NEWS
Natural Disaster in Nice - The City of Nice is requesting a natural disaster declaration following recent floods and storms, including the events of the 18th of October. Residents are urged to report any damage they experienced to strengthen the city's application. If granted, affected residents will have 30 days to submit claims to their insurance.
No Accessible Water in Gilette - A group of residents have been fighting for over 30 years to get access to running water in their homes in Gilette, near Nice. Despite living just 45 minutes from Nice, these households are not connected to the public water network due to logistical and financial challenges. While the mayor has proposed expensive solutions, such as installing a pipeline or a collective well, the residents are frustrated and continue to push for a more feasible resolution.
License-Free Cars - License-free cars, limited to 50 km/h, are becoming popular among teenagers and their parents, who see them as safer than scooters in the Côte d'Azur. Sales have surged by 30% in two years, with 2/3 of buyers being families purchasing them for teens. Although no license is required, drivers must complete an 8-hour AM permit training, and the vehicles cost between €8,000 and €20,000.
Missing Diver - A helicopter has been seen flying over the Baie des Anges this morning in Nice. According to the fire brigade, they were looking for missing diver who’d been swimming since 7 this morning. The brigade continue their search.
Injured Worker - A worker has been seriously burned while handling an electrical panel that caught fire at the Cowool hotel residence in Avignon. The fire led to the evacuation of 31 people, who will be relocated by the city. The residence remains closed until safety checks are completed.
Works in Monaco - Monaco is conducting its end-of-year road resurfacing campaign from the 21st of October to the 15th of November across eight areas: the av Varavilla, av Hector Otto, av Pasteur Bas, av de Fontvieille, bd du Larvotto, bd Rainier III, Chemin de la Turbie, and Palais Honoria. The work will take place at night to minimize traffic disruption, with temporary road closures and managed access to parking and businesses.
New law in Monaco - Monaco’s National Council members have proposed a law to strengthen the right for individuals and businesses to open and maintain bank accounts, addressing issues where banks refuse or close accounts without justification. The proposal aims to improve the 2020 law by introducing faster legal recourse, ensuring banking access for all, and preventing financial exclusion. It also allows applicants to appeal to the Budget and Treasury Department if a bank fails to respond within 15 days.
The Woofest - The Woofest, an animal festival dedicated to dogs, with hundreds of dogs and their owners from across France will be hosted this weekend in Nice. The event, on October 26-27, will feature activities like agility, doga, and a dog-friendly jazz concert, plus a 4-kilometer obstacle race. The festival also aims to raise awareness of animal protection through various associations.
Turtle Nest Failed to Develop in the Var - The 97 eggs of a loggerhead turtle nest failed to develop due to unfavorable climate conditions, marking a disappointing end to the effort to protect them in Agay, Var. Another nest in Hyères saw a small success with some hatchlings reaching the sea, but most eggs didn't survive. The increasing occurrence of turtles nesting on French shores, likely linked to climate change, is a new and puzzling phenomenon.
BUSINESS
The startup Nawah, based in Rousset, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, has launched its industrial production site for 3D nanocarbon, which has potential applications in various industries such as sports equipment and aeronautics. This material, made of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNT), offers enhanced strength, conductivity, and impermeability. Nawah aims to expand globally with plans to break even by 2026 and enter markets like hydrogen production and sustainable aviation fuels.
The IMF has raised its 2023 UK growth forecast to 1.1%, up from 0.7%, citing an economic "acceleration." While slow by past standards, this puts the UK in line with other global economies. Despite the improved outlook, Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledges more work is needed and is preparing for tax rises and spending cuts in the upcoming Budget to address economic challenges.
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, is introducing facial recognition technology to combat scammers who use fake celebrity endorsements in ads. The system will compare flagged images with celebrities' profile photos, deleting ads if there's a match. Meta is also testing video selfies and face recognition to help users recover locked social media accounts, though the technology raises privacy concerns and won’t be available in the UK and EU initially.
And - An independent commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will conduct a major review of the UK's water industry, considering reforms or even abolishing regulator Ofwat. The review follows growing frustration over pollution, crumbling infrastructure, and the need for private investment, which could lead to higher customer bills. The government has ruled out nationalization, and the commission will report its findings by mid-2024.
SPORTS
Cricket - New Zealand batter Chad Bowes broke the record for the fastest double century in men's List A cricket by smashing 200 off 103 balls in a domestic one-day match.
Rugby League - Wales cruised into the European World Cup qualifiers play-off final with a 48-0 rout of Serbia in Carcassone on Tuesday.
Tennis - World number 55 Emma Raducanu says she is making "good progress" in her recovery from a foot injury, despite pulling out of another tournament.
Football - Aston Villa's magical Champions League journey continued as they marked Unai Emery's second anniversary in charge by going top of the league phase on another European night to remember, winning against Bologna 2-0.
WEATHER
We have it good on the Côte d’Azur as it’ll be mostly sunny this afternoon. However, thunderstorms are already crowding the inland skies with gentle winds. Highs of 22 degrees in Nice, 23 in Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Marseille, and 24 degrees in Toulon.
Tonight, rather cloudy across the region with lows of 18 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, cloudy across the region with occasional showers in the Var. highs of 21 degrees.
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