News
Changes from today October 1st - As with every first of the month in France several changes take effect from today October 1st. Clothes may now carry an optional label to show their environmental impact. Electric car buyers get an extra 1,000-euro bonus for vehicles with European-made batteries. Energy performance checks on homes will face stricter controls to reduce fraud. Solar panel installations will benefit from a reduced VAT of 5.5%, excluding Chinese-made panels. Housing aid will increase slightly by about 1%, while gas prices continue to fall for the third month in a row.
Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi receives death threat – In other news, an investigation is underway after the Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi received a death threat. The letter, filled with hate speech and incoherent language, was delivered to a local town hall. The Nice prosecutor confirmed an inquiry is underway for threats and discriminatory insults against a public official.
Limited transport disruptions expected during tomorrow’s national strike – Despite plans for national strike action across France tomorrow, Thursday 2nd October, TGV and most RATP services will run normally. Minor train travel disruptions are expected on TER, Intercités, and some Transilien and RER lines. Intercités lines such as Lyon-Nantes and Marseille-Bordeaux will see more impact. Air travel may face some delays, especially at Paris Beauvais, where 30% of flights will be cut. Overall, no major airport disruptions are expected.
24-hour doctor on call service - Monaco has launched a new 24-hour doctor-on-call service to improve night-time healthcare. Residents can now call 116 117 between 7pm and 7am for home visits by doctors, filling a gap left by the previous service, which ended at 10pm. The service aims to ease pressure on emergency departments by treating non-urgent cases at home. The initiative was inspired by challenges faced by elderly and families at night, and between 15 and 20 doctors are expected to participate.
False fire alarm at Cap 3000 shopping centre - Panic briefly erupted at Cap 3000 shopping centre on Tuesday evening after a child accidentally triggered the fire alarm by smashing the glass of an emergency system in the north parking area. The alarm was quickly stopped, and the incident was confirmed as a false alarm by centre staff.
SNCF ticket sales - SNCF holiday tickets go on sale form today October 1st, for travel between December 14th and January 7th. To meet Christmas market demand, SNCF has added 29,000 extra weekly seats, including 24,500 between Paris and Strasbourg. There are also several new routes.
Business
The US government has entered its first shutdown since 2018-19 after senators failed to pass a funding bill. Some services will halt, while essential workers continue, often without pay. Donald Trump warned of "irreversible" federal firings. Republicans and Democrats have blamed each other for the outcome.
A growing sunscreen scandal in Australia has seen 18 products pulled from shelves after tests revealed some offered far less protection than claimed. The TGA warned up to 21 products may be affected due to a faulty base formula, with concerns also raised about lab testing standards. Australia, with the world’s highest skin cancer rate, is now facing consumer backlash and potential global implications.
And - According to industry group PFA new car registrations in France have risen by 0.97% year-on-year in September to 140,354 vehicles. Tesla sales increased by 2.74%, reaching 5,584 units for the month.
Sport
Football – Liverpool suffered their second consecutive loss as Galatasaray claimed a 1-0 win in a fiery Champions League clash in Istanbul on Tuesday evening. Here in Monaco fans are getting ready to face Manchester City this evening in the Champions League. Kick off is at 9pm French time.
Tennis - Carlos Alcaraz has beaten Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 to win the Japan Open, his third straight title and eighth of the year. Despite the victory, he withdrew from the Shanghai Masters due to physical issues.
Ryder Cup - Kevin Pietersen says the hostile Ryder Cup crowd in New York was nothing compared to the abuse he faced on Ashes tours in Australia. Europe edged a fiery 15-13 win over the USA. Pietersen, who played in three Ashes series Down Under, said he endured “pretty dark experiences” and called the recent Ryder Cup intensity “part of sport.” The next Ryder Cup will be held in Ireland in 2027, where a friendlier atmosphere is expected.
Weather
A mainly fine starts with light showers forecast by this afternoon. A gentle breeze and highs of 22 degrees in Monaco, 23 degrees in Nice, 21 degrees in Saint-Tropez. This evening going down to 15 degrees along the coast. The outlook for tomorrow, light cloud and highs of 22 degrees.
Sunrise 07.28am Sunset 07.11pm
And Finally
Britain is bracing for heavy rain and strong winds this weekend as the remnants of two hurricanes, Humberto and Imelda, approach from the Atlantic. The Met Office has issued a 37-hour yellow rain warning for western Scotland starting Thursday evening, with up to 10 inches of rain expected on higher ground. Flooding and travel disruptions are possible, and the warning may be extended across more of the UK as the storm system develops. Residents are advised to stay updated as conditions remain uncertain.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has started a jail sentence for campaign finance conspiracy today...
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The body of a man has been found in the port of Marseille
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