NEWS
Strong Winds - A powerful Mistral storm has swept through Provence, with wind gusts exceeding 150 km/h in some areas. In Marseille, parks, gardens, and Christmas markets were closed, while tree branches and building debris caused minor disruptions. The Var region remains on yellow alert, with strong winds expected to persist into the weekend.
Sunny Weekend - The Alpes-Maritimes will have sunny weather this weekend, ideal for last-minute Christmas shopping. Saturday will be mostly clear with temperatures ranging from -5°C in Tende to 16°C on the coast. Sunday will see some morning clouds, brief rain in certain areas, and highs of up to 18°C in Nice.
Emergency Rooms Reserved for Severe Cases - With flu, bronchiolitis, and COVID-19 on the rise, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur health authorities urge people to reserve emergency rooms for severe cases. For mild symptoms like colds or fevers, residents are advised to contact their doctor or use a new interactive map of available care centres. During the holidays, extra support from general practitioners, medical on-call centres, and emergency services (Samu, firefighters) will ensure continuity of care.
Motorbikes No Longer Allowed to Weave Between Traffic Lanes - Motorbikes and scooters in France will no longer be allowed to weave between lanes of traffic starting on the 1st of January 1, 2025, ending a practice previously allowed on a trial basis in 21 departments. Violations will result in a €135 fine and a 3-point license deduction, sparking criticism from biker groups who argue it reduces congestion and improves safety. The decision was made without clear data from the trial, leaving many riders feeling blindsided and frustrated.
Contraband Cigarettes Seized - Customs officers have seized 1 ton of contraband cigarettes (5,000 cartons) hidden in a truck transporting paper towels at the Capitou toll in Fréjus, Alpes-Maritimes. The Portuguese driver, traveling from Slovenia to Spain, was sentenced to 12 months in prison (6 months suspended) and fined €625,000.
Students Create Gift Boxes for the Homeless - Students from La Marquisanne middle school have created Christmas gift boxes filled with treats, warm items, and handwritten notes for the homeless in Toulon, Var. These gifts, distributed by charities like Restos du Cœur and Secours Populaire, aim to bring comfort and joy to vulnerable people during the holidays. Volunteers and private donors also contributed new toys and essentials for children and families in need.
What will Become of Moulin a Lire? - The future of the "Moulin à Lire" bookstore, home to over 60,000 secondhand books, is uncertain Following the death of its owner, in Grasse. The owner's widow, Clélia Attias, has no plans to take over but hopes to turn it into a shared cultural space for local associations. Discussions with the town hall are underway to preserve this unique literary treasure trove.
Lucky Euromillions Winner - A lucky winner has won €1 million in the Euromillions - My Million draw on the 22nd of November in La Seyne-sur-Mer, Var. The ticket was validated at an Auchan shopping centre, and the prize was handed over on the 13th of December. This winner joins a list of other Varois who have hit similar jackpots in recent years.
BUSINESS
Craig Wright, an Australian computer scientist, was found guilty of contempt of court for falsely claiming to be Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, despite a UK High Court order to stop. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, meaning he faces jail if he repeats the claim. Wright, who remains outside the UK, was accused of "legal terrorism" for launching baseless lawsuits to assert his claim, which the judge dismissed as "legal nonsense."
And - UK government borrowing fell to £11.2bn in November, £3.4bn less than the same month last year, thanks to higher tax revenue and lower debt interest payments. Retail sales rose 0.2%, driven by supermarket growth, but clothing sales fell. While the figures were better than expected, economists warned rising inflation could increase future borrowing costs.
SPORTS
Football - Southampton are close to appointing Ivan Juric as their manager on an 18-month deal. The Croat is set to replace Russell Martin, who was sacked by the Saints on Sunday after their 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham.
Formula 1 - Frenchman Isack Hadjar has been promoted to Red Bull's second team to race alongside Japanese Yuki Tsunoda during the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Rugby Union - Leicester Tigers and England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet has signed a new deal with the Premiership club. The 23-year-old has made 81 first-team appearances since emerging from the club's academy in 2019.
WEATHER
Bright and clear this afternoon with strong winds in most of the region. Highs of 11 degrees in the Bouches-du-Rhône, 13 in the Var and 16 degrees in the Alpes-Maritimes departments.
Tonight, partly cloudy with lows of 7 degrees.
Outlook for the weekend:
Sat: mostly clear with moderate to strong winds and highs of 15 degrees.
Sun: partly cloudy with rain inland and strong winds throughout the region. Highs of 18 degrees.
Mon: fine and bright with strong winds persisting and highs of 16 degrees.
Rest of the week: mostly clear with highs of 15 degrees.
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