News
Macron pledges to “make every effort” - During a press conference in Serbia on Thursday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to make “every effort to speak to the French people in due time and within the right framework”. His comments come as France continues its search for a new government. Macron added that his goal was to “achieve the best solution for the country”. It was at the beginning of the week that the Elysée dismissed the possibility of a New Popular Front government led by Lucie Castets, despite the left-wing alliance coming out on top in the parliamentary elections, ahead of the presidential camp and the far right. France’s head of state has since launched a new series of consultations but, 44 days after the president accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Gabirel Attal the casting and schedule for the next government still remains unclear.
West Nile virus still circulating in the Var region - In local news the regional health agency has warned that the West Nile virus is still circulating in Var region. Since the beginning of the year, 10 cases have been detected in the Var and one in Guadeloupe. Out of the 10 cases four have had to be hospitalised. The West Nile virus is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes then spread West Nile virus to people and other animals by biting them. There is no transmission of the virus from human to human. According to data known to health authorities in August 2024, 80% of West Nile virus infections show no symptoms. In 20% of cases, the patient presents symptoms similar to the flu such as fever, pain and a headache and in less than 1% of infections, there may be neurological complications. According to Public Health France, the virus was first detected in 1962 in mainland France and Corsica. It reappeared in the early 2000s.
Young girl in serious condition after being knocked over by a motorcyclist - A seven-year-old child has been taken to hospital in a serious condition following an accident in Vallauris on Thursday evening. The incident occurred at around 7:30pm when the young girl was knocked down by a motorcycle while crossing a zebra crossing on Avenue du Tapis Vert, in Vallauris. According to initial reports, the motorcyclist was, at the time, driving in the opposite direction to traffic, unharmed, he has been placed in police custody. Locals are in shock and have deplored the “madness of almost all the drivers” who use this stretch of road in Vallauris as if it was a motorway. Adding that a "petition will be launched to request speed bumps, illuminated traffic signs and also radar panels displaying your speed."
Scam - As a reminder for those of you that use the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) the Monaco Government has warned of an ongoing online fraud scheme. A Facebook page, which looks just like their official page but isn’t, claims to offer six months of free bus subscriptions, enticing users to click on a link to take advantage of the offer and at the same time share bank details. In a statement the government said “The Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco wishes to remind the public that their only official channels are their website (www.cam.mc) and the Monapass app,” “Any other sources offering deals or services related to public transportation in Monaco should be approached with extreme caution.” Anyone who may have given their banking details through the fraudulent Facebook page link is urged to contact their bank immediately.
Busy day on French roads - A busy day on French roads is expected today according to Bison Fute. A red warning, which is the third highest out of four levels, is being forecast for the whole of the Mediterranean coast in the direction of returns, with the rest of the country on a lower yellow warning. There are also red areas around Paris and in some eastern areas of the country over the weekend. More details on www.bison-fute.gouv.fr
Mont Blanc Tunnel to close from Monday – Meanwhile, from Monday 2nd September the Mont Blanc Tunnel will be closed to motorists due to maintenance and reconstruction work. The closure is in place until December the 16th and is expected to cause significant disruptions to travel in this part of the Alps, with motorists being forced to take a detour. Opened in 1965, the Mont-Blanc tunnel links Chamonix in Haute Savoie, southeast France, with the northwest of Italy.
Stays in hotels and Gîtes in France have increased, while attendance at campsites sees a drop - Recent data has shown an increase in France for holiday stays in hotels and Gîtes with a drop in attendance for campsites. Tourism operator Vacances bleues added that its three hotel establishments, located in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, have come close to 100% occupancy this summer and that the week of August 10th even saw a peak, with 95% occupancy for the Gîtes de France. For several years now, professionals in the sector have noted that the French are going on holiday later than usual and that last-minute bookings are also becoming more and more frequent.
Among the ten favourite destinations for tourists the Côte d'Azur maintains its attractiveness. Another region doing rather well this summer is the Île-de-France region, which benefited from the Olympic Games effect. On the other hand, campsites are deploring an average drop in their attendance of 4% compared to 2023, Nicolas Dayot, president of the National Federation of Outdoor Hotel Industry (FNHPA), announced to France Inter. This is largely explained by the rainy weather at the start of the summer.
Month of August beats temperature records in Nice – Finally, no rainy start here! As the month of August has been recorded as the hottest August on record for Nice. With an average minimum temperature of 24.3°C, the heat was higher than the previous record set during the heatwave of 2003. And it’s not over yet! Other records could still be registered by the end of the month. August: averaged 27.4°C equal to the record of August 2003. The average maximum temperature currently stands at 30.3°C, compared to 31.2°C for August 2003. And the yellow heatwave warning from Meteo France for the Alpes Maritimes remains in place for today.
