NEWS
Weather Alert - Météo France has issued an orange rain-flood alert for 11 departments in southeastern France. In response, the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes has ordered the closure of nurseries and schools for the entire day. Heavy rains in the Hautes-Alpes have caused landslides and road closures. Rainfall is expected to reach up to 100 mm in some areas. Emergency services are mobilized to clear roads and secure dikes to prevent further damage.
Thousands of Homes Deprived of Electricity - More than a thousand homes have been deprived of electricity due to today’s bad weather in the Var. Trees have fallen on electric lines, affecting Toulon, Hyères, La Crau, Solliès-Pont and Pierrefeu. Electricity Company Enedis has sent repair teams on site.
Movement for Our Mental Health Rescheduled - Due to today's bad weather, the "Movement for Our Mental Health" event scheduled for the 8th of October at the Palais des Victoires has been cancelled and postponed. The event is part of Cannes' Mental Health Information Weeks (October 8-19), aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues and fighting stigma. Various activities, including conferences and workshops, will focus on the theme "Movement for Our Mental Health" to promote physical activity as a way to improve mental well-being.
Auction in Monaco - A large-format painting by Vincent Courdouan, an artist from Toulon, will be auctioned on the 18th-19th October in Monaco. The 2.10m by 3m artwork, depicting Toulon's harbour in 1870, is expected to fetch between €20,000 and €30,000, potentially setting a new price record. Courdouan, also called the ‘traveling painter’, is known for his detailed landscapes and is a key figure of Provençal art.
Tourism in Menton - Tourism in Menton is showing positive signs for 2024, with stable domestic stays and a significant rise in international visits, especially from the U.S. and UAE. Events like the Menton Lemon Festival and mild weather boosted early-year results, but spring and summer saw mixed booking trends. Despite some uncertainty for the year-end, the tourism office remains optimistic due to strong off-season bookings and growing international appeal.
Kerios Geriatric Home Closed - The Kerios geriatric home has been abruptly closed after an inspection by the regional health agency (ARS) revealed serious safety concerns for residents in La Garde. Over 30 staff members were dismissed without pay, while the home's 40 residents were hastily relocated to other facilities. The closure, blamed on financial mismanagement and poor conditions, has left employees protesting for unpaid wages and lamenting their inability to properly say goodbye to the residents.
Truck Driver Dies on the A8 Motorway - A truck driver in his fifties has died in the night between Monday and Tuesday on the A8 motorway near Mandelieu, heading towards Aix-en-Provence. The driver felt faint and stopped on the hard shoulder. He was later found dead at the wheel.
Landslides in the Alpes-Maritimes - A series of landslides have occurred following severe weather, affecting roads in the Alpes-Maritimes. Key routes like RM 2205 at Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, RD 815 at Contes, and RD6 at Tourettes-sur-Loup have been closed in both directions for an indefinite period. Detours have been set up as authorities assess the damage and safety of these areas.
Train Circulation - A signal failure at Luc-Le Cannet has disrupted train services in the PACA region, particularly between Carnoules and Les Arcs. Train circulation is not expected to resume before 10 p.m. Tuesday. This has also caused delays for TER and TGV trains heading towards the Alpes-Maritimes, including in Nice.
Guides and Scouts of Monaco - The Guides and Scouts of Monaco have launched a humanitarian project during a gathering near Tende in the Alpes-Maritimes, marking the start of a mission in Argentina in 2025. The project involves building a kitchen at a school in Chaco province, with support from local NGOs and donours. Fundraising efforts are underway to cover the €20,000 needed for this initiative, which aligns with the scouts' values of service, love, and solidarity.
BUSINESS
Water companies in England and Wales must return £158 million to customers through lower bills next year after missing key targets on pollution and other issues, according to regulator Ofwat. Despite some improvement, no company achieved the top rating, and Thames Water faces the largest repayment at £56.8 million. Ofwat warns that addressing issues like sewage spills requires cultural and leadership changes, not just financial penalties.
Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, encourages customers to wait a few extra minutes for electric vehicles (EVs), as part of the company's push for sustainable rides. He also calls on governments to support EV adoption, especially by making them more affordable and accessible for drivers. Khosrowshahi advocates for Chinese-made EVs, despite some countries' concerns about competition, arguing they are vital for reducing emissions and tackling the climate crisis.
And - More than 1,000 of the American restaurant chain TGI Fridays UK’s staff will be laid off despite a rescue deal from the owners of D&D London. The deal saves nearly 2,400 jobs across 51 restaurants, but 35 branches have closed. The union Unite criticized the handling of staff, some of whom were locked out and uncertain about their wages. The new owners aim to modernize the business and revive the iconic brand.
SPORTS
Formula 1 - It's just under two weeks before the United States Grand Prix from 18-20 October - the first of six races to decide the destiny of the drivers' and constructors' championships.
Football - Spain World Cup winner Andres Iniesta has retired from playing at the age of 40.
Meanwhile, Scotland's injury problems continue to mount, with goalkeeper Angus Gunn ruled out of the Nations League matches against Croatia and Portugal.
Cricket - A much-improved batting performance saw England seal a seven-wicket win over South Africa at the Women's T20 World Cup.
Basketball – the AS Monaco will play Maccabi tonight at 7pm in the Salle Gaston Medecin in Monaco. They will also play La Rochelle on Saturday 12th of October. For the occasion, the AS Monaco offers a special pack offer. If you get your ticket for the Monaco-Maccabi match tonight, you get 50% off the Monaco-La Rochelle match this weekend! https://billetterie.asmonaco.basketball/pack/19
WEATHER
The Orange flooding alert should soon be lifted in the region as the clouds and the rain slowly make way for the clear sky. Highs of 21 degrees in Nice, 22 in Cannes, Toulon and Marseille, and 23 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, light clouds with lows of 18 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, cloudy afternoon and rainy evenings with highs of 22 degrees and gentle to moderate winds.
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