News
France battles largest wildfire since 1949 - A devastating wildfire in southern France has destroyed over 15,000 hectares, making it the country’s worst blaze since 1949. French Prime Minister François Bayrou described it as a “catastrophe on an unprecedented scale,” blaming climate change and severe drought. The area burning is the Corbières massif, which lies between Carcassonne and Narbonne. One woman has died, one person is missing, and at least 13 others are injured. Over 2,150 firefighters and water-bombing aircraft are battling the flames. High winds, scorching temperatures, and dry vegetation are fuelling the fire. More than 25 homes have been destroyed, 2,500 households are without electricity, and thousands have been evacuated. Smoke is visible from space and has impacted air quality up to 30km away. Authorities warn the fire could continue burning for several more days.
Canadian wildfire smoke reaches southern France - Meanwhile, smoke from Canadian wildfires has reached the Côte d’Azur and the Var, adding to haze already present from the Aude wildfire. Météo-France reports two visible smoke plumes via satellite: a dense local one from Aude and a lighter, widespread one from Canada. Atmospheric currents have carried the Canadian smoke thousands of kilometres across the Atlantic, a phenomenon last seen in 2023. Canada is enduring one of its worst wildfire seasons, with extreme heat and drought contributing to massive carbon emissions. So far this year, Canadian wildfires have released 180 megatons of carbon, just below 2023’s record. The smoke has also affected air quality in the northeastern U.S. and is now impacting parts of southern France.
Heatwave alert issued for the Var and the Côte d’Azur - A fresh heatwave is set to grip France from today, Thursday, 7th of August, with the southwest and Lyon regions among the hardest hit. Météo-France has placed 16 departments on yellow heatwave alert, with orange alerts possible by Friday. In the Var and Alpes-Maritimes temperatures will rise to between 32–34°C inland and 30°C along the coast. Friday, up to 36°C inland, 32°C in Alpes-Maritimes, with warm nights at around 20°C. The weekend: similar conditions are expected through to Sunday. Officials warn the ongoing drought, and high temperatures significantly increases the risk of wildfires, especially inland.
Bouygues Telecom hit by cyberattack affecting 6.4 million customer accounts - Bouygues Telecom has announced a cyberattack that compromised data from 6.4 million customer accounts. The stolen information also includes personal details and contractual data, but the company confirmed that bank card numbers and account passwords were not affected. All impacted customers have been or will be notified via email or SMS. Bouygues Telecom warned of potential fraud attempts. The breach, detected this week, has since been resolved, and Bouygues Telecom has filed a complaint with judicial authorities and informed the French data protection agency the CNIL.
Armed robbery in Grasse: €20,000 stolen - A 26-year-old man has been robbed at gunpoint in his home in Grasse during the night. The incident occurred on August 2nd three suspects, one armed, reportedly forced entry and stole an estimated €20,000 in cash. Authorities believe the robbers may have known about the cash beforehand. The Grasse prosecutor has confirmed an investigation is underway. The victim has filed an official report.
Puget-Théniers waste dumping case: all defendants cleared - The Nice criminal court has acquitted all six defendants in the Puget-Théniers illegal waste case, ending a legal battle that lasted over two years. The case began in 2023 when an environmental officer reported and accused a council worker of dumping street debris near the Var River. The environmental group France Nature Environnement claimed 312 tonnes of waste had been dumped. Former mayor Robert Velay, current mayor Pierre Corporandy, and others were charged. Prosecutors sought suspended jail terms and fines, including €100,000 for the commune. However, the court ruled there was no clear evidence of deliberate illegal dumping and found the commune could not be held to the same legal standards as private companies. Defence lawyers welcomed the verdict, hoping it will restore the town’s reputation. The prosecution may still appeal.
Isola 2000 hill climb race cancelled - France’s highest-altitude hill climb race at Isola 2000 has been cancelled due to a lack of entries and funding. Organisers confirmed the event, scheduled for 9–10 August, could not proceed after only 50 drivers signed up, well below the 100 allowed. Rising costs and limited support have discouraged participants. The cancellation is a further setback for Isola 2000, which already suffered from a 13-day closure this summer which had a negative impact on local businesses.
Unclaimed money worth €7 billion sitting at France’s Caisse des Dépôts – Finally, French media has reported that as of August 2025, millions of French citizens may be unaware that they have unclaimed money totalling around €7 billion held by the Caisse des Dépôts, a public institution that manages savings, insurance, and retirement funds. This forgotten money comes from dormant bank accounts, life insurance policies, and employee savings plans that have been inactive for over ten years. Last year alone, nearly 94,000 people successfully recovered an average of €1,573 each by checking their status online. To find out if you have any unclaimed funds, simply visit the Caisse des Dépôts’ website, Cyclade, and enter your name and birthdate. After 30 years of inactivity, unclaimed money is transferred to the French government.
Business
US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order imposing an extra 25% tariff on Indian imports due to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, bringing the total US tariff on Indian goods to 50%, one of the highest rates globally. The new tariff takes effect on August 27th. India’s Foreign Ministry condemned the move as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” emphasizing that other countries also buy Russian oil and stating India will protect its national interests. Trump had previously criticized India for supporting Russia amid the Ukraine conflict.
