NEWS
Suitcases Limited in TGV INOUI - TGV INOUI and Intercités passengers will, from the 15th of September, be limited to two large suitcases and a small bag, with a fine of €50 for exceeding the allowance. The rule, in place since February with a grace period, aims to clarify baggage limits. Many travellers, especially families with limited budgets, feel the policy is unfair and inconsistent with ecological advice to use trains over cars or planes.
Train Des Merveilles - Due to urgent railway works, buses have replaced the "Train des Merveilles" between Nice and Tende since September 2nd, with mixed reactions from passengers. While some praise the service, others face issues like poorly marked stops, inconsistent schedules, and inaccessible buses for people with disabilities. The region has promised adjustments, but the disruption will last until December 2025, leaving some residents frustrated.
Escape Game - An escape game has been organized to raise awareness about bullying at the Ismaël Dauphin high school in Cavaillon. The activity, created by the G-Addiction association, allowed students to solve puzzles while learning about the issue in a fun and engaging way. Teachers participated alongside students, and the event is part of the national "pHARe" anti-bullying program, with more workshops planned throughout the year.
Frimake - A new app called Frimake is helping newcomers on the Côte d'Azur make friends by joining or hosting events, from movie nights to hikes. The free app allows users to browse events and request to join, offering a modern solution to combat isolation. Users, like Coline, say it's a great way to meet people and explore new activities in a welcoming and safe environment.
Bike Thieves - Police have arrested two bike thieves on Wednesday and returned the stolen bikes to their owners in Avignon. One thief was caught after breaking into a garage at night, while the other was caught cutting bike locks in broad daylight. Two folding electric bikes worth €4,000 have been recovered, though one accomplice escaped.
Bomb Threats - The man who threatened to bomb Marseille-Provence airport in August has been deported. After claiming to have a bomb and fleeing the scene, he was quickly arrested. Following his detention and the revocation of his residency permit, he was expelled from France by ministerial decree in mid-September.
BUSINESS
Electricity bills for regulated tariff subscribers in France are expected to decrease by at least 10% starting February 1, 2024, according to the energy regulator. This would save an average household around 200 euros per year. The drop is due to a projected decline in electricity prices, which should offset a 4.8% rise in network charges.
The UK's national debt is projected to nearly triple by 2071 due to pressures from an aging population, climate change, and geopolitical tensions, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Without higher tax revenues or a return to post-war productivity, public finances will become unsustainable, with debt rising to 274% of GDP by 2071. Increasing spending on health, pensions, and defence, along with the costs of transitioning to net zero, further strain the budget, while government efforts aim to restore stability.
And - Scotland's only oil refinery at Grangemouth is set to close by summer 2025, resulting in the loss of 400 jobs, as it struggles to compete with refineries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The site will be converted into a fuel import terminal, requiring fewer workers, while unions and local politicians criticize the lack of planning for a green alternative. The closure is seen as part of the broader energy transition but raises concerns about economic and job security in the region.
SPORTS
Football - The rivalry between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal resumes on Sunday with the first north London derby of the season. It will be the 175th league meeting between the clubs, with the Gunners victorious in 71 of them.
Cricket - Spinners Archie Vaughan and Jack Leach sparked a dramatic late Surrey collapse as Somerset boosted hopes of a first ever County Championship title with a thrilling 111-run win over the Division One leaders at Taunton.
Golf - Charley Hull and Nelly Korda face each other in Friday's opening match of this year's Solheim Cup in Virginia.
Tennis - Great Britain's Lily Miyazaki was unable to join compatriot Sonay Kartal in the quarterfinals of the Jasmin Open as she fell to Croatia's Antonia Ruzic 6-3 6-1.
WEATHER
Bright and clear this afternoon with moderate to strong winds. Highs of 19 degrees, 22 in Nice, 23 in Cannes and Toulon, and 24 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 13 degrees and moderate to strong winds.
Outlook for this weekend,
Saturday: clear skies with highs of 24 degrees.
Sunday: clear skies with highs of 25 degrees.
Monday: bit cloudy with highs of 25 degrees.
BEACH WEATHER
Sea temperatures 25 degrees
Air temperatures 24 degrees near Saint-Tropez with moderate winds.
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