NEWS
Nice Airport 2nd Least Ponctual Airport of France - Nice Côte d'Azur Airport ranked as the second least punctual airport in France for 2024, with 24.52% of flights delayed (17,251 delays out of 70,349 flights). In terms of punctuality, Paris Roissy-CDG airport is the worst placed, with 26.71% of delays recorded between the 1st of January and 13th of December 2024. Despite this, Nice Airport broke a passenger record, serving 14.8 million travellers and offering 122 destinations across 45 countries.
Rockfall Blocks the RD28 towards Valber Ski Resort - A rockfall on the RD28 near Beuil has blocked the road to the Valberg ski resort in the Alpes-Maritimes, with no reported injuries. While a detour via Guillaumes and the Daluis gorges is in place, authorities are working to clear and secure the area, though the date of the road reopening remains undetermined. Despite the disruption, Valberg reports near-full accommodations and good snow conditions ahead of the weekend.
Combatting Rising Rents and Student Poverty - To combat rising rents and student poverty, solutions like solidarity housing and intergenerational flat sharing are gaining traction on the Côte d'Azur. Some students benefit from significantly reduced rents in exchange for volunteering or providing companionship to elderly hosts. These initiatives address housing shortages and foster social connections, especially where traditional student accommodation is insufficient.
Feminist Nighttime Posters - Feminist activists conduct illegal nighttime poster campaigns to raise awareness of social issues, using striking messages like “Non, c’est non” and “Victims, we believe you”, in Nice. Though their actions aim to spark dialogue, they face fines and public criticism, with posters often removed quickly. Despite legal risks, the group remains committed to spreading their inclusive message.
Police Arrest Drug Deliver Driver - Police have arrested a delivery driver at a toll station on the A8 motorway, seizing drugs, weapons, and cash in the Var. The vehicle contained 2kg of cannabis, 80g of cocaine, nitrous oxide canisters, and €1,850. The suspect, charged with drug-related offenses, is in custody awaiting trial.
Rise in Infant Injuries - The paediatric emergency chief at Lenval Hospital reports a rise in infant injuries caused by falls, often when parents drop them or fall while carrying them in Nice. Contributing factors include increased use of baby carriers, smaller homes, and distracted parenting. He urges caution and advises medical checks after any fall to ensure the child’s safety.
Former Ambassador Robert Fillon Donates Books to Monaco's Mediatheque - Former ambassador Robert Fillon has donated 614 books to Monaco’s media library, including rare and historically significant works. Highlights include a 1478 incunabulum printed on parchment and an 18th-century edition of L’Encyclopédie by Diderot and d'Alembert. This generous gift enriches the library’s heritage collection, marking a cultural milestone in 2025.
NEWS UPDATE
Phishing Scam - A phishing scam is circulating via poorly written emails falsely claiming to be from Eric ARELLA, head of Public Safety in Monaco. These emails allege recipients are involved in a legal procedure and request a response, aiming to defraud potential victims. Some bypass spam filters, so vigilance is advised.
Cruise Ships Ban - Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, announced he will sign an order banning cruise ships carrying over 900 passengers from embarking or disembarking at metropolitan ports, citing pollution and over-tourism concerns. He described large cruise ships as "floating hotels" that harm the environment and bring low economic benefit. The move has sparked mixed reactions, with environmentalists applauding the decision, but some local officials, like the mayor of Villefranche, caught off guard.
Nice 2nd Most Vegan-Friendly City - Nice has been ranked the second most vegan-friendly city in France for 2024, based on the number of vegan and vegan-option restaurants per capita, scoring 8.19/10. The city trails behind Paris, which ranked first with 8.23/10, and is followed by Aix-en-Provence, Montpellier, and Rouen. Experts note the health benefits of a balanced vegan diet but emphasize the need to monitor essential nutrients like B12 and iron.
BUSINESS
Sainsbury's is cutting 3,000 jobs by closing its cafés, patisserie, and pizza counters, as well as reducing senior management roles, to simplify operations and address rising costs, including higher National Insurance contributions. Despite strong profits exceeding £1bn, the retailer faces criticism for job cuts during challenging economic conditions. Analysts warn these changes may be the first of many across the retail industry due to rising costs.
And - Three mobile networks faced a major outage, leaving customers unable to make calls, including 999 emergency calls, with reports also affecting Smarty and ID Mobile users. Three apologised and said most emergency calls were being routed through other networks, while Ofcom is investigating the issue's scale and cause. The disruption sparked customer complaints and calls for refunds, occurring shortly after Three's merger with Vodafone was approved.
SPORTS
Tennis - Novak Djokovic was booed off court by some Australian Open fans after retiring injured from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev. Djokovic, who was bidding for a record-extending 11th title, quit after losing the first set 7-6 (7-5) in 80 minutes.
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner beat Ben Shelton 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2 in straight sets to reach the Australia Open final.
Rugby Union - Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter does not feel it is time for a coaching change despite his side’s poor form. The Chiefs have won one of their 14 Premiership and European matches this season.
Monte Carlo Rally - Ahead of his 14th start at the Monte Carlo Rally, Belgian driver Thierry Neuville, a Monaco resident, participated in a Q&A session with students from College Charles-III in Monaco. Neuville discussed safety in rally driving, highlighting how advanced car protections keep drivers secure, even during accidents. He also explained the challenges of the Monte Carlo Rally, one of the toughest events of the season due to icy conditions and its timing after a winter break, and shared insights on navigating special stages using reconnaissance notes rather than memory.
WEATHER
Mostly clear with gentle to moderate winds this afternoon. Highs of 16 degrees in the Alpes-Maritimes and Bouches-du-Rhône departments, and 18 degrees in the Var.
Tonight, Mostly cloudy with chances of rain inland and lows of 7 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend:
Sat: cloudy with chances of rain, especially at night, with highs of 16 degrees and moderate to strong winds.
Sun: rainy morning and mostly clear afternoon with highs of 16 degrees.
Mon: Mostly cloudy and wet with moderate to strong winds and highs of 14 degrees.
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