NEWS
Orange Weather Alert - Due to an orange weather alert for strong winds, storms and coastal flooding, the Alpes-Maritimes, Var departments and Marseille have temporarily closed their parks and gardens this Friday. Nice and Saint-Raphaël have announced exceptional closures, as waves could reach 2.5 meters, with winds of up to 120 km/h expected in the PACA region. Storms, which will also bring Saharan dust back to southern France, are expected to peak around midnight, with conditions improving overnight.
Winds Uproot Tree in Nice - Strong winds have caused some damage on the 21st of March, including an uprooted palm tree on the Promenade des Anglais and flying roof tiles in the Old Town, which slightly injured a passerby in Nice. Authorities have temporarily closed parks, gardens, beaches, and the coastal path as a precaution due to the orange weather alert. Traffic was also partially disrupted to remove the fallen tree.
Boat Drifts on Beach - A small motorboat ran aground on the 18th of March after an engine failure caused it to drift on a beach in Cannes. The two occupants were rescued unharmed by firefighters. The boat, which caused no pollution, was towed away the next day.
SPA Overwhelmed - The SPA is overwhelmed by frequent cases of animal abandonment, with dogs and cats often left in boxes, trash cans, or on the streets in Salon-de-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône. The shelter, operating at full capacity, struggles with limited staff and resources while pushing for stricter enforcement of identification laws and responsible pet ownership. Despite legal penalties for abandonment, the issue persists, but dedicated volunteers continue to rescue and care for these animals.
New Esports Club in Nice - A new Esports club has opened in Nice, offering structured training for gamers as young as eight, similar to traditional sports. Led by professional coach Antoine "Papasss" Pasquier, young players improve their skills in games like Fortnite while learning discipline, teamwork, and good gaming habits. The club aims to foster a positive gaming environment, support parents, and potentially develop future competitive champions.
La BU à l’Opéra - The Nice Opera House transforms into a university library several times per season, allowing students to study while listening to live opera rehearsals. This initiative, called "La BU à l’opéra," aims to introduce young people to classical music in a unique setting. The program, free for students, fosters creativity and engagement with opera in an inspiring atmosphere.
The Maginot Line Fort - The Maginot Line fort attracts growing interest, with guided tours revealing hidden treasures like restored historic lighting, reopened galleries, and rare military artifacts in the village of Sainte-Agnès, Alpes-Maritimes. Visitors can explore 958 meters of underground passages, a 10-ton ammunition lift, and original wartime objects in the military museum. Open Wednesday to Sunday, the fort offers guided tours showcasing its rich history and self-sufficient wartime life.
After Martine à la Plage, Martine explores the Côte d'Azur - The beloved children's book character Martine will explore the Côte d'Azur in her next adventure, set to be released on the 2nd of April. This new album, created in partnership with Côte d'Azur Tourisme, will showcase iconic locations like Cannes, Grasse, and Nice. With over 165 million copies sold worldwide, Martine continues to charm generations while promoting French heritage.
BUSINESS
Tesla has recalled over 46,000 Cybertrucks in the US due to a trim panel defect that could detach and become a road hazard. This comes amid falling sales, backlash against Elon Musk, and a sharp drop in Tesla’s stock value. Analysts warn Tesla faces a "tornado crisis moment" as competition rises and its brand takes a hit.
And - The EU has delayed its planned tariffs on US goods, including a 50% whiskey tax, until mid-April to allow more time for talks with the US. Trump had threatened a 200% tariff on European alcohol in response, escalating trade tensions. While discussions continue, US distillers welcome the delay, hoping to avoid damaging tariffs.
SPORTS
Cricket - Hassan Nawaz blazed Pakistan's fastest T20 century as his side raced to a nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in Auckland. Chasing a challenging 205, the opener smashed an unbeaten 105 from 45 deliveries to take his side to victory in the third T20 and keep the five-match series alive.
Formula 1 - Lewis Hamilton took his first pole position for Ferrari as he headed sprint qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton beat Red Bull's Max Verstappen by 0.018 seconds as McLaren's challenge faded around the Shanghai circuit and will start Saturday's sprint race from the front.
Rugby Union - Gloucester have "earned the right" to be third in the Premiership as they look to finish in the top four for the first time since 2019, says director of rugby George Skivington. The Cherry and Whites have taken big steps forward this season, after finishing ninth and 10th in the two previous campaigns, and are five points behind second-placed Bristol and level with Leicester below them.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy and extremely windy across the region with gusts of up to 105km/h. Cumulonimbi are already in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Var departments with rain making its way throughout the region this evening. This afternoon we’ll have highs of 16 degrees in Saint-Tropez, 17 in Nice and Cannes, 18 in Toulon and 20 degrees in Marseille.
Tonight, wet throughout the Alpes-Maritimes with lows of 9 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend,
Sat: rain with chances of thunderstorms. Highs of 15 degrees with strong winds.
Sun: rainy still with highs of 16 degrees and moderate winds.
Mon: wet yet again with highs of 15 degrees and moderate winds.
Meteo France has weather warnings in operation for the Var and the Alpes Maritimes this evening
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