Evening Update Monday 4th November 2024

NEWS
Scuba Diving Therapy Helps Survivors with PTSD - Eight years after the Nice attack, some survivors find relief through an innovative therapy: scuba diving. Despite fears, they find a sense of peace underwater, with controlled breathing offering calm and a new perspective on recovery. For some, this experience was transformative, giving them renewed confidence and the urge to start swimming again.

Necklace Snatcher Apprehended by Bystanders - A man has been apprehended by bystanders and a firefighter after snatching a necklace from an elderly woman, in Nice. Following his arrest, he was held in custody and is set to face immediate trial in court on Monday. The woman was unharmed, and her necklace was recovered.

Saved by CrossFit Coach - A 44-year-old man has been saved after he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a CrossFit session, in Gardanne, near Marseille. His coach, trained in first aid, saved his life using CPR and an on-site defibrillator. This incident highlights the importance of having defibrillators in public spaces and the value of first-aid training.

Unusual November Weather - Unusually warm November weather, with temperatures around 20°C, has brought locals and tourists to enjoy sunny picnics and lake visits, creating a spring-like atmosphere in Vaucluse. While people are relishing the warmth, many express concern about the unusual climate. A lakeside restaurant owner observed that the warmth is boosting his business as people still prefer ice cream over hot chocolate but finds the persistent high temperatures concerning.

Météo-France Prediction for 2100 - By 2100, Météo-France predicts the Côte d'Azur will experience 5°C warmer summers, more frequent tropical nights (up to 105 annually), and increasingly severe rainfall, especially in autumn. Sea levels could rise by 46-79 cm, threatening coastal areas like Nice. These changes underscore the urgency of climate adaptation efforts.

No Tobacco Month - Shortages of Nicotine Products - During "Mois Sans Tabac" (No Tobacco Month) in France, many pharmacies in Nice and the surrounding area are facing shortages of nicotine products like patches and lozenges. High demand, coupled with limits on supplier deliveries and heavy purchases by tourists attracted by France's lower prices, has left some pharmacies unable to maintain stock. Pharmacies advise customers to plan ahead to secure supplies and avoid setbacks during their quit-smoking efforts.

Red Stripes Captured in Minorca Storm from Cote d'Azur - Storm chaser Laurent Richard captured 83 rare “sprites” (brief, red flashes during storms), a personal record. Using specialized equipment, he observed the light phenomena from a storm near Minorca, in Spain, over 450 km from where he was in the Cote d’Azur. Capturing sprites requires patience, ideal sky conditions, and precise equipment setup, making this a unique achievement for Richard.

Canal + 40th Anniversary - Canal+ celebrates its 40th anniversary with a special show at the Folies Bergère, hosted by Antoine de Caunes. The program features tributes, highlights, and performances by many stars linked to the channel, honouring its role in shaping French television with iconic shows and as a talent incubator. Despite evolving over the years, Canal+ remains a key player in French media.
 

BUSINESS
The Unite union is urging the government to reverse its decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners or face possible legal action, arguing it failed to assess the impact on vulnerable people. The policy aims to address a £22 billion budget deficit, but will remove a benefit of £100-£300 from around 10 million pensioners. While the government claims it’s still supporting pensioners through increased pension credits and a commitment to the triple lock, critics argue this decision is especially harmful with winter approaching.

And - Sainsbury's is matching Aldi prices on 200 products in its convenience stores to attract more shoppers and address price concerns, especially during the cost-of-living crisis. Research shows that convenience stores charge up to 10% more on average for the same items compared to larger supermarkets, with some products like frozen pizza and bread costing significantly more. Sainsbury's initiative is the first of its kind among major UK supermarkets, possibly pushing other retailers to reduce the price gap on essentials in their convenience stores as well.
 

SPORTS
Football - Chelsea thrashed Everton 5-0 at Goodison Park in the Women's Super League to maintain their perfect start to the season under new boss Sonia Bompastor.

Rugby Union - England have called-up Sale Sharks prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour to the 36-player squad preparing to face Australia in the Autumn Nations Series. The 20-year-old was a member of England's Under-20s side which won their age grade World Cup this year.

Tennis - Iga Swiatek began her bid to regain the world number one ranking with a comeback win over Barbora Krejcikova 4-6 7-5 6-2 in the WTA Finals group stages.
 

WEATHER
Another beautiful day today! Clear skies across the region with a gentle breeze. Highs of 21 degrees in Nice, and 22 degrees in Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Toulon and Marseille.

Tonight, mostly clear with lows of 14 degrees

Outlook for tomorrow, partly cloudy with highs of 21 degrees.

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