Meteo France are predicting a return to heatwave conditions in southern parts of France in the first half of this week. However, the episode is expected to be less intense and shorter than the heatwave at the end of July. Five departments in the south of the country are currently on orange alerts for heat. They are the Pyrenees-Orientales, Vaucluse, Gard, Drome and Ardeche. The Alpes-Maritimes is on a yellow level alert until 4pm on Tuesday. The Var currently has no alert. Meteo France said that the strong heat will extend to many regions on Tuesday and Wednesday. The peak of the heat is expected between Wednesday and Thursday with maximums often greater than or equal to 35°C and peaks of 39 or 40 degrees in the southwest.
The French Minister for Egological Transition has said that France experienced its driest July since 1959. Christophe Bechu said that there had been a rainfall deficit of 88% compared to the amount required and that the situation is "critical". Speaking to French media today the minister said that an aggravating factor was the beginning of the heatwave which reduced water resources but led to increased demand.
Tourism in the PACA region has returned to its 2019 level so far this summer, according to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regional Tourism Committee. The organization said that there had been an exceptional spring with an average increase of 15% in attendance compared to 2019. In July this year there was a slight decline in French customers, of the order of 10%. It said that the decrease is explained by the reopening of the borders, the heatwave and the concerns of the French around purchasing power and inflation. However, it added that the very strong rebound in international customers, which were up by 57% compared to 2019, will allow the PACA region "to end the summer at the level of 2019".
Four Italian nationals have been arrested on suspicion of people smuggling. Local reports say that the four were arrested on the French side of the border in the Savoie department and are suspected of helping Syrian nationals to enter the country illegally.
Monaco's new Head of Mission to the European Union, has presented his credentials to the President of the European Commission. During the meeting which followed the official ceremony, H.E. M. Frederic Labarrere and Ms Ursula Von Der Layen discussed the international geopolitical situation, the sanctions implemented by the European Union as well as the pandemic management. They also mentioned "the positive momentum and the constructive spirit" in the negotiations for an association agreement between the Principality and the EU.
BUSINESS
Retail sales in Germany have fallen sharply. Sales in June fell by 1.6% from May and by 8.8% over one year after taking account of inflation. It's the largest annual decrease since comparable records began in 1994.
Unemployment in the eurozone in June remained at 6.6% according to new data released today by EU statistics agency Eurostat. It's the lowest figure since records began in 1998.
There's been a downturn in UK manufacturing as production and new orders contracted. According to a survey of purchasing managers by S&P Global, output contracted for the first time in over two years as intakes of new work and new export business both continued to decline. The labour market fared better, as job creation posted a surprise acceleration as companies acted to address staff shortages.
Meanwhile, the Eurozone manufacturing sector fell deeper into contraction territory in July, as purchasing managers data signalled the sharpest decline in output since May 2020.
SPORT
Football... Fans have been celebrating in Trafalgar Square in London after England's victory in the Euro 2022 championship. The women's football team and their manager have been on stage and lifted the trophy in front of the crowds.
Motorsports... Fernando Alonso has signed a multi-year contract to drive for Aston Martin from 2023. He'll replace Sebastian Vettel following his retirement at the end of the season. The 41 year old has been world champion twice so far - in 2005 and 2006.
Golf... Its been announced that Luke Donald will be Europe's Ryder Cup captain for next year's match against the United States. He succeeds Henrik Stenson, who lost the captaincy after signing with the LIV golf tournament.
Cricket...West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin, the scorer of the fastest hundred in women's T20 internationals, has retired from the international game, blaming a negative team environment. She thanked everyone "for the love and support" in the past 14 years of playing cricket for West Indies and said that she "looks forward to be playing domestic cricket around the world".
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