News
Drought conditions worsen across France - As drought conditions worsen across France, communes in 13 départements have implemented maximum water restrictions, banning most non-essential water use. The hardest-hit areas span central and southern France, including Cher, Bouches-du-Rhône, and Pyrénées-Orientales. Authorities warn that more hot, dry weather is expected in August, with further restrictions likely. In affected areas, rules include bans on watering gardens during the day, filling pools, and washing cars. Residents can check their local restrictions and sign up for alerts at vigieau.gouv.fr. Experts say climate change is driving more frequent and earlier droughts. The government updates groundwater levels monthly to monitor risk zones.
Over 35,000 swim in Paris’ Seine despite rainy July – Meanwhile, more than 35,000 people have swum in the River Seine since Paris reopened three official bathing sites in early July, marking the first public swims in the river since 1923. Despite frequent summer rains, the city says it is “extremely satisfied” with the turnout. The swimming zones, including one near the Eiffel Tower, were closed for 13 days due to pollution. Water quality is tested daily, and closures are announced via an online map. On July 13th alone, 5,700 people took a dip, showing strong public enthusiasm. The swimming initiative follows a €1.4 billion cleanup effort, part of the lasting legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, which included open-water events in the Seine. The sites remain free and open until August 31st.
French President Macron arrives for summer holidays at historic Fort de Brégançon – French President Emmanuel Macron has settled into his summer residence at the Fort de Brégançon in Bormes-les-Mimosas in the Var, a site filled with over 2,400 years of history. Since 1968, when General de Gaulle officially designated it as a presidential residence, every president of the Fifth Republic has spent time at this Mediterranean fortress. Historically, the fort has hosted many foreign dignitaries, including Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin. The fort remains furnished with state-owned historical pieces, curated by the National Furniture Collection, some of which are displayed at the local Museum of History and Art. While often associated with presidential holidays, Brégançon offers a rich glimpse into French history and heritage beyond its role as a political retreat.
€240M Police headquarters in Nice delayed amid political tensions - A heated dispute has erupted in Nice over the delayed completion of a €243 million police headquarters, initially scheduled for the end of 2025. The massive new complex, set to house both national and municipal police forces, will now open in autumn 2026, a delay of ten months. The mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi announced a 10-month delay to the €243 million Nice police headquarters during a site visit on August 1st, blaming slow state funding. However, Prefect Laurent Hottiaux quickly denied these claims, saying funds have long been allocated and the delay is due to foundation issues, not financing. He also clarified that both national and municipal police facilities will be delivered together, contrary to Estrosi’s suggestion of an earlier municipal completion.
The project, led by Vinci subsidiary Dumez Côte d’Azur and Wilmotte & Associés, is transforming the former Hôpital Saint-Roch into a 50,000 m² complex housing 2,000 officers with advanced command centres. The state provides over €170 million, supplemented by regional funding, marking France’s largest recent internal security infrastructure investment. Local opposition groups have raised concerns about prolonged construction impacts on traffic, business, and public order in the area. Politically, the delay intensifies tensions ahead of municipal elections, highlighting accountability between city and state.
Rental pressure remains high in French cities ahead of new school year - With less than a month until the 2025 academic year starts, rental demand remains intense across France. According to a recent report Paris and Nice lead the market, scoring 9 out of 10 on the “rental tension” scale. Nice saw a 93% surge in demand year-on-year, with 26 candidates per listing, securing its position as the country’s second most competitive rental market. Other major cities like Lyon and Bordeaux also report strong demand (scores of 7/10), particularly from students, who now make up over 50% of applicants in Bordeaux, up from 42% last year. Southern cities such as Marseille, Montpellier, and Toulouse are rising in popularity, signalling a geographic shift in rental demand toward the South and Southeast, while previously sought-after cities like Rennes and Nantes see demand declining. Despite a slight nationwide dip to an average of 12.5 applicants per listing, top cities continue to face steep competition. Rising rents combined with lower household purchasing power make housing especially challenging for students and young professionals.
Bus scam in Monaco - The Monaco Bus Company (CAM) is warning of a scam circulating on Facebook, falsely offering unlimited travel for €2/month over six months. The fraudulent posts use CAM’s name and images to appear legitimate and lure users into sharing personal and banking details. CAM confirms the offer is fake and urges users to rely only on official channels. Victims are advised to contact Monaco’s cybercrime unit.
Les Enfants de Frankie brings joy to 3,500 children across our Region - Finally, according to its latest six-month report Monaco-based charity Les Enfants de Frankie has supported over 3,500 children across the Alpes-Maritimes and Monaco in the first half of 2025. With €33,846 invested across 15 facilities, the charity delivered a mix of medical, social, and educational support. Its flagship programme, ‘Actions for Two Hands’, continues to combine innovation with compassion, offering tailored support to individual children. Looking ahead, the association will host its annual ‘Frankie’s Christmas’ event on 26 November, promising joy and performances for over 1,000 children. “We heal hearts,” says the charity, which has been active for 28 years—with beloved mascot Frankie the clown at its side.
