News
Back-to-school changes - As 12 million students return to class in France on the 1st of September, several key changes are being introduced. These include mandatory sex education for all pupils, earlier maths exams for Year 12 students, and national fitness tests for Year 7. Mobile phone restrictions will increase in secondary schools, and orientation programmes will be strengthened throughout secondary education.
France faces a political crisis – In politics, the French Prime Minister’s’ confidence vote set for September the 8th will likely fail over his unpopular budget. Should he resign, French President Emmanuel Macron can pick a new Prime Minister or call elections, though elections may not solve the deadlock. Strikes and protests are planned regardless.
Storm alert - From this Wednesday afternoon, Météo-France has issued an orange alert for storms in nine departments, including the Rhône and the Jura. Heavy rain, hail, and gusts of wind of up to 90 km/h are expected. For our region heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast later today with conditions improving by Thursday afternoon.
Man dies after falling on rocks in Marseille - A man in his thirties has died after slipping on rocks whilst trying to retrieve his partner’s mobile phone on the Corniche Kennedy in Marseille. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning. Despite emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A police investigation is underway.
Louis Sarkozy cancels appearance at Monaco Book Fair - Louis Sarkozy has pulled out of the Monaco International Book Fair just two weeks before the event. Citing scheduling conflicts linked to his political campaign in Menton and media commitments, his team admitted poor planning.
French actor sues - Meanwhile, French actor Dany Boon is suing Thierry Fialek-Birles, accused of a €7 million fraud. According to reports Fialek-Birles pretended to be an Irish aristocrat and maritime lawyer. The trial is due to open this week in Nice.
Drone show in Cagnes-sur-Mer postponed - The DroneArt show, originally set for tomorrow, Thursday 28th August at the Cagnes-sur-Mer racecourse, has been postponed to Sunday 31st August due to a high risk of rain. Tickets remain valid for the new date.
Nice records third-hottest summer since 1942 - Nice has experienced 74 tropical nights since June, matching levels seen in 2003. One night didn’t drop below 28.7°C. Experts blame a persistent hot air mass from North Africa and unusually warm sea temperatures.
Smoking ban sparks debate on Var beaches - Since France's smoking ban on beaches began on the 29th of June, opinions are divided. Several beach goers in the Var have shown support for the new measure, while others openly ignore it, saying, “I smoke anyway.” The new rule continues to divide public opinion.
Busy roads across France for final holiday weekend - As families return home before the new school year, traffic will be heavy across parts of France this weekend. Expect congestion on key routes like the A7, A10, and A61, especially Friday afternoon and Saturday. Traffic should ease slightly on Sunday, though delays are still likely around Paris and in the northwest.
Business
According to the German defence ministry, French industry is blocking progress on the next phase of the Franco-German fighter jet project FCAS by demanding sole leadership. The ministry warned German parliament members that agreeing to France’s demands could damage the future jet’s capabilities and limit the involvement of German companies in the project.
Meanwhile, the US has imposed steep 50% tariffs on India, following an earlier 25% penalty over India’s Russian oil and weapons purchases. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged a “massive tax bonanza” and urged citizens to support “Made in India” products to boost self-reliance.
And - A California couple have sued OpenAI after their 16-year-old son, Adam Raine, killed himself. They claim that ChatGPT encouraged his self-harm by validating his suicidal thoughts and providing harmful info. The lawsuit accuses OpenAI of negligence and bypassing safety tests, highlighting rising concerns about AI and mental health.
Sport
Tennis - World number one Jannik Sinner has cruised to a straight-sets victory over Vit Kopriva in the opening round at Flushing Meadows.
Cricket - Former Australia coach Justin Langer has expressed doubts about England’s ability to win this winter’s Ashes in Australia. The Ashes series begins on the 21st of November in Perth, with five Tests scheduled across Australia.
Formula One - Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will race for the new Cadillac Formula 1 team in 2026, marking their return after being dropped in 2024. Cadillac chose the experienced pair for their leadership and race wins, aiming to quickly build competitiveness.
Weather
Unsettled with sunny intervals and cloudy patches to start. Scattered showers forecast by this afternoon with moderate to strong winds. Highs of 28 degrees. This evening going down to 21 degrees and cloudy. The outlook for Thursday, showers with sunny intervals and highs of 27 degrees.
Sunrise 06.48am Sunset 08.14pm
Beach Weather
Today in Monaco, beach weather is warm with temperatures around 28°C. The sea temperature is a pleasant 24°C (75°F), perfect for swimming. UV levels are high, so sun protection is strongly recommended.
And Finally
Men who continue working beyond retirement age tend to be happier and more satisfied with life, a new study shows. Researchers found that full-time work offers emotional and social benefits, like identity and self-esteem, that contribute to better wellbeing. For women, the effect was mainly seen in high-status jobs. The study suggests that delaying retirement, especially for men, may promote healthier ageing and a more fulfilling later life.
As 12 million students return to class in France on the 1st of September, several key changes are being introduced. These include mandatory sex educat...
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A stormy and rainy episode is expected tomorrow in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var, with heavy rainfall possibly reaching 100mm along the coast....
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France is preparing for a nationwide shutdown on September 10th called “Bloquons tout,” organized mainly through social media. ...
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France is seeing record chikungunya cases, with 154 nationwide, including 33 in a single neighbourhood of Vitrolles, in the PACA region. ...
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Motorists on the coastal road between Nice and Cagnes-sur-Mer (RM6098) have been hit with a flurry of speeding fines after the limit was reduced from ...
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