Evening Update Friday 15 August 2025

The Var and the Alpes-Maritimes are on orange level alerts for heat until midnight tomorrow night. An orange level alert is the highest third out of the four alert levels used by Meteo France. The Var Prefecture has also placed seven of the eight forest massifs on a “severe” level of alert for forest fires today. The prefecture's website, www.var.gouv.fr , has a map, updated every day, showing the level of alerts and restrictions which must be followed by visitors and residents.

Nationally, much of the rest of France is also suffering with the heatwave, with a total of seventy departments on Meteo France orange level alerts for heat. Two departments, the Drome and the Aude, are also on rare top-level red level alerts for forest fires.

Drought conditions continue to affect our region. The Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture recently decided to place 25 additional municipalities on heightened alert, bringing the total number to 30. 15 municipalities are now on the “alert” level. The “vigilance” level remains in place for the department’s other watersheds. You can find more details of the municipalities affected on the Prefecture's website www.alpes-maritimes.gouv.fr

A man has died after being hit by a bull in annual festivities in the Bouches-du-Rhone. The incident occurred during the Abrivado festival in the village of Eygalières on Sunday. The death was announced this morning. In a post on social media, the mayor and local council offered their condolences to the victim's family and loved ones.

Several cars have been destroyed in a major fire in Nice. The blaze broke out at a tire storage facility on Boulevard du Mercantour late last night. The warehouse was destroyed but no injuries were reported.

Shots were fired at a police station in Corsica last night. The incident took place at the gendarmerie in Sartene in the southern part of the island around midnight. An investigation has been opened by local authorities.

Pharmacists in France are taking industrial action tomorrow. About 90 per cent of pharmacies will be closed across the country, according to a union in the sector. It said that in some areas, 100% of pharmacies will be closed. Pharmacists are protesting at changes in the price of generic drugs.

 

BUSINESS

Online discount retailer Shein has reported an increase in UK sales of about one third last year. Sales hit £2bn and profits increased by 57% compared to 2023. The company said it recognized "higher inflation and increased cost of living may affect customer purchasing habits" going forward.

New data released by the Chinese government shows a slowing in the pace of industrial output, which expanded at a rate of 5.7% in July, down from 6.8% in June. Official figures also showed retail sales growing by 3.7% in July, down from 4.8% in June.

 

SPORT

Football…Brentford have signed Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth. The deal for the Burkino Faso international is worth up to 42.5 million pounds.

Manchester United women's team have signed Fridolina Rolfo. She also joined from Barcelona, where she terminated her contract one year early. The Sweden International has signed a one year deal with United.

English Premier League action this weekend starts tonight with Liverpool at home to Bournemouth. Kick off is at 9pm our time. Tomorrow Aston Villa play Newcastle, kick off is at 1.30pm French time.

 

 

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