French and Riviera News Tuesday 25th October 2022

News

“Updated booster” covid vaccine available in Nice - Since Monday October 24th, the main vaccination centre in Nice located in Rue Hancy has been offering doses of “updated booster” covid vaccines. The vaccine makes it possible to protect against “the initial strain of the coronavirus” and against the Omicron variant. According to the latest data from the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur regional health agency published last week, “viral circulation remained stable” with an incidence rate of 389 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the Alpes-Maritimes and a positivity rate of 21.4%. The national average is 565 people per 100,000 inhabitants. The organization notes a “slight increase” in hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care. Fifteen patients were in intensive care and hospitalised in the department. In total, almost 17% of intensive care beds are occupied by Covid patients.

Meanwhile, a French government body has recommended the wearing of a mask in certain situations to reduce the incidence of Covid-19. COVARS, the new committee for monitoring and anticipating health risks, which has replaced the Scientific Council, has recommended the wearing of a mask in enclosed spaces. However, at this stage it is still a recommendation, there is no obligation. The body said that wearing a mask on transport and in closed and poorly ventilated spaces where there are people is "a gesture of solidarity with the most fragile".

Motorcyclist seriously injured - A motorcyclist has been seriously injured in an accident in Mandelieu. The accident occurred at around 6.30pm on Monday on the Avenue de Fréjus. Traffic was blocked in both directions for about an hour. The 22-year-old was taken to hospital in Nice. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances

Traffic diverted after van catches fire – Meanwhile, traffic was heavily disrupted on Monday, after a van caught fire at the La Turbie paytoll. 25 firefighters intervened and traffic was diverted. Nobody was injured and according to the police the incident was due to the engine overheating.

CrossMed announces difficult summer - Figures published have shown that the summer of 2022 has not been easy for sea rescuers in southeastern France and Corsica. The teams of the Regional Centre for Surveillance and Rescue Operations in the Mediterranean Sea (CrossMed) carried out, from May to September, no less than 3,258 interventions at sea, an increase of 57% over three years. Of the 8,000 people assisted, found or rescued, the services deplore 35 deaths, the majority of them swimmers. According to CrossMed there are "particularly sensitive areas" such as the port of Cannes and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez with many rescue operations caused by “ignorance toward the dangers when at sea”. Nearly 45% of rescue interventions take place less than 300 meters from the coast.

Post office in La Croix-Valmer looks set to close - La Croix-Valmer in the Var is likely to soon lose its post office. While the current location is to be transformed into an agency for the local council the post office will be moved to the town hall, ahead of its complete withdrawal. According to La Poste the frequentation has fallen with less than 90 daily visits.

Brigitte Bardot criticises sale of manuscript of Jean-Luc Godard film - French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot has expressed her “anger” at the auction sale of the manuscript of Jean-Luc Godard’s film “Contempt”, denouncing what she refers to as the “continuous exploitation” of his name. The sale packed the auction house last week in Paris, estimated at between 120,000 and 180,000 euros, it exceeded 300,000 euros.

Mama Bella at Cap 3000 - An event aimed at mothers and future mothers, is to be held tomorrow Wednesday 26th October from 10am to 7.30pm in the Cap3000 shopping centre in Saint-Laurent-du-Var. “Mama Bella” is a show dedicated to maternity and created by three mothers.

Start-up offers to buy your property in 24 hours - A start-up from Menton offers to buys your property in 24 hours. For the first time on the Côte d’Azur the VendeZen.fr platform offers you to buy your property online in a "fast, simple and zen" way to then resell it. Created in June 2022, the site is aimed at individuals who wish to sell their property quickly, for financial or personal reasons.

Business

In the UK after winning the race to be the next prime minister Rishi Sunak has issued a plea for unity in the face of a "profound economic challenge". Mr Sunak said bringing his party and the UK together would be his "utmost priority". Mr Sunak will become the UK's first British Asian prime minister and the youngest for more than 200 years. Mr Sunak - a 42-year-old practising Hindu - is expected to take office on Tuesday after being formally appointed by the King.

Switzerland's second-largest bank, Crédit Suisse, has agreed to pay 238 million euros to avoid prosecution on French money laundering and tax fraud charges. According to a settlement approved on Monday by a Paris court, Crédit Suisse will pay a fine of 123 million euros, and an additional 115 million euros in damages and interest to the French state. Crédit Suisse said it had reached the settlement "to resolve an investigation into historical cross-border private-banking services." The bank statement stresses that the settlement does not imply any recognition of criminal liability.

Two Chinese nationals have been charged with paying thousands of dollars in cash and jewellery to obstruct a federal investigation into a major telecommunications company. According to prosecutors, the two men attempted to recruit a US law enforcement official as an intelligence asset to help interfere with the probe. The official, however, was working as a double agent for the FBI. Eleven other Chinese citizens were also charged in two other spying cases.

Sport

Formula One – Formula One driver Fernando Alonso says a penalty he received in the United States Grand Prix raises questions about the direction of the sport under governing body the FIAA protest by Alonso's Alpine team against the decision to demote him out of the points after he finished seventh in a damaged car will be heard on Thursday.

Football – Following the sacking of Steven Gerrard, Aston Villa have appointed Unai Emery as manager. Former Arsenal boss Emery, who had been in charge of Spanish club Villarreal, will take over at Villa on 1st November.

Meanwhile, French professional football manager and former player Zinedine Zidane has given his opinion about the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Zidane said that he “regretted the controversies surrounding the competition and hopes to see the sporting aspect predominate”. Zidane does not yet "know" whether he will travel to the Gulf to attend the competition from November 20th to December 18th.

Cricket - Phil Simmons will step down as West Indies men's coach following their exit from the T20 World Cup in Australia. The two-time champions failed to reach the Super 12 stage following group stage defeats by Scotland and Ireland. Simmons will remain in charge for the two-Test series against Australia from 30 November to 12 December.

Weather

Sunny intervals with a gentle breeze. Highs of 23 degrees in Monaco, Nice and Cannes. Light winds in Saint Tropez and the Var, with highs of 24 degrees. Inland in the Var highs of 27 degrees. This evening going down to 15 degrees with clear skies.

The outlook for tomorrow and Thursday. Sunny intervals tomorrow. Clear skies on Thursday. Highs of 23-25 degrees.

Sunrise:    07.56hr                        Sunset:   18.31hr

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