News
Eurostar services disrupted by power failure in Northern France - Eurostar trains between London and Paris have been heavily disrupted due to a power failure on the high-speed line in Northern France. At least nine Eurostar trains were cancelled and 15 delayed on Monday, with delays also affecting TGV inOui and Ouigo services. Passengers are advised to postpone travel if possible as repairs continue. Some routes, like London-Amsterdam and Brussels-London, remained unaffected. This disruption comes during the busy summer holiday period and follows previous power issues earlier in the year.
France ‘s Finance Ministry is considering at end to payments by check for taxes and fines – In other news nationally in France, the French Ministry of Finance is reviewing whether to stop accepting checks for tax and fine payments. The use of checks has dropped sharply, with a 72% decline over the past decade. In early 2025, only 4.5% of payments to the Public Treasury were made by check, representing about 1% of the total amounts paid. No decision or timeline has been announced yet. Reports suggest the last check processing centre in Rennes could close by 2027, but this remains unconfirmed. Checks now account for less than 3% of all non-cash transactions in France, far behind credit cards.
French animal group PAZ calls for ban on pet trade shows – Locally, the animal rights group PAZ is urging Marseille’s mayor to ban pet expos like the Animal Mania fair, citing concerns that these events promote impulse buying and mass breeding of animals. PAZ says such fairs treat pets as consumer products rather than living beings. Sadly, France leads Europe in the number of pets abandoned, with around 200,000 cats and dogs neglected each year. Despite laws requiring reflection periods before purchase, PAZ claims these are often bypassed. The group hopes to persuade other cities to follow Marseille’s lead in banning such events.
Nice faces drought –Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes region are currently experiencing extremely dry conditions as the city council of Nice considers the shutdown of beach showers. The situation is currently being monitored, and authorities are considering various water-saving measures depending on how the drought develops. Meanwhile, five municipalities in the Alpes-Maritimes, including Cagnes-sur-Mer and Vence, have been placed under enhanced drought alert, with restrictions imposed on water use for residents and businesses.
Superyacht - The most environmentally advanced superyacht, frequently seen docked on the Côte d’Azur at Port Vauban in Antibes, is now officially for sale. Rumoured to be priced around $645 million, this cutting-edge vessel will be exhibited this September at the Monaco Yacht Show. Known as the "Breakthrough," this 118-meter-long hydrogen-powered yacht has captured attention along the French Riviera with its sleek navy-blue silhouette and state-of-the-art technology. Currently anchored near the Lérins Islands, it remains a striking presence in the luxury yacht market. To accelerate the sale, the "Breakthrough" will be displayed during the Monaco Yacht Show, giving potential buyers worldwide a rare opportunity to see this unique vessel up close. Stay tuned to Riviera Radio for all the latest in the lead up to and during the Monaco Yacht show which takes place from the 24th to the 27th of September, here in the Principality.
New indoor playground “Little Wonders” to open in Monaco – Here in Monaco Marie Ducruet, with business partner Élise Rouillard, has announced plans to open Little Wonders, an indoor playground for children up to the age of 7. Set to launch in January of next year, the centre will offer themed play zones catering to babies and toddlers, plus a multi-level play structure for older children. Located in La Condamine, Little Wonders aims to provide a safe, enriching space for young children while parents relax or work. Features include a soft motor skills area, a mini role-play town, and a café. The play equipment is specially designed by UK company Tiger Play.
Port Cros, Europe’s oldest national park - As summer travel intensifies, Port-Cros Island, Europe’s oldest marine national park, is welcoming visitors eager to explore its unique natural and historical heritage. Established in 1963, the park protects thousands of hectares of land and sea, preserving rare species. Once a military site and pirate refuge, the island has been transformed into a protected sanctuary offering hiking trails, underwater snorkelling paths, and historical forts. To maintain its delicate environment, strict visitor limits and regulations are enforced, including bans on motorized watercraft and restrictions on anchoring. With over 600 plant species and nearly 150 bird species, Port-Cros provides a rare chance to experience untouched Mediterranean nature while promoting responsible tourism.
French DJ brings “DJ Set Baguette” to village bakeries – Finally, French DJ Dorian Gamon is mixing music in village bakeries to support local businesses. His “DJ Set Baguette” tour started in May 2025 and has already visited nine bakeries, including L’Épi Fanny in Vaison-la-Romaine in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region. Gamon aims to highlight the role of bakeries as community hubs, combining dance music with traditional bakery settings. The events, which attract large crowds and have gone viral on social media, offer a fresh way to promote local shops, especially to younger audiences.
Business
Energy giant BP has announced its largest oil and gas discovery in a quarter of a century, as the company continues to shift its strategy away from renewables and refocus on fossil fuel production. The UK-based firm confirmed on Monday that it had identified a significant 500-metre reserve of oil and gas around 250 miles (400km) off Brazil’s west coast in deep water. Describing the find as “BP’s largest in 25 years,” the company is now exploring options for developing a new production hub at the site. BP’s transition to becoming a “net zero” energy company by 2050 has faced major challenges. It reported a $5.7 billion loss during the pandemic in 2020 and later took a $25 billion hit when it exited its Russian energy holdings following the invasion of Ukraine. BP shares rose by just over 1% in London following Monday’s announcement.
