NEWS
Drugs seized - A man has been arrested at the La Turbie tollbooth with 6 kg of cannabis resin hidden in his car. He was traveling from Barcelona to Milan. The drug was found by customs officers with the help of a sniffer dog, concealed in the car seats. He admitted to transporting the drugs to repay debts and was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison, fined €60,400, and banned from France for five years. In 2024, customs officers in the Alpes-Maritimes seized a record 3.3 tonnes of drugs, including 192 kg of cocaine.
Severe drought conditions - Due to severe drought conditions, 40 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes department have been placed under drought alert, and 5 under reinforced alert until at least the 31st of October. Rainfall deficits of up to 86% in June and 40% in July, along with low water levels and high temperatures have led to several restrictions. Bans include watering from 8am to 8pm, golf course irrigation, boat and vehicle washing, though water-saving car washes are still allowed. In reinforced areas watering is strictly prohibited and beach showers are closed. Violating these rules can lead to fines of up to €1,500 and €3,000 for repeat offenses. Authorities will carry out checks to ensure compliance with water usage restrictions.
Wildfire broke out overnight - Meanwhile, a wildfire broke out overnight burning around 15 hectares of vegetation in Maussane-les-Alpilles, Bouches-du-Rhône. Strong winds made firefighting difficult, but quick action by firefighters prevented damage to homes. This follows other recent fires in the region, including Port-de-Bouc and Les Pennes-Mirabeau.
Lenval Children's Hospital injuries due to transparent windows - Lenval Children’s Hospital warns of a sharp rise in serious injuries among children and teens running into glass doors or windows, often invisible during play in Nice. These accidents can cause deep cuts, nerve damage, and even long-term disability. To prevent them, families are urged to use visible stickers on glass, install safety films, and supervise active play near glass surfaces. Raising awareness and adapting homes to child safety can significantly reduce these risks.
Nice tramway Line 1 to increase capacity - Nice’s tramway Line 1 is being extended to increase capacity by 13% by early 2026, with each tram growing from 200 to 300 passengers. Short trams are being lengthened with modules delivered from La Rochelle, improving comfort and air conditioning. All 13 trams will also receive upgraded batteries to operate across sections without overhead lines, at a total cost of €27.4 million.
Police kiosks to assist residents and tourists - The city of Nice has launched two municipal police kiosks on Place Garibaldi and Place Masséna to assist residents and tourists. These kiosks allow people to report issues, ask questions, or get city information, with staff from the police, tourism office, and other services. The initiative runs at least until the 30th of September and complements existing security measures like cameras and emergency call stations. A review after the trial period will determine whether to make the kiosks permanent or expand them elsewhere in the city.
NEWS UPDATE
Stabbing in Nice - A 21-year-old woman has been hospitalized on Sunday night after being stabbed during an altercation with a man and a woman in her apartment building in Nice-Nord. The incident occurred on Avenue Cyrille-Besset, and both suspects, aged 23 and 58, were taken into police custody. The victim’s life is not in danger, but she remains under observation. An investigation for attempted murder is ongoing.
Man dies after being hit by car - A man in his 60s died on the 29th of July around 1pm after being hit by a car while crossing Boulevard Louis-Braille in Nice. He was reportedly running to catch a bus when he suddenly crossed the road and was struck. Emergency services were unable to revive him, and the young driver was treated for shock. A police investigation is underway to clarify the exact circumstances.
No more night trains bewteen Nice and Ventimiglia - SNCF will suspend night trains between Nice and Ventimiglia from Monday to Thursday, 10 pm to 6 am between mid-September to mid-December 2025, , due to rock wall maintenance. A substitute bus service will operate from Monaco-Monte-Carlo station. The Monaco government is preparing a transport plan and will adjust services during major late-night events, as it did in 2024.
BUSINESS
The French government plans to tighten sick leave compensation rules as part of efforts to cut €5.5 billion from the 2026 health budget. Sick leave has risen by over 30% since 2010, reaching 8.42 million cases and costing €10.2 billion in 2023. This increase is linked to more people in work, an aging workforce, and rising wages. Officials also point to possible overuse, worsening work conditions, and higher injury rates as contributing factors.
And - U.S. President Donald Trump's return to office brought sweeping tariff hikes on imports, starting with China and expanding globally, creating uncertainty and raising costs for many U.S. businesses. Most imports now face tariffs of 10% to 50%, with new increases set for the 1st of August, affecting companies like General Motors, Tesla, and small businesses such as Village Lighting. While some industries benefit, others are seeing rising costs, reduced sales, and delayed investments, prompting warnings of slower U.S. economic growth. Despite short-term boosts in consumer confidence and stock markets, economists caution the tariffs could shave up to 1 percentage point off GDP and hurt long-term business health. Many businesses are raising prices or considering relocating operations, while some worry the full impact of the tariffs has yet to hit.
SPORTS
Football - Newcastle have not yet received a bid for their top scorer Alexander Isak, says manager Eddie Howe. The Sweden striker is exploring his options for a potential summer move and has not travelled on the team's pre-season tour of Asia, although Newcastle initially said he has a "minor thigh injury".
Rugby Union - The boss of World Rugby has rejected Australia coach Joe Schmidt's claim that the decision at the end of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions contravened the sport's player welfare drive.
Cricket - Australia completed a comprehensive 5-0 clean sweep against West Indies in their T20 series by winning the final match of their tour by three wickets.
WEATHER
Fine and bright across the region today, though light rain can be expected above Tende, accompanied by moderate to strong winds. Highs of 28 degrees in Nice, 29 in Cannes, Toulon and Marseille, and 30 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 22 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, mostly clear skies though light rain will visit Tende and Draguignan’s skies mid-afternoon as temperatures remain high, reaching 30 degrees accompanied by moderate winds.
A major wildfire which broke out on Monday near Pontevès, between Barjols and Cotignac in the Var has now been contained after destroying 130 hectares...
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There’s been an attempted robbery at a jewellery store in Cannes. An individual, apparently acting alone, entered the Bulgari store on the Croisette t...
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Speaking in Bormes les Mimosas in the Var on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Europe will stand united with Ukraine at today’s t...
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The Var and the Alpes-Maritimes are on orange level alerts for heat until midnight tomorrow night. An orange level alert is the third highest out of t...
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The drought in the Alpes-Maritimes has worsened with 25 more towns now under reinforced water restrictions, bringing the total to 30. River levels hav...
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