News
Monaco government launches unprecedented campaign in the fight against lung cancer - Ahead of the “No Tobacco Month” in November, the Monegasque government is launching an unprecedented lung cancer screening campaign for the heaviest smokers. As it stands lung cancer is the leading cause of death in France, among deaths due to cancer and the second most common cancer in men. The later this cancer is diagnosed, the lower the survival rate. So, in November, during the no-smoking month, the Principality of Monaco will launch a screening campaign targeting smokers over 50 who have consumed at least one pack of cigarettes a day for twenty years. The campaign will be open to Monegasques and those who commute to the Principality for work and are under Monegasque social security.
Commemoration - The CGT union of the Alpes-Maritimes is organizing a commemoration today Wednesday 16th October, in tribute to the workers who died on this day in 1979 whist working on the airport extension. It was on this day 45 years ago that a mini tidal wave struck the coastline between Nice and Antibes in the Alpes Maritimes. Submerged by the waves, ten people died in the disaster. This afternoon the CGT 06 union will gather in front of the monument at the airport in memory of those who died in the disaster. The project, at the time, had aimed to compete with the ports of the cities of Marseille and Toulon and was considered to be the largest public works project in Europe. Two main objectives were to expand the airport and to build a new port capable of accommodating larger vessels. The material and financial toll was considerable and about a hundred houses were submerged and just as many boats.
Tidal wave threat - Indeed, today the threat of a Tsunami is still very real in our region and for several years, specialists have been warning of the increasing risk. As part of a simulation exercise to address this very real risk, a telephone number was even set up by the prefecture on January 19th. According to UNESCO, which awarded the city of Cannes the "Tsunami Ready" award, statistics indicate that the probability of a tidal wave in the Mediterranean is close to 100% in the next thirty years.
School bullying - New figures just released point to a sharp rise in cases of school violence, bullying and harassment in the Alpes-Maritimes. So far this year, 450 incidents of violent behaviour in schools have been reported. That's up from 250 last year. The cases mainly involve harassment and bullying between students - ranging from verbal insults and fights to students bringing weapons to school. The Grasse public prosecutor's office says younger pupils are increasingly involved, with some cases involving children as young as seven years old.
Charity auction - A charity auction is being organized in Nice tomorrow, Thursday 17th October. Exceptional lots are up for sale from an OGC Nice football shirt warn by one of the players, jewellery and a night at the Negresco Hotel. All proceeds will go to associations supporting people with disabilities. The lots will be exhibited to the public from 9am to 11:30am, this Thursday, at the Crédit municipal de Nice, ahead of the sale organized at 1:30pm in the auction room. To participate you can register remotely on the Interenchères website or go to the address at 43 rue Gioffredo, in Nice.
Parisien style brasserie in Nice criticised for its high prices - A recently opened Parisien style brasserie in Nice has defended its prices following criticism from customers. The Grand Café de France, on Avenue Jean-Médecin, opened almost a month ago and while the location has attracted many customers since, it has left a rather sour taste with some, who have claimed that 3.80 euros for an espresso or 7.50 euros for a coke is “just too much”. The average price in the capital of the Côte d'Azur for an espresso generally varies between 1.50 and 2.50 euros. Following the comments on social media the establishments sales manager explained that the Grand Café de France aims to be "a traditional French brasserie" with "quality luxury products" adding that "those who do not want to pay, can stay at home or go elsewhere”. He also points out that the price of coffee changes during the day to allow for table rotation. Until 2 p.m., it is sold for 2.50 euros. Its price is even reduced to 1.90 euros if you consume the breakfast formula in the morning.
Business
French and Italian police say they have broken up an international fraud ring that was allegedly fabricating fake wine labels representing famous French vineyards and passing off as vintages worth up to €15,000 each. Six people, including a Russian national who is the suspected ringleader, have been arrested in Paris, Turin and Milan. The fake bottles were being sold at full market value through wine traders around the world. French prosecutors say that the group earned €2m from the fraud.
Authorities in the city of Prague have announced plans to ban night-time pub crawls organised by travel agencies, in a bid to deter rowdy tourists from visiting. The pub crawls, often aimed at foreign stag and hen dos, will be banned between 10pm and 6am local time. The city’s mayor said that he wanted the city to become a place where "refinement and respect for shared public space are a priority" and wishes to attract more "refined" visitors instead. Prague is not alone in its bid to deter rowdy tourists. Last year, Amsterdam launched a campaign to discourage young British men from travelling to the Dutch capital to use drugs and drink heavily.
Strike action at Boeing is entering its second month. The company has announced that it is aiming to raise up to $35bn (£26.8bn) from investors and banks as the strike action continues. The company is moving ahead with plans to lay off around 17,000 workers, with the first redundancy notices expected to be issued in mid-November. Talks to end the walkout collapsed last week as the firm withdrew an offer that included a 30% pay rise over four years.
And - French luxury giant LVMH has reported a 3% fall in third-quarter sales on Tuesday. The fall marks its first decline in quarterly sales since the pandemic as demand in China and Japan weakened. The world's biggest luxury group generated 19.08 billion euros ($20.8 billion) in revenue for the three months ending in September.
Sport
Football - Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has agreed to become the next England manager. England have been without a permanent manager since Gareth Southgate resigned following the Three Lions' Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain. Tuchel's formal unveiling is expected on Wednesday at Wembley.
Meanwhile, in the Nations League on Tuesday evening. Northern Ireland beat Bulgaria 5-0 and Scotland drew 0-0 against Portugal.
Tennis - Britain's Jacob Fearnley extended his winning streak to 13 matches at the Stockholm Open. The Scot was unranked just over a year ago but has risen inside the top 100 on the back of winning four Challenger titles in a row. The 23-year-old, having taken a few weeks off, won two qualifying matches to reach the main draw of the ATP 250 event in Sweden.
Weather
Météo France has placed the Var and the Alpes Maritimes on an orange weather alert due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. There is also a yellow alert for strong winds. The warning is in place until midnight tonight. Highs of 21 degrees in Nice and Monaco. 23 degrees in Marseille and Saint-Tropez. This evening going down to 18 degrees with cloudy skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Friday. Unsettled with showers and sunny intervals. Winds persisting in the Var. Highs of 22 degrees.
Sunrise 07.46am
Sunset 06.44pm
Weather elsewhere
London 21° sunny intervals.
Paris 25° sunny
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The Channel Islands and France have signed an agreement to share information in the event of a nuclear or radiological incident. ...
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