Evening Update Monday 11th August 2025

NEWS 
This week's heatwave and storms - This week, the Alpes-Maritimes is under an orange heatwave alert with temperatures reaching up to 39°C, especially inland. Afternoons will bring thunderstorms and rain, mainly in the mountainous areas from Monday through Friday. Coastal areas will see sunny mornings and warm temperatures between 32°C and 37°C. The weekend looks mixed, with possible storms inland but sunshine along the coast. 

Woman nearly drowns in Cannes - A woman in her forties has been rescued from a near-drowning on the 11th of August at Bijou Plage in Cannes. Emergency services performed CPR before rushing her to the hospital. The police are investigating the circumstances of the incident. 

Severe burns after explosion on a boat - A 38-year-old man has suffered severe burns on the morning of the 11th of August after an explosion on a boat in a canal at Port-Grimaud, Var. He was airlifted to Sainte-Anne Military Hospital in Toulon. Firefighters quickly attended to the victim before emergency air transport. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blast. 

Wild dive accident - A 24-year-old man is in critical condition after falling 7–8 meters from rocks into the sea during an illegal “wild dive” in La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône. He was rescued unconscious by firefighters, a civil security helicopter, and medical teams. Cliff diving is banned in the area, but similar accidents have occurred along the Bouches-du-Rhône coast in recent months. 

Driver under the influence runs over people, seriously injured them - A 33-year-old driver, under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, has crashed into a group of friends changing a tire on the RM 6202, seriously injuring three, one of whom lost a leg and remains hospitalized. The victims were wearing reflective vests and setting up a warning triangle when struck. The driver, suspected of speeding, was arrested and placed in custody for aggravated road injuries. While in custody, he assaulted a gendarme, further worsening his legal situation. 

Police uncover drugs and weapons during routine check - Police have uncovered over 60 kilos of drugs and two automatic weapons during a routine check in Avignon’s Pont-des-Deux-Eaux district, Vaucluse. The discovery began when officers stopped a 17-year-old carrying small amounts of cannabis and cocaine, along with a key and badge. This led them to an apartment containing large quantities of cannabis resin, ecstasy, ketamine, and ammunition. The organised crime division has taken over the investigation. 

Magnet fisherman fishes a WWII bomb - A magnet fisherman pulled a suspected World War II shell from the Rhône River near Barthelasse Island, Vaucluse. Police set up a 100-meter safety perimeter, and a bomb disposal team from Marseille was called to neutralize it. 

Beach alternative this summer - A 600m² chlorine-free biological pool filtered by plants and reeds offers a quiet, natural alternative to crowded beaches in Clans, Alpes-Maritimes. Limited to 130 visitors per day, it’s praised for its calm atmosphere, soft water, and mountain views. Strict hygiene rules ensure water quality, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists seeking refreshment during the heatwave. 
 

NEWS UPDATE 
Luxury watch theft - Two thieves stole a €100,000 luxury watch from a man during a charity pétanque event, fleeing on a scooter on Sunday evening in Saint-Tropez. Within 45 minutes, coordinated police efforts tracked them via surveillance cameras to a McDonald’s in Sainte-Maxime, where four suspects were arrested. A rental car with Italian plates and €2,500 in cash were seized, though the watch remains missing. The theft is being investigated as an organised crime case. 

Winner in Cannes' casino - Over the weekend, a player won €157,254 after hitting a rare royal flush in poker at the Partouche Casino in Cannes. The winnings came in two parts, €107,254 from the hand itself plus a €50,000 bonus. The casino described it as a memorable moment, noting such wins happen more often than people think. Coincidentally, almost exactly a year ago, another player won a similar jackpot of €135,000 there. 
 

BUSINESS 
Tesla has applied to the UK energy regulator Ofgem for a licence to supply electricity to homes and businesses, potentially starting next year. The move would expand its solar and battery storage business, complementing its large base of EV and home battery customers in the UK. Tesla Electric already runs a similar scheme in Texas, enabling cheap EV charging and payments for feeding energy back to the grid. The application comes amid falling Tesla EV sales in Europe and growing competition from rivals like China’s BYD, alongside political controversies surrounding Elon Musk. 

And - Marks & Spencer has reinstated its click-and-collect service, 15 weeks after halting it due to a major ransomware cyberattack that also disrupted online orders and left some stores with empty shelves. Customer data was stolen, and people are urged to be cautious about phishing attempts. The company expects the attack to cut this year’s profits by around £300m, partly recoverable through insurance. Four suspects linked to the group Scattered Spider have been arrested and bailed as investigations continue. 
 

SPORTS 
Rugby Union - Key back row forwards Aoife Wafer and Edel McMahon are included in Ireland's squad for this month's Women's Rugby World Cup, despite their recent knee injuries. 

Tennis - Emma Raducanu brushed aside Olga Danilovic, winning 6-3 6-2 at the Cincinnati Open to make a confident start with her new coach Francis Roig. 

Football - Tottenham are in talks with Manchester City over a move to sign Brazil winger Savinho. Discussions have been held between the two clubs in recent days over a possible deal for the 21-year-old. The club has said that it would take offers of more than £50m for them to consider selling Savinho. 
 

WEATHER 
Bright and clear on the coast though chances of thunderstorms welcome the inland areas into the new week. We’ve got gentle to moderate winds across the region and an orange heatwave alert has been issued by Meteo France with temperatures reaching 31 degrees in Marseille, 33 in Nice, 34 in Toulon, 35 in Cannes and 36 degrees in Saint-Tropez.  

Tonight, clear skies with lows of 28 degrees.  

Outlook for tomorrow, a hazy afternoon with thunderstorms persisting inland with highs of 33 degrees.  

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