NEWS
New Prime Minister ? - Lucie Castets, the left-wing candidate for Prime Minister, reiterated her desire to lead the government during a media appearance on July 25. A poll showed that nearly 60% of French people oppose President Macron appointing Castets, while 41% support it. Most respondents doubt a stable government can be formed and favour a political truce during the Olympics. Left-wing leaders are pressuring Macron, with some calling him entrenched in power.
Yellow Heatwave Alert in Alpes-Maritimes - Meteo France has issued a yellow heatwave alert starting Friday, July 26th, at noon in the Alpes Maritimes. Temperatures will reach 40°C during the day and won't drop below 26°C at night. The alert advises caution as extreme heat can overwhelm the immune system, causing headaches, muscle aches, nausea, and dehydration. Meteo France recommends staying in cool areas and drinking plenty of water. For assistance, call 15.
Closed Beaches in Alpes-Maritimes - Several beaches have closed due to poor water quality in the Alpes-Maritimes. Gorbio Beach, between Menton and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, has closed for the fifth year in a row, and violating the municipal by-law could result in a fine. Veillat Beach in Saint-Raphaël is also closed due to high levels of enterococci bacteria. Authorities are conducting tests to monitor the situation. Other beaches, such as those in Antibes and Fréjus, have faced similar closures this summer.
Drowning in Toulon - An 82-year-old man drowned this morning at Mourillons Beach in Toulon. Despite medical staff's efforts to revive him after being pulled from the water, he did not survive.
Missing Person in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence - A 66-year-old man, Ghislain Varlet, has been missing since Monday, July 22, after going hiking in Chabanon, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. His family has not heard from him and has issued a plea for help on social media. The gendarmerie has launched an extensive search operation involving 20 officers, mountain rescuers, and a search dog. No leads have been found yet, and searches may continue until at least July 29. A public search is organized for Thursday, July 25. Anyone with information is asked to contact the gendarmerie of La Seyne.
Biblo App for Nurses - A nurse from Nice, Smaïn Akli, created the Biblo app to save time for operating room nurses. Biblo digitizes information on surgical preparations, replacing outdated paper methods. The app provides quick access to surgical preferences, updates in real-time, includes tool photos, and displays operating room layouts. Smaïn aims to implement Biblo in all operating rooms to enhance care quality.
BUSINESS
Air France-KLM expects a €200 million revenue loss this summer due to reduced travel during the Paris Olympics. The airline's Q2 net profit fell sharply, prompting revised annual targets and increased cost-cutting measures. The airline's passenger numbers grew slightly, but costs rose due to higher fuel prices and wages. Despite these challenges, the group remains optimistic about future bookings post-Olympics.
US and Asian markets have dropped sharply due to a sell-off in technology stocks, especially AI-related ones. The S&P 500 fell 2.3%, the Nasdaq 3.6%, and the Dow 1.2%. Major firms like Nvidia, Alphabet, Microsoft, Apple, and Tesla led the decline. Japan's Nikkei also dropped over 3%. Nvidia saw a 6.8% drop, and Tesla over 12%. Alphabet's stock fell 5% despite good financial results. Investors are concerned about high AI expenditure without immediate revenue benefits. Additionally, uncertainties in the US presidential campaign and interest rate cuts have made investors wary.
And - The Treasury denied plans to phase out 1p and 2p coins, citing enough coins in circulation. No new orders were placed this year due to sufficient supply. Reports suggested the coins might be scrapped as cash usage falls, but the Treasury reassured their continued use, noting there are around 27 billion coins in the UK.
SPORTS
Olympic Games – Diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover have been chosen as Great Britain's flagbearers at the opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Meanwhile, tennis player Coco Gauff has been selected as the female flagbearer for Team USA at Friday's Olympic Games opening ceremony in Paris.
In athletics, Scottish athlete Neil Gourley feels in top form as he aims for an Olympic medal after overcoming injuries. Jake Wightman does not regard the 800m as a consolation, preparing for the Paris Olympics despite his 1500m successes. He was a silver medallist over 800m at the 2022 European.
In football, Argentina lost 2-1 to Morocco in a match halted by crowd trouble for nearly two hours, with the game eventually completing in an empty stadium.
In tennis, Andy Murray has withdrawn from Olympic singles but will play doubles in his career's final event, while Grand-Slam Champion Angelique Kerber plans to retire after the Paris Games. Finally, Rafael Nadal could face Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Olympics depending on today’s draw.
Cricket - Southern Brave claimed a seven-wicket victory over London Spirit to start their season in The Hundred men's competition at the Utilita Bowl.
WEATHER
Mostly sunny with a gentle breeze. Highs of 29 degrees in Marseille, 30 in Nice and Toulon, 31 in Cannes, and 33 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 24 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, bright and clear throughout the region with highs of 29 degrees and a gentle breeze.
BEACH WEATHER
Sea temperature Nice 26 degrees
UV level 9
Air temperature 29 degrees, feels like 36 degrees gentle breeze.
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