News
Heatwave to continue in the region - High temperatures are set to continue today Monday 21st August, as the Alpes Maritimes and the Var remain on an orange heatwave alert. Nighttime lows are between 23 and 27 degrees on the Riviera coast and 20 to 24 degrees inland. Meteo France warns that the heatwave, which is particularly late for the season, will continue over the next few days and calls for vigilance.
Pollution alert - Meanwhile, the prefect of the Provence Alpes Côte d’azur region has issued a level 1 air pollution alert today for the Bouches-du-Rhône, the Vaucluse, the Var and the Alpes- Maritimes. Linked to high temperatures and the heat wave motorists are required to respect a 20km/h reduction on maximum speed limits and the public is advised to reduce intense physical and sports activities, including competitions.
Child nearly drowns in private pool - A 2-year-old child has been hospitalised after nearly drowning in a private swimming pool in Puget-sur-Argens in the Var. The incident occurred at around 3pm on Sunday. Emergency services evacuated the victim to the hospital centre in Fréjus. According to Public Health France, since June 1st there have been 177 deaths from drowning in France.
Fatal accident on the A8 motorway - Two people have been killed in a road accident on the A8 motorway on Sunday evening. The accident occurred between Nice and Monaco at around 9.30pm after the Nice Saint-Isidore pay toll. The victims a man and a woman died at the scene. Traffic was heavily disrupted on this stretch of motorway while emergency services intervened. An investigation into the crash has been opened.
French army general appointed to oversee reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral dies while hiking - The French army general appointed by Emmanuel Macron to oversee the reconstruction of the fire-ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral has died while hiking in the Pyrénées. The body of 74-year-old Jean-Louis Georgelin, the former chief of the defence staff, was discovered by mountain police after he failed to return to a mountain refuge on Friday. He is believed to have suffered a fatal fall while hiking in south-western France. The public prosecutor’s office confirmed on Saturday the body had been formally identified and that the death was being treated as an accident.
Brigitte Bardot asks why anyone is still interested in her? - According to the maker of a new drama series about the French actress Brigitte Bardot one of cinema’s most celebrated stars, Bardot “cannot understand why anyone is still interested in her life”. Oscar-nominated Monégasque filmmaker Danièle Thompson, the writer-director of the new drama series “Bardot” had approached BB about five years ago while developing the project. In her reply the actress answered in a very long letter that “she was always unbelievably surprised at how interested people were in her and did not quite understand why she was not left alone for good”. However, much to Thompson’s delight she concluded with “as long as I know that it’s going to be done anyway, I prefer that it’s you who does it”. Bardot rebelled against her strict upbringing and became a global sex symbol, helping ignite a worldwide sexual revolution with the 1956 release of And God Created Woman.
Business
For the second time in three months the world's second-largest economy has cut its key interest rates. As the country struggles to recover form the impact of the pandemic, China's central bank has cut its key interest rates. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) lowered its one-year loan prime rate to 3.45% from 3.55%. The cut comes as other major economies raised rates to tackle rising prices.
The UK’s Prime Minister has been urged by holiday companies to give extra powers to the aviation watchdog to directly fine airlines for service failures. In a joint letter along with consumer organisation Which?, they called for stronger enforcement action if airlines fail to uphold consumer rights around refunds and cancellations. It claims thousands of passengers have been subjected to "unfair treatment". The industry body for airlines said aviation was already highly regulated.
According to reports Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad are among the prominent athletes involved in the launch of The Players Fund, which will be backed by £40m of funding committed by venture capitalists. Ben Stokes, the England Test cricket captain, and former team-mate Stuart Broad are among a group of leading sportsmen backing a new venture capital fund.
And – In the UK thousands of train drivers at 16 operators are to take further strike action next month as part of a yearlong dispute. Members of the ASLEF train driver’s union have announced walkouts on Friday 1 September and overtime bans on Saturday 2 September, disrupting services across Britain.
Sport
Football - England's wait to win a first Women's World Cup title goes on after Spain deservedly triumphed in the final in Sydney winning 1-0. The Lionesses, suffered heartbreak after being outplayed by a Spanish side full of flair and creativity. England's players fell to their knees in tears at the final whistle as Spain celebrated inside their penalty area after dealing with a final corner kick in the 14th minute of nerve-wracking stoppage time.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League on Sunday West Ham United claimed a rousing London derby win against big-spending Chelsea despite playing almost 30 minutes with 10 men. This evening Crystal Palace are at home to Arsenal. Kick off is at 9pm French time.
Rugby Union - Former England fly-half Danny Cipriani said English rugby was "digging its own grave" following Saturday's 29-10 defeat to Ireland. Cipriani criticised the national set-up on social media, saying it was being "led by people who do not understand the art of the game".
Cycling - Welshman Stevie Williams has won the Arctic Race of Norway after finishing 10th on the final stage. France's Clément Champoussin, who was overall second behind Williams, won the stage. But Williams finished in the lead pack in 10th place to secure overall victory.
Weather
An orange heatwave alert is in place for both the Alpes Maritimes and the Var for today and tomorrow. Sunny, with highs of 32 degrees in Nice and Monaco, 33 degrees in Berre les Alpes, 34 degrees in Cannes and 35 degrees in Antibes and Marseille. Reaching 37 degrees in Saint-Tropez. A gentle breeze across the region. This evening going down to 27 degrees in the Alpes Maritimes and 22 degrees in the Var with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Wednesday. The heatwave alert is expected to remain in place for Tuesday with highs of 33-36 degrees. Wednesday remaining sunny with highs of 32-33 degrees.
Sunrise 06.41am
Sunset 08.25pm
Beach Weather
Nice – Sea temperature 26 degrees. Air temperature 31. UV level 8.
Saint-Tropez - Sea temperature 25 degrees. Air temperature 34. UV level 8.
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