News
French President suggests that bad parenting played a role in recent urban unrest - French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested, that poor parenting was part of the reason that France recently saw teenagers take to the streets in urban unrest over the police shooting of a teenager, adding that France needs a return to authority “at every level”. In his first interview since the unrest Emmanuel Macron condemned what he called the “indescribable violence” of the clashes on the streets, including “the burning of schools, city halls, gyms and libraries” and “the violence of looting”. At the time of the killing many accused the French government of allowing a culture of institutional racism in the police to fester. The officer who fired at the teenager has been charged with voluntary homicide and jailed awaiting trial.
Red level alert for forest fires in the Bouches-du-Rhone - Meteo France has placed the Bouches-du-Rhone region on a red level alert for forest fires today, Tuesday 25th July. The red alert is the highest out of the four alert levels for forest fires and it’s the first time that is had been issued by Meteo France since the system was introduced. The Vaucluse and the Var region are on an orange level alert for forest fires. Meteo France warns that in the Bouches du Rhone temperatures are expected to approach 30 degrees with winds of about 70km per hour at times. 19 forest areas have been closed to the public.
Meanwhile on Monday, strong gusts hit eastern France and Switzerland. One death was reported on the Swiss side as firefighters intervened in gusts of up to 217km/h.
Corsica takes measures to prevent overcrowding - Bonifacio, in Corsica, is trying to fight against over tourism by inviting visitors in June and October. The authorities want to act before overcrowding scares away tourists and damages the natural surroundings. The town hall in partnership with the tourist office of Bonifacio has changed its website and its brochures for next year to convince visitors to postpone their trip, encouraging mid-season tourism.
Monaco adopts measures as part of its energy plan - Monaco has adopted new measures concerning public and private lighting as well as the use of air conditioning. As part of the government’s energy plan and in effect until October 30th, air conditioning is regulated at 25 degrees and shop front lighting must be off from midnight to 5am. These measures aim to reduce visual pollution and electricity consumption, while respecting the living environment and adapting to summer schedules and needs.
Smoking banned on beaches in Cagnes-sur-mer – The town of Cagnes-sur-mer has banned smoking on all its beaches. The environmental and public health measure comes from the town hall which ensures that it will be welcomed by bathers. Tobacco consumption was already prohibited on two beaches in 2021, then on five last year. This year, it will affect all ten beaches of the town from July 1st to September 30th. There are two exceptions: the small spaces located "at the western end of the Hippodrome beach and the Cros beach restaurants.
Tackling the pebbles on the beaches in Nice - If you’ve been to the beach in Nice you’ll know, only too well, that is can be difficult to walk on the pebbles, especially to get in and out of the water in style and with panache! However, now a special device has been introduced to allow you to do just that. The town hall has installed ropes to help bathers get back on the pebbles easily and elegantly. The system has been in place since the beginning of July at four sites in the Baie des Anges: Les Ponchettes, Centenaire beach, Blue Beach and Sainte-Hélène.
It's not the first time that this system has been used, it was at the beginning of the 20th century, in front of certain beaches on the Promenade des Anglais, for the safety and well-being of bathers, people were already getting out of the water, rope in hand.
One of the largest yachts in the world moored in Monaco - Finally, one of the largest yachts in the world has been spotted in the port of Monaco. If you have been walking around Monaco in recent days, you have no doubt seen it, as its rather difficult to miss. The Katara is a "mega yacht", 124m long. Specialists say that it is the 14th largest yacht in the world and is said to cost a cool 400 million dollars, accommodating around thirty guests and up to 90 crew members.
Business
Spotify has announced that it is raising prices for its 200 million ad-free subscribers for the first time in over a decade. In the US, the cost will increase from $9.99 to $10.99 (£8.57) for those with an individual plan. Similar price hikes also apply to the UK, Canada, Australia and 49 other territories. The move follows other streaming services which have also increased subscription costs.
Twitter has changed its brand and logo from its famous blue bird to "X". The new white X on a black background has replaced the blue bird on the desktop version of the social network, although is yet to appear on the mobile app. "Tweets" will also be replaced, according to Twitter's owner Elon Musk, and posts will be called "x's". The billionaire changed his profile picture to the new logo and added "X.com" to his Twitter bio.
And - A cryptocurrency project described as being "dystopian" has been launched by AI entrepreneur Sam Altman. Worldcoin gives people digital coins in exchange for a scan of their eyeballs. In sites around the world people queued to gaze into silver orbs on day one of the project's full launch. Mr Altman, the chief executive of Open AI which built chat bot ChatGPT says he hopes the initiative will help confirm if someone is a human or a robot. Worldcoin also claims that its system could pave the way for an "AI-funded" universal basic income. But it's not clear how.
Sport
Football - Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal have made a world record £259m bid for the Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe. The 24-year-old France captain, who has a year left on his contract, has refused to sign an extension at the French champions and was not selected for their pre-season tour to Japan. PSG want to sell Mbappe now rather than see him leave for free next summer.
And - Former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest midfielder Chris Bart-Williams has died aged 49. Sheffield Wednesday confirmed he had died in the United States, where he was a coach and mentor.
Cricket - Zak Crawley says England deserve to draw the Ashes by winning the fifth and final Test. The 25-year-old hit 189 in the rain-ruined fourth Test at Old Trafford, which saw Australia retain the Ashes. Australia lead the series 2-1 heading into the fifth Test at The Oval on Thursday.
Weather
Highs of 33 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Cannes with strong winds forecast for the Var and the Alpes Maritimes. The Var was placed on a yellow thunderstorm alert in the early hours of this morning. Highs of 28-31 degrees are expected along the coast and 25-29 inland in the afternoon.
This evening in Nice going down to 21 degrees with clear skies. The outlook for tomorrow and Thursday. Sunny with highs of 31-33 degrees and a moderate wind.
Sunrise 06.11am
Sunset 09.01pm
Beach weather forecast
Saint-Tropez – Sea temperature 26 degrees. Air temperature 31. Strong winds and hazy sunshine. UV level 9.
Nice – Sea temperature 27 degrees. Air temperature 33. Strong winds and hazy sunshine. UV level 9.
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