NEWS
Tende Tunnel - European parliamentarians from the transport committee are visiting the Alpes-Maritimes to review EU funding for local projects, including the long-delayed Tende Tunnel reconstruction. Initially scheduled for 2020 completion, the project now faces further delays until 2025, with costs doubling to over €330 million, frustrating local officials and residents.
Retired Grasse Firefighters Help Ardèche - Retired firefighters from Grasse have delivered essential appliances and supplies to the flood-stricken village of Limony in Ardèche, where mid-October floods left homes uninhabitable. The Grasse Humanitarian Firefighters Association, which has supported disaster victims worldwide for 35 years, raised €6,000 to provide the village with much-needed items like microwaves and washing machines. Despite being 400 km away, the volunteers felt compelled to act, offering immediate support while preparing future relief efforts for flood victims in Var.
Unsellable Turnips Due to Supermarket Standards - Turnip farmers have dumped four tons of turnips outside Carpentras’ sub-prefecture, demanding a pesticide exemption to combat turnip fly damage, which has rendered up to 60% of their crops unsellable in Vaucluse. Previously allowed for four years, the insecticide Benevia is now banned in France, though imported Spanish and Italian turnips treated with it enter French markets, sparking claims of unfair competition. While the damaged French turnips are edible, consumers prefer visually perfect, pesticide-treated imports.
Retired Military Officer Walks to Raise Awareness about Wounded Soldiers - Jean-Louis Martinez, a 69-year-old retired military officer, is walking across France to raise awareness about wounded soldiers, particularly those with PTSD. Covering 28 km daily, he aims to bring visibility to these "invisible injuries" while inspiring solidarity in the communities he visits. Martinez’s journey will culminate in Marseille on the 2nd of November, where he will climb Notre-Dame de la Garde and call for donations for injured service members.
BUSINESS
TikTok's popularity has propelled ByteDance co-founder Zhang Yiming to become China's richest person, with a net worth of $49.3 billion. Despite global regulatory pressures, especially in the U.S., ByteDance saw a 60% profit increase, boosting Zhang's wealth. While China's tech sector remains dominant on the rich list, overall wealth in China declined amid economic challenges, particularly in green energy industries.
Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos defended the paper’s decision to end presidential endorsements, arguing it reduces perceived bias and strengthens credibility. The move, announced just before the election, breaks a longstanding tradition, sparking concerns among staff and some readers over potential subscriber loss. Bezos noted the timing wasn’t ideal but saw it as necessary for maintaining the paper’s independence and adapting to new expectations in journalism.
And - McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski apologized for an E. coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounders in the U.S., which has sparked legal action and added to the company's struggles with declining sales. Despite a slight sales gain in the U.S. due to promotions, global sales fell 1.5%, with particular drops in the UK, France, China, and the Middle East. The company suspended Quarter Pounder sales in affected areas and cut ties with the supplier of the contaminated onions, focusing on restoring customer confidence.
SPORTS
Tennis - British number one Jack Draper cruised through to the second round of the Paris Masters with a straight-set win 7-5 6-2 over the Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka.
Meanwhile, Avignon's Benoît Paire was eliminated on Tuesday in three sets 7-6 4-6 7-5 by Japanese player Taro Daniel in the first round of a Challenger tournament in Seoul as the French player sparked into a rage.
Rugby Union – England’s number eight Ben Earl says they have gone through "some heartache" and now it is time to "get over the line" in close Test matches against the world's best sides as they prepare to face New Zealand on Sunday.
Cricket - Scotland paid the price for a disappointing batting display as they suffered a five-wicket defeat by Nepal in their one-day international in Texas.
WEATHER
Bright and clear this afternoon with a gentle breeze. Highs of 24 degrees in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, and 26 degrees in the Bouches-du-Rhône.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 16 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, not a cloud in the sky with highs of 23 degrees.
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