French and Riviera News Wednesday 17th November 2021

News

Obligation to wear a mask extended in the Alpes Maritimes - The obligation to wear a mask has been extended until Wednesday, December 1st in the Alpes-Maritimes. In order to counter the outbreak of Covid-19, the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes has renewed the order on the wearing of masks. The prefecture reports on November 15, 2021 an incidence rate of 106 cases per 100,000 inhabitants that exceeds the alert threshold set at 50, for a positivity rate of 2.8%.

And in the Var - Meanwhile in the Var it's been extended until November 29th inclusive. Full details can be found on the Prefecture's website www.var.gouv.fr

Monaco identifies 12 new cases of covid on Tuesday - 12 new positive cases of covid have been identified in Monaco on Tuesday 16 November. To date the number of people affected by covid in the Principality since the beginning of the epidemic, stands at 3,498. On Tuesday 16th November, nine people were reported to be hospitalised and 37 are currently being followed by the Home Monitoring Centre.

Femicide - A few hundred people mostly woman, have gathered in Paris in memory of the 100th and 101st victims of femicide since the beginning of the 2021 in France. The collective #NousToutes were present forming a circle on Tuesday evening to pay tribute to all those who have been murdered and to denounce as they said in a statement "the French government's lack of commitment to effectively combat male violence". According to the Ministry of the Interior, 146 women were victims of femicide, that is, killed by their spouse or ex-spouse in 2019, and 102 in 2020. Tuesday's rally comes just days before the International Day to Combat Violence against Women on November 25th.

Decathlon stops sales of boats such as kayaks in Calais - Sports brand Decathlon has announced that it will no longer sell boats such as kayaks in its stores in Calais and Grande-Synthe. Because these products "could endanger the lives of people using it as part of a crossing" of the Channel. In a press release, the brand explains that "the recent increase in crossing attempts has made the move necessary in order to not endanger the lives of people attempting to cross the channel. For the association the Auberge des migrants this decision "will probably not be effective" but "it is strong on a symbolic level".

"Balance ton bar" - A "Balance ton bar" Instagram account has been launched for both Cannes and Nice. The international movement which was started in Brussels, Belgium was triggered by the revelation of several cases of assaults on women in bars in a Brussels student district. Some women suspect their alleged abuser, bartender, or staff member, of drugging them without their knowledge. The accounts "Balance ton bar Cannes" and Balance ton bar Nice" were created on November 7th and 12th and in just a few days seven anonymous testimonies were published. Similar accounts have been launched for several cities in France including Paris, Nantes and Montpellier.

Train traffic heavily disrupted - Train traffic between Toulon and Nice has been heavily disrupted and remained so into the evening on Tuesday due to a train breaking down. The disruptions occurred in the afternoon after a train broke down near Cuers in the Var. Unable to remove the train from the track other trains were obliged to circulate on just one track, slowing down connections between Toulon and Les Arcs.

While traffic should return to normal by this morning the SNCF had announced strike action for today Wednesday 17th November. The calls for a strike will have "no impact" on long-distance trains, while the circulation of regional trains will be disrupted. The strike comes as employees demand a wage increase. Passengers are advised to check on their website before travelling.

Mercury Cinema - The renaming of the Mercury Cinema in Nice is under hot debate causing controversy. The oldest cinema in Nice was renamed Mercury in 1978, because its owner at the time was a fan of the singer of the group Queen. However, following the death of French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo in September it was announced that the cinema would be renamed after the French cinema legend a decision which has not yet been confirmed after an elected representative of the Alpes Maritimes council defended opposition to the name change.

HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco has been told to rest and will be unable to attend festivities for the Monegasque National Day - In a joint statement, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco have announced that the princess, who "needs to rest", will not be able to participate in the Monegasque National Day. The statement issued today Tuesday 16th November, announced that the princess, for whom "a period of calm and rest" is "necessary", will not be able to participate in the festivities of the Monegasque National Day, on November 19th. Princess Charlene is currently "recovering from a general state of deep fatigue". "During this transitional period, the princely couple asks that their privacy and that of their family environment is respected". The statement continued before adding that "information on the recovery of the princess will be communicated in the coming weeks and before the Christmas holidays". Princess Charlene had returned to the Principality at the beginning of the month after having been in her home country since last spring due to health problems that forced her to stay put. A serious infection of the ears, nose and throat, as well as several operations.

