French and Riviera News Thursday 22nd September 2022

News

French President reacts to threat from Russian leader - French President Emmanuel Macron has called for “maximum pressure to be put on Russian leader Vladimir Putin, to end a war which does not make sense”. Macron speaking from New York on Wednesday said that the Russian leader is “increasingly isolated and sinking into a war which only he wants”. Macron’s comments come following an address from Vladimir Putin in which he accused the West of wanting to destroy Russia and stressed that he would use “all available means to protect its territory”. In addition, Emmanuel Macron welcomed statements by China and India which "called for a ceasefire" in Ukraine.

France’s General Health Director says eighth wave of covid has arrived in France - France’s General Director of Health, Jérome Salomon, has said that the “eighth wave of covid has arrived in France”. During an interview with the magazine Complément d'Enquête, which will be broadcast this evening Thursday September 22nd, on France 2 Salomon declares that "yes, there is an increase in cases, especially among young people and that we must resume our barrier gestures”. His comments are in contrast to those of France’s health minister François Braun, who said on Monday on France Inter, that it "is too early to say that this is the start of the eighth wave".

Covid figures for the PACA region – Meanwhile, the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur Regional Health Agency has issued its weekly summary of Covid-19 numbers. As at Tuesday 20th September, 508 people were hospitalized which is down 69 on the previous week but 42 people were in intensive care, which is up by 7. 23 people died from the virus during the week, which means that 13,123 people have died since the start of the epidemic.

Road accident - A 40-year-old woman has been seriously injured in a road accident in Saint Tropez. The woman was at the time on a moped when it collided with a light vehicle. The incident occurred shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday afternoon. Three people were involved in the collision. An investigation is underway to determine the cause.

Missing hiker - A hiker has gone missing in the Mercantour National Park. His vehicle has been found in a car park. He was last heard from on Saturday after spending the night in a refuge 2,200 metres above sea level.

Morning after pill to become free along with screening for sexual transmitted infections - France’s Health Minister Francois Braun has announced that access to emergency contraception or the morning after pill will become free for all women regardless of the age, in pharmacies and without a prescription. Screening for sexually transmitted infections will also be free and without a prescription up to the age of 26. Both measures will be included in the 2023 social security financing bill, which will be presented to the Council of Ministers on September 26th.

Until now, the morning after pill was available free of charge and without a prescription only for minors, from pharmacies, school nurses or in screening or sexual health centres, and for adult students. The cost in pharmacies for adults varied between 3 and around twenty euros depending on the medication, with the possibility of partial coverage by social security on presentation of a prescription.

Candia recall - Food company Candia has issued a recall of certain bottles of baby milk. The product concerned is Candia Baby Junior 4 20 – 36 months in 250 ml bottles sold in packs of 24 since 22nd July this year. The Ministry of Agriculture said that there is a sealing defect or packaging anomalies and the products have been manufactured and/or stored under conditions that do not allow satisfactory health guarantees to be provided. The products are therefore likely to present a danger to the health of consumers. They should not be consumed and should be returned to the point of sale. More information can be found on the government's Rappel Conso website https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/fiche-rappel/8202/Interne

France wins World Paella Day Cup 2022 - France has won the World Paella Day Cup 2022. Held in Valencia Spain it was French chef Eric Gil from the Bouches-du-Rhone who was the big winner with a duck confit and mushroom paella. Ten chefs from around the world competed for the final. Organizers accept different paella recipes. The Japanese candidate used green onions, Chinese crab and small crayfish while the Finnish candidate chose to incorporate reindeer, mushrooms or blueberries into his recipe. As the organizers of the competition explain, paella is “a dish that is much more than a recipe, it is a ritual, a way of sharing with family and friends”.

Business

The Federal Reserve has announced it is raising its key rate by another 0.75 percentage points, lifting the target range from 3% to 3.25%. The move comes despite mounting concern that the cost of controlling inflation could be a harsh economic downturnCurrent interest rates in the US have been pushed to the highest level in almost 15 years.

Meanwhile, in the UK the pound has hit a new 37-year low against the dollar after Russia accused the West of "nuclear blackmail" raising fears the Ukraine war could escalate. In a televised address, the Russian president said he had signed a decree on partial mobilisation - the first since World War Two - as he seeks to send up to 300,000 more soldiers into battle. He also accused the West of wanting to destroy Russia, adding the country had "lots of weapons to reply".

Former US President Donald Trump and three of his children have been hit with a fraud lawsuit after a New York investigation into their family company - the Trump Organization. It alleges that they lied "by billions" about the value of real estate in order to get loans and pay less tax. Prosecutors say the Trump Organization committed numerous acts of fraud between 2011-21. Mr Trump has dismissed the lawsuit as "another witch hunt".

Known for over 80 years the instant photo specialist Polaroid is changing course as the American brand unveils four vintage-inspired Bluetooth speakers. Polaroid Music will not only be a range of speakers, but also the addition of an "experimental music" service called Polaroid Radio offering five stations, free and without advertising, designed by artists, DJs and audio creators.

Sport

Football - Scotland have claimed a crucial Nations League victory over Ukraine winning 3-0 on Wednesday evening to move top of Group B1. Scotland will now host Ireland on Saturday in their penultimate Nations League group game,

Rugby Union - Wasps have filed notice in the High Court that they intend to appoint administrators to "protect the club's interests". Wasps Holdings Limited, which includes the Premiership club and Arena Coventry Limited, said the move "does not mean the business is in administration". It said it will provide "a crucial period of grace" as it tries to "secure the long-term future of the group".

Tennis - Roger Federer says his decision to retire came after he "stopped believing" he could continue playing because of injuries. The 20-time Grand Slam champion is retiring from the sport after this weekend.

Weather

Cloudy with some sunny intervals. Highs of 22 degrees in Monaco, Menton and Nice. 23 degrees in Saint Tropez and the Var. A moderate breeze. This evening going down to 17 degrees with clear skies.

Outlook for Friday, mainly fine with highs of 22-24 degrees. Saturday rain is forecast across the region highs of 22 degrees.

Sunrise   07.17hr               Sunset      19.28hr

Last local news

Evening Update Friday 19th of April 2024

A man from Nice used a stolen bank card to make purchases in Monaco, spending over €1,700 in various shops, mostly on airpods that he planned to resel... Evening Update Friday 19th of April 2024 Read More

19/04/2024

French and Riviera News Friday 19th April 2024

Electric bike-sharing firm Pony says all of its vehicles will be back out on the streets of Nice no later than June, after they were withdrawn last mo... French and Riviera News Friday 19th April 2024 Read More

19/04/2024

Evening Update Thursday 18th of April

Gabriel Attal announced new measures In response to recent acts of violence among young people during a visit to Viry-Châtillon. Attal highlighted the... Evening Update Thursday 18th of April Read More

18/04/2024

French and Riviera News Thursday 18th April

The owners of a vast floating artificial island that had been planned for last summer off the coast of Mandelieu have won a legal battle to be allowed... French and Riviera News Thursday 18th April Read More

18/04/2024

Evening Update Wednesday 17th of April

The Monegasque State has successfully conducted its first national voluntary surrender operation, with 123 firearms being handed over by private indiv... Evening Update Wednesday 17th of April Read More

17/04/2024