NEWS
New Regional Tax - A new optional regional transport tax for businesses, introduced in France’s 2025 budget, aims to fund eco-friendly mobility projects. While four conservative regional leaders have rejected it, Renaud Muselier of the PACA region is open to it, causing frustration among local business owners who fear it will hurt competitiveness. The PACA region will decide on the tax in the coming weeks.
Legislative Work in Monaco - Jean-Louis Grinda, Vice-President of Monaco's National Council, reflects on his legislative work and outlines priorities for 2023-2028. Key issues include the legalization of abortion (IVG), cultural funding, institutional prerogatives, and enhancing political diversity in Monaco. He advocates for infrastructure improvements, like a pedestrian bridge at the Rainier III Auditorium, and emphasizes the need for transparency in public finances and housing policy reform. The IVG debate will take center stage, with 80% public support, and Grinda aims for a law that aligns with Monaco's specificities while promoting women's rights.
Police Launched Witness Appeal - After the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old on Monday, the 17th of February, police have launched a witness appeal in the Barbière district of Avignon. Three masked men opened fire near the Barbière tram stop and Cap Sud parking lot, injuring the young man’s cousin and leaving around 100 shell casings at the scene. Authorities are seeking testimonies from anyone present during the incident or who saw the suspects arriving in a car at Cap Sud.
Security Perimeter - Police have set up a security perimeter on Friday morning, after a suspicious package was found on Rue Langeron in Toulon’s Mourillon district. Bomb disposal experts arrived and later confirmed it was just an abandoned bag.
New Cat Café - A new cat café not only offers drinks and food surrounded by cats but also promotes feline adoption in Saint-Raphaël. All cats come from the Kéopse 83 association and are available for adoption, with three already finding new homes and four more reserved. The café aims to create “love at first sight” moments between visitors and cats.
10 Teenagers Created a Horror Film - A group of about ten teenagers from Vallauris Golfe-Juan have created a horror film and its making-of at the Magnelli Museum of Ceramics during their winter break. Through a program by the Apprentis d’Auteuil foundation, they took on roles such as writers, camera operators, editors, and actors, learning cinematic and digital skills while exploring local cultural heritage. The project, centred around the museum’s ceramic collection, features a ghost-themed horror story and will be showcased in a public screening.
FIFEC - The Cannes City Hall is launching the "International Film Festival of Cinema Schools" (FIFEC) from the 4th to the 6th of May at Espace Miramar, as part of its "Cannes On Air" initiative to support young cinematic talent. The festival, in partnership with the Poitiers Film Festival, will showcase international and local student films and offer workshops led by experts from Cannes Film Festival's parallel sections. This event aims to boost cultural influence, promote young filmmakers, and support their professional integration into the audiovisual industry.
BUSINESS
Denmark's economy is booming thanks to soaring US demand for Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic. The small town of Kalundborg, where these drugs are produced, is thriving with new jobs, construction, and economic growth. While Denmark enjoys lower borrowing costs and rising public investments, there are concerns about over-reliance on Novo Nordisk and potential risks from international trade tensions.
Amazon has taken full creative control of the James Bond franchise, with longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping back. Fans have mixed reactions, with concerns over potential overexpansion like with Marvel and Star Wars, but also hope for renewed activity. Character spin-offs and origin stories, as well as a push to attract younger and American audiences, are expected, with a new Bond actor still to be announced.
And - Jean-Christophe Caffet, chief economist at Coface, stated at a Monaco Economic Board conference that despite global geopolitical uncertainties, including the volatility from Donald Trump's U.S. election, the world economy is stabilizing at around 2.7% growth, driven by emerging markets. While Europe faces challenges like low growth (1% in 2025) and rising business failures, Caffet remains cautiously optimistic, highlighting a shift in Europe’s economic strategy towards consumer-focused reforms.
SPORTS
Tennis - British number one Jack Draper fought back from a set down to beat Matteo Berrettini 4-6 6-4 6-3 and reach the Qatar Open semi-finals.
Cricket - Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has agreed a deal to play for Gloucestershire in April and May. The 25-year-old will feature in five Championship matches, starting against Kent on the 18th of April and ending against Northamptonshire at the end of May.
Football - Liverpool will face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League last 16, while Arsenal take on PSV Eindhoven and Aston Villa will play Club Brugge. It will be the first time Liverpool have faced PSG since 2018-19, when the Reds went on to be crowned champions of Europe for the sixth time.
Cycling - Cyclist David Gaudu of Groupama-FDJ was forced to withdraw from the Classic Var and the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes after being knocked over by a cat during training in Nice. Fortunately, he suffered no fractures. Cyril Barthe will replace him at the Classic Var.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy with occasional sunny spells and moderate winds. Highs of 15 degrees in Nice and Saint-Tropez, 16 in Cannes and Toulon, and 17 degrees in Marseille.
Tonight, cloudy with chances of rain in the Var and inland.
Outlook for this weekend:
Sat: Cloudy and wet with highs of 16 degrees.
Sun: Partly cloudy with chances of rain and highs of 16 degrees.
Mon: partly sunny with highs of 15 degrees and moderate winds.
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