NEWS
Cyberattack - France Travail, formerly Pôle Emploi, has suffered a cyberattack affecting the personal data of up to 340,000 job seekers. The breach occurred via a compromised training platform, exposing names, birthdates, contact details, and user IDs, though no passwords or bank data were leaked. The platform was quickly shut down, and affected individuals have been notified. France Travail has reported the incident to CNIL and filed a legal complaint. This follows a much larger cyberattack in 2024 affecting 43 million people.
Bomb alert in Golfe-Juan beach - A couple has discovered what appeared to be an old artillery shell partially buried in the sand on the 22nd of July along the beach in Golfe-Juan, Alpes-Maritimes. They immediately alerted the police, who confirmed it resembled a bomb and notified the bomb disposal unit. The operation to safely remove the object is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Surprisingly, the area has not yet been cordoned off.
Leisure centre director assaulted - The director of a leisure centre has been verbally and physically assaulted by the father of a 4-year-old boy who had been expelled for violent behaviour in Nice. The incident occurred on the 22nd of July in the Ariane district. Mayor Christian Estrosi announced that the city will file a complaint and is calling for "exemplary sanctions." Police intervened at the scene following reports of shoving and aggression.
Unregulated accomodations of the Côte d'Azur - Authorities have shut down a building illegally operating as a hotel without meeting safety or legal requirements in Cannes, highlighting growing concerns over unregulated tourist accommodations on the Côte d'Azur. In nearby Antibes, a fire in an unofficial youth hostel, likely due to faulty wiring, raised further alarm about safety standards. Local hoteliers are denouncing "ghost hotels" and suing booking platforms for unfair competition. These operations often avoid taxes and safety obligations, creating risks for guests and pressure on the legal hospitality sector. The situation reflects broader confusion between legal rentals, para-hotels, and unofficial accommodations.
Helping children under 15 use social media 'wisely' - A psychiatrist offers seven tips for helping children under 15 use social media wisely in Nice. He emphasizes guidance over prohibition, encouraging early conversations about risks and benefits, setting flexible rules, and being a good role model. Shared digital activities and attention to warning signs like irritability or isolation are key. The goal is to balance online life with real-world experiences to foster healthy habits.
Lavender essential oil harvest - Despite a smaller harvest this year, volunteers have managed to collect 500kg of wild aspic lavender, which will produce over a litter of high-quality essential oil in Sainte-Agnès, Alpes-Maritimes. The lavender, gathered at 1,200m altitude, will be distilled and showcased at the village's annual Lavender Festival this Sunday. Visitors can watch the oil-making process led by master distiller Gilbert Ravasio and his son. The festival includes markets, wellness demos, local tastings, and a new live karaoke event.
Plages Electroniques - The Plages Électroniques festival returns to Cannes from the 8th-10th of August, with over 60 artists across six stages on the beach. Major international acts like Tiësto, Charlotte de Witte, Booba, Peggy Gou, and Vald will headline the event, which blends rap, techno, and house music. Rising stars such as Deron and the duo Amor also feature in the lineup. Recognized globally, the festival ranks 58th in DJ Mag’s top 100 festivals and is now the top-ranked French music festival.
Guinguettes - Guinguettes are the new festive trend on the Côte d’Azur, with “L’Apéro des Frenchy” leading the way. These nostalgic music parties, launched in Nice in 2019, bring people together in iconic or unexpected venues. Events start early and end by 11pm, featuring 90s/2000s music, attracting large crowds. The founders aim to expand this lively, intergenerational concept across France.
NEWS UPDATE
Fire in Beausoleil - A fire broke out on Wednesday, the 23rd of July, in a laundromat on the ground floor of a residential building in Beausoleil, near Monaco. Firefighters quickly responded and managed to control the blaze by 3:30pm, but the laundromat was completely destroyed. Twelve residents from the six affected apartments will be rehoused by the city as a safety precaution. The operation involved 31 emergency personnel and required nearby roads to be closed during the intervention.
