NEWS
A8 motorway fatal accident - 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. He was found in cardiac arrest and could not be revived despite emergency efforts. The reason he was on foot on the motorway remains unknown, and an investigation has been opened. This rare but serious type of accident raises ongoing safety concerns.
Red fire alert - Due to a "very severe" fire risk on Thursday, the 17th of July, access to several forest areas in Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhône is strictly prohibited. High temperatures, strong mistral winds, and dry conditions have pushed the alert to red level. Over 600 firefighters are being deployed preventively, following 31 fire outbreaks in Bouches-du-Rhône on the 16th of July alone. Exceptions to the ban are tightly regulated, and the public is urged to follow all safety rules, even in accessible zones.
Immediate arrest if speed limit exceeded by 50 km/h on the Prom' - Drivers exceeding the speed limit by over 50 km/h on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais will now be automatically taken into police custody, the city’s prosecutor announced on the 16th of July. The move follows a sharp rise in deadly accidents, with 15 road deaths on the Promenade since 2023, accounting for nearly 20% of road fatalities in the department in 2025. Authorities cite aggressive driving, speed, alcohol, and drug use as key factors. To prevent this, daily speed checks and tougher legal action are being implemented this summer.
Traffic control in Nice - Police have carried out a major traffic control operation on the evening of the 16th of July, checking around 95 vehicles on the Promenade des Anglais, in Nice. While several drivers were sanctioned, whether for driving under the influence or for driving without a license, no one was placed in custody for excessive speeding. A new rule allows police to detain drivers exceeding the speed limit by over 50 km/h. The operation follows a rise in fatal accidents on the Promenade, with four deaths already in 2025.
Louis II Stadium Website - The Louis II Stadium has launched a new, modern, and user-friendly website as part of the Extended Monaco program. Available in French, English, and Italian, it features event schedules, a section celebrating the stadium's 40th anniversary, and highlights local sports associations. The site is now accessible at www.stadelouis2.mc.
Upcoming fireworks in Monaco - Monaco will host two major fireworks nights at Port Hercule on the 26th of July and the 9th of August, featuring music, family activities, and DJ parties. The first show starts at 10:30 PM with a 16-minute pyro-musical display, followed by entertainment. Events are free and open to all on Quai Albert Ier.
NEWS UPDATE
Gas leak - A gas leak has occurred around noon on Thursday, the 17th of July, on Avenue Maréchal-Gallieni in Cannes. About twenty firefighters have been deployed, but no evacuation was necessary. The leak came from a residential gas meter and was quickly contained after GRDF cut the supply. By 12:30pm, the situation was fully under control.
Tende Tunnel access - The Tende Tunnel, which reopened on the 28th of June after years of delays, currently operates on limited weekday hours and full-day access on weekends. French and Italian authorities are considering extending the full-day schedule, which is currently from 6 am to 9 pm to all weekdays starting Friday, the 18th of July, to ease summer traffic. This would benefit both tourists and professionals. Trucks over 3.5 tons remain banned until full tunnel systems are completed in spring 2026.
Jeanned'Arc statue in Nice - The Marseille administrative court of appeal has ruled that the controversial Jeanne d’Arc statue in Nice will not be removed. Although the initial court found a serious procedural error due to a lack of competitive bidding, the appeal judges decided the mistake wasn't severe enough to annul the contract. The statue, commissioned from the Missor studio, will remain in place. It’s unclear if the State will appeal further to the Conseil d’État.
BUSINESS
Four friends in London have bought a home together after finding property prices unaffordable individually. Pooling their incomes allowed them to purchase a £650,000 flat and share living costs, childcare, and renovations. Their arrangement reflects a growing trend of non-traditional mortgages, as more people co-buy with friends or family. Legal agreements like a deed of trust help outline ownership and responsibilities. While the setup has worked well for them, they emphasize the importance of trust, communication, and clear planning. Experts see potential for such models to expand, even into retirement living.
New York-based trading firm Jane Street has been banned from India's securities market by regulator SEBI, which accuses it of manipulating prices on the Bank Nifty index through a deceptive trading scheme. SEBI alleges the firm used two entities to push prices up in the cash market and profit from a simultaneous bet on their decline in the derivatives market, an illegal practice called "marking the close." Jane Street denies wrongdoing, calling its strategy legal index arbitrage and plans to challenge the ban. Experts, however, say the trades were not genuine arbitrage and harmed small investors. SEBI claims Jane Street made $4.3 billion in two years, while retail investors suffered heavy losses, prompting broader concerns over regulatory oversight.
And - Monaco’s 2025 economic report shows strong performance, with a €200 million budget surplus and a 46.3% GDP increase over ten years, far outpacing European and global averages. The Constitutional Reserve Fund surpassed €7 billion, and the real estate market hit record prices. Employment grew by 30% over the decade, with over 90% in the private sector. Monaco's digital economy neared €1 billion in revenue, and exports rose by more than 30% in early 2025. The population reached 38,423, with a rise in Monégasque nationals.
SPORTS
Football - Canada forward Olivia Smith has become the most expensive signing in women's football history by completing a £1m move to Arsenal from Liverpool. The 20-year-old, who made her international debut at 15, has signed a four-year deal with the Champions League holders. Smith's move breaks the record set by Chelsea in January when they signed USA defender Naomi Girma for £900,000 from San Diego Wave.
Rugby Union - Fly-half Tom Lynagh will emulate his father, the Wallaby great Michael, when he starts for Australia in Saturday's first Test against the British and Irish Lions. In the absence of regular starter Noah Lolesio, Lynagh, 22, will make his first international start at the Suncorp Stadium, wearing number 10 as Michael did in the 1989 series against the Lions.
Cricket - England produced a below-par performance as India sealed a four-wicket win in the first one-day international in Southampton. Chasing 259 for victory, India all-rounder Deepti Sharma's unbeaten 62 helped the tourists reach their target with 10 balls to spare.
WEATHER
Mostly sunny accompanied by strong winds in the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône. It’s very warm today with coastal highs of 29 degrees in Nice, 31 in Cannes, and 35 degrees in Saint-Tropez, Toulon and Marseille.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 22 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, mostly clear throughout the day with highs of 29 degrees until late night where thunderstorms will loom above the inland skies and stay there until late Saturday.
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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Météo-France has extended the yellow heatwave warning in the Var for today Thursday, July 17th. The warning is in place until 10pm this evening with h...
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Due to ongoing drought, the Var department has placed nearly 150 communes under water vigilance and four under official drought alert. ...
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Meteo France have placed the Var on a top-level red alert for forest fires today. Two other nearby departments, the Bouches-du-Rhone and the Vaucluse ...
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