Business
WhatsApp has removed 6.8 million accounts linked to global scam operations in the first half of 2025, in a sweeping crackdown targeting organised criminal networks across Southeast Asia. Many of the accounts were traced to scam centres run by criminal syndicates. Parent company Meta says the takedowns were “proactively detected” before the scammers could fully deploy the accounts. WhatsApp is also rolling out new anti-scam features, including alerts when users are added to group chats by unknown contacts. Most scams begin with text messages and later shift to private messaging apps or cryptocurrency platforms. Authorities in the region have urged users to activate features like WhatsApp’s two-step verification to guard against account hijacking. In Singapore, police have warned the public to be especially cautious of unusual messages or requests on messaging platforms.
And - Two adverts by global fashion retailer Zara have been banned by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for featuring models who appeared “unhealthily thin.” The ASA ruled that the ads were “irresponsible” and must not appear again in their current form. The watchdog said Zara must ensure all future images are “prepared responsibly.” Zara removed all flagged images, including two others that were investigated but not banned. The retailer said both models had medical certificates confirming good health at the time of the shoots, and that no major digital alterations had been made to the images — only minor lighting and colour adjustments. The company added it follows the 2007 ‘Fashioning a Healthy Future’ guidelines from the UK Model Health Inquiry, particularly a recommendation that models provide health certification from doctors with expertise in eating disorders. This comes amid increased scrutiny of body image in advertising. In July, a Marks & Spencer advert was also banned after a model appeared “unhealthily thin.” An advert from Next was pulled earlier this year for similar reasons, prompting debate among consumers about the standards applied to models at both ends of the body spectrum.
Sport
Football - Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign OGC Nice forward Evann Guessand for £26 million, with a further £4.3 million in potential add-ons. The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international is expected to undergo a medical today Wednesday 6th August, ahead of completing the move. He will become Villa’s first major signing of the summer. Guessand enjoyed a standout season in Ligue 1, scoring 12 goals and being named Nice’s Player of the Season as the club secured a fourth-place finish. His performances attracted interest from several clubs, including Crystal Palace, but Villa have now won the race for his signature.
Cycling - British sprinter Matthew Richardson is aiming to become the fastest track cyclist of all time as he bids to break the 200m flying start world record in Turkey next week. The 26-year-old, who switched national affiliation from Australia to Great Britain after last summer’s Paris Olympics, will attempt to beat the current mark of 9.088 seconds on 14 August at the Konya Velodrome — the same track where he made a golden start to his British career earlier this year. Richardson heads into the attempt with strong form, having claimed three national titles earlier this year and two golds at the Nations Cup in March, also held in Konya. Now, with his eyes firmly set on the stopwatch, Richardson is chasing not just a record, but a place in cycling history.
Weather
Sunny with a gentle breeze. Highs of 28 degrees in Nice and Monaco, 27° in San Remo, 26 degrees in Saint-Tropez, light winds in Toulon with highs of 28 degrees. This evening going down to 20 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Friday, fine and sunny with highs of 29 degrees and a gentle breeze.
Sunrise 06.24am
Sunset 08.46pm
Weather elsewhere
Bordeaux 32° sunny.
Cardiff 21° sunny intervals.
Dublin 20° sunny intervals.
Beach weather
Villefranche – Hazy sunshine, air temperature 28°, sea temperature 25°. UV level 7.
La Ciotat – Hazy sunshine, air temperature 27°, sea temperature 22°. UV level 8.
And Finally
Tesco’s latest invention has raised eyebrows and maybe blood sugar levels, with its new Birthday Cake Sandwich. Think Victoria sponge... between slices of brioche-style white bread. It's packed with icing, jam, sprinkles and soft cheese, and it's now part of Tesco’s meal deal for £3. Reactions online are, unsurprisingly, split — some call it “vile,” others say it's “berry, berry good.” It follows a similar strawberries-and-cream dessert sandwich by M&S. The Tesco version is limited edition and available in 1,000 stores for just four weeks. Sweet genius or a step too far? You decide.
A fire has broken out at the municipal car pound in Villeneuve-Loubet, destroying around 15 vehicles. ...
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France is battling its biggest wildfire of the summer in the Aude region, with over 11,000 hectares destroyed by flames since Tuesday afternoon. One w...
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As drought conditions worsen across France, communes in 13 départements have implemented maximum water restrictions, banning most non-essential water ...
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Sunny with a gentle breeze. Highs of 28 degrees in Nice and Monaco, 27° in San Remo, 26 degrees in Saint-Tropez, light winds in Toulon with highs of 2...
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The Aude department is on red alert for a "very high" wildfire risk this Tuesday, while nine others are on orange alert, including Var, Vaucluse, and ...
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