Lunchtime News Tuesday 19th October 2021

News

Fatal road accident on the Moyenne Corniche - A motorist has died in a road accident on the Moyenne Corniche this morning, Tuesday 19th October. Despite the intervention of witnesses, the driver died from his injuries. The accident occurred shortly after 9.30am at the entrance to Eze eastbound, heading towards Monaco. The vehicle reportedly hit part of the cliff on the dual carriage way section of the road before catching fire. Ahead of the emergency services arriving at the scene witnesses intervened to extricate the victim from the vehicle. Meanwhile a motorcyclist in his thirties suffered minor injuries while trying to avoid the accident. The circumstances of the accident remain to be determined.

Mayor of Sanary-sur-Mer charged - The mayor of Sanary-sur-Mer in the Var, Ferdinand Bernhard has been charged with illegal taking of interest and the embezzlement of public funds. Bernhard was found guilty and sentenced to 5 years of ineligibility, a sentence for which provisional execution was ordered. An extraordinary appeal would therefore not allow him to remain mayor. He was also sentenced to three years in prison, one year of which must be executed "at home, under electronic surveillance", along with the confiscation of a large estate asset. He will also have to pay 50,000 euros fine.

Charges against Ferdinand Bernhard included "illegal taking of interests", in connection with the acquisition of a plot of land and its real estate project (three villas were built there, as well as a swimming pool). "Illegal taking of interest and embezzlement of public funds", within the framework of the relations with a former collaborator of cabinet and "misappropriation of public property" for the use of a company vehicle and a motorway card.

Covid incidence rate on the rise in the Bouches-du-Rhone - The incidence rate is on the rise in the Bouches-du-Rhône region with the prefect indicating that there will be no easing of the health measures until at least mid-November, extending the measures until November 15th.

After a steady decline over the past two months, positive cases are on the rise in the region. The incidence rate is 111 per 100,000 inhabitants, a sign that the circulation of the virus is still active. For Philippe de Mester, director of Regional Health Agency for the PACA region, there is a real risk of the “return of the covid epidemic”. More than 170 Covid patients are currently hospitalized in intensive care units in the region. Mester goes on to add that the vaccine is  "the only weapon against this epidemic", underlining significant disparities in the vaccination rate according to different regions, in particular in Marseille where the vaccination rate is 80% which is half as high as parts of the north of France.

Three men charged after shooting in Marseille on September 7th - Three men aged 24, 27 and 28 have been charged for carrying out a shooting in Marseille which occurred near the Porte d'Aix in Marseille on September 7th killing one man and injuring another. Three individuals armed with semi-automatic weapons opened fire on two young men. One of them, aged 24 died, the other aged 31 was injured. According to the investigation the shooting was a settlement of accounts.

French President announces move to overhaul justice system - French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to overhaul the country’s justice system, which has been long criticised for being too slow and too lax. However, the announcement has been disregarded by magistrates who accuse the Head of State of doing “a political dance in the lead up to presidential elections”. The so-called General Assembly of Justice will be responsible for putting forward reforms to streamline the justice system from 2022 and beyond.

Survey shows that 49% of French people exceed their overdraft limit at least once a year - According to a recent survey carried out by Poll & Roll for Panorabanques, 49% of French people exceed their overdraft limit at least once a year. The primary concern of the French a few months ahead of the presidential election is purchasing power. The survey published today Tuesday 19th October shows that more than a third of those questioned (36%) believe that they have low purchasing power, especially those who live alone (43%) and those who have a lower income. at 1,500 euros (61%).

 

 

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