NEWS
Insects on the Rise - With the summer season at our doorsteps, insects are increasingly present every day. And with insects come bites. Insect bites can range from harmless to serious. Biting insects like mosquitoes and ticks feed on blood and may transmit diseases (e.g. Lyme, dengue), while bees and wasps sting in self-defence, potentially causing allergic reactions. Mild bites can be soothed with heat or creams, but symptoms like fever, rash, or swelling may require medical attention. To avoid bites, stay calm around defensive insects, avoid disturbing nests, and consult experts for infestations, especially for aggressive species like hornets or toxic caterpillars. As for mosquitoes, try to eliminate standing water near your home as much as possible to limit proliferation.
Grand Prix Boosts Tourism - The Monaco Grand Prix has brought a tourism boom, with hotel occupancy hitting nearly 100% across all categories in Nice. Nice has benefited more from the race than from the Cannes Film Festival, especially attracting wealthy, big-spending visitors who also enjoyed the city’s private beaches. Local tourism professionals are optimistic, expecting a strong summer season following this successful weekend.
Artists Protests - