NEWS
Strong Winds and Wet Week Ahead - Strong winds of up to 95 km/h and heavy rain are expected in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments starting Sunday, lasting several days. The worst weather will hit Sunday night, with storms and persistent rainfall continuing into next week. Conditions may remain unsettled until at least the 16th of March in the Var.
Roya Valley Wildfires - Four wildfires have been raging in the Roya Valley near Menton since Wednesday, destroying 83 hectares of forest. Firefighters, aided by Canadairs, are battling the flames, which have affected at least three homes. Strong winds complicate containment efforts, with no reported casualties so far.
5G+ Network - The 5G+ network is rolling out in France, starting with Free and Orange, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and more stable connections. It will first launch in major cities before expanding, but requires denser antenna placement. Only a few smartphones are currently compatible, though activation will be free for users.
Socialist Party Leader Visits the Var - Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure has held a public meeting, engaging with frustrated citizens who feel disconnected from politics in La Seyne-sur-Mer, Var. He acknowledged the deep distrust in politicians and emphasized the need to listen to people’s concerns. The discussion focused on economic struggles, social policies, and the growing dissatisfaction with France’s welfare system.
Contraband Tobacco Seized - French customs intercepted a vehicle carrying 256 kg of contraband tobacco from Spain at an Arles toll booth, Bouches-du-Rhône, destined for Marseille’s black market. The driver was detained, and the case is now under judicial investigation. This seizure highlights the scale of illegal tobacco trafficking in the region.
Monaco Honours New Monegasque Citizens - Monaco has held a reception on the 6th of March, honouring the 40 individuals who gained Monegasque nationality in 2024. Mayor Georges Marsan and officials welcomed them with symbolic gifts, including a reproduction of Monaco’s national anthem lyrics and a lithograph. The event concluded with a performance of the Monegasque anthem by the Academy Rainier III Children's Choir.
Condamine Market Renovation Project - The Condamine Market in Monaco will undergo major renovations from January 2026 to early 2027, modernizing the space while preserving its community spirit. The project will double seating capacity, improve air quality, and enhance thermal and acoustic comfort. The €10-12 million upgrade aims to create a more spacious, sustainable, and welcoming market.
Security Exercise in Stade Louis II Next Week - A large-scale security exercise will take place at Stade Louis-II in Monaco on Tuesday, the 11th of March, from 6:30 pm to midnight, involving police and emergency services. Avenue des Castelans will be closed during this time, and authorities urge the public not to share images of the operation.
Neuroplanète 2025 - Neuroplanète 2025 is a free event exploring the brain’s mysteries through conferences, workshops, and immersive experiences on the 7th and 8th of March in Nice. This year’s theme, "The Brain: An Ocean of New Discoveries," ties into Nice’s Year of the Sea 2025. Experts in neuroscience, health, and marine science will discuss topics like sustainable seafood, ocean-derived medicine, aging with AI, and the cognitive abilities of marine life. Attendees can also join hands-on workshops on meditation, psychology, and marine resources.
https://evenements.lepoint.fr/neuroplanete/
NEWS UPDATE
Wildfires Update - Wildfires in the Roya Valley near Menton have burned 295 hectares since Wednesday night, with over 150 firefighters battling the flames. Several homes have been affected, and authorities suspect arson. Strong winds continue to fuel the fires, making containment efforts difficult.
Quai Bonaparte Construction Resumes - After a pause for Menton’s Lemon Festival, construction work on Quai Bonaparte has resumed. Traffic flow has been adjusted, and the project includes a bike lane and tree planting, with completion expected in April.
BUSINESS
Canadian provinces, including Ontario, are removing US-made alcohol from shelves in retaliation for Trump's 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. The CEO of Jack Daniel's maker Brown-Forman called the move "worse than a tariff" as it completely halts sales. Despite the impact, Brown-Forman says Canada accounts for only 1% of its total sales.
France plans to increase military spending due to the Russian threat, but without raising taxes. The government is considering a new wealth tax, private sector investment, and a special savings plan for citizens. A meeting with investors on the 20th of March will explore funding options.
And - Swedish startup Evroc will open a massive 8,500 m² AI-focused data center in Mougins, near Sophia Antipolis, by late 2025. It will be one of Europe’s largest, housing up to 50,000 GPUs and consuming 96 MW of power. While officials welcome the project for jobs and investment, environmentalists question its real benefit for France.
SPORTS
Football - Newcastle United centre-back Sven Botman will be out for about eight weeks because of another knee injury, says manager Eddie Howe. Botman, 25, returned from a 10-month absence in January after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in March 2024, but has now injured his other knee.
Cricket - New Zealand are hopeful pace bowler Matt Henry will be fit to face India in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday. Henry, 33, the tournament's leading wicket-taker, jarred his right shoulder while taking a catch in the Black Caps' semi-final win against South Africa.
Tennis - A tearful Nick Kyrgios was forced to retire from his first-round Indian Wells match with a wrist injury as his tennis return suffered another setback. The Australian, playing his first match since January's Australian Open, trailed Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (9-7) 3-0 before ending the match early.
WEATHER
Cloudy in the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône departments and mostly clear in the rest of the region with strong winds. Highs of 16 degrees in Nice and Saint-Tropez, 17 in Cannes and Toulon, and 18 degrees in Marseille.
Tonight, partly cloudy with lows of 12 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend
Sat: partly cloudy with strong winds and highs of 17 degrees.
Sun: cloudy and wet with gusts of up to 95km/h and highs of 17 degrees.
Mon: Grey and wet with moderate to strong winds and highs of 15 degrees.
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