Evening Update Thursday 16th of May 2024

NEWS
Drinkable Water in La Colle-Sur-Loup - It is finally possible to drink tap water in La Colle-sur-Loup after three weeks when it was recommended not to drink it due to a parasite. The regional health agency has lifted the restrictions.

Blocked Prisons - Following the tragic death of their colleagues in the Eure region on Tuesday, prison officers are continuing to block access to prisons this Thursday and are demanding strong measures.

Angry Liberal Nurses - Liberal nurses in France are staging nearly thirty rallies to demand higher fees, which have remained unchanged since 2009 despite rising energy prices and living costs. They also seek a review of low mileage charges and better working conditions, citing insufficient time per patient and degressive payment rates for multiple procedures. The Collectif des Infirmiers Libéraux en Colère (or Collective of Angry Liberal Nurses) warns that current conditions jeopardize nurses' ability to earn a decent living and may drive them away from the profession.

Higher Hospital Admissions - Hospital admissions for self-harm and suicide attempts among teenage girls and young women have significantly increased over the past fifteen years, according to a study published today. Conducted by Drees and Santé publique France from 2007 to 2022, the research reveals a concerning rise in hospitalizations, with nearly 85,000 cases recorded in 2022 alone. Approximately 64% of these cases involved girls or women, with residents of the most disadvantaged areas being disproportionately affected.

Seepage in Louis Nucéra Library -​ Christian Estrosi admitted that there had been seepage into the Louis Nucéra library. The mayor of Nice has pointed to defects and problems that have existed for decades and has decided to close the library with immediate effect.

Higer Security in Mougins - In the Moulins district of Nice, 17 private security guards began patrolling residential blocks as promised by the town hall and social landlord Cote d'Azur Habitat in November 2023. Funded mostly by social landlords and partly by the local authority, these mediators address various issues, including preventing squats and handling sensitive situations such as weapon or drug trafficking, sometimes with the assistance of defence dogs. This initiative, now operational in Nice, follows similar programs in Toulouse, Montpellier, and Paris, making Nice the fourth city in France to implement such measures.

Yellow Alert in Alpes-Maritimes - The yellow alert for thunderstorms continues this Thursday for the third consecutive day in the Alpes-Maritimes. Thundery showers are expected across the department throughout the day.

 

BUSINESS
After his father's terminal cancer diagnosis in 2016, James Vlahos embarked on an oral history project, recording his father's life story. Inspired by his interest in AI, James transformed the recordings into an interactive chatbot to preserve his father's memories and personality. This led to the creation of HereafterAI, allowing users to do the same for their loved ones. Another firm, DeepBrain AI in South Korea, goes further by creating video-based avatars of deceased individuals. Despite the high cost of $50,000, investors see potential in the "death tech" sector, which is now valued at over £100bn globally.

The Archewell Foundation, led by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is now in "good standing" with US authorities after resolving issues with its registration. The charity faced a warning notice from the State of California Department of Justice, but all necessary paperwork has been filed without error. Earlier, there was a delay in receiving a payment, but it has since been resolved. The foundation's tax filings show holdings of $11m and donations of $1.2m last year, including support for various charitable projects. Archewell was established by Prince Harry and Meghan after they moved to the US and stepped down from royal duties. They recently completed a visit to Nigeria after marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in the UK.

Two brothers, Anton, 24, and James Peraire-Bueno, 28, face charges for allegedly stealing $25m in cryptocurrency in just 12 seconds. The US Department of Justice calls it the first-of-its-kind heist. Educated at MIT, they used their skills to exploit Ethereum's transaction process, altering pending transactions to steal from traders. If convicted, they could each face over 20 years in prison.

 

SPORTS
Rugby Union - Will Addison will be among nine players to leave Ulster at the end of this season. The 31-year-old arrived from Sale Sharks in 2018 and has made 41 appearances for the side through a stint that featured several long spells out through injury.

Tennis - World number two Aryna Sabalenka cruised through to the semi-finals of the Italian Open with victory over ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko. The Belarusian needed just one hour and 13 minutes to dispatch Latvian Ostapenko 6-2 6-4. Two-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka will face Danielle Collins in the last four in Rome after the American 13th seed beat Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-3.

Golf - Rory McIlroy says he is "ready to play" this week's US PGA Championship at Valhalla despite filing divorce papers on Monday.

 

WEATHER
Though the sky has cleared up, risks of thunderstorm persist in the Alpes-Maritimes and higher in the PACA region. Highs of 19 degrees in Marseille, 20 in Nice, 21 in Toulon and Cannes, and 22 degrees Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, Meteo France announces clear skies, with lows of 14 degrees. But do keep your umbrellas within reach, just in case.
Outlook for tomorrow, clear skies with occasional coverings, highs of 20 degrees.

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