Local
Strike action against welfare reforms - Thousands of students, pensioners and workers from numerous trade unions have demonstrated across France against President Macron’s proposed welfare reforms. Five of France’s largest trade unions demonstrated in Paris, Lyon, Nice and Marseille with further action planned in the coming months.
Weather - While six departments in South Western France remain on an orange weather alert with heavy rain and the risk of flooding forecast Météo France has warned that there could be a weather warning issued for the Var region by midday due to the risk of intense rainfall. On Tuesday Pepingnan saw 21 days of rain fall in a few hours.
Visually impaired shopper refused entry - There has been uproar on social media after a visually impaired shopper was refused entry to a supermarket in Marseille. 25 year old Arthur Aumoite, accompanied by Loya his guide dog, was told to leave the Monoprix store on the basis that animals were not allowed on the premises for hygiene reasons. Following the video which was posted on Youtube the store manager has since apologized. By law in France the presence of dogs of assistance are authorized in public places.
Pollution - In line with fourteen other cities across France, motorists in Toulon will soon be required to display a pollution sticker on their windscreen. Following an agreement signed on Monday authorities will be able to ban access to the most polluting vehicles based on the vignette they display. A specific perimeter remains to be defined and bans can be permanent, punctual or limited to certain time slots. Authorities plan for the new measure to be in place by 31st December 2020.
National
Ban on tanning booths - Following a report published today France’s National Health Security Agency has requested that “public authorities take measures to stop the exposure of the population to artificial UV”. According to figures those who have used tanning booths at least once before the age of 35 increase the risk of developing skin cancer by 59%", estimating that 43% of skin cancer in young people could be attributed to the use of tanning booths before the age of 30. According to the National Union of tanning professionals, "their activity has been halved since 2009 due to the controversy on the risks of UV". There are currently 4,500 establishments in France, including 300 specialized tanning centers.
France decorates couple - France's most famous Nazi-hunting couple, Serge Klarsfeld and his wife Beate, have received top honours from President Emmanuel Macron. Serge Klarsfeld, 83, received France's highest award, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, while Beate, 79, received the National Order of Merit. The pair began their mission to catch Nazis and bring them to justice after they married in the 1960s.
Business
The International Monetary Fund has warned that “dangerous undercurrents “ are a rising threat to the global economy.
In its second warning in 24 hours,the IMF’s Financial Stability Report says that although banks are far safer than they were before the financial crisis of 2008,there are new risks.
The report cited growing trade tensions and inequality and stated that further moves towards a trade war could “significantly harm global growth”.
The report also warned of other threats to trade including a disorderly Brexit which the IMF argues could also “adversely affect market sentiment”.
President Trump has said that the US Federal Reserve is moving too quickly with interest rate increases.
A report by Bloomberg quotes Mr Trump as saying “I don’t like it,I think we don’t have to go so fast” and “I like low interest rates”.
Mr Trump also played down concerns over inflation.
The US leader is a long-term critic of the Federal Reserve’s plans to gradually raise interest rates.
In July he told CNBC that he was “not thrilled” with the Fed’s interest rate hikes as they would nullify the economic stimulus that his administration had tried to implement through cuts to corporation tax.
And-The Italian Finance Minister has said that the government is worried about what he called the “unacceptable” bond yield spread which hit its widest level in more than 5 years on Tuesday.
Giovanni Tria appealed for calm amid a war of words between the Italian administration and European Union officials over Rome’s spending programme for the coming year but he offered no sign that the government would change its plans.
Investors have been reacting negatively since details of Italy’s budget plans emerged last week.
The Italian government’s plans for a wider deficit have led to criticism from the European Commission.
On Monday,the Italian Deputy-Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said that bureaucrats in Brussels are the “enemies of Europe” escalating tensions between the two sides.
Sport
Cricket-England play their first one day international against Sri Lanka in Dambulla this morning with vice-captain Jos Buttler saying they’re relishing their tag as favourites for the series.
England are currently ranked number one in the world with Sri Lanka down in 8th place just 7 months away from the World Cup.
Play is due to start at 11am French time this morning.
Pakistan are in control heading into day 4 of the first Test against Australia in Dubai.
On day 3 Pakistan dismissed Australia for just 202 in their first innings and had reached 45-3 in their second innings.That’s a lead of 325 with just two days left in the match.
Rugby Union-The Wales back row Taulupe Faletau looks set to miss the autumn internationals after breaking his arm.
The 27 year old suffered the injury while playing for Bath against Exeter last Friday and is set to be out for several weeks.
Wales play Scotland,Australia,Tonga and Australia in November.
England look set to face an under strength South Africa team in the first of their autumn internationals at Twickenham on November the 3rd.
The match falls outside World Rugby’s international window and Premiership Rugby has reiterated its policy of not releasing English based South African players for the match.
The Springboks will therefore be without the Sale scrum-half Faf du Klerk and the Wasps full-back Willie Le Roux.
World Rugby rules say that clubs do not have to release players outside the international window.
Football-The West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has had a roundabout named in his honour in Malaga.
The former Malaga boss attended a ceremony in the city on Tuesday where the council unveiled a roundabout named in his honour.
Pellegrini took Malaga to the Champions League quarter finals in the 2012-13 season after having finished 4th in La Liga the previous year.
Golf-Brooks Koepka has been named as the PGA player of the year.
This year,Koepka won the US PGA Championship and became the first player since 1989 to clinch back-to-back US Open titles.
Weather
Starting fine becoming showery from the west as the day progresses with more persistent rain mixed in with thunderstorms by evening.
A moderate to strong easterly wind developing across the region with gusts of up to 65 km/h at times and a top temperature of 23 degrees Celsius.
Overnight lows of 18 degrees on the coast and 16 degrees inland with more rain and thunder.
Thursday and Friday-Sunshine and showers tomorrow and into Friday morning.Partially cloudy on Friday with highs of 20-23 degrees.
Finally
Researchers have found that chimps who are less aggressive and have strong bonds with their friends live longer.
A new study of hundreds of captive chimpanzees showed that males who got along well with others outlived their less amiable peers. Researchers say being sensitive, protective and cooperative was the key.
The report says that 'Studying the personality of chimps - one of our closest biological relatives - suggests that the quality of our social relationships can significantly impact our lives.'
The team, led by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, found that, contrary to studies of humans and other primates, being more extroverted, conscientious or neurotic had no impact on chimpanzee's longevity.
Extraversion is frequently associated with longer life in other nonhuman primates, while conscientiousness and neuroticism are associated with longer and shorter life, respectively, in humans.
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