The Italian government has given final approval to a €13.5 billion plan to build the world’s longest suspension bridge over the Strait of Messina, linking Sicily to Calabria. The 3.3km (2-mile) bridge will feature two 400-meter towers, carry three lanes of traffic on each side, and include two railway lines in the middle. Designed to withstand earthquakes, the project aims to boost the economy of two of Europe’s poorest regions by creating 120,000 jobs annually. The project still requires approval from Italy’s Court of Auditors, environmental authorities, and local consultations, with opponents warning it could divert funds from essential services and harm the environment. Construction is expected to be completed between 2032 and 2033 if it proceeds as planned.
And – The UK government has announced plans to tighten regulations on non-surgical cosmetic procedures to protect people from dangerous, unqualified practitioners. Only qualified health professionals will be allowed to perform high-risk treatments, while clinics must meet strict licensing standards to offer fillers and Botox. Age restrictions will also protect under-18s from harmful beauty trends promoted on social media. The government aims to regulate the most dangerous treatments first and introduce a licensing scheme for safer procedures, although the measures may take years to implement after public consultation and parliamentary approval. The UK’s Health Minister Karin Smyth described the industry as a “Wild West” of unsafe practices.
Sport
Football - OGC Nice have suffered a setback in their quest to qualify for the Champions League after losing 2-0 at home to Benfica in the first leg of the third qualifying round on Wednesday evening at Allianz Riviera. Despite holding their own in the first half, the French side lacked the cutting edge to trouble the Portuguese giants. The visitors sealed a late win. With the return leg scheduled for 12 August in Lisbon, Nice face a tough challenge to overturn the deficit and keep their Champions League ambitions alive.
Meanwhile, AS Monaco will host European vice-champions Inter Milan tomorrow Friday, August 8th at 8:00 p.m. at the Stade Louis II, in their final pre-season match before the Ligue 1 season kicks off. The friendly marks a rematch of last season’s Champions’ League group stage clash, where Monaco suffered a 3-0 defeat in Milan. Monaco have shown promising form in pre-season, including a 5-0 win over Coventry City. Season ticket holders can attend the Inter match free of charge, subject to availability.
Formula One - Formula 1 will keep the controversial mandatory two-stop tyre rule for the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, despite criticism after its 2025 debut. The rule requires each driver to use at least three sets of tyres, including two different dry-weather specifications, unlike other races which only require two. Introduced to encourage more overtaking on the tight street circuit, it instead led to strategic blocking tactics that frustrated drivers like Carlos Sainz and George Russell. The FIA confirmed the rule in the 2026 sporting regulations, with strict penalties including disqualification or heavy time penalties for breaches.
Tennis - The 2025 US Open will offer the largest prize fund in tennis history, with a total prize money of $90 million (£67.4m). The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive $5 million (£3.7m), a 39% increase from last year. First-round singles losers will take home $110,000 (£82,400), up 10%, while doubles prize money has risen 23% to $4.78 million (£3.6m). For the first time, doubles and mixed doubles winners will earn $1 million (£749,000) per team. The tournament is also allocating $5 million (£3.7m) for player expenses, and qualifying rounds will see a 10% boost, with $8 million (£6m) on offer. The 2025 US Open runs from 24 August to 7 September at Flushing Meadows, New York.
Weather
Météo-France has issued a yellow heatwave alert for 16 departments, mainly in the southwest and around Lyon, with a possible upgrade to orange by Friday. In the Var and Alpes-Maritimes, temperatures are set to rise sharply, reaching 32 to 34 degrees today in the Var and around 30 on the Côte d’Azur. By Friday, highs could reach up to 36 degrees inland and 32 in the Alpes-Maritimes, with similar hot conditions continuing through the weekend. Nights will remain warm, and authorities are urging caution due to ongoing drought and elevated fire risk. The forecast remains fine and sunny with a light breeze.
Sunrise 06.25am
Sunset 08.45pm
Weather elsewhere
London 22° sunny intervals
Paris 29° sunny light winds.
Bordeaux 35° sunny.
Beach weather
Sunny and hot beach conditions are expected in both Saint-Tropez and Nice over the coming days. Air temperatures will reach around 28°C today in Saint-Tropez, rising to 30–32°C over the weekend, while Nice will see highs of 30°C today, climbing to 32–34°C by Sunday. Sea temperatures are warm and inviting, around 24–25°C in both locations. The UV index is very high, peaking between 8 and 9, so sun protection is essential.
And Finally
Alex Butler, a 15-year-old from Seattle, has become a millionaire after selling his hit card game Taco vs. Burrito, which he invented at age 7, to major toy company PlayMonster. The quirky strategy game, where players build the highest-value meal, started as a fun idea during family game nights. With help from his entrepreneur mom, the family launched a Kickstarter, raised $25,000, and built a business. In its first year on Amazon, the game made nearly $1.1 million and has since sold 1.5 million copies. PlayMonster CEO Jonathan Berkowitz said he was amazed a child created the game, praising its fun, family-friendly design. A collector's edition is set to launch in November. Alex, who owns the majority share of the now-sold company, is now working with his parents to invest the money, but says he’d also like to buy a Lamborghini.
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