French and Riviera News Wednesday 31st August 2022

News

Man killed after being hit by train - A man has died after being hit by a TGV, at Sanary-sur-mer train station. The man in his thirties is thought to have wanted to cross the tracks on Tuesday afternoon when he was hit. Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Covid - New figures show the number of children testing positive for Covid 19 is dropping. Last week only 3 children under nine were positive, while in the upper school range between 10 and 19 years old, 30 children and teenagers tested positive. The low numbers, and a dramatic fall in overall Covid numbers after the summer, means children can return to school this year without the need to wear a mask.

Summer 2022 the hottest - The summer of 2022 has been the hottest in France since 2003 according to Meteo France. They also confirmed this summer saw the hottest temperature ever recorded in the country, which was in Nantes on July 18th, when the mercury hit 42 degrees. While the Cote d’Azur has endured over 60 tropical nights, with overnight temperatures not dropping below 20 degrees, Marseille has had 113 days where the temperature exceeded 25 degrees. The national statistics service INSEE says this global warming will continue.  While twenty years ago, France might have expected a maximum 16 abnormally hot days a year, INSEE say the future will experience 16 to 29 abnormally hot days annually.

Electric car - The French government is considering a new scheme where people could lease an electric car for just €100 per month. At the moment, there is a €6,000 grant for buying a new electric vehicle, but prices are high. EV’s account for 12% of car sales in France compared to over 60% in Nordic countries. The scheme to rent an EV would help alleviate spiralling energy costs and combat climate change.

Russia - The European Union is planning to suspend a visa facilitation agreement with Russia, and several countries are pushing for an outright ban on deliveries of Russian tourist visas. At a meeting of European Union foreign ministers meeting in Prague yesterday and today focusing on the six-month-old war in Ukraine, member states are likely to agree on principle on suspending a Russia visa request deal, which would make it more difficult for Russians to travel to the bloc. The measure, which if approved would come into force in October, mean Russians would pay 80 euros instead of 45 euros for EU visas and also face a more lengthy procedure.

New poll shows that the French are not the worst students when it comes to personal hygiene - A new poll has revealed that the French are not the worst in Europe when it comes to cleanliness despite the clichés. The results show that the hygiene of some of France’s European neighbours seems a little more questionable. 76% of the French wash "at least once a day", compared to 53% over the border in Italy. However, one in five French men only change their underwear twice a week. While 82% of Spanish men say they change their underwear daily. According to a study, nearly 38% of French people reduce their purchases of personal care products for financial reasons.

Business

The Russian giant Gazprom has announced that it would completely suspend its gas deliveries to the French group Engie from this Thursday, due to the latter's non-payment for all deliveries made in July. In response French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne assured later on Tuesday evening that the French group had "found other sources of supply", without specifying which ones.

According to data from the Bank of England, the annual rate of credit card borrowing in July was 13% higher than a year earlier, the biggest annual increase since 2005. British households borrowed on their credit cards last month at the fastest annual rate in over 17 years, a potential reflection of consumers struggling to make ends meet as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies.

Cruise giant Royal Caribbean says it will tie up with Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX, using its Starlink system to offer faster internet at sea. Guests typically have to pay for internet on cruise ships, but connection has historically been poor. Starlink draws on its large network of satellites that orbit the Earth.

Sport

Tennis - Emma Raducanu's US Open title defence fell at the first hurdle as she lost in straight sets to France's Alize Cornet. The British number one was out-hustled and out-scrapped by the experienced Cornet, who won 6-3 6-3 in New York.

Football – In the Premier League Southampton beat Chelsea 2-1 last night. In this evening’s action Arsenal are at home to Aston Villa, Bournemouth face Wolves, Manchester City play Nottingham Forest, West Ham play Tottenham and Liverpool play Newcastle.

Athletics – Britain’s Tom Bosworth has retired from athletics. The double-Olympian with multiple world records, achieved 21 British titles and a Commonwealth Games silver medal.

Weather

Sunny with a gentle breeze and 27 degrees in Nice, Cannes and Antibes. 28 degrees in Saint Tropez. This evening going down to 20 degrees with clear skies.

Outlook for Thursday and Friday. Remaining fine tomorrow highs of 27. Thundery showers are forecast for Friday with highs of 25 degrees.

Sunrise              06.52hr                       Sunset                20.07hr

Sea temperature     26 degrees       UV level             6

 

 

 

 

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