Dany Boon scammed - A 36-year-old man is accused of defrauding French actor Dany Boon out of €4.5 million, mainly through a fake investment linked to the management of Boon's yacht. Despite his cooperation with authorities and offer to begin repaying the money, a court in Nice has decided to keep him in custody. He was arrested in Panama in 2024 and extradited to France, where he has been jailed for 18 months. His trial is scheduled for September.
CHPG scores perfectly - The Princess Grace Hospital Center (CHPG) in Monaco has received the highest possible rating from France's Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) on the 16th of July with a perfect 100% score. It was praised for patient care, team coordination, and hospital governance. This recognition places the hospital among the top public and private hospitals in France, despite the certification not being mandatory in Monaco. HAS experts highlighted advanced patient-centred practices, strict safety protocols, and strong ethical leadership.
BUSINESS
Coca-Cola plans to launch a version of Coke sweetened with U.S. cane sugar this autumn, alongside its existing lineup. The brand typically uses corn syrup in the U.S., but cane sugar is already used in other countries and some U.S. products. The move follows encouragement from President Trump, who publicly supported the change. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised concerns about corn syrup, though experts see no major nutritional difference. The new option aims to meet consumer preferences and offer more variety.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a major trade deal with Japan, including $550 billion in Japanese investment in the U.S. and a reduced 15% tariff on Japanese goods, down from the threatened 25%. Japan agreed to open its market to U.S. products like cars, rice, and agricultural goods, but will not lower its own tariffs. The deal sparked criticism from U.S. automakers, who face higher import taxes from Canada and Mexico. Japan's automotive sector, a key part of its economy, will benefit, and its stock market responded positively.
And - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada will not agree to a trade deal with the U.S. at any cost, as a 1st of August deadline approaches for new U.S. tariffs. If no agreement is reached, US imports from Canada could face a 35% tax. Carney criticized existing U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and hinted at new countermeasures to protect key industries like aluminium and lumber. Despite strong trade ties, tensions have grown since President Trump returned to office and launched broad tariffs, disrupting global markets.
SPORTS
Cycling - Following the challenging Mont Ventoux 16th stage won by Frenchman Valentin Paret-Peintre yesterday, the 17th stage of the 2025 Tour de France will take place on the 23rd of July, covering 161 km from Bollène to Valence. The route passes through Dieulefit, Bourdeaux, Grane, and Chabeuil, ending with a sprint on Valence’s boulevard Franklin Roosevelt. The stage began at 1:35pm, with the finish expected between 10 past 5 and half past 5.
Rugby Union - Georgia Evans says she and her Wales team-mates are the fittest they have ever been after being pushed to their limits in pre-season. Head coach Sean Lynn said a lack of strength and conditioning was a concern after Wales finished bottom of the 2025 Women's Six Nations, his first campaign in charge.
Tennis - World number one Jannik Sinner has reappointed fitness coach Umberto Ferrara, with whom he parted ways following the investigation into his positive tests for a banned substance. Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi left the Italian's team last August, five months after Sinner returned two positive tests for clostebol.
WEATHER
It’s mostly cloudy in the Alpes-Maritimes department, and very cloudy in the rest of the region but no showers are planned supposedly. It’s quite windy today with temperatures remaining high on the coast especially in the Var department reaching 28 degrees in Nice, 29 in Cannes, 30 in Marseille, 32 in Toulon and 34 degrees in Saint-Tropez. Inland temperatures won’t go much higher reaching 35 degrees.
Tonight, still cloudy with lows of 22 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, hazy with sunny intervals accompanied by strong winds along the coast and highs of 28 degrees.
France Travail, formerly Pôle Emploi, has suffered a cyberattack affecting the personal data of up to 340,000 job seekers. ...
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A serious accident involving four vehicles, including a lorry has caused major traffic disruption on the A50 motorway near Six-Fours in the Var region...
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Being well into the summer party season Monaco is ramping up efforts to tackle drink-driving with the return of BAF Monaco’s free late-night shuttle s...
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The Princess Grace Hospital Centre (CHPG) here in Monaco has achieved a 100% rating in the French Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) certification, marking...
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In response to recent drug-related violence, the city of Nîmes located in the Gard department of southern France has imposed a nighttime curfew on min...
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