NEWS
Major network outage - A major network outage has affected SFR users across France late Monday morning, including in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments. Mobile services including calls, SMS, and internet were completely unavailable from around 12pm. Many users reported the issue on Downdetector and expressed frustration on X (formerly Twitter). The cause of the outage has not yet been clarified.
Yellow alert - The Alpes-Maritimes is the only French department under yellow alert for thunderstorms in the afternoon of Monday the 16th of June. While the morning has been sunny across the region, storms are expected between 2:30-6:00pm, especially in the east near Menton and in the Tinée valley. Temperatures will reach up to 31–32°C, with light winds throughout the area.
Traffic jams this morning - Traffic was heavily congested Monday morning on the A8 motorway, with a 15 km traffic jam forming around 9am toward Nice Airport. The jam stretched between exits 42 (Mougins) and 51 (Nice-Airport), adding about 25 minutes to travel time. The cause of the delay is still unknown, and drivers are advised to remain cautious.
Philippe Mettoux's future challenges - Philippe Mettoux, a former magistrate and legal executive at SNCF, will become Monaco’s new Minister of State on the 4th of July 2025, succeeding Didier Guillaume. His arrival as Minister of State will be welcomed by major challenges, including improving the fight against financial crime to help Monaco exit the FATF grey list, addressing persistent transportation issues for cross-border commuters, and resolving the waste management crisis after a costly incinerator project was dropped. He must also tackle housing shortages for Monégasques, urban development delays (like the Annonciade II project), and the controversial merger of Monaco’s two TV stations. Expectations are high, with many watching how quickly and effectively he will take action.
Lowered protection status for wolves - The European Parliament approved lowering the protection status of wolves in May 2025, making it easier to hunt them, despite opposition from Monaco, the UK, and the Czech Republic. The wolf’s status has now changed from "strictly protected" to simply "protected," allowing regulated culling under certain conditions. Monaco has opposed this due to scientific concerns and the ecological role of wolves, emphasizing non-lethal conflict management methods. Environmental groups have challenged the decision legally, citing a lack of scientific basis. The change aims to address rising livestock attacks but raises worries about long-term impacts on wolf populations and ecosystem balance.
Rising sea levels - Rising sea levels due to climate change are threatening the French Riviera, where submersion risks, once rara, now occur every few years. to combat this, engineers have installed artificial reefs, which are 50-meter-long geotextile tubes filled with sand, to reduce wave impact and slow erosion at Rayol-Canadel, Var. These efforts have helped widen the beach and protect local businesses. However, experts warn these solutions are temporary, and without significant emissions cuts, future sea-level rise could force major relocations. Coastal construction, long common in the region, complicates adaptation. Local governments, like Rayol-Canadel, are already investing millions to preserve these vulnerable shorelines.
Saint-Laurent-du-Var says goodbye to its footbridge - The pedestrian footbridge over the coastal road near the train station of Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes, will be permanently removed. This will require overnight road closures from the 16th-18th of June. It will be replaced by a pedestrian crossing, traffic lights, and a reduced speed limit of 50 km/h instead of 70. Detours will be set up during the closures, and local bus services like the line 12+ will be adjusted accordingly.
Ventimiglia's new bridge - After five years, the reconstruction of Ventimiglia’s pedestrian bridge, destroyed by Storm Alex in 2020, will begin by the end of 2025 thanks to €5.7 million funding from the Liguria Region and €800,000 from the city budget. The new bridge, similar but modernized with a single central support to reduce flood risks, will connect key areas and boost tourism as a scenic spot. Prince Albert II of Monaco contributed €500,000 to support demolition and reconstruction costs. The project is expected to take between 12 and 18 months to complete.
NEWS UPDATE
Nighttime temperatures - Two early-season nighttime temperature records were broken in southern France on the 16th of June, with 23.6°C in Le Luc, Var, and 21.4°C in Peille, Alpes-Maritimes. These “tropical nights,” where temperatures stay above 20°C, are happening unusually early in the year. The region is experiencing nighttime and daytime temperatures between 4 and 8°C above seasonal norms. Fortunately, a slight drop is expected in the coming nights and days, with temperatures stabilizing around 30 to 32°C. The week will start off mostly sunny, but some areas may see rain or storms mid- to late week, especially inland.
