NEWS
Chikungunya cases on the rise - France is seeing record chikungunya cases, with 154 nationwide, including 33 in a single neighbourhood of Vitrolles, in the PACA region. The virus, spread by tiger mosquitoes, causes severe joint pain and fatigue but is rarely fatal. Authorities have launched targeted mosquito-control operations and urge the public to eliminate stagnant water to stop the spread.
Water outage in Vaucluse - Several towns have faced a water outage since Sunday morning after a power cut disrupted the local treatment plant in Vaucluse, namely Vedène, Le Pontet, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon and Sorgues. Suez teams installed a generator, but high demand, low reservoir levels, and fuel supply issues are slowing full restoration. The water supply is gradually recovering, and residents are asked to limit usage during evening peak hours.
Ocean Viking fired upon - According to SOS Méditerranée, the rescue ship Ocean Viking has been fired upon by Libyan coastguards in international waters, causing no injuries. The vessel was also targeted during a rescue mission in 2023. SOS Méditerranée adds they are working ‘on a detailed reconstruction of events.’
Flares for boats not properly disposed of - Every year, around 300,000 distress flares for boats are sold in France, but many expired ones are not properly disposed of. Pyréo, the eco-organization in charge of collecting them, handled 57% in 2024, leaving 43% unaccounted for, likely kept “just in case” or misused illegally. Authorities warn that outdated or recreational use of flares is dangerous, illegal, and punishable by up to two years in prison and €30,000 in fines.
Japan wins Cannes Fireworks Festival - Japan won both the jury’s Vestale award and the public prize at the Cannes Fireworks Festival with their show ‘Sound of resonance.’ The 2025 edition gathered over 100,000 spectators each night, with teams from Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Japan competing. Organizers hailed the festival’s remarkable artistic and technical level, confirming Cannes as the world capital of pyrotechnics.
NEWS UPDATE
Free school supply kits - Aiming to ease back-to-school costs and support families financially Avignon has begun distributing free school supply kits for children from preschool to primary. Families can collect the kits at local district town halls until the 29th of August, with contents adapted to each school level.
Water restored in Vaucluse - Water supply has been restored in all affected towns in Vaucluse after a power failure at a treatment plant caused outages. Suez warns the situation remains fragile and urges residents to limit consumption until normal operations resume.
Attempted homicide investigation opened - Two people have been injured in a violent incident in Nice’s Ariane district, one of them seriously wounded in the throat. Police found the 18-year-old victim bleeding heavily and rushed him to hospital. An attempted homicide investigation has been opened.
Emma Watson in Saint-Tropez - Emma Watson has been spotted walking in Saint-Tropez with her personal coach while on vacation. She recently lost her driving license for six months after a speeding offense in the UK, along with a fine. The actress has paused her career and has been studying creative writing at Oxford since 2023.
Weather this week - The Alpes-Maritimes will see mixed weather this week, with sunshine, clouds, and storms. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected midweek, bringing cooler temperatures. By Friday and into the weekend, sunshine will return, though Tende may still see a few showers.
Vuelta in Turin - Prince Albert II has attended the start of the 2025 Vuelta in Turin on on Saturday ahead of Monaco hosting the Grand Départ in 2026. The 2026 race will begin with a 15 km time trial in Monte-Carlo followed by a second stage from the Prince’s Palace to Manosque. the Prince described Turin as a chance to observe and prepare for Monaco’s historic role in next year’s event.
BUSINESS
Air Canada flight attendants have gone on strike over unpaid “groundwork,” leading to a tentative deal that includes partial pay for boarding duties and pre-flight checks, a first in Canada. The agreement, if ratified, could set a new precedent across North America, pressuring other airlines to adopt ground pay. While hailed as “historic,” many attendants remain dissatisfied, leaving the deal’s approval uncertain.
And - India says it will keep buying oil wherever it finds the best deal, prioritizing energy security for its 1.4 billion inhabitants. This comes ahead of US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on India, including penalties for Russian oil purchases, which Delhi calls unfair and unjustified. India insists on its strategic autonomy, defending Russian imports while continuing to call for peace in Ukraine.
SPORTS
Football – After having spent more than £200m on new signings this summer, Arsenal are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
Tennis – After an intense 2-hour-long match, Daniil Medvedev has been knocked out of the US Open, losing to Benjamin Bonzi 6-3 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 0-6 6-4.
Rugby Union – Defending champions New Zealand started their quest for a record-extending seventh Women's Rugby World Cup with a 54-8 win over Spain at York Community Stadium.
WEATHER
A cloudy start of the week with sunny intervals and chances of light rain in Nice and Tende. We’ve got gentle to moderate winds across the region with highs of 27 degrees in Nice, 28 in Cannes, Toulon and Marseille and 31 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, mostly clear with lows of 23 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, partly cloudy with highs of 27 degrees until the end of the night when the sound of thunderstorms will cradle us to sleep.
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