NEWS
Espresso Riviera Train - A new train connection from Milan to Nice has been inaugurated. Every weekend until 1 September, the Espresso Riviera will offer two round trips between the two cities. Although not yet optimal, the service aims to expand. However, the train will not stop in Monaco due to ventilation issues at the underground station that prevent diesel locomotives from stopping. Trenitalia had initially promised to use an electric locomotive but will ultimately use a diesel one. The train will stop in Menton but bypass Monaco.
WWII Shell in the Var - An unexploded shell has been found in the Argens River in Vidauban, in the Var. Authorities secured the area, and bomb disposal experts from Marseille safely destroyed it. Such discoveries are common due to past WWII battles in the area.
Suspicious Package in Nice - A suspicious package has been found on a Nice tram which caused major disruptions on line 2 this morning. Authorities, including bomb disposal experts, have been called to Port Lympia station. The alert was lifted after the bag was found to be harmless, and normal service resumed around 10 AM.
Heatwave Plan in Marseille - With the orange heatwave alert issued in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, municipal swimming pools will be free until the heatwave is over in Marseille. In addition, park hours have been extended, the Catalans beach will remain continuously opened, and a municipal health monitoring unit has been put in place to assist isolated vulnerable individuals.
High Fire Risk in the Vaucluse - An orange alert for high fire risk has been issued on the 1st of August due to the heatwave in the Vaucluse department. Fire intervention teams are prepositioned near forests and main roads. Sixty firefighters are stationed in various locations to ensure quick response to any fires. The spring rains have led to an abundance of dry vegetation, increasing fire risk. The mistral wind, expected from tomorrow, August 2, could worsen conditions.
Working in Construction during the Heatwave - Heatwaves are making outdoor work, difficult especially in construction. The Var and Alpes-Maritimes regions are on orange alert with temperatures up to 37°C. A new June 2024 decree allows construction workers to receive 75% of their income during heat-related work stoppages. Employers are also relieved from penalties for heat-related delays.
More and More Jellyfish -Jellyfish have been spotted along the Alpes-Maritimes and Var coasts. If stung, rinse with seawater, clean without rubbing, remove tentacles without touching them with your hands, cover with sand, let it dry, then scrape off and disinfect. Seek medical help if pain persists or you feel unwell.
BUSINESS
Japan's central bank raised its key interest rate to 0.25%, its second hike in 17 years, as it moves to normalize monetary policy. This shift follows a decade of stimulus and comes ahead of rate decisions by the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England. Despite Japan's economy shrinking by 2.9% annually from January to March, and consumer prices rising only 2.6% in June, the Bank of Japan is signaling further tightening, potentially raising rates again by early next year.
And - Dozens of ByteDance staff in Singapore were hospitalized due to a suspected food poisoning outbreak. Sixty employees showed gastroenteritis symptoms, with 57 treated in hospital. ByteDance is investigating the cause, noting it uses third-party caterers. Seventeen ambulances responded to the incident. The Singapore Food Agency and Ministry of Health are also investigating. ByteDance, founded in 2012, owns TikTok, which has over a billion users globally.
OLYMPICS 2024
In Olympics news, so far China is in the lead with 11 gold medals, France and Japan are just behind with 8, followed by Australia with 7, Great Britain and South Korea with 6, and the US with 5. The US have won the most medals with 30 total, France has 26, and China has 19.
The heatwave continues throughout France, A lot of the athletes in the women's 20km walk have worn small ice towels around their necks because of the incredible heat and humidity currently in Paris.
Swimming - France's Leon Marchand created history in front of a wild home crowd with a golden double, while American Katie Ledecky won a record-equalling eighth Olympic gold medal on an epic night of swimming in Paris.
Rowing - Great Britain's Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne and Becky Wilde won bronze in the women's doubles sculls at the Paris Olympics.
Equestrian Sports - The Iron Dame Kim Emmen is to compete in the Paris 2024 games! Kim Emmen and Imagine will take part in the team qualifier today and will replace Willem Greve with Grandorado TN N.O.P.
Football - Manchester United's new £52m defender Leny Yoro has been ruled out for three months and striker Rasmus Hojlund will miss six weeks with injuries they suffered in Saturday’s pre-season game with Arsenal.
Fencing - the French sabre team won bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. And Marseille-born Sébastien Patrice was wearing an OM jersey under his overalls!
WEATHER
The orange heatwave alert is still in place across the region. The sky is bright and clear this early afternoon with moderate winds in the Var, though thunderstorms may cover the inland region’s skies early this evening. Temperatures will reach 38 degrees in the Alpes-Maritimes and Bouches-du-Rhône, and 40 degrees in the Var. Highs of 30 degrees in Nice, 31 in Marseille, 32 in Cannes, 34 in Toulon, and 37 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 23 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, bright and clear until late afternoon where risks of thunderstorms will conquer the region’s skies. Highs of 29 degrees and moderate winds.
BEACH WEATHER
If you fancy a swim this evening, now’s the time! The sea is nice and warm reaching 27 degrees with a gentle breeze. The UV levels are 9 across the Riviera. The air temperatures reach highs of 30 degrees in Nice, 35 degrees in Hyères les Palmiers, and 37 degrees in Saint-Tropez. Be careful with jellyfish and don’t forget your sunscreen!
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