NEWS
Banning Hunting - Over 80% of French people support banning hunting during school holidays, according to a 2025 survey by the association ‘30 Millions d'Amis’. The debate highlights growing tensions between hunters and hikers, especially in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Support for restrictions on weekend and holiday hunting is also high but slightly lower for a full ban.
Night Closures on Provence Motorways - Several motorways in Provence, including the A7, A8, A50, A52, and A57, will experience night closures from the 17th to the 24th of February for maintenance work. Major disruptions will affect routes around Marseille, Toulon, and Nice, with some detours in place. Certain exits, such as Le Muy on the A8 motorway, will remain closed continuously until early March.
Removal of Nice Saint-Isidore's Toll - The French Transport Minister, Philippe Tabarot, is pushing for the removal of the toll at Nice Saint-Isidore, the only paid bypass in a major French city. Local officials and citizens have long demanded its removal, citing environmental and financial concerns. While Vinci, the toll operator, argues it helps regulate traffic, the minister is seeking alternative solutions before the concession ends in 2032.
High Security Prison in Arles - Arles is one of four locations being considered for France’s first high-security prison for the country’s 100 most dangerous drug traffickers. The facility would have advanced security measures to prevent communication with the outside world, but unions argue Arles is not ideal due to its proximity to the city and security risks. If not chosen, Arles could still host one of several similar prisons planned for 2026.
Ride-Hailing with Femal Drivers for Extra Safety - A new VTC (ride-hailing) service allows women to choose female drivers for added safety and comfort on the Côte d'Azur. The feature is now available in 12 cities across France, with some apps offering extra safety measures like ridesharing and SOS functions.
2 CV Car Tour - A unique 2 CV (2 horsepower car) tour on the Côte d'Azur takes visitors through the stunning mimosa forests, offering breathtaking views and local delicacies near Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Alpes-Maritimes. The journey includes stops at the Tanneron Massif, the largest mimosa forest in Europe, and a family-run mimosa farm. These golden blooms will soon decorate regional festivals like the Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival.
Menton Students Create Fundraiser for Hygiene Kits - Five students from the IUT of Menton have launched a fundraiser to create hygiene kits and uplifting booklets for homeless individuals. Their association, Regarde, aims to provide essential hygiene products and messages of encouragement to those in need. Despite challenges in securing donations, they plan to distribute the kits in May and hope for community support.
Nice and Cannes Act Against Airbnb - The cities of Nice and Cannes have cracked down on Airbnb key boxes in public spaces, banning them and enforcing removals since late 2023. Over a year later, Nice has removed 341 boxes, while Cannes has taken down 36, following numerous public reports. The measures aim to regulate short-term rentals and control urban space.
NEWS UPDATE
Missing Person Found - A 49 year old man called Anthony, who went missing in early February in Antibes, has been seen alive and well on surveillance footage. His partner shared the reassuring news, and police suggest his disappearance was likely voluntary. The family is relieved, and search efforts have been called off.
Missing Plumber Found in Italy - A plumber from Saône-et-Loire had disappeared on the 24th of January, just before his house caught fire. After being traced near Toulon, he was finally found safe in Italy, confirming a voluntary disappearance. The investigation into the fire is still ongoing.
BUSINESS
South Korea has banned new downloads of China's DeepSeek AI chatbot over privacy concerns, though existing users can still access it. Other countries, including Taiwan, Australia, and Italy, have also imposed restrictions due to security risks. DeepSeek’s rapid rise has sparked global scrutiny, especially as it rivals US AI models at a lower cost.
And - Birkshead drift mine in Cumbria is the world’s deepest gypsum mine, operating since 1977 to supply plasterboard materials. The mine, with vast tunnels and extensive conveyor systems, runs beneath farmland, where workers navigate dust-filled conditions using advanced machinery. Despite the challenges of working underground, safety measures, including emergency shelters, ensure a secure environment for the miners.
SPORTS
Cricket - New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has joined Middlesex for the 2025 season and will be available to play in the County Championship and Vitality Blast. The 34-year-old is the Black Caps' all-time leading Test run-scorer and stepped down as their white-ball captain last season in order to pursue opportunities overseas during the home summer.
Tennis - Britain's Emma Raducanu ended her losing run with a straight-set victory 6-4 6-2 over Greece's Maria Sakkari in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Golf - Sweden's Ludvig Aberg sensationally holed four birdies in his final six holes to claim his second PGA Tour title with victory at the Genesis Invitational.
WEATHER
Cloudy with sunny spells this afternoon and gentle to moderate winds. Highs of 14 degrees in Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez, and 15 degrees in Toulon and Marseille.
Tonight, partly cloudy with lows of 9 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, much the same, cloudy with sunny spells with highs of 15 degrees and moderate winds.
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A judge has authorised a dive to inspect the wreckage of a plane in the sea off Antibes. The plane crashed into the Mediterranean on September 11 1968...
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In France, drinking water is heavily contaminated with "forever pollutants," particularly trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), as revealed by two studies from ...
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The trial of the Tunisian man accused of the murder of three people in the Nice Basilica attack is continuing in Paris. Yesterday the families of the ...
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Four cities in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region made Booking.com's 2025 list of the "most welcoming destinations in France." ...
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