NEWS
Christophe Mirmand has taken office as Minister of State of Monaco - Christophe Mirmand has been appointed Minister of State of Monaco, effective the 21st of July by Sovereign Ordinance. A senior French civil servant with extensive experience in territorial administration, he previously served as Prefect in various regions including the Alpes-Maritimes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Mirmand, 63, succeeds Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, who held the interim role since January. He has also held high-level positions in the French Interior Ministry and is a decorated officer of the Legion of Honour.
Wildfire risk - The Var department is under very severe wildfire risk today, Tuesday, the 22nd of July, due to dry vegetation and strong winds. As a result, access to five forest massifs, including the Maures and Estérel, is strictly prohibited. Other areas face high risk with restricted activity allowed only between 5am and 1pm, and with fire-extinguishing equipment on hand. Residents are urged to follow safety rules, namely, no fires, no smoking in wooded areas, and to report any fire immediately by calling 18 or 112.
Major fire - A major fire broke out early morning in a commercial area, destroying 2,500 m² of warehouse space, including a car repair workshop, seven business units and a fruit and vegetable shop between Pégomas and Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Alpes-Maritimes. Seventy firefighters and 30 vehicles were mobilized to contain the blaze, which was brought under control later that morning. Several businesses were affected, including a fruit seller and a medical equipment supplier. Around 25 people are now temporarily out of work, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Dengue case detected in the Var - A case of dengue has been reported on the 19th of July, triggering an immediate mosquito control response in Sanary, Var. An entomological survey found a high presence of tiger mosquitoes near the patient’s home, prompting a disinfestation operation scheduled for the 23rd of July. The treatment includes targeted spraying in gardens and broader fogging by truck. No other cases have been reported so far but residents were advised to stay indoors and follow safety guidelines.
Technical issue in Nice airport leads to massive delays - A technical issue at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport on the 21st of July has led to the evacuation of over 2,000 passengers from the boarding area. A malfunctioning security gate prompted authorities to rescreen all cabin baggage for safety. The disruption caused delays to 30 flights, with an average delay of nearly two hours, and seven flights were cancelled. Normal operations resumed the following morning.
Counterfeit goods on the rise - Counterfeit goods have surged since the Covid pandemic, with seizures rising from 5 million items in 2020 to 21.5 million in 2024, most coming from online orders intercepted in postal freight in France. This growing trade, linked to organised crime networks, is estimated to cost €7 billion and 38,000 jobs annually. Despite awareness campaigns, 40% of French people admit to having bought counterfeits, knowingly or not. Recent seizures in southern France included fake Disney items, Armani sunglasses, and luxury handbags worth hundreds of thousands of euros.
NEWS UPDATE
Thief sentenced - After repeated night-time thefts, the owners of a mini-market have set a trap and caught a thief in the act in Nice. They hid in the store after hours, watched him on CCTV, and confronted him when he broke in. A violent struggle followed before police arrived and arrested the 39-year-old man. He was sentenced to one year in prison and permanently banned from France.
BUSINESS
OpenAI has signed a deal with the UK government to explore using AI to boost public service productivity in areas like education, defence, and justice. The agreement includes potential access to government data and collaboration on safety and ethical safeguards. While officials see AI as a key driver of economic growth, critics warn about risks, including unlicensed use of creative content. The UK aims to position itself as a hub for AI development, amid efforts to revive its sluggish economy.
And - UK government borrowing has risen to £20.7bn in June 2025, £6.6bn more than the same time last year, driven by higher spending and soaring debt interest payments linked to inflation. This marks the second-highest June borrowing on record, adding pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise taxes in the autumn budget. Analysts warn that persistent economic weakness and welfare policy U-turns could force the government to find an extra £15–25bn. Reeves aims to fund day-to-day spending through taxes and reduce debt by 2029-30, but weak income tax revenues and economic contraction may complicate those goals.
SPORTS
Football - Leeds United have signed Germany midfielder Anton Stach from Hoffenheim in a deal worth £17m. The 26-year-old, who has two international caps, has joined on a four-year contract.
Tennis - Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong has named a strong line-up for the Billie Jean King Cup, with Katie Boulter, Sonny Kartal, Emma Raducanu and Jodie Burrage all included. Boulter is ranked 41 in the world, with Kartal at 45, Raducanu at 46 and Burrage 116.
Meanwhile, Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams has celebrated victory in the last 16 of the women's doubles at the Washington Open after 16 months away from tennis. Williams and fellow American Hailey Baptiste beat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1.
Rugby Union - The British and Irish Lions have narrowly defeated a fierce First Nations and Pasifika side, winning 26-21 in a tense match in Melbourne. Despite an early 14-0 lead, the Lions struggled with their opponents’ physicality and saw their advantage slip. Late tries and a missed conversion helped them hold on for a hard-fought victory.
WEATHER
Mostly sunny with occasional clouds accompanied by moderate to strong winds in the Var department, with gusts reaching 65km/h. Highs of 28 degrees in Nice, Toulon and Marseille, 30 in Cannes and 33 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, mostly clear with temperatures dropping to 22 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, unsettled weather throughout the day with thundery showers in most of the region, though the coasts of the Alpes-Maritimes should get away with only cloudy skies. Highs of 27 degrees with strong winds reaching 80km/h.
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