NEWS
Weekend weather forecast - Warm but unsettled weather is expected this weekend in the Alpes-Maritimes. Temperatures will exceed 30°C, reaching up to 34°C inland. While Friday will be mostly sunny, Saturday and Sunday could bring showers or thunderstorms, particularly in the northern inland areas like Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée. The coast will see highs around 29 to 30°C, while inland may hit 32 to 33°C. You can expect a mix of sunshine and possible afternoon storms throughout the weekend.
Widlfire - A major wildfire broke out Thursday evening burning 240 hectares and prompting the evacuation of 104 people in Martigues, Bouches-du-Rhône. Nearly 1,000 firefighters, supported by aerial units, are battling the blaze, which is not yet fully under control but progressing positively. Around 150 homes were threatened but ultimately spared, and two firefighters suffered minor injuries. Emergency shelters were set up, and while some restrictions have been lifted, the affected areas remain inaccessible.
Wildfire under control - The wildfire in Fréjus, Var, has been brought under control, though the night was challenging for firefighters. Around 250 firefighters battled the blaze, which burned 29 hectares of forest. Difficult terrain complicated the response, requiring bulldozers to create access routes. An emergency services helicopter remains on site for monitoring, and crews will stay throughout the day.
Fire in Nice - A major fire broke out early Friday morning in a car garage affecting a building housing several companies in Nice Nord. The blaze started around 7am in the electric vehicle parking area of the pest control company Nuisitec. About 30 firefighters had to be deployed, and the fire was extinguished by 9am, though concerns remained about possible battery explosions. No injuries have been reported, but the company’s 20 employees are now temporarily out of work.
Paoching seized - French customs have recently seized illegal shipments of protected species, including alligator skins, rare bird feathers, and animal skulls. These cases highlight a growing global trafficking issue, with hotspots in regions like Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Offenders ranged from luxury leather exporters to tourists unaware of legal restrictions. In 2024 alone, 560 trafficking cases have been recorded in France, prompting customs to warn travellers to stay informed before bringing back exotic items and remind that poaching is illegal.
Cannes-Simones Veil hospital reponed - The paediatric emergency unit at Cannes-Simone Veil Hospital has reopened on the 15th of July after being closed since spring 2024 due to staffing shortages and national issues. The service has been fully reorganized, with low initial attendance as families adjust. A child-friendly environment has been created, including a mini hospital play area and free teddy bears for children. The unit is now open weekdays from 8:30am to 6pm.
NEWS UPDATE
New medical center - A new medical center will open to address a shortage of healthcare services, especially for the elderly in the Saint-Roman area of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin near Monaco. The town has invested €135,000 in renovations and equipment, with general practitioners and a nurse set to begin service by September. While the initiative is widely supported, some opposition members questioned why a larger medical hub wasn’t considered on the former air base. The mayor defended the chosen location and said future use of the air base is still under discussion.
Wildfire update - The wildfire in Martigues, near Marseille, remains uncontrolled as of Friday midday, with 600 firefighters still deployed. Since Thursday evening, over 1,000 firefighters and multiple aircraft have battled the blaze, which has burned 240 hectares of forest. No civilian injuries have been reported, and damage to homes has been minimal. President Macron praised the firefighters' efforts as they continue to fight several wildfires across southern France.
BUSINESS
An Indian farmer from Gujarat has turned to growing potatoes for french fries after droughts devastated his family’s cotton crops. Switching to industrial potato varieties in 2007, his farm thrived alongside Gujarat’s rise as India’s french fry production hub. India’s fry exports surged 45% in a year due to competitive pricing, with major markets in Asia. Companies like HyFun Foods and McCain are expanding operations, while farmers use scientific techniques and innovation to boost yields. However, the industry still faces challenges in cold storage, transportation, and infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
Meta has apologized after a translation error on Facebook and Instagram falsely stated that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had died. The mistake occurred when his condolence post for actress B Saroja Devi was auto-translated from Kannada to English. Siddaramaiah criticized Meta’s translation tool for being misleading and potentially dangerous. His media advisor requested Meta to suspend Kannada translations until they are more accurate and to consult language experts. Meta said the issue was fixed but did not confirm any suspension of the service.
And - A women's support association, called the CIDFF Alpes-Maritimes, faces financial crisis due to a delay in over €700,000 of public funding. The group, which assists more than 1,200 women annually, has survived for months using reserves and a €300,000 loan. Without urgent support, its vital services, such as legal, psychological, and job aid, are at risk. Similar delays are affecting other CIDFF offices across France.
SPORTS
Rugby Union - Scotland bounced back from a painful defeat by Fiji last weekend with a thumping seven-try win over Samoa in Auckland to end their summer tour on a high.
Meanwhile, Monaco's U18 rugby sevens team is competing in the European Championships in Budapest, aiming to win the Trophy 2 category and move up to Trophy 1. Coach Aurélien Lazzaro says the team is ambitious and well-prepared, with many players experienced from past tournaments. A victory would mark a significant milestone in Monaco’s long-term youth development efforts.
Boat Racing - The E1 Series, the world’s first 100% electric boat racing championship, returns to Monaco on the 18th and 19th of July. Teams, backed by celebrities like Rafael Nadal and Will Smith, include one male and one female pilot racing at speeds up to 111 km/h. The Monaco round is the fifth of the season, featuring qualifying on Friday and racing on Saturday. Local favourite Lisa Caussin Battaglia won’t compete this year, while Team Rafa currently leads the championship.
Football - West Ham have agreed personal terms with Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer following the full-back's exit from Southampton. The 28-year-old England international left the Saints, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, after the expiry of his contract at St Mary's.
WEATHER
It’s bright and clear with moderate winds and warm temperatures across the region. On the coast we’ve got highs of 29 degrees in Nice, 31 in Cannes and Saint-Tropez, and 32 degrees in Toulon and Marseille as temperatures inland near 36 degrees.
Tonight, cloudy with chances of thunderstorms in the northern part of the region as temperatures drop to 25 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend,
Sat: Cloudy with chances of thundery showers in the northern parts of the region so the coast should be mostly dry with highs of 27 degrees.
Sun: Clear morning until late afternoon when thunderstorms come back to bother the north with highs of 29 degrees.
Mon: Fine and bright on the coast with highs of 28 degrees.
A major wildfire broke out Thursday evening burning 240 hectares and prompting the evacuation of 104 people in Martigues, Bouches-du-Rhône. Meanwhile,...
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Train traffic between Hyères and Toulon has been halted following a serious incident. Trains were affected on Thursday, July 17th, shortly after 1pm a...
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Clear skies with a gentle breeze. Highs of 30 degrees in Monaco and Antibes, 31 degrees in Nice and 29 degrees in Menton and Saint-Tropez. This evenin...
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A 38-year-old man has been fatally struck by a truck early Thursday, the 17th of July, on the A8 motorway near Coudoux, Bouches-du-Rhône. ...
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Tensions are running high in Antibes, where around thirty animal rights activists from the group One Voice have gathered outside the former Marineland...
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