Ministers to visit Marseille in fight against drugs - It's been confirmed that French interior minister Bruno Retailleau and justice minister Didier Migaud will visit Marseille this Friday to present new plans in the fight against drug trafficking. Gang violence in the city linked to organised crime has been on the rise. Last year, authorities recorded 49 drug-related deaths in Marseille, including seven teenagers, as part of a turf war between two rival drugs gangs.
Five injured in A8 car crash - In other local news, five people have been injured after two cars collided and caught fire on the A8 motorway in the early hours of yesterday morning. Thirty firefighters were called out to the crash on the westbound motorway near La Trinité. One of the car's drivers, an 18-year-old man, is in a critical condition. His passengers, two 19-year-old men, suffered minor injuries. The second car's driver, a 27-year-old woman, was also taken to hospital, as was the 43-year-old driver of a third vehicle caught up in the accident. The A8 was closed westbound for several hours for the rescue operation and to clear debris.
Woman hit by bus in Nice - A 70-year-old woman is being treated in Pasteur II hospital after she was hit by a Lignes d'Azur bus on Saturday morning. She suffered injuries to her head and pelvis but isn't in a critical condition. The incident happened on the Route de Turin. An investigation is under way to determine what happened. The bus driver was signed off work to be treated for shock. And six people have been taken to hospital after a bus overturned in Collobrières in the Var on Saturday afternoon. The bus plunged into a roadside ditch and had to be lifted out with a crane.
Police called out to Sospel rave - Police were called out on Friday night to put a stop to an illegal rave party in Sospel. About 400 partygoers from various regions of France took over a plot of land belonging to the municipal council. Many of the vehicles parked there weren't registered in the Alpes-Maritimes. The site was cleared by early Saturday morning and about 70 people were issued with fines.
Storm-damaged cemetery to be rebuilt - A cemetery in the Roya valley that was badly damaged by Storm Alex is finally due to be rebuilt next year. Large parts of the Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende cemetery were washed away by floodwaters during the storm in 2020. Authorities had to wait for the nearby river banks to be reinforced before reconstruction work could get under way. A geological survey will now be carried out with a view to starting the works in the new year, at a cost of up to €2 million.
France 3 journalists on strike - Journalists working for local TV network France 3 Côte d'Azur are out on strike today. They're protesting about the merger of France 3's local news coverage with that of the local radio network, France Bleu. The merger, under the brand 'Ici' was due to be rolled out today. It would mean that France Bleu's morning radio shows in each region would also be televised.
From obesity to 20k - A man who's recovering from obesity has achieved his goal of running the Nice-Cannes half-marathon. The 30-year-old, who lives in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, weighed 152 kilos back in July, when he had a gastric bypass to reduce his appetite. At the same time as having his operation, he registered for the Nice-to-Cannes run and has been training five times a week. He’s lost 35 kilos and successfully crossed the 20k finish line in Villeneuve-Loubet yesterday.
BUSINESS
Jobs growth in the US slowed down sharply in October according to new figures, as hurricanes and strikes disrupted the economy. Employers added 12,000 jobs last month, much lower than the 223,000 created in September, according to the Labor Department. But while hiring slowed, the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. The closely watched figures give an indication about the strength of the US economy. They're the last to be released before Americans head to the polls on Tuesday to elect the country's next president.
And restaurant chain TGI Fridays has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US over the weekend, saying it is looking for ways to “ensure the long-term viability” of the group after closing many of its branches this year. The company, which is based in Dallas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Texas federal court. Sit-down chain restaurants have broadly faced challenges in recent years as diners choose to get food delivered or visit more upscale fast food chains. Founded in 1965, the popularity of TGI Fridays peaked in 2008 with 601 restaurants in the US and a $2bn business. It now has 163 restaurants in the US, down from 269 last year.
SPORT
Formula One - Max Verstappen climbed up from 17th on the grid to win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, one of his greatest victories taking him to the brink of a fourth world title. Rival Lando Norris of McLaren had a difficult race, finishing sixth after a couple of key errors. Verstappen will become world champion if he leaves the next race at Las Vegas on 23 November with a lead of at least 60 points. It was a chaotic, incident-filled and wet race that involved a red flag, two safety car periods and a series of crashes and incidents. It was Verstappen’s 62nd victory, and one of the greatest wet-weather victories of all time. It was also his first win since the Spanish Grand Prix in June.
Cricket - New Zealand sealed a historic 3-0 series clean sweep over India with a thrilling 25-run win on day three of the third and final Test in Mumbai. It is India's first clean-sweep defeat in a home Test series since South Africa's 2-0 win in 2000, and their first in a series of three Tests or more.
Football - Alexander Isak scored the only goal as Arsenal dropped points in the Premier League against Newcastle at St James’ Park. The Swede’s 12th-minute header secured victory for the Magpies. While Arsenal were tipped by many to take the next step and end their long wait for a Premier League title this season, it appears their challenge may already be over after three games without a win.
Meanwhile, Liverpool came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 at Anfield. Manchester City lost 2-1 at Bournemouth.
La Liga leaders Barcelona continued their excellent form as they swept aside city rivals Espanyol 3-1 to move nine points clear of Real Madrid.
In local football, OGC Nice managed a 1-0 away win at Brest while Monaco were defeated 1-0 by Angers at the Stade Louis II.
Tennis - British women's number one Katie Boulter was outgunned by top seed Diana Shnaider, who won her fourth WTA title of the season at Hong Kong. The 20-year-old Russian defeated Boulter 6-1 6-2.
WEATHER
A fine and sunny day across the Riviera with a gentle breeze, staying dry with temperatures this afternoon reaching 20 degrees Celsius. It'll be a partly cloudy night with light winds and temperatures going down to 14 degrees Celsius on the coast and 9 inland. The outlook for Tuesday: mostly sunny, some occasional light cloud in the Var, light variable winds and up to 21 degrees Celsius.
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