News
Torrential rain hits the Bouches du Rhone, the Var and the Alpes Maritimes - Marseille has been hit by heavy rain with businesses in the old port of the city flooded on Wednesday afternoon. Shopkeepers found themselves taken by surprise after an orange storm alert was issued for the Var and the Alpes Maritimes on Wednesday, but not for the Bouches du Rhone. Many were faced by sudden flooding and drains overflowing. The bad weather as forecast soon moved into the Var region by early evening where 18 interventions were carried out by firefighters and the dome of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Victoire basilica in Saint-Raphaël was struck by lightning. Among other interventions firefighters evacuated 50 people staying at a campsite in Puget-sur-Argens, relocating them to nearby bungalows. In Roquebrune-sur-Argens, four cars were blocked as roads flooded and one woman was rescued. Calls were also made to the emergency services by homeowners due to flooded cellars. Thunderstorms then moved into the Alpes Maritimes where 200 firefighters were on standby, parks and coastal areas were closed, and the opening night of the Crossover Festival was cancelled due to bad weather. Thunder and lightning continued into the early hours of this morning. The weather warning was lifted this morning as the stormy episode makes its way towards the north and northeast of France.
France fed up with waiting for a new Prime Minister - In other news, despite a strong expectation for France’s President Emmanuel Macron to announce a new Prime Minister on Wednesday nothing happened. France’s media along with many political figures are becoming exasperated by the situation as today marks 51 days that the country has been without a Prime Minister or government. And while France waits for a Prime Minister let’s not forget that they will then need to form a government. The latest reports have suggested that Macron’s delaying in appointing a Prime Minister is due to the pension reform, which would raise the retirement age in France to 64, a move which Macron wants to keep for his political legacy. The unpopular reform is considered by the Macronist camp to be necessary despite months of demonstrations against it. While the waiting game continues Macron is facing increasing criticism for letting this happen. French politician and leader of the green party Marine Tondelier describes the situation as similar to when "her 5-year-old son loses at junior Monopoly, he challenges the rules and invents new ones".
Who is Michel Barnier? - Meanwhile the latest name to be pulled out of the hat as a possible candidate and serious lead this Thursday is former minister Michel Barnier. Barnier was elected French MP for the first time in 1978. He has also been a minister several times in the governments of Édouard Balladur, Alain Juppé, Jean-Pierre Raffarin and François Fillon. In 2009, he was elected MEP and was a European Commissioner and also a negotiator in charge of leading the Brexit negotiations.
Relocate - Recent data from Henley & Partners has shown that some 128,000 millionaires are set to relocate globally over the course of 2024, which marks a 6.6% increase on the previous record of 120,000 that was established last year. And according to the report Monaco is a popular choice. The desire to relocate is being fuelled by a variety of reasons, from changes to tax and visa policies and a better life for themselves and their families.
International School of Monaco welcomes students to new premises - This week the International School of Monaco has welcomed over 800 students to its brand-new facilities in Larvotto here in the Principality. The new building is described as, being “much more open inside” with additional resources and the convenience of not needing to leave the premises for sports lessons.
Monaco Yacht Show - This year’s Monaco Yacht Show is fast approaching, and every year Riviera Radio will be at the heart of the action. One highlight which is the talk of the town and has been described as one of the most expensive yachts for sale at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show is H3. Her three-year rebuild, beginning in 2020 saw the vessel win international acclaim and a World Superyacht Award. Amongst other things the refit added a piano which previously belonged to Sir Elton John. There is also a large pool with a waterfall feature, a huge spa and wellness area with a nail salon and a climate-controlled winter garden in the owner's suite.
Monaco commemorates 80th anniversary of its liberation from occupation - Monaco has commemorated the 80th anniversary of its liberation from World War II occupation. A series of events took place on Tuesday, September 3rd, celebrating the end of successive occupations by Italy and Germany. HSH Prince Albert joined the commemorations, visiting a military camp exhibition on Place du Palais and the day concluded with the inauguration of the ‘Monaco Liberated!’ exhibition by Prince Albert in the lobby of the Ministry of State.
Monaco Water Bike Challenge - Five teams are preparing to set off from the Corsican town of Calvi tomorrow Friday 6th September, on a non-stop 180-kilometre race to the Principality. The Calvi to Monaco Water Bike Challenge in the name of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation seeks to raise awareness of the charity’s international anti-drowning and sport promotion programmes. Come and cheer on the well-known athletes and celebrities as they arrive at the Larvotto Beach here in Monaco on Saturday. To find out more go to the website www.fondationprincessscharlene.mc
Business
Volvo has announced it has abandoned its target to produce only fully electric cars by 2030. The car maker has said that it now expects to be selling some hybrid vehicles by that date. The company blamed changing market conditions for its decision to give up a target it had announced only three years ago. It comes as the industry faces a slowdown in demand in some major markets for electric vehicles (EVs) and un
