News
Ryanair warns of possibly reducing flights to France - The CEO of Ryanair Michael O’Leary has warned that the airline could reduce its services to France even more if the government raises its environment-tax on airline tickets again. This comes after Ryanair already dropped three French airports, Strasbourg, Brive, and Bergerac, from its upcoming winter schedule. Speaking to French media Le Parisien, O’Leary said, “If France’s response is to raise taxes again, then we will further reduce our capacity here.” He pointed out that the affected airports are small and generate low revenue, making them unprofitable. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot responded firmly, rejecting the threats and emphasizing the importance of dialogue. He also noted Ryanair’s profits had doubled in one year and urged the airline to focus on customer service rather than budget critiques.
UK travellers to France may soon need to show return ticket amid new EU passport checks – Meanwhile, from October, British travellers heading to France could be required to show proof of a return ticket and medical insurance, as part of new EU biometric passport controls known as the Exit & Entry System (EES). Currently, French border officials can ask non-EU travellers, including Brits since Brexit, to show proof of accommodation, financial means, a return ticket, and medical cover, but such checks are rare in practice.
The upcoming EES will standardize entry checks with biometric data collection (fingerprints, facial scans) and a pre-registration process at ports or airports. While the exact questions on the form remain unclear, travellers may be asked about their trip’s purpose, length, and accommodation. Travel industry experts warn that more travellers could face these questions under EES, potentially making proof of a return ticket more commonly requested, especially since inconsistent current checks will become more routine.
Second-home owners and visitors who prefer flexible travel plans might be affected, as many currently book return journeys only shortly before departure. However, the EES system does not change existing entry rules but aims to better enforce the 90-day stay limit for non-EU visitors. Passengers with residency or visas are exempt. Implementation starts October 12, though the date could shift. For at least six months, authorities may relax some checks to avoid delays at busy crossings like Dover. British travellers to France should prepare for stricter and more consistent border checks, possibly including a return ticket and proof of medical insurance, once the EES system is fully operational.
Mild earthquake felt across the French Riviera - An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.4 has been felt along the French Riviera. According to Sismoazur the earth tremor occurred early on Monday morning at around 6:40am. The epicentre was located offshore near San Remo, between Bordighera and Bussana, in the Mediterranean Sea, at a depth of 8 kilometres. Despite the relatively low magnitude, the tremors were felt over a wide area, from the Italian Riviera to Cannes. The last noticeable quake in the region occurred on July 30th, when a 3.1-magnitude tremor was recorded near Menton.
Heatwave – Meanwhile, Météo-France, forecasts that the peak of the heatwave is to continue today, Tuesday, August 12th. Already highs of 40.3 degrees have been recorded in the town of Vinon sur Verdon in the Var and Puget-Theniers in the Alpes Maritimes reached 37.6 degrees. The heat is accompanied by a high wildfire risk. Persistent drought across the Mediterranean departments has made vegetation extremely flammable. Authorities urge residents and tourists to remain vigilant and to follow safety guidelines during this period of extreme heat and drought.
33-year-old woman passes away in remote area - A 33-year-old woman has tragically passed away after suffering a medical emergency in a difficult-to-access area near Vallon de Laquet in Montauroux, in the Var region. Emergency services intervened on Monday evening and due to the remote location, reinforcements were dispatched, however despite their efforts the woman was pronounced dead at the scene by the SMUR doctor. The National Gendarmerie has taken over the investigation.
Road accident causes long delays on A8 - An accident has caused major delays on the A8 motorway. The accident occurred westbound on Monday afternoon shortly after 4.30pm in the Canta Galet tunnel between Nice Nord and Saint-Isidore. Motorists faced delays with traffic jams stretching more than 7 kilometres and only one lane open.
Safe Harbor Marinas acquires Monaco Marine - Here in Monaco, Safe Harbor Marinas has completed the acquisition of Monaco Marine, marking its first entry into the European market and expanding its global portfolio to 149 marinas and shipyards. The deal, finalized on July 31st, adds nine prime Mediterranean locations, including Monaco, Saint-Tropez, and Marseille, to the American company’s network. Founded in 1995 Monaco Marine is a leader in superyacht services, specializing in maintenance, full refits, and berthing for vessels up to 90 meters, serving top-tier clients. Industry experts view the move as a key consolidation in the transatlantic superyacht sector, better positioning the group to meet rising demand on both sides of the Atlantic.
New director of service at the Louis XV - Acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse has appointed 31-year-old Giovanni Pitton, as the new director of service at his iconic Louis XV restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco. After four years in Asia managing Ducasse establishments in Singapore and Bangkok, Pitton returns to Monaco, where he previously worked at Le Louis XV from 2017 to 2021. Now leading a 16-person team, he brings a focus on human connection, emphasizing that fine dining is as much about empathy as it is about precision. Known for researching guests in advance to personalize service, Pitton sees hospitality as an art of detail and emotion. For him, the role is more than a job—it's a privilege to shape unforgettable moments in one of the world’s most prestigious dining rooms.
Sir Elton spotted in Nice – And on the subject of unforgettable moments, Sir Elton John, the legendary British singer and adopted Niçois, has been seen dining in style at the weekend at Nespo, the celebrity-favourite restaurant located on Boulevard Victor-Hugo in Nice. The 78-year-old icon took a moment to personally share his delight with Sébastien Nespolo, owner of the establishment, after enjoying a gourmet meal claiming his meal was “eleven out of ten!” A regular on the French Riviera, Elton John owns a home on Mont Boron, where he often retreats to relax.