SFR outage - SFR is currently experiencing a major network outage across France, affecting all its customers. Users are unable to make calls, send SMS, or access the internet. The company has acknowledged the issue and says its technical teams are fully mobilized to resolve it quickly. Meanwhile, many frustrated users are expressing their complaints on social media.
BUSINESS
Keen, a family-owned shoe company, has opened a new highly automated factory in Kentucky, reflecting efforts to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. However, this shift is complex and high labour costs mean Keen relies heavily on robotics, not large workforces. While automation helps reduce costs, most shoes sold in the U.S. are still imported due to global supply chains, with only 9% of Keen shoes assembled in America. Other companies like Oka also face challenges sourcing materials domestically. Despite interest sparked by tariffs and supply disruptions, a full-scale return of U.S. shoe manufacturing remains unlikely without long-term, costly investment. As of today, 99% of shoes sold in the U.S. are imported, mainly from China, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
The Cannes Lions, a major global advertising and marketing event, kicks off today and attracts over 12,000 professionals from 97 countries. Alongside industry leaders, it features celebrity guests like Serena Williams, Reese Witherspoon, and Peter Jackson. The festival blends business, creativity, and glamour through conferences, brand showcases, and VIP music performances. Tech and AI, including voices like Microsoft AI's Mustafa Suleyman, are central themes this year. For the first time, locals will also enjoy a free Odesza concert, adding a public dimension to the exclusive event.
And - The fashion brand Jennyfer, after years of financial struggles and a recent liquidation, has been partially acquired by the Beaumanoir Group, saving 350 jobs and 26 stores out of around 1,000 at risk. Beaumanoir, known for reviving struggling brands, plans to relaunch Jennyfer targeting a younger audience, mainly through its Sarenza.com platform. Celio will also take over 47 employees and 7 stores. Despite these efforts, over 600 employees will still lose their jobs, prompting criticism from unions. Jennyfer had tried multiple strategies to survive, including rebranding, but failed to meet its goals amid rising costs and intense market competition.
SPORTS
Rugby Union - Former England captain Owen Farrell has agreed to rejoin Saracens, just a year after leaving the club for French side Racing 92. The 33-year-old has signed a two-year deal after the Premiership club came to an agreement with Paris-based Racing to end his stint in Top 14 a year early. Farrell, England's record points scorer, previously spent 16 years at Saracens, helping the club win six Premiership titles and three European Champions Cups. He made 256 appearances for the north London side, as well as playing 112 games for England and winning six Test caps for the British and Irish lions.
Formula 1 - Lewis Hamilton says he is devastated after running over a groundhog during Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver hit the rodent during the 13th lap of the race in Montreal, leaving a hole in the floor of his SF-25 car. The 40-year-old ended up finishing sixth, with his team estimating that the damage cost Hamilton about half-a-second per lap for the remainder of the race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. But the seven-time world champion, a vegan and well-known animal lover, was more concerned with the "horrible" death of the groundhog.
Cycling - The Race Across France, a major ultra-cycling event which started on the 11th of June and will last until the 21st, is arriving in Mandelieu. Created by Arnaud Manzanini, the race offers five distances, including a gruelling 2,500 km route with 31,000 meters of elevation gain. This year, 1,200 cyclists from 21 countries are participating, with some riding tandems or gravel bikes. The first finishers are expected tonight or tomorrow, and the event will conclude with a trophy ceremony on Saturday. The race continues to grow in popularity, with plans for expansion in 2026.
WEATHER
It's bright and clear across the region today except once again if you’re in Tende as the Alpes Maritimes department is the only department in yellow alert for thunderstorms across the whole country. Nonetheless it is very warm today with highs of 29 degrees in Nice and Cannes, 30 in Marseille, and 32 degrees in Saint-Tropez and Toulon with moderate winds.
Tonight, all clear with lows of 22 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, bright and clear once again with highs of 28 degrees and moderate winds.
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