NEWS
National Tribute for Gendarme Eric Comyn - A national tribute will be held on Monday, September 2, for gendarme Éric Comyn, with Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin attending at the Ausseur barracks in Nice. Although the ceremony is private, a spontaneous gathering is expected nearby on Avenue Simone Veil. The funeral procession will pass by between 2:30 and 3:15 PM.
Truck Accident Leads to Fire on A8 Motorway - A truck’s tire has burst leading to an accident this early afternoon on the A8 motorway between Mandelieu and the Var. The truck has then caught on fire, which spread to nearby vegetation. 500m2 of vegetation have been destroyed. 30 firefighters and 2 helicopters have been mobilised to stop the fire from spreading. The accident has led to severe traffic disruption.
Village in Need of Doctor near Nice - The small village of Touët-sur-Var, near Nice, has been searching for a new doctor for over a year without success, despite offering a newly equipped clinic with a low rent of €400/month. The village's aging population is struggling without local medical care, and efforts to attract a doctor, including outreach to medical schools, have so far failed to find a replacement for the doctor who left in June 2023.
Rough Start of the School Year in Nice - The start of the school year at Lycée du Parc Impérial in Nice has been disrupted as over half the teachers scheduled to welcome students on September 2nd either did not show up or refused to take their classes due to unresolved issues with scheduling. This protest follows a series of last-minute changes to the school's opening dates, leading to confusion and frustration among staff. Teachers hope the situation will be resolved by Thursday, September 5th, when regular classes are set to begin.
Swimming Prohibited in the Loup River - Swimming remains prohibited in the lower part of the Loup River near Villeneuve-Loubet due to bacterial contamination. The issue has persisted since last weekend, and further tests are ongoing to identify the bacteria. The restriction only affects the lower section of the river, while the upper areas remain safe.
Water Leak in Aix-en-Provence - Six buildings, including the Hôtel de France, have been evacuated and deemed unsafe due to a water leak in a basement that caused part of a terrace to collapse in Aix-en-Provence. Around 30 hotel guests have been relocated, and the situation remains uncertain as authorities await further assessments.
Fire in Ventimiglia's Market - A fire broke out on September 1st at the covered market in Ventimiglia, Italy, damaging part of the structure and electrical systems but causing no injuries. Over 100 firefighters contained the blaze, and the market is now closed for investigations. Local vendors are eager to resume their activities as soon as possible.
Bottled or Tap Water? - A debate between bottled water and tap water usage has sparked in the Bouche-du-Rhône. Many consumers opt for bottled mineral water despite its environmental impact. In contrast, tap water, which is safe, regularly tested, and rich in essential minerals, is more environmentally friendly, cheaper, and avoids plastic waste. In France, 25 million plastic bottles are thrown away each day.
BUSINESS
The UK government will not reverse its decision to scrap winter fuel payments for around 10 million pensioners, despite criticism from MPs and charities. The move, aimed at addressing a £22bn deficit, has been defended as necessary for economic stability. However, the government is launching a campaign to encourage pensioners to check eligibility for pension credit.
Oasis fans faced frustration as ticket prices surged during online sales, with some paying much more than expected due to dynamic pricing. The ticketing industry defended the process, citing high demand and artists setting prices, but fans criticized the lack of transparency. Meanwhile, concerns about ticket touting and a Ticketmaster data breach also emerged.
Railcard discounts will be reduced from 34% to 33.4% starting mid-September, slightly increasing fares for users. Rail operators aim to boost income, but the move has been criticized as a minor but unnecessary step that may frustrate passengers.
And - European airports are reinstating the 100ml liquid limit in hand luggage due to a "temporary technical issue" with new security scanners, despite some having recently relaxed the rule. No timeline has been given for when the relaxed rules might return.
SPORTS
In the Paralympics top 5 so far, China is in the lead with 34 gold medals, in second place Great Britain have 23, the US and Brazil are tied with 8, and France is at the bottom with 6. Today, the Paralympians will compete in swimming, athletics, shooting, archery, badminton, triathlon and wheelchair-rugby competitions, with 61 gold medals to be won on this 5th paralympic day.
Cricket - Stand-in England captain Ollie Pope says he is “not hiding” from his poor form after a highest score of 17 in his past five Test innings. Pope, 26, has led England to a series victory over Sri Lanka, but managed only 30 runs in his two matches in charge.
Rugby League - St Helens extended their lead at the top of the Women's Super League table after comfortably beating Huddersfield Giants 40-8.
Tennis - Aryna Sabalenka reached the US Open quarterfinals for the fourth year in a row with an assured victory over Elise Mertens 6-2 6-4.
WEATHER
The sky is pretty grey today with risks of thunderstorms all over the Var and Alpes-Maritimes. Highs of 28 degrees in Nice, 29 in Marseille, and 30 degrees in Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and Toulon with a gentle breeze.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 24 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, the thunderstorms move to the Var and the Bouche-du-Rhônes while the Alpes-Maritimes remains cloudy with highs of 28 degrees and moderate winds.
BEACH WEATHER
Sea temperature 27 degrees.
UV levels 6.
Air temperatures 30 degrees with a gentle breeze.
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