NEWS
Fire risks - The Aude department is on red alert for a "very high" wildfire risk this Tuesday, while nine others are on orange alert, including Var, Vaucluse, and Bouches-du-Rhône. Strong winds and high heat raise the danger in areas like the Pyrénées-Orientales, where some zones face an “exceptional risk." Several forested regions are now closed to the public to prevent fires. Extreme caution is urged across the affected southern departments.
Road fatalities this summer in the Var - Summer 2025 has been deadly on the roads of the Var department, with 12 fatalities since June, more than double last year's toll. The main causes are speeding, alcohol, drugs, and a general decline in driver behaviour. Nearly 200 licenses were suspended due to drug use, and over 5,000 speeding violations were recorded, including extreme cases. Authorities are alarmed by a rise in unbuckled seat belts, even among children, and more road checks are planned in August.
Intoxicated man robs a store in Nice - A heavily intoxicated man has vandalized and burglarized the bar "La Bagatelle" in central Nice, causing major damage in just over 30 minutes. He stole various items, including alcohol, a cash drawer, and electronics, all found on him while passed out nearby. The 37-year-old, with 22 prior convictions, claimed he remembered nothing. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, plus a four-month suspended sentence revoked.
Star Croisières goes into liquidation - The travel agency Star Croisières has gone into liquidation, leaving many clients without confirmed cruises, despite having fully paid. MSC Cruises, the operator, says it never received the funds and asks clients for proof of payment to honour bookings. Those who only paid deposits must now settle the balance directly with MSC. Frustrated customers, some just days from departure, are demanding compensation and organising petitions.
Sun tattoos, a dangerous TikTok trend - A dangerous TikTok trend called “burn lines” encourages teens to deliberately sunburn their skin to create sharp tan marks or “sun tattoos”, sometimes using stencils. Dermatologists warn this can cause permanent skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. The trend, which began in Australia, has spread to Europe, alarming health officials. Survivors who developed skin cancer in their 20s now advocate for sun safety and awareness.
Glitter-filled inflatable pool floats are a serious pollution problem - Glitter-filled inflatable pool floats, popular on the Côte d'Azur, are causing serious pollution in the Mediterranean especially around Antibes and Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes. When they puncture, the glitter spills into the sea. These fragments are nearly impossible to clean up and can enter the food chain by being ingested by fish. Volunteers warn this growing pollution is mainly found in shallow swimming areas.
NEWS UPDATE
Bus scam in Monaco - The Monaco Bus Company (CAM) is warning of a scam circulating on Facebook, falsely offering unlimited travel for €2/month over six months. The fraudulent posts use CAM’s name and images to appear legitimate and lure users into sharing personal and banking details. CAM confirms the offer is fake and urges users to rely only on official channels. Victims are advised to contact Monaco’s cybercrime unit.
17-year-old-boy assaulted - A 17-year-old boy has been assaulted and extorted last Saturday by two 23-year-old men with prior drug-related convictions in Old Nice. They forced him to withdraw €50 from an ATM after intimidating and searching him. The attackers were quickly arrested thanks to CCTV footage and are now in pre-trial detention. They face up to seven years in prison, with their trial set for September.
Children found drowned, the mayor expresses his sorrow - Two children, aged 6 and 8 and from the Traveller community, have been found drowned on the 4th of August in an above-ground pool in Antibes. Their disappearance had been reported just hours earlier. The mayor, Jean Leonetti, expressed deep sorrow and called for increased vigilance without blaming the grieving families. An investigation and autopsies are underway to determine the exact cause of death.
New scooters and bikes rules in Monaco - Monaco has updated its regulations to better protect young users of electric scooters and bikes. Children under 14 are now banned from riding them on public roads. From age 14, a road safety certificate (ASSR) or AM license is required and helmets are mandatory for all scooter users and for electric bike riders under 18.
BUSINESS
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), calling the company “in turmoil” and mocking its recent ad campaign as “woke” and “stupid.” This comes as JLR announced PB Balaji, Tata Motors' finance chief, will become its first Indian CEO in November. The company is undergoing a major rebrand, including a shift to electric vehicles and the removal of its iconic Jaguar logo. A recent avant-garde ad campaign without any cars sparked backlash online. JLR also faces job cuts and the impact of U.S. tariffs.
And - U.S. President Donald Trump has praised actress Sydney Sweeney for her American Eagle jeans ad after reports surfaced that she is a registered Republican. The ad, which plays on the word “genes/jeans,” sparked controversy online, with some critics linking it to eugenics-related rhetoric. American Eagle defended the campaign, saying it simply celebrates confidence in their denim. Despite the backlash, the ad significantly boosted the brand’s visibility and stock price. Sweeney has not publicly addressed the controversy or her political views.
SPORTS
Tennis - Teenager Victoria Mboko continued her fairytale run at the Canadian Open as she breezed past Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro to reach the semi-finals. The 18-year-old Canadian, who knocked out two-time major winner Coco Gauff in the fourth round, impressed again on home soil with a 6-4 6-2 win in Montreal.
Cricket - England will discover the extent of Chris Woakes' shoulder injury later this week after his heroics in the classic fifth Test against India. Woakes sustained a suspected dislocation on the opening day at The Oval, yet emerged to bat with his left arm in a sling on the final day.
Athletics - British sprinter Reece Prescod has announced his decision to retire from the sport after he pushed himself too hard. Prescod is the fourth fastest British man ever over 100m, with a personal best of 9.93 seconds, a tenth of a second behind Zharnel Hughes' national record.
WEATHER
Fine and bright today with gentle to moderate winds. Highs of 27 degrees in Nice, 28 in Marseille, 29 in Cannes and Toulon and 32 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, light clouds with temperatures dropping to 22 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, partly cloudy with risks of thunderstorms during the afternoon near Tende accompanied by a gentle breeze and highs of 28 degrees.
The Aude department is on red alert for a "very high" wildfire risk this Tuesday, while nine others are on orange alert, including Var, Vaucluse, and ...
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After an 18-month doping ban, Paul Pogba has returned to football, signing a two-year deal with AS Monaco in June 2025. ...
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Monaco-based travel agency Star Croisières has officially declared bankruptcy, with a court hearing scheduled today, Tuesday, August 5th. At least 20 ...
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Construction work has been underway at Place Max-Barel in Nice since March and will continue until the end of November. The project, linked to earlier...
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Free sunscreen dispensers have been set up on beaches in Sanary and other spots across the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region to promote sun safety. ...
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