Business
The UK’s Prime Minister has confirmed that due to the “huge burden” that smoking puts on the NHS and the taxpayer a ban on smoking in pub gardens and other outdoor venues is being considered. The prime minister said ministers were looking at banning smoking in other places too, including outdoor restaurants and outside sports venues, hospitals, nightclubs and in some small parks. Sir Keir Starmer pointed out that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year to smoking and that it's a preventable death and a huge burden on the NHS and of course on the taxpayer. The plan has been welcomed by health campaigners who believe the measure would help protect people from the dangers of second-hand smoke. But the proposal has drawn heavy criticism from others, with accusations of the government imposing on people's freedoms and being the "final nail in the coffin" of the hospitality industry.
Social media network X, formerly known as Twitter, appears to have failed to meet a deadline set by a Supreme Court Judge in Brazil which could lead to X being blocked in the country. X had already closed its office in Brazil earlier this month, saying its representative had been threatened with arrest if she did not comply with orders, it described as "censorship".
Ticket prices for Oasis's reunion tour have been revealed and the cheapest ticket comes in at less than £100. Prices listed on the See Tickets and Gigs and Tours websites show seated tickets start at £73 for the Cardiff shows, £74 in Edinburgh and £74.25 for Wembley. Standing tickets are more expensive, starting at £151.25 in Wembley, £148.50 at Heaton Park, £150 in Cardiff and £151 in Edinburgh. Oasis have announced three extra concert dates in the UK due to "unprecedented demand" for tickets.
The boss of a mining firm in Australia has said that workers who leave the head office to buy a cup of coffee are costing the firm too much money. Managing director of Mineral Resources Chris Ellison said during a financial results presentation on Wednesday he wants to "hold staff captive all day long" adding that he didn’t want them leaving the building. The head office in Perth does have a restaurant, nine staff psychologists, a gym, and other facilities designed to encourage staff to stay in the office. The company culture at Mining Resources also extends to Mr Ellison's views on parents, with the company building a day-care centre on site big enough for 105 children. Mr Ellison is not the only boss to enforce a no work from home policy. Last week, the head of London-based smartphone maker Nothing sent an all-staff email to announce the end of hybrid working and a move to fully office-based work.
Sport
Paralympics – The first day of the Paris Paralympics has seen China be awarded 4 gold medals followed by Great Britain with 2 and France with 1. In today’s action other opportunities to grab a gold will be in the Para Athletics Men’s 5000m and the Women’s Long Jump as well as this evening in the women’s doubles in table tennis and the mixed para swimming freestyle relay.
Football – In the English Premier League this weekend. Tomorrow Arsenal are at home to Brighton in the lunchtime game. The afternoon matches will see Brentford play Southampton, Everton play Bournemouth, Ipswich are at home to Fulham, Leicester City play Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest face Wolves, West Ham play Manchester City. On Sunday Chelsea face Crystal Palace in the lunchtime game while Newcastle are at home to Tottenham and Manchester United play Liverpool.
Cricket – England came out on top on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on Thursday thanks to Joe Root who scored a record-equalling 33rd century. Root’s flawless 143 took him level with Sir Alastair Cook for the most Test centuries for England.
Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan has said he doesn’t like England stand-in captain Ollie Pope adding that he is "not the kind of personality" who should be leading the team. 26-year-old Pope is covering for the injured Ben Stokes, but his form with the bat has suffered. Vaughan, who led England in 51 Tests, believes the agitated nature of Pope's innings should concern the hosts.
Tennis - Britain's Dan Evans backed up his first-round marathon match at the US Open with a straight-set victory over Argentina's Mariano Navone.
Golf – Scottie Scheffler the World number one live up to his title by making an ideal start to his bid to win a first FedExCup title by moving into a seven-stroke lead after the first round of the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Formula One – Today Friday 30th August, will see strike action from Renault motorsport employees in protest at plans to end the company's Formula 1 engine programme after next year. A statement from a staff committee at the Renault motorsport base near Paris, said the "vast majority" of employees would refuse to work. A group of staff have also travelled to the Italian Grand Prix, where they will stage a demonstration.
Weather
A sunny start with highs of 30 degrees in Nice and Monaco, 33 degrees in Cannes and Saint-Tropez and 32 degrees in Toulon and reaching 35 degrees in Draguignan. Hazy sunshine by this afternoon in the Var and in the Alpes Maritimes by this evening. A gentle breeze. This evening going down to 21 degrees.
The outlook for the weekend, hazy sunshine to start with clear spells and some scattered showers inland. Highs of 34 degrees along the coast and remaining dry.
Sunrise 06.52am
Sunset 08.08pm
Beach weather
Sea temperature 27°
Air temperature 32°
UV level 7
Weather elsewhere
London 24° sunny.
Paris 22° light rain.
Liverpool 19° sunny.
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