The Beckhams continue to soak up the sun on the Riviera - Meanwhile close friends of Elton the Beckhams have been seen continuing their summer getaway on the Côte d’Azur and in the Var! After stops in Saint-Tropez, Villefranche, and Antibes, David, Victoria, and their children made a delicious detour to Lorgues, in the heart of the Var. Their destination? The legendary Chez Bruno, a family-run truffle restaurant renowned throughout the region.
Business
The US and China have agreed to extend their tariff truce until November the 10th. The news came just hours before a planned hike in duties was due to take effect. Under the deal, the US will keep tariffs on Chinese goods at 30%, while China maintains a 10% tariff on American products. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to formalize the extension following "constructive" talks last month. China welcomed the move, emphasizing cooperation over conflict.
Despite the truce, trade between the two countries has slowed sharply this year, with US imports from China down nearly 50% compared to last June, and exports to China falling by about 20% in the first half of 2025. The extension aims to stabilize the volatile trade relationship amid ongoing disputes over technology sales, rare earth resources, and market access.
US President Donald Trump has nominated EJ Antoni, to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) after firing its previous commissioner over disputed jobs data. Trump praised Antoni as someone who will ensure the agency’s numbers are “honest and accurate.” Antoni has been a vocal critic of the BLS, calling some statistics “phoney baloney” and advocating major reforms. The Senate must confirm the appointment.
And - AOL is ending its iconic dial-up internet service, which connected homes across the US and Canada for more than three decades. The service, known for its distinctive start-up sound, will be discontinued on September the 30th. Once a pioneer in bringing millions online, with over 30 million subscribers in 2001, dial-up has long been overtaken by faster broadband alternatives. According to 2023 data, fewer than 300,000 Americans still rely solely on dial-up, compared to more than 300 million with broadband.
Sport
Football - For the first time ever, a European league football match could be played outside its home country. Villarreal’s La Liga game against Barcelona in December is set to take place in the United States, pending approval from FIFA and UEFA. The Spanish football federation has approved plans to move the match from Villarreal’s home stadium to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This stadium will also host several matches during the 2026 World Cup.
If given the green light, this would be the first time a regular European league game is held abroad. The move aims to boost international interest but has sparked strong opposition from Spanish football fan groups, who have called for legal action to stop it. Similar one-off matches, like the Italian and Spanish Super Cups, have been played overseas before. However, FIFA currently prohibits domestic league matches abroad, though it is reviewing this rule. The RFEF will now seek final permission from FIFA and UEFA before confirming the fixture’s new location.
Athletics - Great Britain’s Innes Fitzgerald completed a long-distance double by winning the 3,000m at the European Under-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland. The 19-year-old, who had already claimed the 5,000m title earlier in the week, finished the 3,000m in 8:46.39 — breaking a 32-year-old championship record and beating Sweden’s silver medallist by over 22 seconds. Fitzgerald recently broke Zola Budd’s European Under-20 5,000m record and is aiming for a place at this month’s World Championships in Tokyo. She is awaiting final selection after finishing third at the British Championships. Next, she plans to compete in the Diamond League meeting in Brussels.
Skiing - Two Norwegian ski jumpers and Olympic medallists Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang, along with three team officials, have been charged with equipment manipulation by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The charges relate to the use of reinforced thread in their jumpsuits during the men’s large hill event at the World Ski Championships in March. Both athletes were disqualified after an equipment inspection, despite originally finishing second and fourth.
Weather
Fine and sunny with an orange heatwave alert in place. Highs of 33 degrees in Nice, 32 degrees in Monaco, reaching 39 degrees inland in the Alpes Maritimes with thundery showers forecast. A gentle breeze in the Alpes Maritimes with winds picking up in the Var region by this afternoon. 36 degrees in Saint-Tropez, 34 degrees in Cannes and 35 degrees in Toulon. This evening going down to 26 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Thursday, remaining much the same with hazy sunshine and highs of 38 degrees along the coast. By Thursday afternoon thundery showers are expected to reach the coastline, but temperatures remaining high with 34 degrees in Nice and 37 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Sunrise 06.31am
Sunset 08.38pm
Weather elsewhere
Palma 32° sunny.
New York 31° sunny.
London 31° sunny.
Beach weather
Nice: Expect hot, dry conditions with air temperatures around 31 °C (88 °F). Due to the orange alert for extreme heat, stay hydrated and avoid peak sun hours.
Saint‑Tropez: Warm and sunny, with highs nearing 33 °C, and a very high UV index of 8.
Sea temperatures: Nice: Approximately 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) — perfect for swimming
Saint‑Tropez: Around 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) — also very comfortable
And Finally
A third of Brits have argued with their neighbours, usually over noise, parking, nosey curtain-twitchers, barking dogs, trampoline invasions or overflowing bins. Noise is the top complaint, with younger people most annoyed by it—but it’s actually the over-55s who get into the most neighbourly spats. People in the Southeast of the UK are the most hot-headed, and many are now checking out neighbours before they move in, some even doing drive-by at different times of day. Asking for a Wi-Fi password is apparently a red flag. And here's a fun fact: the word “neighbour” comes from Old English for “near dweller”, so no surprise that the closer we live, the more likely we are to fall out.
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