News
Disruptions at Nice International Airport - Nice International Airport has faced serious disruptions after a security scanner broke down. Around 2,000 passengers who were left waiting to board on Monday evening were forced to leave the departure lounge and go through security checks again. The incident caused widespread delays. Many shops closed early and the departure area was evacuated amid heightened security. Two flights were cancelled by 9:30pm, with 30 flights affected overall. Airport officials said the issue was a malfunction of a device that detects prohibited items. They later reassured passengers that the problem was under control and extra staff had been brought in to help.
Man struck and killed by a train – In other local news, there has been yet another fatal incident on our region’s train network after a man was struck and killed by a train at Antibes station on Monday afternoon. Emergency services confirmed the fatal incident but have not released further details. Train services on the line were suspended until 8pm, with delays and cancellations.
Two teenagers rescued - Meanwhile, two teenagers aged 15 and 16 have been rescued after struggling in the water at an unsupervised beach in Cannes. The incident happened at around 7:30pm on Monday evening both were taken to hospital, the younger in a serious condition to Nice’s Lenval Hospital, the other with less severe injuries to Cannes’ Simone-Veil Hospital. The exact cause of the near drowning is still unclear, though strong gusty winds in the area may have played a role.
Forest areas remain on high alert – Five forest areas in the Var region are closed due to a "very severe" fire risk (red alert). Access and circulation is banned in the Monts Toulonnais, Sainte-Baume, Corniche des Maures, the Maures, and the Esterel. Other forest areas in the Var remain under a "severe" risk (orange alert), with access discouraged.
Fire extinguished near A8 motorway - Indeed, on Monday evening at around 10pm firefighters intervened following a forest fire near the A8 motorway in Fréjus in the Var. By 11pm, the fire had been extinguished after destroying about 1,000m² of land. A drone unit was deployed to assist firefighters in securing the area.
Beach closures – Meanwhile, following heavy overnight rain on Sunday evening, several beaches in the Var region are closed as a precaution due to water quality concerns. In Saint-Tropez, all beaches except Les Salins are off-limits for swimming. Cavalaire has banned swimming at several beaches after poor water test results. Swimming is also prohibited at the beach in Cogolin and at several spots in Ramatuelle and tests continue in La Croix-Valmer. Despite not being able to go in the sea, beach access remains open, and businesses are operating as usual.
Monaco expands its smoking ban - Monaco has expanded its smoking ban to include more public spaces like beaches, pools, playgrounds, and places where minors are present. The new law, passed in May 2025, also bans disposable e-cigarettes and raises the legal age to buy tobacco to 18. The goal is to protect public health, especially children, and reduce environmental harm. Enforcement will involve fines and inspections, while public awareness campaigns are planned to support the changes.
Nice Jazz Festival - The Nice Jazz Fest returns this Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th July 2025, featuring around 30 artists across two stages in Jardin 1er Albert. Headliners include local singer Santa, global stars Raye and Jorja Smith. Tickets remain available, with two-day passes priced at €80 and a full four-day pass at €160. Single-day tickets cost €45. The 2024 festival drew 40,000 spectators, and this year’s event promises another great show. For more information go to the Jazz Festival website.
Summer Sales your last chance to grab a bargain - The 2025 summer sales end in France today Tuesday 22nd July, with a sales drop of 5% compared to last year. Retailers are now offering their biggest discounts to clear stock. Shop windows show reductions of 30%, 50%, sometimes even 70%. While haggling is rare in stores, some independent shops are willing to offer extra discounts, especially if you buy several items. This year’s slower sales mean retailers are more open to negotiation as the sales draw to a close.
Kids entertainment during the summer holiday’s - Finally, if you are running out of ideas on how to entertain the children during the school holidays, then you may want to know that Monaco’s Summer Village on Port Hercule is running daily from 4pm to 10:30pm until the 24th of August. Visitors can enjoy karting, basketball, a carousel, duck fishing, ninja box, trampolines, food stalls, and the AS Monaco village. New attractions include a canoe river, temporary tattoo stands, and a theatre workshop linked to the Grimaldi Forum exhibition. Fireworks shows are scheduled for the 26th of July and the 9th of August at around 10:30pm, with inflatable castles available from 6pm.
Business
Gabriel Attal, once France’s youngest ever prime minister and now leader of the Renaissance party, has unveiled ambitious plans to boost French incomes ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He aims to raise the median French salary from €2,183 to €3,000 per month, matching American levels, within 10 to 20 years by driving a “productivity shock.” Attal also wants to create 2 million new jobs, including 500,000 in industry, to tackle rising unemployment, which could reach 9% by 2027. The party plans to encourage long-term private investment, reduce production taxes, and cut energy costs to €50 per megawatt-hour. They propose a European-wide industrial policy and protections against Chinese competition.
