News
Heatwave - A heatwave is expected to affect our region in the coming days, with highs of 35 degrees forecast for the Var and the Alpes Maritimes. After cooler temperatures in recent weeks, a wave of heat from western Europe, is expected to arrive lasting through until Sunday 13th August. Elsewhere the highest temperatures are expected in Biarritz with 37°C, Perpignan, Toulouse with 36°C, and Montpellier, Marseille and Nice with 35°C.
Eleven people die in fire at holiday home - French President Emmanuel Macron has said that his thoughts are with the victims and their families and thanked the emergency services for responding to the "tragedy", following a fire which destroyed a holiday home hosting people with learning disabilities in eastern France. Eleven bodies have been found after nearly 80 firefighters were alerted at 6.30am on Wednesday. The fire has now been extinguished, but its cause is not yet clear. Seventeen people were evacuated from the building, with at least one person taken to hospital.
Investigation following fatal accident on A8 - An investigation has been opened for manslaughter following a fatal accident on the A8 motorway. The accident which occurred on Monday evening near the Nice-Est exit heading westbound near La Trinité, claimed the life of a 47-year-old father, who was at the time driving a two-wheeler. Two motorists have been in police custody since Monday evening as part of the investigation.
Young child saved after nearly drowning in private pool - A three-year-old child has been rescued after nearly drowning in a private swimming pool in Le Thoronet in the Var. Emergency services intervened at around 3.30pm on Wednesday after the child was seen in difficulty by witnesses, who managed to provide emergency first aid while waiting for the emergency services. Each summer, various surveys report an increase in drownings in France. Results indicate that accidental drownings concern all places and all ages, drownings in swimming pools mainly concern young children. Here in the Principality the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation launched in 2012 sets itself with the primary objective of saving lives by having a global impact on drowning statistics. Its missions are to raise public awareness about the dangers of water, teach children preventive measures and teach them to swim. For more information go to https://www.fondationprincessecharlene.mc/en
Statue vandalised for a third time - The statue of Jacques Chirac in Nice has been vandalized for a third time. Installed in February 2020 the statue of the former French President Jacques Chirac has once again had two fingers ripped off its right hand. Neither the author nor the date of the act have yet been identified. The City of Nice has announced that it is filing a complaint, denouncing an "unacceptable act of vandalism" and has immediately called on the artist Patrick Frega to "intervene as soon as possible".
Clean air stickers - Drivers from the UK travelling to France have been warned that they need to display a clean air sticker in their car to enter several cities, including Paris. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to 180 euros. The stickers, known as Crit'Air vignettes, come in six categories, from green for the cleanest vehicles to dark grey for the most polluting. Drivers must apply for the stickers via the official French government website.
Sale of alcohol banned - The sale of alcohol has been banned outside the Allianz Riviera before all OGC Nice football matches. The decree comes into force for the team’s first game of the season this Friday against Lille. The ban does not affect licenced bars, terraces, or restaurants near the stadium.
Property sales - Property sales on the Cote d’Azur are showing signs of a slow down due to rocketing mortgage rates. Figures from Notaries de France also show the effect of Brexit where sales to British expats are now exceeded by those to Belgians. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region is the most popular of all French regions with overseas buyers, who represent almost 4% of transactions.
Drop in crime - The Mayor of Antibes/Juan-les-Pins has welcomed a drop in crime in the area this summer. A meeting at the mairie noted the more frequent crimes this summer are the theft of tourist towels from beaches and petty fights between teenagers. While there have been some more serious thefts of luxury watches from people’s wrists, it is still rare in Antibes and nothing near levels being experienced in Cannes.
Busy weekend on the roads in France - Finally, traffic on French roads has been classified as orange from this Friday with another busy weekend ahead of the long weekend due to celebrations on Tuesday August 15th, an important date in the Catholic Church’s calendar with the Assumption of the Virgin, which commemorates the day the Virgin Mary entered heaven and also corresponding to the Liberation of France in 1944.
Business
Tension continues between the US and China as the US government announced plans to require American companies to disclose investments, they make in China in high-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence. The move which gives the government new power to screen foreign dealings and investments by private companies, has been described as “very disappointing” by China.
Meanwhile, Canada has said that it has detected a misinformation campaign targeting a member of its parliament on the Chinese instant-messaging app WeChat. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said it is "highly probable" that China was behind the WeChat campaign. China has denied the accusations.
And - As it struggles to revive its business, Disney is raising prices and expanding adverts in its streaming service. The entertainment giant plans to raise prices for its ad-free streaming service in the US this fall and will launch Disney+ with advertisements in Canada, the UK and Europe in November.
Sport
Cycling - Great Britain's Emma Finucane has claimed her first major title as she took gold in the women's sprint at the Cycling World Championships in Glasgow. Finucane put in a superb ride to beat Germany's Lea Friedrich in the first two races of their best-of-three final. The 20-year-old's solo success came after she helped the British team to women's team sprint silver on Thursday. Finucane becomes the first British winner in the discipline since Becky James' triumph in 2013.
Rugby Union - Warren Gatland has made 15 changes to the team that defeated England 20-9 in Cardiff. Lake will lead Wales for the first time after taking over the captaincy from Jac Morgan. Saturday’s World Cup warm up matches will see England play Wales at 6.30pm French time and France face Scotland at 9pm French time.
Football – In the Women’s World Cup tomorrow Friday 11th August Spain play the Netherlands and Japan play Sweden.
Weather
Fine with highs of 25 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Menton. 26 degrees in Saint-Tropez. 27 degrees in Toulon. A moderate breeze. This evening going down to 19 degrees along the coast in the Alpes Maritimes and 16 degrees in the Var with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and the weekend, remaining fine with temperatures rising reaching 35 degrees in places in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region.
Sunrise 06.28am
Sunset 08.42pm
Beach weather
Nice - Sea temperature is 23 degrees. Air temperature 24 degrees. UV level 9.
Monaco – Sea temperature is 22 degrees. Air temperature 25 degrees. UV level 9.
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