NEWS
Orange Alert for Heatwave, Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Thunderstorms - Eight departments in southern France remain under orange alert for heavy rain, flooding, or heatwaves, while storms in the Northeast have lessened. Train services between Grenoble and Lyon are suspended, and severe weather has caused power outages for thousands of homes in Isère and Savoie. Additionally, a paragliding accident in Haute-Savoie due to the storms resulted in one serious injury.
Eric Clapton's Yacht in Saint-Laurent-Du-Var - Eric Clapton’s Yacht ‘Va Bene’ has been spotted today off the coast of Saint-Laurent-Du-Var. The 50m long yacht can welcome 12 people in six separate cabins in addition to 14 crew members. Including kayaks, wake board, water skis, a gym, jacuzzi and two appendices, Eric Clapton bought ‘Va Bene’ in 2005. Nothing confirms the star is on board the yacht however, as it is possible to rent it for 150.000 euros per week.
Hydrocarbon Pollution - A hydrocarbon pollution incident on August 10 impacted swimmers and local businesses, leading to fears of future spills off the coast of Cagnes-sur-Mer. Believed to be responsible, some demand sanctions against wealthy yacht owners. Business owners reported significant revenue losses, but tourists and locals returned the following day, easing some concerns.
Luxury Watch Thefts in Decrease Compared to Last Year - Luxury watch thefts on the Côte d'Azur have decreased this year, with around 40 incidents compared to over 50 last year, according to the Alpes-Maritimes prefect. These well-organized thefts, often occurring in Cannes and Saint-Tropez, are linked to international networks primarily from Naples. Despite efforts to dismantle these networks, new groups quickly emerge using similar methods. High-profile targets, including celebrities, have been victims, with some losing watches valued at around €300,000.
Fire in Toulon - 37 residents have been safely evacuated from a five-story building early in the morning due to a fire in the basement in Toulon. No injuries have been reported, and the fire was quickly contained by 26 firefighters. Three households required temporary relocation.
Fire in Marseille - A fire broke out around 7 a.m. on August 14 in a traveller camp in the La Pomme neighborhood of Marseille. Fifty firefighters evacuated 14 people, including six children. Vegetation and a van were burned, but the fire was extinguished within an hour. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
Free School Supplies in Marseille - Over 90,000 students will receive free school supply kits for the 2024 school year, distributed across 470 elementary and kindergarten schools in Marseille. Each kit, valued at €85, aims to ease financial burdens on families. Additionally, middle school students receive free supplies, including a laptop, while high school students are provided with a tablet for digital textbooks.
Surveillance Cameras in Breil-Sur-Roya - Farmer Cédric Herrou and residents of Breil-sur-Roya are challenging the installation of 40 surveillance cameras in their village, claiming they were set up without proper authorization. They argue the ratio of cameras to inhabitants is excessive, far exceeding that of nearby Nice. The administrative court of Nice is reviewing the case, while the mayor, Sébastien Olharan, insists the cameras are legal and supported by most residents. A ruling is expected soon, and a separate defamation case between Herrou and the mayor is upcoming.
Rare 'Red Sprites' Observed in Nice - A rare phenomenon called "red sprites" was observed in the night of August 14 during storms across France over the skies near Nice. These intense red flashes are brief electrical discharges occurring above violent thunderstorms, between 30 and 70 km high. The phenomenon lasts less than a millisecond, making it nearly imperceptible to the naked eye.
BUSINESS
Protests in European hotspots highlight the impact of mass tourism on local communities, raising concerns that climate change could drive more visitors to cooler regions like Wales. As global temperatures rise, Wales may face "over-tourism," but experts suggest solutions like spreading visitors across less crowded areas and extending the tourist season. Increased tourism, driven by visitors escaping heatwaves, could benefit local economies but also strain communities if not managed carefully.
The UK's unemployment rate slightly decreased to 4.2% in the three months to June, but wage growth also slowed to 5.4%, the weakest in two years. The job market shows signs of cooling, with fewer vacancies and concerns over rising numbers of people not actively seeking work. The Bank of England may consider more interest rate cuts due to these economic trends.
And - Chinese car maker Zeekr claims its new EV batteries charge faster than competitors, including Tesla and BYD, going from 10% to 80% capacity in just 10.5 minutes. The 2025 007 sedan will be the first vehicle with this battery, which performs well even in cold weather. Zeekr's rapid charging technology highlights intense competition in China's EV market, as the company aims to enhance the charging experience.
SPORTS
Football - Conor Gallagher is expected to return to training at Chelsea's Cobham training ground on Wednesday after landing back in London with his Atletico Madrid transfer in the balance.
Cricket - Northern Superchargers moved into the knockout places of the men's Hundred after their match with London Spirit at Headingley was abandoned because of rain.
Tennis - British number one Katie Boulter lost nine games in a row as she was beaten 2-6 6-0 7-5 by Magda Linette in the Cincinnati Open first round.
Golf - Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky will host the 2028 Solheim Cup.
WEATHER
The Orange heatwave and thunderstorm alert continues in the South-East of France. Sunny on the Alpes-Maritimes’ coasts, and risks of thunderstorms everywhere else in the PACA region. Highs of 31 degrees in Marseille, 32 in Nice, and 33 degrees in Cannes, Toulon and Saint-Tropez with a gentle breeze.
Tonight, light clouds across the region with lows of 26 degrees and a gentle breeze.
Outlook for tomorrow, risks of thunderstorms will threaten the region’s skies throughout the day with strong winds and highs of 30 degrees.
BEACH WEATHER
Sea temperature: 29 degrees
UV levels 8
Air temperatures reaches 33 degrees with gentle to moderate winds.
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