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music company behind stars such as Taylor Swift, Drake, and Lady Gaga, has filed to sell shares in the US. Already listed in the Netherlands with a market value near €50 billion (£44 billion), UMG’s move aims to tap into the US market. The filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is confidential, meaning details on the size and potential funds raised remain undisclosed. The offering still awaits SEC approval. UMG owns historic labels such as Motown and Capitol Music Group and recently resolved a high-profile royalty dispute with TikTok, which had temporarily muted its music on the platform.
And - Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has said the airline is considering raising the €1.50 (£1.30) bonus paid to staff who spot passengers trying to bring oversized bags on board. The airline wants to tackle delays caused by oversized luggage and said over 99% of passengers comply with its baggage rules. Passengers can be charged up to £75 for bags larger than allowed, with carry-on size limits soon set to increase following new EU standards.
Sport
Tennis - Venus Williams has marked her return to tennis with a straight-sets doubles win at the Washington Open, 16 months after her last competitive match. The 45-year-old, playing with fellow American Hailey Baptiste, beat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1 to reach the last 16. The former world No.1, who last won a match in August 2023, was playing doubles for the first time in three years. Joking about her new partner, she quipped: “Serena was just in the way.”
Football – English football is set for major reform after a bill to establish an independent regulator became law, in what fans and officials have called a “historic moment.” The Football Governance Act, which passed on Monday, will create a regulator to oversee clubs across the top five divisions of the men’s game in England. It aims to improve financial sustainability and prevent breakaway leagues like the proposed European Super League in 2021. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the move as a “defining moment” for the sport, promising a “stronger, fairer future.” The new body will launch later this year, with clubs to be consulted before changes take effect.
And - Bryan Mbeumo has completed a high-profile move to Manchester United from Brentford in a deal worth an initial £65 million, calling it a dream come true. The 25-year-old winger has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option to extend for a further year. The transfer ends one of the summer’s longest-running sagas, coming seven weeks after United's initial bid for the Cameroon international.
Finally, England face Italy this evening in the Women’s Euro 2025 semi-final kick off is at 9pm French time.
Cricket - England batter Harry Brook has revealed head coach Brendon McCullum urged the team to shed their “too nice” image ahead of their dramatic third Test win over India at Lord’s. The 22-run victory was marked by several heated exchanges, including accusations of time-wasting, animated celebrations, and on-field confrontations. England’s aggressive approach paid off as they bowled India out for 170 to level the series.
Formula One - McLaren CEO Zak Brown says he is "not surprised" by Christian Horner’s sacking as Red Bull team principal, though he admitted the timing caught him off guard. Horner was dismissed on 9 July, just days after Max Verstappen finished fifth at the British Grand Prix. Red Bull has not given a reason for Horner’s exit. His departure follows ongoing internal unrest, including past allegations of misconduct, which he denies, and Red Bull's investigations dismissed.
Weather
Sunny with a moderate breeze, highs of 28 degrees in Monaco and Nice, 29 degrees in Toulon, 27 degrees just across the border in San Remo, 30 degrees in Cannes and Marseille and reaching 31 degrees in Saint-Tropez. This evening going down to 20 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Thursday, remaining fine with some cloudy patches and possible showers inland tomorrow evening. Highs of 28 degrees.
Sunrise 06.08am
Sunset 09.04pm
Weather elsewhere
Sydney 19° sunny intervals.
Dublin 19° thundery showers.
Liverpool 16° light rain.
Beach weather
Marseille – Air temperature 25 degrees feels like 30 degrees. Sea temperature 23 degrees. Strong winds by this afternoon. UV level is 8.
Saint-Tropez – Air temperature 31 degrees feels like 34 degrees. Sea temperature 26 degrees. Strong winds by this afternoon. UV level is 8.
And Finally...
Language experts are warning holidaymakers in Spain to be careful with certain common Spanish phrases that often get hilariously lost in translation. Saying “estoy caliente” might not mean you're feeling the heat, it actually means you're feeling aroused. Likewise, “embarazada” doesn’t mean embarrassed — it means pregnant. And forget the movie clichés: “hasta la vista” isn’t really used. Stick to “adiós” if you want to sound like a local.
The Var department is under very severe wildfire risk today, Tuesday, the 22nd of July, due to dry vegetation and strong winds. ...
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The Monaco government has decided to postpone the introduction of its Restricted Traffic Zone (ZTL) scheme, originally set to begin this summer....
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Train traffic was halted this Tuesday morning, July 22, between Le Bosquet (Cannes) and Grasse due to an obstruction on the tracks near Mouans-Sartoux...
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Parts of the Alpes-Maritimes and Var could be underwater by the end of the century, according to new data from the French Geological Survey (BRGM) and...
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Nice International Airport has faced serious disruptions after a security scanner broke down. Around 2,000 passengers who were left waiting to board o...
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