French and Riviera News Wednesday 3rd April 2019

Local

Pay toll at Saint-Isidore - During a debate at the National assembly on Tuesday the French Minister of Transport Elisabeth Borne has rejected MP Eric Ciotti’s request to remove the peage on the A8 motorway at Nice Saint-Isidore. Ciotti, Republican MP for the Alpes Maritimes requested that the pay toll be removed for security reasons and due to the cost for motorists. The stretch of motorway around Nice is one of the most expensive in France.

France’s Interior Minister praises police forces - The French Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner, has met with the police and the gendarmerie of Gap in the Hautes Alpes. During the visit on Tuesday he praised the collaboration between the services which resulted in the arrest of nine drug traffickers. During his visit police quickly removed about thirty yellow vests and extreme left activists who were demonstrating. Today Castaner is visiting Avignon to meet elected officials. Avignon saw clashes with police at the weekend following yellow vest protests with several arrests being made.

Emmanuel Macron - The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has said it should not be taken for granted that the EU would grant the UK a long extension on its departure from the bloc. Speaking on Tuesday Macron added that “Europe’s priority must be the good functioning of the EU and the single market and that the EU can’t be held hostage long-term by the resolution of a political crisis in the UK.”

Meanwhile the head of state is facing tensions here at home as nationalist leaders in Corsica have announced that they would not be participating in a meeting with elected officials. Macron is expected to visit the island on Thursday as part of the last stage of his tour of France, in the context of the National debate. His visit comes at a time of tension, on Monday explosives were discovered outside two public finance buildings in Bastia.

Clean up completed on Porquerolles - The island of Porquerolles in the Var has announced that efforts to remove pollution which hit the island’s coastline last October have been completed. Last year a large part of the island’s coast was affected following the collision between two ships off the coast of Corsica.

Rentals - A recent study has shown that Toulon in the Var is the fourth cheapest city in France for housing rentals. Saint-Etienne tops the ranking while on the opposite side Paris is the most expensive place in France, in front of Nice which comes in 2nd place. The capital of the Riviera has an average rent of € 16.40 per square meter.

EVER Monaco - The 14th edition of Ever Monaco is taking place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco from the 8th to the 10th May. For three days international meetings will be held themed on green vehicles and renewable energy. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco has committed the Principality to steady progress in the field of clean mobility. EVER Monaco features a number of special events including the Riviera Electric Challenge bringing users together on an ecodriving circuit which starts in Cagnes sur Mer passing through Monaco and ending in Italy for the first time, thus demonstrating the potential for cross-border e-mobility.

National

Death of man while in police custody causes controversy - A major controversy has erupted over the death of a young black man after he was detained by police in Paris. Ange Dibenesha, was reportedly arrested in Paris on Wednesday evening following police carrying out spot checks on the capitals roads. His family have claimed that they heard nothing from him until they received a phone call from a local hospital on Friday, informing them that he was brain dead. An autopsy revealed he died of heart failure. Police said he swallowed an unknown substance during his arrest. News of Mr Dibenesha's death, has been met with anger online, with social media users demanding an explanation using the hashtag #JusticePourAnge.

Former Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn - Former Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn has claimed his retirement rights by sending his letter of resignation on January 24th. According to French media Ghosn will be able to claim € 765,000 a year, in retirement benefits until his death and legally, Renault has no choice but to pay this annual sum to its former boss. However, the car manufacturer may refuse him a portion of his remuneration for 2018, a share of his fixed salary of one million euros on the grounds that he was not physically in the company after his arrest in Japan on November 19th. Renault's board of directors are meeting today to study two topics. The first is the result of the internal investigation in to the financing of his wedding which was held at the Palace of Versailles in October 2016. The other is his remuneration for 2018.

Business

Reports from Japan say that Tokyo prosecutors are preparing to build a fresh case against the former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn over suspect payments to Oman.

Japanese media say that discussions are taking place with the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office over whether to prosecute Mr Ghosn on further charges of aggravated breach of trust.

A spokesman for Mr Ghosn has previously said that payments of 32 million dollars were made to an Oman firm over 9 years for “being a top Nissan dealer”.He said that the dealer incentives were not directed by Mr Ghosn and that the funds were not used to pay any personal debt.

Carlos Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November and is facing charges of financial misconduct and aggravated breach of trust in connection with allegedly failing to report around 82 million dollars in salary and temporarily transferring personal financial losses onto Nissan’s books.

 

The chairman and chief executive of the clothing retailer Superdry have both resigned after founder Julian Dunkerton won his bid to be reinstated to the board.

Mr Dunkerton narrowly won a shareholder vote on Tuesday with 51.15 percent support.

Eight of the firm’s directors resigned en masse at an emergency board meeting following the vote.

Mr Dunkerton has now been appointed as interim chief executive of Superdry and has vowed to turn the firm’s fortunes around.

He’s blamed previous management for flagging sales and profits.

 

And-US regulators are to investigate both Kia and Hyundai motors over thousands of vehicle fires that could lead to mass recalls.

The investigation  by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration follows thousands of complaints about “non-crash fires”.

The incidents are linked to at least one death and more than 100 injuries.

Fire issues and engine problems have affected some 6 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles in the United States since 2015.So far only around 2.4 million of the affected vehicles have been called in for repair.

Sport

Football-Manchester United’s hopes of a top four finish in the English Premier League have been dented after they went down 2-1 away at Wolves last night.

The defeat leaves United level on points with Spurs but in 5th place in the table with 6 games left in the season.

In last night’s other game Fulham were relegated to the Championship after a 4-1 drubbing at Watford.

There are three games tonight.Chelsea play Brighton.Manchester City play Cardiff and Spurs play their first game at their new stadium when they face Crystal Palace.

Formula 1-Mick Schumacher was second quickest for Ferrari at the official Bahrain test on Tuesday.

The 20 year old son of 7 time world champion Michael Schumacher said that he’d “enjoyed” the experience  and found that the Ferrari car had been “smooth” to drive while at the same time having “incredible power”.

Schumacher completed 56 laps and was fastest before being pipped by Max Verstappen in the Red Bull.

He’ll test again today but this time for Alfa Romeo.

Tennis-Andy Murray has returned to a tennis court two months after hip surgery.

Murray posted a video on Instagram which showed him hitting against a wall alongside a caption saying “it’s a start”.

The 31 year old says that he’s pain free following the hip resurfacing surgery and is hoping to return to competitive action later this year.

Weather

Overcast with outbreaks of rain and moderate north easterly winds.

Top temperatures 15 degrees.

Overnight lows of 12 degrees on the coast and 6 degrees inland with more rain and scattered thunderstorms.

Thursday and Friday-Rain clearing away tomorrow,fine on Friday.Highs of 14-16 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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