News
Access closed due to high fire risk - Access to the Estérel and Tanneron massifs has been prohibited today Friday 5th August, due to the high fire risk. Météo-France issued the warning on Thursday. Other coastal massifs have also been closed and the use of fire is strictly prohibited throughout the Alpes-Maritimes department from July 1st to September 30th.
On Thursday two fires started in Biot with 2,000m² of forest land being destroyed. Firefighters managed to control the blaze. 14 machines were deployed, as well as two water bomber helicopters.
Heatwave - Meanwhile twenty-six French departments, mostly in the east of the country, are still on orange heatwave alert. The Var and the Alpes-Maritimes are on yellow alerts until at least 4pm today. Meteo France are forecasting a slight cooling of temperatures in the north of France at the weekend, with temperatures still high in the south. They are forecasting that the heatwave will continue next week.
Bus catches fire on motorway - A bus carrying children has caught fire on the A8 near Fréjus. Traffic came to a standstill on Thursday evening shortly after 7pm after the exit 38 Fréjus-Est. The nine children and the driver who were on board were evacuated. The bus was destroyed by the flames. An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the incident.
Economy - French economy minister Bruno Le Maire has predicted that inflation in France will continue to climb until the end of this year. Speaking to French media this morning he said he was hopeful that there would be a decline in inflation at the beginning of 2023 because by that time supplies of energy may have been found from other sources. He cautioned that the situation is unclear because of decisions being taken on the war in Ukraine and energy supplies.
Cannes - The Cannes town hall has said that there are still positions to be filled in their seasonal recruitment drive. Each year, the municipality recruits seasonal staff to cope with increased activity during the summer season. More details are available on www.cannes.com
Beluga whale - A beluga whale has been spotted in France's River Seine, and officials are now deciding how to save a mammal more suited to cold Arctic waters. They say the animal is currently near a lock at Vernon, about 70km (43 miles) north-west of Paris. Members of the public are being urged to keep away from the whale that appears to be underweight. Experts are puzzled as to why the whale has strayed so far south from its natural habitat.
Business
The Bank of England has warned the UK will fall into recession as it raised interest rates by the most in 27 years. The economy is forecast to shrink in the last three months of this year and keep shrinking until the end of 2023. Interest rates rose to 1.75% as the Bank battles to stem soaring prices, with inflation now set to hit over 13%.
Energy giant Shell is to give its workers a one-off 8% bonus after the company reported record profits from high oil and gas prices. Most of the 82,000 staff it employs worldwide will get the pay boost, but top executives will be excluded.
Shell said the award reflected its financial success and was "not a response" to the rising cost of living. Energy firms' bumper profits have prompted calls for tougher taxes to help families with rising bills.
Heavily-indebted Chinese property giant Evergrande says it will receive $818m after cancelling a contract to buy land rights for a new football stadium. Construction of the stadium started more than two years ago but has been hit by issues for months.
Sport
Football - The 31st Premier League season begins earlier than usual with Crystal Palace starting the action this evening against Arsenal. Tomorrow Fulham play Liverpool, Bournemouth play Aston Villa, Leeds play Wolverhampton, Newcastle play Nottingham Forest, Tottenham play Southampton and Everton play Chelsea.
Cricket - England fast bowler Jofra Archer has signed a one-year contract extension to stay with Sussex until the end of 2023. He hasn't played since last July because of injury.
Weather
Sunny and highs of 31 degrees in Monaco, Nice and Antibes with a gentle breeze. This evening going down to 24 degrees with clear skies. The outlook for the weekend remaining fine and sunny highs of 29-31 degrees.
Sea temperature 26 degrees UV level 9
Sunrise 06.23hr Sunset 20.48hr
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