News
Laughing gas - Local police in Cannes have warned of the increasing use of laughing gas amongst young people. Nitrous oxide, a gas normally used to operate whipped cream dispensers, is being inhaled to cause intense euphoric effects, but its consumption can cause addiction as well as neurological, neuromuscular and cardiac disorders. This summer has seen a rise in people using it with the average age of consumers in France being 22.
It was back in June 2020 that Cannes became one of the first cities in France to ban its consumption on public roads as well as its sale to minors. These bans were extended to the entire Alpes-Maritimes department in the same year, before a 2021 law banned the sale of nitrous oxide to minors throughout France. Other cities on the Côte d'Azur, such as Menton in 2021, have also banned consumption in public.
Price of petrol on the rise - The price of petrol in France is on the rise again in August, which is not good news for August holidaymakers travelling by car. The cause of the increase is in Saudi Arabia as the country has decided to reduce its oil production, while at the same time global demand has greatly increased, particularly in China.
A&E department closes its doors this Tuesday morning - The A&E department of the Saint-Tropez hospital centre has closed its doors today Tuesday 8th August and will not reopen until Wednesday morning. The closure comes due to a lack of staff. Patients are invited to go to their doctor or to contact the health centres and regional care centers (CSNP). For the CNSP of Gassin and health centre you can call 04.98.12.51.14, from 10am to 10pm. The CSNP of Sainte-Maxime can be contacted on 04.28.70.17.00, from 9am to 11pm and the Saint-Tropez health centre, on 04.23.10.19.05, from 8am to 7pm and the CSNP of Saint-Tropez, 06.01.37.79.09, from 8pm to midnight.
Strike action continues -Cleaning agents at the Marseille Saint-Charles train station are continuing their strike action in the metro. Mobilised for eight days, employees accuse their employer of salary delays, non-payment of bonuses and poor working conditions. The inter-union now asking for the labour inspectorate to intervene.
Young man stabbed in Nice - A young man has been left in a critical condition after being stabbed in the Moulins district of Nice. The attack occurred on Monday evening in the west of the city in the heart of the hub of a drug trafficking neighbourhood. Police intervened and an investigation has been opened.
Dramatic drop in sea temperature – The mistral has caused the sea temperature to drop dramatically in the Var region, with just 13 degrees recorded in La Ciotat. A few days ago, the water was ten degrees warmer, even reaching above seasonal norms, however with the arrival of the mistral the temperature has dramatically dropped with cold water located at depth rising to the surface and evacuating the warmer layer.
The Grande Braderie of Saint-Raphael - The big Saint-Raphaël sale begins today Tuesday 8th August and is on until Saturday. The towns “Grande Braderie” which has existed for more than 20 years, will see 60 local businesses take part with organisers expecting 10,000 visitors daily. As every year, many big brands will be present to offer unbeatable prices on a wide choice of ready-to-wear and trendy accessories.
Business
The video communications company Zoom has ordered staff back to the office. The firm said it believed a "structured hybrid approach" was most effective and people living within 50 miles (80km) of an office should work in person at least twice a week. It is the latest push by a major firm to row back flexible working policies. Amazon and Disney are among the firms that have reduced remote workdays. Surveys suggest that workers are still holding onto the ability to work from home to some degree.
Food firm Beyond Meat has seen its sales plunge by almost a third as the rising cost of living pushes shoppers to buy cheaper animal protein. The plant-based meat substitute maker says revenue fell by 30.5% in the three months to the end of June, compared to a year earlier. Shares of the company fell by almost 12% in extended trading in New York. Last year, it announced plans to cut almost a fifth of its workforce to save around $39m (£30.6m) of costs.
And - Publishing giant Simon & Schuster is to be sold to a private equity giant for $1.6bn (£1.27bn) in cash. The deal with investor KKR marks the likely end of a years-long saga for owner Paramount Global. KKR said the publisher would continue to operate independently. Simon & Schuster, founded in the US in 1924, employs more than 1,600 people globally.
Sport
Football - England have just about scraped through to the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup with a dramatic penalty shootout with Nigeria to decide the game. Denmark are out of the competition after a 2-nil loss to Australia.
Today Colombia play Jamaica and France play Morocco kick of is at 1pm French time.
Rugby Union - England coach Steve Borthwick says the "positional flexibility" of players was an "important aspect" of his squad selection for the Rugby World Cup. Henry Slade and Alex Dombrandt were among those left out when the 33-man group was announced on Monday.
Golf - The PGA Tour says the FedEx Cup will return to a 36-event season in 2024 and the play-off champion will receive a record $25m (£19.5m) bonus. The season will tee off in January and conclude in August, with 70 players advancing to the play-offs.
Tennis - British No.2 Dan Evans has won the biggest title of his career so far, with a straight-sets victory over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in a rain-interrupted final of the Citi Open in Washington. It’s his first ATP 500 crown - and just his second Tour victory - with a 7-5 6-3 win.
Weather
Sunny with a moderate breeze. Highs of 25 degrees in Monaco, Mougins and Nice. 26 degrees in Cannes. 24 degrees in Saint-Tropez. This evening going down to 20 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Thursday. Fine, highs of 26 degrees in the Alpes Maritimes. 32 degrees in Marseille and 27 degrees in Toulon.
Sunrise 06.26am
Sunset 08.44pm
Beach weather
Nice – Sea temperature 23 degrees. Air temperature 24. UV level 9.
Marseille – Sea temperature 15. Air temperature 27. UV level 9.
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