Evening Update Monday 7th October 2024

NEWS
Yellow to Orange Alert - Météo France has warned that hurricane Kirk is on its way with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected tomorrow Tuesday 8th October in Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes. The department is placed on a yellow alert for rain-flooding and storms from 2am to 4pm. Météo France does not rule out switching to an orange alert due to "potentially violent thunderstorms which are likely to affect the PACA region" between the end of tonight and Tuesday morning.

Cleaning Up Larvotto Beach - Volunteers, including divers, have collected nearly 96 kg of marine and beach waste on Sunday 6th of October at Larvotto Beach in Monaco, organized by the Monaco Nature Protection Association. The cleanup involved both beach and underwater teams, recovering plastics, metals, and even a shotgun cartridge. Most of the waste will be sent for energy recovery at a local facility.

Day Dedicated to Carers - The 2nd edition of "The Day Dedicated to Carers" will take place on Tuesday, 15th of October, in Monaco. It offers carers – those assisting individuals with age, illness, or disability – an opportunity to meet healthcare professionals and access practical workshops. The event aims to provide support, information, and advice to both family and professional carers.

New Cancer Treatment - A cancer unit has been awarded the prestigious "Clip2" label, enhancing opportunities for patients to access cutting-edge treatments in early-phase clinical trials in Nice. These trials allow patients with advanced cancers to try innovative therapies before they are commercially available. The certification will enable the unit to double the number of trials, offering more personalized treatments and giving hope to those who may not have other medical options.

Car Accident Leads to Heart Attack, Traffic Severely Disrupted - A man had a heart attack following a car accident this Monday morning on the A57 motorway near Toulon. Following what was labelled as a minor incident, the 48-year-old felt nauseous before going into cardiac arrest. Despite one hour of CPR, the man did not survive. In consequence, traffic was severely disrupted from Toulon to Nice.

Free Swimming Pool in Monaco - Due to a heating system failure at the Stade Nautique Rainier III pool in Monaco, the water temperature has dropped to around 24°C. As a result, entry to the pool is free for the bravest of you to enjoy until its closing date on 13th of October, though equipment rentals and aquatic courses will still be charged.

Florent Manoudou Plays Handball - Olympic swimmer Florent Manaudou, a double bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Games, has joined the Antibes handball club to break routine and boost his mental and physical training. Passionate about handball since childhood, Manaudou sees this as a fun way to complement his swimming preparation while staying motivated. He had briefly played handball in 2016 before returning to swimming.
 

BUSINESS
According to an Asterès study, the standard of living for French retirees is higher than that of the active working population. While retirees earn less in monthly income (€2,188 vs. €2,489 for workers), their adjusted living standards are higher due to property ownership, with 62% of retirees owning their homes mortgage-free against 17% for those under 50. Retirees also face lower poverty rates compared to younger households. The government is considering delaying the inflation-based adjustment of pensions by six months, potentially saving €4 billion.

UK house prices nearly reached a record high in September, with the average price hitting £293,399, just shy of the June 2022 peak. Falling mortgage rates and strong wage growth have boosted buyer confidence, leading to a 40% increase in mortgage agreements over the past year. However, borrowing costs remain challenging for many, particularly first-time buyers.
A community on the Isle of Lewis is divided over Tesco supermarket’s proposal to open its store on Sundays, a day traditionally observed as a day of rest due to religious beliefs. While some support the convenience, over 700 people have signed a petition opposing the change. Tesco is consulting with locals, assuring no one will be forced to work Sundays, while aiming to balance demand with respect for local traditions.

And - Over 40 businesses have urged London's mayor to extend the congestion charge exemption for electric vans, which is set to end by Christmas. They argue the £15 daily charge would burden firms that invested in cleaner fleets, costing £5,500 per vehicle annually. City Hall is working with Transport for London to explore ways to mitigate the impact and further support businesses transitioning to cleaner vehicles.
 

SPORTS
Rugby Union - England produced a clinical attacking display in a nine-try win over New Zealand to move closer to retaining their WXV1 title in Canada.

Tennis - World number six Coco Gauff dominated unseeded Czech player Karolina Muchova to win the China Open 6-1 6-3 - the eighth WTA title of her career and first since January.

Football - Rangers secured a third consecutive Scottish Premiership 2-0 against St. Johnstone, with Vaclav Cerny's exquisite double effectively sealing the points before Ianis Hagi's late red card.
 

WEATHER
Yellow alert on the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var as the clouds cover the region’s skies with chances of rain and moderate winds. Highs of 20 degrees in Nice, 21 in Cannes and Saint-Tropez, 22 in Toulon and 24 degrees in Marseille.

Tonight, cloudy and rainy with lows of 16 degrees.

Outlook for tomorrow, risks of thunderstorm across the region that should clear up towards the evening. Highs of 21 degrees with moderate winds.  

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