NEWS
Power Outage - Another power outage has hit three towns on Friday morning, the 30th of May, affecting 120 homes in the Alpes-Maritimes. The outage occurred at 7:20am in Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, and Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey. Technicians are working on-site, but it's unclear if the incident is linked to the major outages from the 24th and 25th of May.
Extreme Heat - Half of the world’s population have experienced an extra month of extreme heat over the past year due to human-caused climate change, according to a new study. Researchers have found that 4 billion people endured at least 30 more days of extreme heat than in a world without global warming, with the Caribbean island of Aruba hit hardest with 187 of extreme heat days. The study also warns of worsening health impacts, especially in poorer countries, with a lack of data on heat-related deaths outside of Europe, where over 61,000 people died in the 2022 summer alone.
Train Service Suspended Tomorrow - Travellers in the Alpes-Maritimes department should plan ahead, as no trains will run between Nice and Monaco tomorrow, Saturday, May 31st. The SNCF has announced a full 24-hour suspension of service on the line due to work being carried out on the tracks. The disruption is part of efforts to finalize the connection of the Nice-Ville Regional Technical Centre to the national rail network. Another line in the region, between Nice and Drap, will also face disruptions on the same day. Passengers are advised to seek alternative transportation and check SNCF updates for further information on service resumption.
Motorcycle Accident - A motorcyclist in his 50s has been seriously injured in an accident late Friday morning in Cabris, Alpes-Maritimes. Emergency services and the Smur from Grasse treated him at the scene before taking him to Grasse Hospital. The cause of the accident is still unknown, and the gendarmerie was present.
Greenpeace Activists in Custody - Five Greenpeace activists have been held in custody for 20 hours after using chalk stencils to protest the government’s marine protection policies ahead of the UN Ocean Summit in Nice. One activist described the police response as intimidation and disproportionate after the police handcuffed them, searched their homes, and refused them to right to see a lawyer. Despite this, they say they won’t be deterred from future actions.
Conference Helping Seniors in Menton - A conference addressed the growing challenge of helping seniors age at home, especially in the French Riviera where the elderly population is high in Menton, Alpes-Maritimes. Due to a shortage of home-visiting doctors, a new mobile geriatric team now evaluates seniors in six local communes to help them stay independent longer. The initiative aims to prevent hospitalizations by coordinating medical and social care at home.
New Banksy in Marseille - A new Banksy artwork has appeared in Marseille, featuring a stencilled lighthouse with the message "I want to be what you saw in me." Fans quickly identified its location in the Catalans district after the world-famous urban artist whose identity remains a mystery, shared a photo on Instagram. While all the English press is talking about it, the other passers-by seem to be ignoring the urban work. Its image, however, is likely to be seen around the world.
NEWS UPDATE
Smoking in Public Areas - During a visit to the Var department, French Health Minister Yannick Neuder has defended the upcoming ban on smoking in public spaces like parks, beaches, and near schools, emphasizing it's meant to protect public health, not to bother people. He stressed the importance of preventing smoking among youth and involving local authorities in defining smoke-free areas. Neuder added that the aim is not to shame smokers but to support them in quitting, noting progress among teens and calling for continued education efforts.
Menton's Mayor Taken into Police Custody - The mayor of Menton, Yves Juhel, has briefly been taken into police custody on the 27th of May following a complaint for moral harassment filed by his former chief of staff, Eric Le Floch. Juhel is also due to be questioned on the 2nd of June in a separate investigation involving suspected embezzlement at SPL Ports de Menton, alongside former finance deputy Mathieu Messina. The harassment case stems from a tense conflict between Juhel and Le Floch, who was recently reinstated by court order and had reported alleged irregularities in public contracts.
BUSINESS
Elon Musk is stepping down after 129 days as head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), during which he aggressively cut federal spending, slashing jobs and aid programs, sparking controversy and legal challenges. His presence blurred lines between business and politics, raising conflict of interest concerns given his companies' government contracts. Internationally, his cuts significantly reduced US foreign aid, and his spreading of conspiracy theories and internal clashes highlighted deeper divisions within Trump’s administration.
And - E-Fuel company, HIF Global, plans to build a $7 billion green e-methanol plant in Texas, but the project is on hold pending U.S. Congress decisions on clean energy tax credits, especially for green hydrogen. The uncertain political climate and potential cuts to Biden-era green subsidies under the Trump administration are creating instability in the U.S. clean energy sector. This has led to reduced investments, delayed or cancelled projects, and doubts about the future of the federal green energy agenda.
SPORTS
Rugby Union - Exeter forward Jacques Vermeulen says his forthcoming move to Sale could ignite his international hopes. The South African is unable to switch allegiance to play for England as he does not have any British-born family. After being part of Exeter's Premiership and European Champions Cup-winning side in 2020 he has seen the Chiefs fade away from the top of the table and they will finish this season in ninth place.
Football - Trent Alexander-Arnold will become a Real Madrid player on Sunday, 1 June after Liverpool accepted a fee to release the defender early from his contract. The move means the England right-back will join the Spanish side in time to play in the Club World Cup. Alexander-Arnold, who had already confirmed he would leave Liverpool this summer, has agreed a six-year deal.
Tennis - British number one Katie Boulter was unable to cause a shock against American seventh seed Madison Keys as the nation's involvement in the French Open women's singles came to an end. Boulter lost 6-1 6-3 to Australian Open champion Keys in the second round, with a lot of self-inflicted damage caused by nine double faults across her eight service games.
WEATHER
Bright and clear across the region with moderate winds. Summer is not waiting a second this year as we have very warm temperatures on the coast reaching 26 degrees in Nice, 27 in Cannes, 28 in Toulon, 29 in Saint-Tropez and 30 degrees in Marseille.
Tonight, a few clouds here and there with temperatures dropping to 18 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend:
Sat: Mostly clear with occasional cloudy intervals and thunderstorms further inland. Highs of 29 degrees in the Var.
Sun: same thing with highs of 25 degrees.
Mon: hazy skies mixed with sunny intervals and showers persisting inland. Highs of 24 degrees with a gentle breeze.
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