NEWS
Eric Ciotti Remains Cautious about New Prime Minister - Eric Ciotti, leader of Les Républicains, has expressed cautious support for new Prime Minister Michel Barnier if his policies align with law and order and break away from Macronism. Ciotti criticized Barnier’s appointment as a symbol of the right’s dilution into Macron’s influence but acknowledged Barnier’s experience in public service. He pledged to back Barnier’s initiatives if they serve the public good but remained sceptical about Barnier’s chances of success due to his association with Macron's political alliances.
Nabilla Raises Fundraiser For Gisèle Pélicot - Reality TV star Nabilla Benattia has expressed her sympathy for Gisèle Pélicot, victim in the ongoing Mazan rape case, and has launched a fundraiser titled "A New Life for Gisèle Pélicot," raising nearly €40,000. However, Pélicot has requested the closure of these campaigns and urged for social media restraint. While she appreciates the global support she has received, Pelicot wishes to maintain the dignity of the trial.
Professor Raoult Controversy - A controversial study co-authored by Professor Raoult on treating Covid-19 with hydroxychloroquine was published in August 2024, prompting concerns from the Marseille public hospital system (AP-HM). AP-HM reported the study to French drug safety authorities (ANSM), criticizing its use of unauthorized patient data and disassociating from it. This follows previous legal actions against Raoult for conducting unauthorized research during the pandemic.
New Pitch at Allianz Riviera, Nice - The Allianz Riviera stadium's pitch, damaged by a fungus since the summer, will be partially replaced, Nice Eco Stadium announced. The new turf will be installed in time for OGC Nice's match against AS Saint-Étienne on September 20. The City of Nice had previously demanded that the stadium meet its contractual obligations to provide a flawless pitch for the resident club.
Fraudulent Website Blocked - The French consumer fraud authority (DGCCRF) blocked the website rivierabudget.com after multiple complaints about fraudulent vacation rental listings. The site, created in July, copied ads from platforms like Airbnb, leading to several reports of identity theft and scams. Authorities continue investigating to identify the site's true owners.
Fire in Nice - A fire broke out on Friday morning, prompting the evacuation of four people in Nice. The blaze occurred on the first floor of a five-story building but was quickly brought under control by firefighters. No injuries have been reported.
Fire in Avignon - A fire broke out on Thursday, September 5, around noon in a technical room at the Pathé Cap Sud cinema in Avignon. There were no spectators present, and the staff had been evacuated. The fire was quickly addressed, allowing movie screenings to continue later in the day.
Low Biodiversity in Mediterranean - A sperm whale carcass has been drifting off the Côte d'Azur Since August 26, attracting blue sharks that have been feeding on it. These sharks, classified as critically endangered in the Mediterranean, have been observed near the carcass, providing a valuable opportunity to study them. However, experts highlight the lack of biodiversity in the area, noting that Mediterranean ecosystems are under severe strain from overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
BUSINESS
UK house prices hit a two-year high in August, rising 4.3% year-on-year, with the average property costing £292,505. The Bank of England’s recent interest rate cut boosted buyer confidence, though mortgage costs remain a challenge. Halifax expects house prices to continue modest growth, especially in regions like Northern Ireland and the northwest of England.
Retailer John Lewis is reinstating its "never knowingly undersold" price pledge, two years after discontinuing it, now extending it to online sales using AI to track competitor prices. The move, led by new managing director Peter Ruis, aims to win back customers after tough years of store closures and job cuts. While seen as a positive for shoppers, its cost and impact on customer loyalty remain uncertain.
And - Property taxes are rising in the Alpes-Maritimes, especially in Nice and Tourette-du-Château, while Falicon sees a decrease. Nice faces criticism for funding large projects as property taxes rise by 3.9% for all taxpayers. In contrast, Falicon's mayor highlights fiscal responsibility, with a 3.8% tax reduction. The national property tax has increased by 3.9% across France this year.
SPORTS
In the paralympics top 5 so far, China is unbeatable with 74 gold medals, The UK are in second place with 38, The US have 27, followed by the Netherlands with 21, and France remain at the bottom with 17.
Today, the athletes will compete for 57 gold medals.
Yesterday,
Javelin - Great Britain's Daniel Pembroke smashed the world record in the men's F13 javelin as he retained his Paralympic title in Paris.
Meanwhile,
Tennis - Home favourite Jessica Pegula staged a stunning comeback to see off Karolina Muchova 1-6 6-4 6-2 and set up an enticing US Open final against world number two Aryna Sabalenka.
Football - Argentina eased to a 3-0 win over Chile on Thursday to strengthen their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
WEATHER
Mostly sunny this afternoon. Highs of 26 degrees in Nice, 27 in Cannes and Toulon, and 28 degrees in Marseille and Saint-Tropez with a gentle breeze.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 20 degrees
Outlook for this weekend:
Saturday: Mostly sunny with highs of 27 degrees.
Sunday: Rain throughout the day with highs of 27 degrees.
Monday: Back to clear skies with highs of 27 degrees.
BEACH WEATHER
The sea is gorgeous today and reaches highs of 26 degrees. The UV levels are of 6, and the air temperatures reach highs of 28 degrees near Saint-Tropez with gentle to moderate winds.
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