French and Riviera News Monday 5 August 2024

17 drivers have had the licences suspended after a single night of police checks on A8 Saturday night. The most extreme cases involved drivers flashed at 197km/hr and a second at 192km/h. Several cars, including Porshe and BMW’s were impounded for exceeding the limit by more than 50km/h

Three hooded and armed men, claiming to be members of the National Liberation Front of Corsica have disrupted an independence rally on the island over the weekend. The FLNC group, which has a history of advocating Corsican independence, made a short speech, declaring that the far right "remains" for them "a gangrene for the Corsican people.

A theft has gone badly wrong in Marseille when the two thieves escaping on a scooter were followed by their victim in a car. The car collided with the scooter killing one of the thieves while the other is is in a critical condition in hospital. Police are investigating a burnt out car, north of the city, which they believe was involved in the incident.

In Northern France, two members of a Hells Angels motorcycle club have been shot dead at the weekend. The victims are two men aged 30 and 38, who were found dead in a hangar. Police are investigating.

Authorities are concerned with an increase in drownings across the Alpes-Maritimes. In July alone, 40 incidents have resulted ten deaths. In Nice, three bathers lost their lives in two days this season. Many of the deaths were from heart attack with people who underestimated the temperature difference between the beach and the water. Many also overestimate their capability and swim outside of supervised areas. Last year, 350 people died by drowing nationally.

BUSINESS

Stock markets in Asia have slumped this morning, following big falls by major global indexes last week. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was trading 4.6% lower, while the Topix was down by 5.7%.

Bitcoin has tumbled over the weekend to multi-month lows as worries over a possible US recession have gripped financial markets. The cryptocurrency is off nearly 20% from its all time high in March this year.

Billionaire Elon Musk yesterday criticised the US Federal Reserve for not cutting interest rates. It follows numerous reports last week which consider the Fed may be leaving interest rates too high for too long, and causing damage to the US and world economy.

SPORT

The US continue to lead the medals table with China in second and France in third place. The UK are right behind in fifth with 12 gold medals and Italy in eighth place with 7 golds.

Over the weekend we found out who the fastest man and woman on earth are. In the mens 100m final, American sprint star Noah Lyles beat Jamacia’s Kishane Thompson by one five thousandth of a second! And the tiny island of St Lucia has won its first ever Olympic Gold medal when Julien Alfred stormed to victory in the 100m womens final.

In tennis, Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz to secure a long-awaited Olympic title and complete the career defining 'Golden Slam'. Djokovic, who has won a record 24 majors and swept up every title there is in tennis, finally clinched Olympic gold on this his fifth attempt.

Belgium have pulled out of todays mixed relay triathalon after unconfirmed claims one of the their team contracted ecoli. The poor water quality of the River Seine had been a major talking point during Paris games.

The Games get into their second week today with four Artistic Gymnastics finals to be decided this morning. Then, this evening, it’s back to Athletics at State de France, Ireland will be boxing for Gold as Kellie Harrington takes on China’s Yang Wenlu and France are favourites for a place in the football final when they take on Egypt at Stade de Lyon tonight at nine.

WEATHER

We’re expecting blue skies and afternoon highs of 29 degrees. Light southerly winds of 10km with a high UV level of 8. 

Overnight another clear starry night but warm with temperatures still up around 27d. Outlook is more of the same for the coming week with daytime highs around 30 and overnight lows around 24.  Sun sets this evening at 8.47
 

 

Last local news

Evening Update Thursday 4 September 2025

The administrative court in Marseille is today hearing an appeal seeking to stop the proposed expansion of Nice Cote d’Azur airport... Evening Update Thursday 4 September 2025 Read More

04/09/2025

French and Riviera News Thursday 4th September 2025

French intelligence has warned of possible violent protests and sabotage during the "Bloquons tout" mobilisation planned for the 10th of September. Ta... French and Riviera News Thursday 4th September 2025 Read More

04/09/2025

Evening Update Wednesday 3 September 2025

A teacher has suffered stab wounds after being attacked by a fellow teacher Evening Update Wednesday 3 September 2025 Read More

03/09/2025

French and Riviera News Wednesday 3rd September 2025

The far-right National Rally (RN) has urged President Macron to dissolve parliament and call snap elections, warning Prime Minister François Bayrou’s ... French and Riviera News Wednesday 3rd September 2025 Read More

03/09/2025

Evening Update Tuesday 2 September 2025

At least five people have been injured in a knife and shooting attack in Marseille this afternoon. One of the injured is in a critical condition... Evening Update Tuesday 2 September 2025 Read More

02/09/2025