News
Poverty is getting worse in France according to new study - According to a new study from INSEE the poverty rate in France increased in 2021 to stand at 14.5% of the population. In 2021, 9.1 million people had monthly incomes below the poverty threshold, or 1,158 euros per month for a single person. The study claims that the poverty rate increased because the poorest households were penalized by the “non-renewal of the exceptional solidarity aid” which was put in place by the government at the height of the Covid crisis in 2020, as well as by the increase in inflation.
Flood victims - Cannes Town Hall is mobilizing to help flood victims in the Pas-de-Calais. A delegation from Cannes, left on Tuesday morning. The team is transporting flood control equipment including 5 motor pumps.
It was on Tuesday that following his visit to the region the French President Emmanuel Macron announced a state of natural disaster in over 200 municipalities in the Pas-de-Calais and about thirty in the Nord department which have suffered flooding. He also announced the establishment of a fund of 50 million euros to help victims in the region. The President also announced what he called "partial unemployment mechanisms" to help affected businesses. A separate fund will be established to help support farmers, including those in Brittany and Normandy who have suffered storm damage.
Accident - A twenty-year-old pedestrian is in serious condition following an accident in Nice. The accident occurred on Boulevard René-Cassin, in the west of the city on Tuesday evening. The woman in her twenties was reportedly “crushed by a Mercedes utility vehicle” according to witnesses. The young woman was taken to hospital. Traffic was interrupted while emergency services intervened.
Fair in Monaco forced to close due to strong winds - The fair here on the port of Monaco had to close on Tuesday evening for security reasons. Due to strong winds and as a precaution the fair was closed shortly after 8.15pm. It’s the third time since its opening on October 20th that due to weather conditions, the fair has had to close. Today however it will reopen its doors at 11am and closes this year on Sunday, November 19th on Monaco National Holiday.
Couple left distraught after rental nightmare - A couple from Narbonne have been left distraught after renting their apartment for three nights on the website “Leboncoin” only to find themselves unable to get their accommodation back. The rental was only supposed to last a few nights and was followed by another booking, but the tenant now refuses to leave the premises until she finds an alternative accommodation for her and her children telling the owners “I’m sorry this has fallen on you”. She went on to explain that she had been “going from hotel to hotel with her children for several weeks and that she would like to rent for a few months while waiting for a long-term solution”. Upon realising that there was a problem the couple went to the local police station to file a complaint only to be told that no criminal offense had been committed by the tenant and that they must initiate civil proceedings. But also, and above all, they do not have the right to enter their rented apartment. In addition, with the “winter truce” having started, they may have to wait until March 31st before being able to get their apartment back. And in the meantime, “still pay the mortgage, the water, electricity, gas bills etc”. The couple could hire a bailiff who can tell the "tenant" to vacate the premises, then if two months later this has not happened, contact a judge who can take a decision requesting an eviction. A procedure that promises to be long and expensive. The owners now plan to organize a demonstration in the coming days in front of their apartment to make themselves heard.
The British School - HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco went back to school this week as he attended the official inauguration of the “The British School” . Exactly one year after its opening in November 2022 the establishment celebrated its official inauguration in the presence of Prince Albert II. Prince Albert toured the classrooms, which accommodate between 5 and 6 students per level. Located in Fontvieille, the premises which extend over a little over 600 m² now accommodate all its primary classes, from year 1 to year 6. The school announced that it is proud to count 17 different nationalities among our parents, most of whom are new residents to Monaco. The British School of Monaco is fully part of the Principality's attractiveness program, working with Extended Monaco to facilitate the reception of new residents. Co-founder Luke Sullivan explained "We want our students to become happy, intelligent adults with a strong moral compass and a courageous heart. We are building a diverse but cohesive community: a melting pot of cultures, customs and traditions."
Record temperatures for this time of year - Record temperatures in the middle of November have been observed in the Alpes-Maritimes. Many were seen on the beaches of the Riviera and Corsica, as Tuesday saw temperatures rise above the normal average for this time of year. In Pégomas 28 degrees was recorded, 27.6 degrees in Valbonne, and 26.6 degrees in Mandelieu.