Adele to participate in this year's NRJ music awards - TF1 and NRJ have announced that British singer, songwriter, Adele will be part of the 23rd edition of NRJ Music Awards on Saturday 20th November. Back with her new album "30" which will be released on November 19th. The first single from the album entitled "Easy on me", released on October 15th, is already a worldwide hit ranking number 1 in many countries. Adele broke historical records for streaming it in 24 hours on Spotify World and Amazon music. Adele joins other artists at this year's event such as Ed Sheeran and Imagine Dragons.

OGC Nice in Bar-sur-Loup - Today Wednesday 17th November, OGC Nice will take up residence in Bar-sur-Loup, Place de la Tour, for its traditional village. Animations and signing session with players are on the program from 1pm to 5pm.

Exceptional fitness class at the Fairmont - One of the champions of fitness in the United States Shaun T, has for the first time made a stopover in the Principality for an exceptional class at the Fairmont, for fitness fans to discover his personal coaching techniques. The American coach, popular on social networks with 1.2 million followers on his Instagram account is one of the champions of fitness.

Business

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced during a visit to Béziers (Hérault) on Tuesday, that 1.9 billion euros will be devoted to the development of the hydrogen sector as part of the France 2030 investment plan of 30 billion. The development of hydrogen is "a battle for industry, for ecology and for sovereignty," said the head of state while visiting the company Genvia which develops high-temperature electrolysers to produce hydrogen from the water molecule (H20).

The head of state, who has not yet announced whether he is a candidate or not in the presidential election of April 2022, seeks to present himself as the leader of the progressive camp against candidates who claim that France is a country in decline. Through the recent France 2030 investment plan, France is banking on "technologies of the future", of which hydrogen is a part, to develop its industry while decarbonizing it.

The Paris market has welcomed OVHCloud's first annual results since its arrival on the stock exchange. The specialist in cloud computing services has revealed a performance at the top of the range and aims for double-digit growth for the coming year.

25 years after its creation, Pokémon is still leading the sales of toys for Christmas boasting a franchise worth 100 billion dollars, thanks to a formidable business strategy. JouéClub has published the top 10 of its toy sales for November and 5 items (including the number 1 in sales) are from the franchise.

Meanwhile the UK government has announced plans to boost the UK's annual exports to £1 trillion by the end of the decade. The Made in the UK, Sold To The World plan is intended to help firms seize new opportunities in global markets. Last year, the UK exported about £600bn in goods and services. But only one in 10 British firms trades overseas. International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said it was "vital" for companies to "unleash their full exporting potential". As part of the 12-point plan, government agencies such as UK Export Finance will offer new services to help UK exporters to secure business.

Sport

Football - Manchester City's French international defender 27-year-old Benjamin Mendy has been charged with two more rapes and will appear in court in England today Wednesday 17th November. Mendy is now facing six counts of rape and one of sexual assault. The former AS Monaco left-back was remanded in custody on 27 August.

In the World Cup qualifiers Wales earned a precious draw against Belgium to secure a home World Cup play-off semi-final.

Cricket – Former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq has said that English cricket is "institutionally" racist. Speaking to a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee Rafiq went on to say that racist language was "constantly" used during his time at Yorkshire. In an emotional testimony, he also said the club gave him "inhuman" treatment after his son was still-born in 2017. He added the issues he faced at Yorkshire are "without a shadow of a doubt" widespread in domestic cricket.

Formula One - Mercedes have asked for a review of the decision not to penalise Red Bull's Max Verstappen for forcing Lewis Hamilton wide in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The incident on lap 48 of the race was "noted" by the stewards but no investigation was carried out. Mercedes have lodged a "right of review" after new evidence emerged that was not available at the time. This is believed to be on-board camera footage which officials did not have during the race but emerged on Tuesday.

Weather

Cloudy to begin with, clearing by this afternoon with sunny intervals. A light wind and highs of 17 degrees in Nice, Vence, Cannes and Toulon. This evening going down to 9 degrees with clear skies.

Outlook for Thursday and Friday - Fine with highs of 17-18 degrees.