News National
France sends aid to Portugal to help fight devastating fires - France has answered a call from the Portuguese government to help fight the fires that have been raging in the country for several days. Portugal is faced with a situation that is getting worse by the hour and emergency services are at their wit's end. The fires are affecting residential areas all over the country. Authorities have warned that more than 100 municipalities are at extreme risk. Emergency services are struggling to control at least nine fires, which have been made worse by high temperatures and strong winds. The flames have engulfed several houses and killed a firefighter. The Portuguese government has asked the European Commission to activate its civil protection mechanism, which should provide firefighters with additional water bombers and helicopters. France has sent two waterbombers and French firefighters are on their way to help the Portuguese firefighters fight the flames.
European Commission plans to extend smoking ban to outdoor spaces – In other news, according to reports the European Commission is planning to recommend extending a smoking ban to outdoor spaces which would include café terraces. The ban would also concern nicotine-free products. The draft, which is expected to be adopted by the EU executive today, Tuesday 17th September, would extend the current 2009 guidelines aimed at reducing exposure to second-hand smoke in public places, workplaces and public transport. The latest version of the draft, which is still subject to change, seeks to rid public spaces of not just cigarette smoke, but also new tobacco products such as vapes. The guidelines are not legally binding, but they provide a framework that member states can follow as part of broader efforts to reduce tobacco-related cancers.
Luggage allowance on trains in France - France has introduced new rules regarding luggage on trains with fines for travellers who don’t comply. Limits on the number and size of suitcases became obligatory on France’s high-speed services on Monday 16th September. The new limits concern passengers on high-speed TGV, InOui and Intercité trains. Passengers are now limited to two large pieces of baggage measuring a maximum of 70cm x 90cm x 50cm per person plus a smaller item like a backpack or laptop case with dimensions of up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. Passengers are also allowed to carry a handbag or purse. Items including pushchairs and buggies, sports equipment and musical instruments do not count towards the luggage limit. Passengers now face a €50 fine for exceeding the allowance but can pay an extra charge to bring additional items. Local TER trains don’t impose a luggage limit, but storage space can be limited, and passengers must ensure baggage is stowed safely and does not become a hazard for other travellers. Standard and Standard Premier ticket holders on the Eurostar travelling between London and Paris are permitted two items of baggage and one handbag. There are no weight restrictions, but passengers must be able to carry and lift their suitcases without requiring assistance.
Local News
MPs launch petition against the hike in taxes in Nice - Former President of the Republican party and local MP Eric Ciotti has launched, along with his colleagues, a petition against the increase in property tax in Nice. The people of Nice have recently been informed of a 19.2% hike in property tax. The news has been met with “anger and disbelief”. Ciotti points the finger at “uncontrolled finances” and a “gigantic debt due to unnecessary expenses such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Castellet or the destruction of the Acropolis”. Ciotti promises a mobilization on the ground to "explain" and dismantle what he describes as "many untold truths" and "smoke screens".
Mayor of Nice announces that the Abbé Pierre centre will be changing its name - Meanwhile, the mayor of Nice Christian Estosi has turned his attention to another matter concerning the accusations of sexual violence committed by Abbé-Pierre which have recently hit the headlines in national news in France. As a result, Estrosi announced on Monday that the Abbé-Pierre emergency shelter in Nice will be changing its name. The shelter is located on Rue Trachel near the main train station. Deceased in 2007, Abbé Pierre has been the target of accusations of sexual violence committed between the 1950s and 2000s with a new wave of accusation at the beginning of September. Faced with these accusations, many cities in France are preparing to rename places named in homage to the former figure who fought against poor housing.
Storm Boris - Unsettled weather is expected in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region this week, as storm Boris which hit central Europe, causing flash flooding with 400mm of rain in 72 hours, moves towards Italy and the Gulf of Genoa. It will be less intense with showers and thunderstorms expected in the South-East between Wednesday September 18th and Friday September 20th.
Storm warning – Meanwhile, Meteo France has placed the Alpes-Maritimes department on a yellow "storm" warning today which is in place from 2pm to 9pm. Rain is expected throughout the region with some clear spells. The coast however can expect gusts of wind which could reach 55 km/h in Nice, 50 km/h in Menton and 45 km/h in Antibes. Temperatures will be around 19 degrees Celsius on the coast, in the morning, and between 8 and 14°C on in Puget-Théniers. This afternoon, between 22 and 24°C is expected along the coast and 17°C in Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée.
Business
Facebook owner Meta has announced that it is to ban several Russian state media networks, alleging they use deceptive tactics to carry out influence operations and evade detection on its platforms. The bans are expected to come into effect in the next few days. Russian state media outlets have come under increased scrutiny over claims they have tried to influence politics in Western countries. As well as Facebook, social media giant Meta owns Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads.
Amazon is ending its hybrid work policy and ordering staff back to the office five days a week. The change will go into effect in January. The company says that the move would help staff be "better set up to invent, collaborate, and be connected enough to each other". Amazon staff were previously allowed to work from home two days a week.
And – Monday saw the beginning of a court battle in the US which will determine the future of Rupert Murdoch's media empire and a £14.9bn family trust. The case will pit 93-year-old Mr Murdoch against three of his eldest children over who will gain the most voting shares and power to control News Corp and Fox News when the billionaire dies. It has been reported that Mr Murdoch wanted to amend a family trust created in 1999 so that son Lachlan could take control without "interference" from his siblings Prudence, Elisabeth and James. The famous family was one of the inspirations behind the hugely popular TV series Succession - something the Murdochs have always refused to comment on.
Sport
Football - Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw has died aged 63 from injuries sustained in a fall. Shaw helped Villa win the 1981 league title and the European Cup in 1982. Shaw came through the youth ranks at his boyhood club and went on to score 79 goals in 213 games for Villa.
Athletics - World Athletics president Lord Coe has been named as one of seven confirmed candidates to succeed Thomas Bach as International Olympic Committee (IOC) president. Bach announced at the Paris Olympics last month that he intends to stand down after the end of his second term next year.
Tennis - Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu have both been named in the British team for November’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and doubles specialist Olivia Nicholls complete the five-woman team for the competition in Malaga from 13-20 November.
Weather
A sunny start, deteriorating as the day progresses with a yellow storms alert in place for this afternoon. Rain is expected throughout the region with some clear spells. Strong gusts of wind which are expected to hit the coast reaching 55 km/h in Nice, 50 km/h in Menton and 45 km/h in Antibes. Temperatures will be around 19 degrees celsius on the coast, this morning, and between 8 and 14°C inland in Puget-Théniers. This afternoon, between 22 and 24°C is expected along the coast and 17°C in Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée.
The outlook for Wednesday, cloudy but remaining dry with winds continuing in the Var region and highs of 24 degrees.
Sunrise 07.12am
Sunset 07.36pm
Beach weather
Sea temperature Saint-Tropez 23
Air temperature 22 degrees
UV level 4
Thundery showers and strong winds.
Weather elsewhere
Liverpool 20° sunny.
Paris 22° sunny intervals.
Palma 27°sunny.
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