French Riviera News Friday 21 February 2025

A judge has authorised a dive to inspect the wreckage of a plane in the sea off Antibes. The plane crashed into the Mediterranean on September 11 1968. 95 people lost their lives in the disaster. The dive had been requested by families of the victims who are trying to establish whether the plane was accidentally hit by an army missile. 

Traffic diversions will be in operation in parts of the Var today for the Classic Var Cycle race. The Prefect of the Var has advised motorists to slow down and take extra care in areas affected by the event between 11.30am to 5.00pm today. 

Just over 106,000 enterprises were created in our region last year. Data from French government statistics office INSEE has shown a rise of 2.9% in the number of businesses created in the Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur Region in 2024 compared with 2023. However, the figure is below the figure for France as a whole, which is an increase of 5.7%. 

The driver of a heavy goods vehicle in the Var has been banned from driving for six months because of being under the influence of narcotics. The driver of the 44 ton truck was stopped near Saint Maximin earlier this month. He tested positive for narcotics, was taken into police custody and his truck was immobilised.  

The French National Assembly has passed a bill to ban BFAS so-called “forever chemicals” from clothing, footwear, cosmetics and wax products. The ban comes into effect on those products on 1 January 2026, but there are exceptions for textile clothing and footwear which are designed for the protection and safety of people, in particular in the performance of national defence or civil security missions. The legislation also aims to ban their use in a wide range of textiles from 1 January 2030.   

The French public pension deficit is set to increase according to a report from the Court of Auditors, commissioned by the French government. The report estimates that the pensions deficit will reach 15 billion euros in 2035 and 30 billion in 2045. It estimates that the deficit for the current year will be about 6.6 billion euros. 

Tap water quality in the majority of the French overseas department of Mayotte has been restored to full drinkable quality for the first time since a devastating cyclone destroyed most buildings. A cyclone hit the territory in the Indian Ocean in December.  

 

BUSINESS 

Delta Air Lines is offering 30,000 US Dollars to each person on board the plane that crash-landed in Toronto on Monday. The 76 passengers and four crew all survived. The plane was flying from Minneapolis to Toronto. A spokesperson for Delta said the offer has no strings attached and did not affect customers' rights. 

The owner of one of the world’s largest diamond producers has once again written down the value of the company. Anglo-American wrote down the value of DeBeers by 2.9 billion dollars in its latest results after a 1.6 billion write down last year. Diamond prices have fallen over recent years because of the increasing popularity of lab-grown versions and reduced consumer spending in the Chinese market. 

Donald Trump has said he is not happy with Boeing over a contract to build two new Air Force One planes. The President said it is taking Boeing too long to build the aircraft. The contract for two updated versions of the presidential plane was negotiated during Trump's first term in office. 

 

SPORT 

Cricket....India have beaten Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy Group A in Dubai. Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten century after Mohammed Shami took 5 for 53. 

It’s been announced that Jamie Smith will bat at number three in England's match against Australia on Saturday. Phil Salt remains as opener alongside Ben Duckett while Joe Root drops down to number four. 

Rugby Union.... Finn Russell has been declared fit to start Saturday's Six Nations match against England, but Darcy Graham is not included in the starting squad. Both players suffered concussions after they collided in the game against Ireland. 

Tennis.... World number two Iga Swiatek is out of the Dubai Tennis Championships after a shock defeat by teenager Mirra Andreeva. The final score was 6-3 6-3. The 17 year old is the youngest player to ever reach the semi finals of the tournament. 

 

 

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