News
French PM slams US-EU trade deal as “Dark Day” for Europe – France’s Prime Minister François Bayrou has condemned the new US-EU trade deal, calling it a “dark day” and accusing the EU of yielding to Donald Trump’s tariff threats. The deal, announced on Sunday 27th July, in Scotland, imposes 15% tariffs on most European exports to the US, triple the current 4.8%, but avoids Trump’s threatened 30% tariffs set for August the 1st. While leaders in Germany and Italy welcomed the deal, France’s sharp criticism and Macron’s silence highlight growing tensions within the EU bloc.
Stamp prices to rise 7.4% in France by early 2026 –In other news national in France, from January 1st, 2026, La Poste will raise postage rates by an average of 7.4%, citing declining mail volumes. The green letter stamp will increase from €1.39 to €1.52 (+9.35%). A 20g registered letter will rise to €6.11. International mail of the same weight: €2.25. Colissimo parcel rates will go up 3.4% on average and an urgent red e-letter: from €1.49 to €1.60. France’s postal service La Poste says the hike is necessary to maintain a high-quality postal service, as it continues to lose around €500 million annually due to falling letter volumes.
Massive fire near Marseille shuts down motorway and disrupts air traffic – Locally, A major wildfire just north of Marseille has forced the closure of the A7 and the A51 motorways. The incident occurred on Monday disrupting motorists and air traffic. The fire, fuelled by strong mistral winds, destroyed a caravan business and burned 11 hectares. Over 400 firefighters, aided by aerial support including Canadairs and helicopters, worked to prevent the fire from spreading towards nearby homes. By late evening, motorways had reopened, but air quality in the area remained poor due to high levels of fine and ultrafine particles.
Tap water declared unsafe - In other news locally, tap water in Callas in the Var, remains unfit for consumption due to a treatment plant issue, causing a potential bacterial risk. Residents, especially the vulnerable, are advised to use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and rinsing raw food. Free bottled water was distributed on Monday evening, July 28th. Normal water service is expected to resume within 24–48 hours.
Red flag in Cannes – Meanwhile, a swimming ban has been introduced in Cannes on the Midi beaches between kiosks 12 and 16. The ban was put in place on Monday afternoon after a murky discharge appeared following heavy rain. Local police cleared the beach at around 2pm as a precaution. The city cited a natural runoff of sediments washed into the sea after the storm. Water quality tests are underway. Until results are available, swimming remains prohibited in the affected area.
Fatal car crash near Nice –A 35-year-old man has died in a serious car crash in Antibes. The accident occurred at around 4am on July 27th, on the Route du Bord de Mer. Over 20 firefighters were at the scene. Three others, a man and a woman in their 20s, and a man in his 30s, suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, multiple accidents have disrupted A8 traffic near Nice. Monday evening saw two accidents on the A8 motorway heading eastbound towards Italy causing major traffic disruptions around Nice. One crash occurred near Antibes, heavily slowing traffic between Cannes and Villeneuve-Loubet. Another accident happened after exit 52 (Nice Saint-Isidore), also impacting the traffic flow.
Mia and Fayah receive life-saving heart surgery in Monaco - Two young girls, 2-year-old Mia from Burundi and 9-year-old Fayah from Madagascar, have been successfully operated on at the Monaco Cardio-Thoracic Centre thanks to the Monaco Collectif Humanitaire (MCH). Their treatments were part of a long-running program helping children from countries lacking access to advanced cardiac care. On this occasion, four partner associations donated a total of €135,000 to support the initiative. Mia, who had a non-invasive heart procedure, will soon return home. Fayah, who underwent open-heart surgery, is still recovering. Since 2008, over 630 children have been treated through MCH, which relies on a dedicated network of volunteers, medical teams, and donors. Donations can be made at https://mch.mc.