Meanwhile, India has condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose substantially higher tariffs over its ongoing oil imports from Russia, calling the move “unjustified and unreasonable”. Trump made the comments in a Truth Social post, accusing India of ignoring the war in Ukraine and profiting from Russian oil by reselling it on global markets. India is currently one of the largest buyers of Russian oil, having stepped up imports after European nations reduced trade with Moscow following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump did not specify the scale of the planned tariff hike, but the warning comes just days after he imposed a 25% levy on Indian imports. In a firm response, India’s foreign ministry spokesperson rejected Trump’s claims, pointing out that the US itself had encouraged India to purchase Russian gas early in the conflict to help stabilise global energy markets. He also criticised the double standards in US policy, noting that the United States continued to trade with Russia — with bilateral trade worth around $3.5bn (£2.6bn) last year, despite existing sanctions. The dispute marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the two allies. Trump had described India as a “friend” just a week earlier but warned that its tariffs on US goods were “too high”.
And - Tesla has granted its chief executive Elon Musk a £21.7 billion ($29 billion) share award in a bid to keep the billionaire firmly at the helm of the electric carmaker. Tesla told shareholders on Monday it is “confident” that the latest award will be an incentive for Musk to stay, especially as the “war for AI talent is intensifying.” The share grant is also expected to increase Musk’s voting power on Tesla’s board. The company praised Musk’s “proven track record” in creating revolutionary and profitable businesses.
Sport
Football - Liverpool Football Club has paid a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota in their first match at Anfield since the 28-year-old’s tragic death in a car crash last month. Jota, a Portugal international, died in a road accident in Spain in July, along with his 25-year-old brother, André Silva. His sudden passing has deeply affected the football world and the wider Liverpool community. Jota made 182 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals and playing a vital role in the club’s success over recent years. Since joining from Wolves in 2020, he helped Liverpool lift the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup. Upcoming Fixtures for Liverpool will be this Sunday 10th August when they face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley and on Friday, 15th August: The Reds open their Premier League campaign at Anfield against Bournemouth. Diogo Jota will be remembered not only for his goals and honours, but for the spirit, determination, and humility he brought to Liverpool FC. He will never walk alone.
Cricket - India edged England by six runs in one of the most dramatic and emotional Test match finishes in recent memory, sealing a 2–2 series draw at The Oval on Monday. Despite needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand to start the final day, England collapsed in a frenzy of nerves, missed chances, and courageous resistance — most notably from Chris Woakes, who batted with a dislocated shoulder in a desperate bid to win the match. England now finish yet another home series without a victory, drawing 2–2 with both Australia (2023) and India (2025). For England, it was a near-miracle that slipped away. For India, a historic win — their narrowest ever in England, and one that capped a truly unforgettable series.
Athletics - British sprinter Reece Prescod has announced his retirement from athletics at the age of 29, bringing to a close a decade-long career at the elite level. Prescod, the fourth fastest Briton in history over 100 metres with a personal best of 9.93 seconds, represented Great Britain at three World Championships and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he reached the 100m semi-finals. He won silver in the 100m at the 2018 European Championships and claimed a World Championship bronze in the 4x100m relay in Eugene (2022). In an emotional statement posted on Instagram, the London-born sprinter said the sport pushed him “physically, mentally, and emotionally in ways I never imagined possible.” Prescod says he now looks forward to contributing to sport in new ways and inspiring others with the same passion that fuelled his career.
Weather
Mainly fine with partly cloudy skies in places. Highs of 29 degrees in Nice, 28 degrees in Cannes, 30 degrees in Marseille. Light variable winds across the coastline, with local sea breezes developing by mid-morning. This evening going down to 21 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow, fine and sunny with temperatures expected to rise as a heatwave moves across France from Thursday. The Alpes-Maritimes will experience around 29–30°C, while the Var may reach up to 35°C. The heatwave is expected to last at least until early next week in southern regions.
Sunrise 06.23am
Sunset 08.48pm
Weather elsewhere
Paris 23° sunny.
Dublin 20° sunny intervals.
Palma 30° sunny.
Beach weather
Monaco (Larvotto / Fontvieille) - Sea temperature: 25 °C, the sea is calm with light coastal breeze. UV level beginning at around 4-5 by 10am rising to 7 at midday. Sun protection is essential.
Cannes - Sea temperature: 24–25 °C. Gentle ripples and a light breeze. UV Index will peak at 8 by midday, classified as very high. Minimize direct sun exposure between 10am and 4pm when UV levels are highest.
And Finally
If you're flying off on holiday this summer, you might be reassured to learn that women are proving themselves especially cool under pressure, at least in the skies. A new Canadian study has found that female pilots outperform their male counterparts in high-stress scenarios, making fewer errors and demonstrating better control, faster decision-making, and sharper situational awareness.
Researchers put male and female pilots through simulated emergency situations. While both showed similar visual attention, women consistently responded more accurately and confidently, particularly during emergency landings. The findings challenge traditional assumptions about pilot performance and highlight the importance of diversity in aviation, especially with women making up just 6.5% of pilots in the UK. While the study doesn’t claim women are always safer pilots, it does show they may have an edge when things get tough and that could reshape how pilots are assessed and trained going forward.
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