News
Strike action - Major disruptions are expected on the rail network across France tomorrow Thursday 29th September as several unions are calling for action in defence of the purchasing power, French pensions and employee rights. Public transport is expected to be affected. The circulation of TER\ZOU! trains is likely to be disrupted until Friday morning. You can find information at local train stations, on the SNCF TER SUD website and by using the SNCF app as well as on Twitter @TERSUD_SNCF
Meanwhile, strike action by bin collectors and street cleaners in La Seyne in the Var is set to continue as staff accuse the management of an “abuse of power”. Employees have stopped working since Monday morning and say that all collection and street cleaning is suspended until further notice.
Number of covid cases on the rise in the PACA - According to the latest figures published by the regional health agency, the number of covid cases is on the rise in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region, especially among those over 45. The number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants has increased by almost 50% in two weeks in the region. This incidence rate is highest for people in their 40s and 50s. At the same time, new hospital admissions, “for or with Covid-19, are on the rise” with 231 patients registered last week, compared to 192 the week before.
Drinking water - Drinking water in Antibes has once again been contaminated with lead. Last summer, the presence of lead and nickel had been detected and at the time Sophia Antipolis urban community (Casa), the ARS and Veolia had recommended letting the water run before using it. Today, even if the analysis of September 9th reveals an overrun of the authorized rate of lead, the instruction to let the water run is not appropriate according to Veolia Water.
AS Monaco launches recyclable ball - AS Monaco is launching a unique eco-designed and recyclable ball featuring its logo on the occasion of European Sustainable Development Week. The club is participating alongside 19 French professional clubs, in the Rebond project. The club said that it's the very first recyclable football made from vegetable and recycled materials. Profits made by AS Monaco from sales of the new ball will be donated to the Oceanographic Institute – Foundation Albert 1er, Prince de Monaco.
Post-Brexit border checks - According to the boss of Eurostar post-Brexit border checks have slowed the speed at which passengers pass through London St Pancras on their way to Paris, reducing the terminal’s capacity by one-third. He said the additional border checks now required, with UK nationals having to have their passports stamped, was adding at least 15 seconds per passenger.
Smallest restaurant in the world - A restaurant in Italy 70 kilometres from Rome is claimed to be the smallest in the world. “Solo per Due” or “Only for two” in Italian has only one table for two and it’s best to book in advance. Many couples who come to eat at “Solo per Due” declare their love, rekindle the flame, or of course propose.
Business
The International Monetary Fund has openly criticised the UK government over its plan for tax cuts, warning that the measures are likely to fuel the cost-of-living crisis.
In an unusually outspoken statement, the IMF said the proposal would be likely to increase inequality and add to pressures pushing up prices. Markets have already raised alarm over the plans, sending the pound plunging. The government says the measures will kickstart economic growth. UK Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled the country's biggest tax package in 50 years on Friday. The £45bn cut will be funded by government borrowing.
In the UK Royal Mail workers have announced plans to go on strike on 19 days over the next two months in a dispute over pay and conditions. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said that the dates will be spread across October and November, and they will be a mix of single days and rolling action across Royal Mail Group's network. It means the fresh walkouts by postal workers will cover peak delivery periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as some of the run-up towards Christmas, and the CWU said it will have a "dramatic impact".
Some of Wall Street biggest companies have been fined a total of $1.8bn (£1.7bn) by US financial watchdogs after staff discussed deals and trades on their personal devices and apps. Regulators said that from January 2018 through to September 2021, bank workers routinely communicated about business matters with colleagues, clients and other third party advisers using apps on their personal devices such as text messages and WhatsApp. The investigation has shaken Wall Street, with some bankers losing their jobs. It has also forced companies to introduce tough new measures to stamp out unauthorised use of apps.
TikTok and France’s employment agency Pôle Emploi have joined forces for the second time to offer solutions for those who are looking for a job, but also for companies struggling to recruit. Through the #MissionEmploi, the social network provides resources and advice to help users in their search. Users will be able to find advice on interviews, writing a CV or even guides to better understand the working world.
Sport
Football - Scotland have earned a promotion to the top tier of the Nations League - and a Euro 2024 play-off place - after a clinching the point they needed against Ukraine with a 0-0 draw on Tuesday. Meanwhile Spain beat Portugal 1-0 to qualify for the Nations League Finals.
Cricket – England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson has said that Cricket must "find some compromise" over "radical" plans to overhaul the domestic calendar amid opposition from counties. He said plans to cut the number of matches was "a sacrifice I'm prepared to try to sell to the counties". But he added "whether some of the proposals being suggested are a bridge too far needs to be decided". Any changes must be agreed by two-thirds of the 18 first-class counties.
Formula One - Formula 1 will double the number of 'sprint' events to six next year. F1 and the teams had agreed to the increase back in April but confirmation had been delayed by new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The FIA had asked for time to assess the impact of the increase on its staff, claiming that the extra shorter 'sprint' race added to their workload. But an agreement has now been reached and on Tuesday the FIA's World Council voted to accept the increase. The races at which the sprint events will be held in next year's record 24-race calendar have yet to be confirmed.
Weather
Sunny intervals with gusty winds highs of 24 in Monaco, 25 degrees in Nice and 26 in Cannes. In Saint Tropez and the Var highs of 24 degrees. 22 degrees in Marseille. This evening going down to 15 degrees in the Alpes Maritimes and 13 degrees in the Var with clear skies.
The outlook for Thursday and Friday; sunny but feeling cooler with 21-23 degrees.
Sunrise 07.24hr Sunset 19.17hr
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