French and Riviera News Tuesday 5th April 2022

News

France expels several dozen Russian diplomats - France has taken the decision to expel several dozen Russian diplomats in a new sanction decided in consultation with other European nations. On Monday, the Quai d'Orsay announced that several Russian diplomats were now considered to be persona non grata on national territory. According to French media 35 Russian diplomats are affected by the sanction which "is part of a European approach". Germany has indeed taken a similar measure, without specifying the number of diplomats concerned.

Meanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, will today speak at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Ukraine, dominated by "the Bucha massacre".

Bardot praises the bravery of the Ukrainian people - In an interview with a Ukrainian newspaper French actress Brigitte Bardot has praised the bravery of the Ukrainian people and their President. Comparing the current conflict to the Second World War Bardot went on to say, “that the Ukrainians will win because that is what God wants".

Ferrero recall - Ferrero has recalled its Kinder products over suspected salmonella. Certain batches of Kinder chocolate products distributed in France and made in Belgium are believed to have a "potential" link with cases of salmonella. In a statement released on Monday the Italian group said, “it was working with the public authorities” and that so far, none of their Kinder products placed on the French market had tested positive for salmonella. The group however is "voluntarily" recalling a series of products made in Belgium. A spokeswoman for the company said that the recall, two weeks before Easter, covers the equivalent of hundreds of tons of chocolate. 

Products concerned - Kinder Surprise 20g (by one, by three, by four and by six) and 100g with expiry dates between the end of June 2022 and the end of October 2022; Kinder Schoko-Bons with expiry dates between the end of April and the end of August 2022; Kinder Mini Eggs with expiry dates between the end of April and the end of August and finally Kinder Happy Moments, Kinder Mix: 193g, Basket 150g, Plush 133g, Bucket 198g, with expiry dates at the end of August 2022. Ferrero advises not to consume the product, keep it and contact its consumer assistance team on 08 00 65 36 53 and contact.fr@ferrero.com.

“MonPsy” - Today sees the launch of the “MonPsy” platform in France which offers people psychological support for free. Announced by French President Emmanuel Macron during the Mental Health Conference last September the platform will allow those who need, to benefit from eight sessions with a psychologist, all reimbursed by the Health Insurance.

Intended for the general public, "MonPsy" is aimed at all those "suffering from depressive and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, as well as people suffering from addictions. To date, more than 1,300 practitioners have applied to register on the platform.

Presidential elections - According to the latest Opinion 2022 poll, carried out by the Elabe Institute, France’s outgoing president would be credited with 28.5% of voting intentions in the first round of the elections in France. The poll shows that the gap is narrowing between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen who is credited with 22%. In third position is far left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon with 15% this puts him ahead of far right Éric Zemmour (9.5%) and republican Valérie Pécresse (8.5%). In the second round, the most likely scenario remains a new Macron-Le Pen duel. With Macron collecting 53% of the vote, compared to 47% for the National Rally candidate.

Abstention - Meanwhile experts and polling firms have warned that the presidential election in France could see record levels of abstention. Claiming that this is linked to a general rejection of politics and to the attention being focused on Covid and the Ukraine war.

Clean up campaign on port of Nice - Two tons of waste have been collected during a clean-up campaign on the port of Nice. The operation organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Nice Côte d'Azur in partnership with local associations saw objects from tyres, supermarket trolleys and above all glass and plastic bottles taken out of the water.

Business

The governor of Sri Lanka's central bank has submitted his resignation. Ajith Nivard Cabraal's announcement came after all of the country's cabinet ministers resigned. The country is currently facing its worst economic crisis in decades. Angry protestors have also been calling for the country's prime minister and president to step down. A severe shortage of foreign currency has left the government unable to pa