News
Search continues after luxury yacht sank - Authorities have continued their search into the night after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of the Italian island of Sicily in the early hours of Monday morning. British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter are among the six people missing. The 56m (183ft) vessel was carrying 22 people including British, American and Canadian nationals. Fifteen people were rescued, including a one-year-old British girl. Local media reported the yacht, named Bayesian, capsized at about 05:00 local time after encountering a heavy storm overnight that caused waterspouts, or rotating columns of air, to appear over the sea. Divers have identified a wreckage 50m below the water's surface and are searching for those missing.
Attempt to break political deadlock – In other news, French President Emmanuel Macron is to meet French party and parliamentary leaders this week for negotiations to break the political deadlock over who should form a new government. Since the July general election France has been led by a caretaker administration as the election failed to leave any party with a working majority in the national assembly. Macron is under pressure to appoint a new prime minister before the opening of the Paralympic Games on 28 August.
Local News
Forest areas closed due to fire risk - Due to the risk of wildfires the Vaucluse region has restricted access to three forest areas. Nine other areas have reopened under strict fire safety rules. Seven forest massifs in Bouches-du-Rhône are closed, while others remain accessible with precautions, similar to the Var region. Firefighter reinforcements are in place. In case of fire, call 18 or 112.
Popular site closed ahead of expected super blue moon - A popular site for stargazers here on the Côte d’Azur has had to be closed to avoid overcrowding. The Côte d'Azur Observatory indicated that access to its site would be prohibited on Monday evening ahead of the super blue moon which was expected to attract many visitors. Monday, August 19, coincided with the "super blue moon". The term was invented in 1979 by astrologer Richard Nolle to define a state where the Moon "is 90% of its closest position to Earth".
Prince’s carabiners create anti-jellyfish net - The Prince's carabineers here in Monaco have created an anti-jellyfish net for Noam Yaron who set off on Monday swimming from Monaco to Calvi. An unusual mission for the prince’s carabineers the 27-year-old Swiss hopes to establish an open water record.
Book Fair - Monaco is preparing for its annual book fair which this year for its 13th edition, will welcome some 145 authors to the Grimaldi Forum. A mix of well-known and less well-known writers as well as beginners will be present to meet and discuss their work. In addition, high school students from the Principality, who participated in a writing competition, will also be invited. Entrance is free from 10am to 6pm and it’s being held on the 7th and 8th of September.
Princess Charlene Water Bike Challenge - Meanwhile, just ahead of the book fair this year’s charity water bike challenge crossing from Calvi to Monaco will be held in support of the Princess Charlene Foundation. Five teams of four athletes will set off on September 6th from the Quai d'honneur of the port of Calvi to begin a 180-kilometer crossing with Monaco and its Larvotto beach as the horizon. The participants will be announced soon. In addition to the sporting aspect, the Princess Charlene Foundation also organizes this challenge to raise funds and raise public awareness of its programs dedicated to learning to swim and preventing drowning. Sadly, a very topical subject this summer in our region.
Nice Jazz Festival – Finally, the Nice Jazz Festival gets underway this evening with a brand-new look. The event has doubled its capacity to 12,000 spectators and introduced a special area for children. The more ambitious formula will see 24 concerts be held on two stages at Massena from today until Friday August 23rd.
Business
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is proposing to increase the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% if she wins a November election against Republican rival Donald Trump. Harris campaign spokesperson James Singer said the move would be part of "a fiscally responsible way to put money back in the pockets of working people and ensure billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share."
Meanwhile, Donald Trump the Republican presidential candidate said on Monday that if elected he would consider ending a $7,500 tax credit for electric-vehicle purchases and that he would be open to naming Tesla CEO Elon Musk to a cabinet or advisory role. In an interview Trump told reporters "Tax credits and tax incentives are not generally a very good thing”.
And – In the UK the government has said that giving workers the "right to switch off" is key to productivity and could boost growth. Labour has promised to give employees the right to ignore work-related calls and emails out of hours, so homes do not become "24/7 offices". Ministers are looking at models in other countries where there is already a right to disconnect, such as Ireland and Belgium.
Sport
Football - Brighton have completed the signing of French forward Georginio Rutter for a club record fee of £40m from Leeds. The 22-year-old joins the Seagulls on a five-year contract.
And - Thierry Henry has resigned from his position as France Under-21s manager after leading his country to a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics. The 47-year-old signed a two-year deal to manage the side in 2023.
In the English Premier League on Monday evening Leicester City drew 1-1 against Tottenham.
Cricket - The World Cricketers' Association (WCA) has launched a review of its set-up. After referring to the global game's structure and schedule as "broken and unsustainable". Cricket's global players' union says there is "no clarity" on the interplay between the international and domestic game.
Cycling - Belgium's Wout van Aert retained his overall lead at the Vuelta a Espana with a powerful sprint finish to win stage three on Monday.
Weather
Mainly fine with a gentle breeze. Highs of 29 degrees in Nice, Monaco, Mougins and Antibes. 30 degrees in Saint-Tropez, 31 degrees in Toulon reaching 33 degrees in Marseille. This evening going down to 21 degrees along the coast with clear skies.
The outlook for Wednesday and Thursday, remaining fine and sunny with highs of 31 degrees. Strong winds are forecast for Wednesday west of the Var region.
Sunrise 06.40am
Sunset 08.25pm
Beach weather
Sea temperature in Hyeres 27°
Air temperature 29° and sunny.
UV level 7
Weather elsewhere
Palma 29° sunny.
Liverpool 18° light rain.
Sydney 20° sunny.
And Finally
A passionate walker has managed to collect two million smiles. Nicknamed “Mr Smile”, for 90 days, Gaétan Bohler from Alsace, has been walking with the aim of collecting smiles. With a very specific route on his way he tries to collect smiles from people, with whom he takes selfies which he then posts on his social network. His love story with walking began five years ago. At the time, Gaétan Bohler was self-employed in the field of management training. One day, he was inspired by his children. "My son said to me 'Dad, you're fat and not athletic' and my daughter said to me 'The world is big, life is small'".
As a result, he bought a backpack and walking shoes. Without having particularly trained to walk long distances, he started by crossing Corsica, the Pyrenees, and also the Alps. Having embarked on this unique sporting adventure, he stopped working at the age of 57. Every year, he goes walking for at least three months. He declares I am the happiest person in the world!
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