NEWS
Mixed Weather - The Alpes-Maritimes will see a mixed weekend of weather. Saturday brings scattered rain, strong winds up to 45 km/h in Théoule-sur-Mer and Antibes, and continued avalanche warnings. Sunday will be sunnier with temperatures between -3°C and 15°C, though coastal winds will persist.
Road Changes Annoys Nice Residents - Residents of Nice Nord are outraged over new road changes linked to an electric bus project, citing increased traffic speed and safety concerns. Many complain that the area has become dangerous for pedestrians, with accidents - including a fatal one -highlighting the risks. The city defends the project, promising adjustments but rejecting demands for speed bumps, while locals continue to push for better safety measures.
Building Evacuated in Nice - A building in Nice has been evacuated on the 13th of March due to structural instability, with residents temporarily relocated by the city. Experts suspect a weakened pillar caused by a water leak, affecting three buildings and 17 apartments. A security perimeter has been set up, and further investigations are underway to assess the risks.
Mild Earthquake in Vaucluse - A mild earthquake of magnitude 2.7 has struck overnight from Thursday to Friday near Avignon, with tremors felt in several nearby towns of Vaucluse. The epicentre was in Morières-lès-Avignon, but no damage was reported despite multiple calls to firefighters. A similar minor quake occurred in the region last month.
Ipssi School of IT - The Ipssi school of IT and cybersecurity in Nice, opened in 2023, is rapidly growing, especially with the rise of AI. Director Tiya Atwi, just 22 years old, aims to double student numbers and expand partnerships with companies like Amadeus and Soprasteria. The school focuses on hands-on learning, career support, and ambitions to reach 500 students in the coming years.
Farmers No Longer Allowed to Shoot Wolves to Protect Livestock - A court in Nice has suspended six permits allowing farmers in the Alpes-Maritimes to shoot wolves in defence of their livestock. The animal rights group One Voice successfully challenged the permits, arguing they did not meet legal requirements. While the ruling is not final, affected farmers can no longer use enhanced shooting measures for now.
Printemps des Arts Monte-Carlo - The 2025 Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo festival will honour Pierre Boulez for his centenary, celebrating his revolutionary impact on music. From the 12th of March to the 27th of April, Monaco and Nice will host symphonic concerts, chamber music, jazz, conferences, and immersive performances. The festival highlights Boulez’s artistic openness, featuring collaborations with visual arts, film, and literature, alongside major orchestras and renowned soloists.
Ski Stations Snow Conditions - This weekend, ski stations in the Alpes-Maritimes have varying snow conditions: Valberg has 60-65 cm of snow with 26 out of 42 slopes open; Auron offers 90-150 cm with 40 out of 43 slopes open; and Isola 2000 has 100-150 cm with 38 out of 45 slopes open. Prices range from €25 to €42 for adults, with discounts for children, while some stations like L'Audibergue and Gréolières-les-Neiges are closed.
NEWS UPDATE
Abandonned Bag in Monaco Train Station Halts Train Traffic - A suspicious abandoned bag at Monaco station caused a train service interruption on the Côte d'Azur this Friday, 14th of March. SNCF halted all traffic between Menton and Nice, warning of delays and cancellations. Service was expected to resume around 4:30pm.
Drugs and Weapons Seized in Nice - Police have discovered 8 kg of cannabis, 500 g of cocaine, a handgun, and five bulletproof vests in residential buildings linked to drug trafficking in Nice. The find, made by CRS officers and security guards, is part of efforts to combat ongoing gang violence in the area. An investigation has been opened as authorities continue their crackdown on organized crime.
Measles in the PACA Region on the Rise - Since the start of the year, 21 measles cases have been reported in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, with 12 in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var. The disease is highly contagious, and authorities urge vaccination, especially for travellers to affected areas like Morocco. Europe has seen a sharp rise in cases, with over 127,000 reported in 2024.
BUSINESS
The US may avoid a government shutdown as top Democrat Chuck Schumer now supports a Republican funding bill, despite initially opposing it. The bill increases military spending while cutting non-defence programs, forcing Democrats to choose between accepting it or risking blame for a shutdown. A vote is expected Friday, but divisions remain over the bill’s partisan nature and its impact on government services.
And - Car sharing is growing, especially with electric vehicles, but many people still prefer owning a car due to convenience and reliability concerns. Younger, eco-conscious drivers are more open to car-sharing, with companies like Spark and Kite integrating electric fleets into urban life. Despite progress, widespread adoption remains a challenge due to scepticism and logistical hurdles.
SPORTS
Cycling - The 7th stage of Paris-Nice 2025 will still finish on the 15th of March, in Auron, Alpes-Maritimes, but it has been shortened due to snowfall. The dangerous descent of the Col de la Colmiane has been removed, reducing the stage from 147.8 km to 109.3 km. Riders will instead take an alternative route through the Var and Tinée valleys before rejoining the original course.
Football - Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle with an ankle injury. The 26-year-old picked up the knock in the second half of Tuesday's Champions League defeat by Paris St-Germain, a tie the French side won on penalties.
Tennis - Great Britain's Jack Draper beats American Ben Shelton 6-4 7-5 in Indian Wells to set up a semi-final against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. And Defending champion Iga Swiatek cruised past Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-3 to set up an Indian Wells semi-final against teenager Mirra Andreeva.
WEATHER
Cloudy with chances of light rain with moderate to strong winds. Highs of 14 degrees in Nice and Marseille, and 15 degrees in Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Toulon.
Tonight, chances of light rain persisting with temperatures dropping to 9 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend,
Sat: partly cloudy with light rain. Highs of 15 degrees with strong winds.
Sun: mostly clear with highs of 15 degrees and strong winds.
Mon: mostly clear with highs of 15 degrees and a gentle breeze.
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