NEWS
Wildfire update - The massive wildfire near Marseille, which began on the 8th of July from a burning car on the A55, has burned over 700 hectares and destroyed or damaged around 80 homes. As of Wednesday morning, the 9th of July, the fire is significantly under control, and confinement orders for residents have been lifted, though some evacuees cannot yet return home. Air traffic at Marseille Provence airport has resumed but remains disrupted, while train services are gradually returning to normal. Roads and highways around the city are open but experiencing heavy traffic.
Brevet results - The 2025 Brevet des colleges, or French national middle school diploma (DNB), results have been released for the Nice-Toulon academy, affecting over 26,000 students in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var. Students can check their results, including honours, online. This year, over 865,000 candidates registered nationwide, with new grading distinctions including a mention “très bien avec félicitations du jury” for scores above 720/800. No retakes are allowed unless a student missed exams due to a serious reason, in which case make-up tests are scheduled for the 8th-9th of September.
Metro line disrupted in Marseille - Marseille's metro line M2 has been heavily disrupted Wednesday morning after a body was discovered on the tracks. Eight stations are currently closed, and a replacement bus service is running between Castellane and Sainte-Marguerite Dromel. A police investigation is underway between Rond-Point du Prado and Périer stations.
Accident on Promenades des Anglais - Two people have died, and one was seriously injured in a traffic accident in the night of the 7th of July on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais. A 19-year-old cyclist reportedly crossed at a red light and was hit by a motorcycle. Both the cyclist and the 21-year-old female passenger on the motorcycle died at the scene; the motorcyclist is in critical condition. An investigation for involuntary manslaughter is underway, with toxicology tests and speed analysis ongoing.
Senior permanent contract - French lawmakers have approved the creation of a new "senior permanent contract" (CVE) aimed at boosting employment for people over 60. The contract, introduced for a five-year trial, offers hiring incentives to employers and greater flexibility for retirement decisions. While most parties supported the measure, some criticized it as a disguised benefit for employers rather than real support for older workers. The bill also includes changes to unemployment benefits, workplace negotiations for senior employment, and professional retraining rules.
Demographics in France - A new study by France’s national demographic institute (Ined) shows a sharp decline in the number of children the French want to have. Fertility rates have dropped from 2.0 children per woman in 2014 to 1.6 in 2024, and young adults are increasingly hesitant about having children at all. Many now view two children as a maximum, not a norm, and large families are becoming rare. Key reasons include economic uncertainty, climate concerns, and fears about the future.
BUSINESS
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new 50% tariff on imported copper, citing national security concerns and aiming to boost U.S. industry. The U.S. currently imports about half its copper needs, mainly from Chile and Canada. Copper prices surged following the announcement, with the tax expected to take effect by month’s end. The move is part of broader tariff plans, including upcoming levies on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber, and has raised concerns among businesses relying on copper. Talks are ongoing with countries like the UK to avoid similar tariffs on steel and aluminium.
And - Elon Musk’s AI company xAI is under fire after its chatbot Grok made several offensive remarks on X, including positive references to Hitler and responses minimizing the deaths of children in Texas floods. xAI said it is now working to block hate speech before Grok posts content. The backlash comes just before the launch of Grok 4, with Musk claiming improvements but offering no details. The incident follows earlier controversies around Grok spreading misinformation and hate-related content.
SPORTS
Pétanque - The Malagasy team has reached the semi-finals of the 2025 Mondial La Marseillaise à pétanque after a strong tournament run, defeating Begnis 13-8 in the quarter-finals. They will face the Bauer team, considered outsiders but dangerous, having eliminated last year’s finalist. The high-stakes match will be streamed live on France 3 and france.tv, with fan interaction possible via the Fan Zone.
Football - On Wednesday 9 July 2025, AS Monaco announced the signing of Oumar Konaté. The 18-year-old striker has signed his first professional contract with the Principality. Konaté caught the eye of Monegasque scouts during the Maurice-Revello Tournament in 2024. He had a trial with the Red and Whites last February, and took advantage of it to score in a friendly against Bordeaux (2-0).
Formula 1 - Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull after 20 years as team principal. The 51-year-old has been in charge of the Formula 1 team since its inception in 2005, leading them to eight drivers' championship and six constructors' championship titles. The dismissal follows months of declining form for the team and internal disputes at the highest level. It also comes 17 months after Horner was accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee.
WEATHER
Fine and bright this afternoon with moderate to strong winds especially towards the Bouches-du-Rhône. Temperatures are cooler today with highs of 26 degrees in Nice, 27 in Cannes, 28 in Toulon and Marseille, and 29 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 20 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, much the same, fine and bright with highs of 26 degrees and moderate winds.
An earthquake measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale has been recorded in the Val d’Allos. According to SismoAzur, the tremor struck at 4:31am on Thursday...
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Sunshine with clear skies throughout the day. Highs of 27 degrees in Nice and Saint-Tropez, 26 degrees in Monaco, 28 degrees in Vence and reaching 30 ...
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A new scam called "carding" is worrying cybersecurity experts. Fraudsters steal banking details, often via phishing, and then make small, discreet tra...
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Regional health officials have confirmed the first locally transmitted West Nile virus (WNV) case in France this year, diagnosed in mid-July in Hyères...
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Nineteen months after losing his daughter in a fatal road accident in Monaco, Vugar Akhundov, father of 19-year-old Dilara, has issued an open letter ...
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