French and Riviera News Monday 3rd July 2023

News

Riots in France -  A relative of the French teenager Nahel who was shot by police has said that the family “did not want his death to spark riots but insisted that the law around lethal force at road checks must change”. Nahel M was shot point-blank by police after failing to stop last Tuesday and since France has seen five days of violent rioting.

France's criminal code was changed in 2017 to allow for a broader use of firearms after police said they were facing increased levels of violence. Critics argue the increase in traffic related shootings is a direct result of that change, which they say is much too vague because it leaves officers to determine whether the driver's refusal to comply poses a risk.

At the weekend rioters tried to set fire to the home of a suburban Paris mayor and fired rockets at the official's fleeing wife and children. More than a hundred people were arrested in France on Saturday night, with some tensions erupting in Marseille and Nice. Nice saw bins set alight with 32 arrests taking place on Avenue Jean Médecin, after a call earlier on in the day on Saturday made on social media for people to gather on the main shopping avenue of the city. There were even reports of scenes of parents descending on the avenue to take their children home. French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that his state visit to Germany has been postponed in view of the current events.

Police made 49 arrests on Sunday, down from more than 2,000 over the previous two days, after appeal for calm on Sunday from the grandmother of Nahel. President Macron is set to meet the leaders of both houses of parliament today. Tomorrow he will meet with the mayors of 220 towns and cities affected by the protests.

Son of Fourniret arrested for attempted rape - Selim, the son of Michel Fourniret and Monique Olivier has been placed in police custody in Nice for the attempted rape of a 16-year-old girl. The 35-year-old has been living on the Côte d'Azur for several years under another name, he was arrested on Sunday afternoon. His surname doesn’t go unnoticed to many in France, being the son of one of the most dangerous serial killers in history who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and murder of seven young women and teenage girls in France and Belgium between 1987 and 2001.

Knife attack in Nice - A young man has been injured following a knife attack in the Saint-Roch district of Nice. The incident occurred shortly after 10pm on Sunday evening and the 25-year-old was taken to hospital suffering from injuries to his face. Police are still trying to understand the exact circumstances.

Road accident - Six people have been injured two seriously following a road accident in the Var. The collision involving three vehicles occurred at around 7.30pm on Sunday on the road between Ramatuelle and Gassin. One of the injured was airlifted to hospital and another was taken to hospital. Police have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances behind the collision.

A&E department - The A&E department of Gassin hospital is expected to reopen contrary to previous reports. It was reported in local media on Friday July 1st that the department was to remain closed until Tuesday July 4th, due to a significant number of doctors on sick leave. However according to recent reports, a doctor from Draguignan has since volunteered to be on duty this Tuesday.

Employment forum in Monaco - Faced with recruitment problems, Monaco is to launch its first employment forum in September 2024. "Monaco pour l'emploi" launched by the government aims to bring employers and potential candidates closer together. A poster campaign in French, English and Italian will be launched on buses, bus stops, various public places as well as digitally. The meeting is set for September 15th at the Grimaldi Forum. From 9am to 6pm, job seekers will be able to meet Monegasque employers or their representatives and discover their job offers.

Business

After cutting prices to boost sales, Tesla says it delivered a record number of vehicles in the three months to the end of June. The electric carmaker has lowered prices in markets including the US, UK and China to compete with rival manufacturers. This weekend, major Chinese car makers also reported a surge in sales in June. Earlier this year, Tesla boss Elon Musk said he believed pursuing higher sales, with lower profits, was the "right choice" for the company.

More than a year after pledging to withdraw from Russia, oil giant Shell, has been found to still be trading Russian gas. Shell said the trades were the result of "long-term contractual commitments" and do not violate laws or sanctions.


For the first time in the UK Water cremation is set to be made available. The process which is billed as a more sustainable option takes four hours - the bones remain and are powdered then returned to loved ones in a similar way to ashes, in an urn.  The option is already used in Canada, South Africa and many US states. It will be the first alternative way to dispose of a body in the UK since the introduction of the Cremation Act in 1902 and Co-op Funeralcare will be the first to offer it, starting later this year.

Sport

Tennis - Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from Wimbledon 2023 with a wrist injury. The 28-year-old Australian, lost to Novak Djokovic in last year's men's singles final and has only played one tournament this year because of a knee injury that needed surgery.

Cricket - The Marylebone Cricket Club has suspended three members over altercations with Australia players at Lord's on day five of the second Test.

Formula One - Red Bull's Max Verstappen continued his commanding march towards a third world title with a dominant victory at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Dutchman's fifth win in a row moves him 81 points clear of team-mate Sergio Perez in the championship.

Weather

Cloudy to begin with, clearing a