supply of tourist accommodation in France and Italy combined represents more than 10 million beds or more than a third of the total capacity of the European Union. Hotels, campsites, residences in 2021, the tourist accommodation capacity of the European Union amounted to 28.1 million beds in 597,000 establishments. With 5.1 million beds in each of the two countries, France (18%) and Italy (18%) represent more than a third of the continental tourist offer. Next comes Spain (3.8 million, 13%), Germany (3.5 million, 12%) and the Netherlands (1.4 million, 5%).

Virgin Australia is attempting to change the minds of its passengers by organizing a "Middle Seat lottery". A competition to win numerous prizes including a cruise in the Caribbean. The airliner wants to encourage passengers to opt for the least desired seat on board an aircraft, the middle one. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old, reside in Australia and be a member of the Virgin Australia loyalty program. Then, it's quite simple, once registered for this contest which will end on April 23rd, each trip seated in this middle seat is equivalent to a lottery ticket, increasing the chances of winning one of the prizes.

Sport

Formula One - Max Verstappen has broken the record for wins in a season with a comfortable and controlled victory in the Mexico City Grand Prix. Red Bull’s world champion held off a challenge from Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes in the first part of the race before pulling away to take his 14th win of the year. It moves the Dutchman clear of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, who won 13 races in 2004 and 2013. Red Bull's Sergio Perez took third ahead of Mercedes' George Russell.

Football - Arsenal bounced back to return to the top of the Premier League table with a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford's 100th Manchester United goal was enough to beat West Ham and provide a fitting tribute to a special 85th anniversary for the Old Trafford club. Across 4,163 consecutive games since 1937, United have had an unbroken run of having a player who came through their youth development programme either in their starting line-up or on the bench.

Cricket - South Africa moved to the top of Group 2 with a nervy five-wicket victory over India in the Men's T20 World Cup.

Golf - Dustin Johnson's 4 Aces quartet claimed victory as this year's inaugural LIV Golf series concluded with a season-ending team event in Miami. Twelve teams competed for a $50m (£45.2m) pot, with the winners getting $16m (£13.8m) to share equally between them. Four teams made it through to the final day on Sunday when the 4 Aces finished on seven under and won by one shot.

Rugby Union - Wasps' administrators say they have accepted an offer to buy the financially stricken Premiership club. The offer, from a consortium including members of Wasps Legends, is for only the men's rugby team and youth academy. The six-time English champions were suspended and relegated after entering administration on 17 October.

Weather

Sunny with a gentle breeze. Highs of 23 degrees in Nice, 22 in Monaco and 24 in Cannes. Sunny intervals and light winds in Saint-Tropez and the Var with highs of 23 degrees. This evening going down to 13 degrees with clear skies.

The outlook for tomorrow and Wednesday - Tomorrow thundery showers are forecast, with highs of 19 degrees. Wednesday sunny intervals with highs of 21 degrees.

Sunrise                                           Sunset

07.04hr                                           17.22hr

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