One of the world’s largest yachts spotted in Baie des Anges – Finally, the M/Y Yas, a striking 141-meter mega yacht, has been anchored for several days in Baie des Anges, near Cagnes-sur-Mer. Its futuristic design and massive size have drawn plenty of attention. Once ranked the 8th largest yacht in the world (in 2013), Yas features: a helipad, a pool, an expansive glass-front lounge, around 30 cabins for 60 guests and a crew capacity of 56 members. Built in 1981, it’s owned by a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family. The yacht is valued at €180 million.
Business
China has introduced its first nationwide child subsidy, offering parents 3,600 yuan ($500) annually for each child under the age of three. The move is part of a broader effort to address the country’s declining birth rate and looming demographic crisis. The scheme, announced on Monday, could benefit around 20 million families and is retroactive from January 2025. Families with children born between 2022 and 2024 are also eligible for partial payouts. China's population has declined for three consecutive years, with only 9.54 million births recorded in 2024. The country faces rising child-rearing costs and a rapidly ageing population, deepening concerns over its long-term demographic and economic stability.
And - Britons heading to Europe will soon face two major changes at the border: new biometric checks and a higher entry fee. From October 12th, the EU will begin rolling out its new Entry/Exit System (EES). This will require UK travellers to register biometric data, such as fingerprints and a facial photo, replacing the current passport-stamping system. The UK government warns this could mean longer queues at airports, ports, and international train stations. Meanwhile, from late 2026, UK travellers will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) to enter the EU. Originally planned to cost €7, the fee is now expected to rise to €20 (£17.30). Children under 18, seniors over 70, and certain relatives of EU citizens will be exempt. Travellers are advised to stay updated, as both systems are still being finalised.
Sport
Football - England’s women’s football team were met with cheering crowds as they landed at Southend Airport on Monday, fresh from their Euro 2025 victory over Spain. Hundreds of fans gathered to greet the squad, who then travelled to Downing Street for a reception. An open-top bus parade through central London is set for today, with a ceremony planned at Buckingham Palace.
Cycling - Lorena Wiebes won a chaotic Stage 3 sprint, beating Marianne Vos, who regained the yellow jersey. A late crash affected the race, but riders involved kept their times. Wiebes claimed her fourth Tour de France Femmes stage win. Dutch riders dominate the top 10, with Vos leading overall. Stage 4 runs Tuesday from Saumur to Poitiers.
Swimming - Just nine days after winning Monaco’s first-ever world medal, swimmer Lisa Pou claimed victory in the European Open Water Swimming Cup in Paris. The 10km race, moved from the Seine to the Bassin de la Villette due to poor water quality, marked a powerful comeback after her 18th-place finish at the 2024 Olympics. With Monaco’s anthem playing in the capital, Pou secured another historic milestone and now has her sights set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Weather
Sunny with a gentle breeze highs of 27 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Vence. 26 degrees in Saint Tropez and 28 degrees in Toulon with moderate to strong winds. This evening going down to 19 degrees along the coast with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Thursday, mainly fine and sunny with highs of 27-28 degrees.
Sunrise 06.16am
Sunset 08.56pm
Weather elsewhere
London 21° light cloud.
Palma 27° light rain.
Miami 33° thundery showers.
Beach Weather
Marseille – Sea temperature 20°, Air temperature 25°. Strong winds. UV level 8.
Nice – Sea temperature 24°, Air temperature 27°. UV level 8.
And Finally
A recent study analysing Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires list reveals traditional names which are most common among the world’s richest people. The top male names include Michael, John, Andrew, and David, with 50 billionaires named Michael, such as Michael Dell and Michael Bloomberg. For women, classic names like Maria, Catherine, and Anna top the list, with Maria being the most common among female billionaires. Experts suggest that while success depends on many factors, choosing a “lucky” or inspiring name might positively influence a child’s confidence and future.
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France’s Prime Minister François Bayrou has condemned the new US-EU trade deal, calling it a “dark day” and accusing the EU of yielding to Donald Trum...
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Sunny with a gentle breeze highs of 27 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Vence. 26 degrees in Saint Tropez and 28 degrees in Toulon with moderate to strong ...
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