Reopening of the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo - Meanwhile, with the mild temperatures there is no better place to go than the terrace of the Café de Paris which reopened its doors on Tuesday. Riviera Radio was there to see the new look of the famous brasserie which continues to win the hearts of a new generation. The philosophy of the new Café de Paris is based on delicious and simple interpretations of the great classics of the French brasserie. To see more check out the photos on the 106.5 Riviera Radio facebook page.
Tour de France - It's been announced that the 2025 edition of the Tour de France will start in the northern city of Lille. More details are expected to be revealed later this month. Next year's Tour, which is due to take place from June 29 to July 21, will start in Florence in Italy.
Edith Piaf to make a comeback - Warner Music Group (WMG) has partnered with the estate of legendary French artist Edith Piaf to produce a feature-length film “Edith” featuring the singers voice sixty years after her death. Artificial intelligence has been trained to replicate Piaf’s voice by feeding it hundreds of voice clips although the French songstress died 60 years ago at 47, she will still be heavily involved with her official documentary thanks, in part, to “innovative and groundbreaking AI technology.” The French singer’s original performances will also be used, with no announcement that the AI tech will be used to develop new music. Warner Music Entertainment and production company, will develop the first animated biopic of an artist using AI and will tell Piaf’s incredible story of how she overcame struggles to become a symbol of female empowerment and one of France’s most iconic artists of all time. This project is no doubt a chance to see “La Vie en rose" once again! In reference to the song that made Piaf internationally famous, its lyrics expressing the joy of finding true love and appealing to those who had endured the difficult period of World War II.
Business
The European Union has reached a deal on a law to place methane emissions limits on Europe's oil and gas imports from 2030, pressuring international suppliers to clamp down on leaks of the potent greenhouse gas. After all-night talks, negotiators from EU member states and the European Parliament agreed to a law early today Wednesday 15th November which from 2030 will require importers of crude oil, gas and coal into Europe to prove those fuels meet a methane intensity limit.
A drop in petrol prices last month has helped to drive US inflation to the lowest rate since July. Prices increased at a rate of 3.2% over the 12 months to October. That was down from 3.7% a month earlier. Housing costs continued to climb, but overall price pressures were milder than analysts had expected, suggesting the country's fight against inflation may nearly be over.
And - McDonald's UK boss has admitted the fast-food chain is receiving between one or two sexual harassment claims a week following a BBC investigation. Alistair Macrow told MPs it had received more than 400 complaints from workers since July, when the BBC uncovered hundreds of allegations. He said 18 people had since been sacked but he did not know how many complaints had been referred to the police.
Sport
Football - Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has been named the new manager of the United States women's national team and will take charge when the Women's Super League season ends in May. Hayes, 47, who started her managerial career in the USA, has won 13 major trophies since joining the WSL in 2012. She said her feelings for the US team and the country "run deep".
In other football news according to reports on possible transfers. Nice and France centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, 23, has emerged as the primary January transfer target for Manchester United. The news coincides with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in the club. The confirmation of Ratcliffe's purchase is expected this week, prompting speculation of a significant staff reshuffle.
Tennis - Jannik Sinner claimed his first ever victory against Novak Djokovic as the Italian beat the world number one at the ATP Finals in Turin. Sinner, 22, won a third-set tie-break to secure the group match 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-2) in three hours and nine minutes. It was 36-year-old Djokovic's first defeat since the Wimbledon men's final in July.
Formula One - General Motors has announced that it has formally registered with the FIA as a Formula 1 power unit manufacturer starting in the 2028 season. GM’s development and testing of prototype technology is already underway. Engineering a F1 power unit will advance GM’s expertise in areas including electrification, hybrid technology, sustainable fuels, high efficiency internal combustion engines, advanced controls, and software systems. A statement said that the American car giant had already started work on preparing its engine for F1's new engine regulations.
Rugby Union - An independent review has found aspects of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) culture were sexist, misogynistic, racist and homophobic and not properly challenged. The WRU environment also had elements of bullying and discrimination and was described as toxic by some employees.
Weather
Fine with a moderate wind and highs of 20 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Menton. Strong winds and highs of 20 degrees in Saint-Tropez, 19 degrees in Toulon and 17 degrees in Marseille. This evening going down to 11 degrees in the Alpes Maritimes and 5 degrees in the Var with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Friday, remaining fine with highs of 18-19 degrees.
Sunrise 07.24am
Sunset 05.05pm
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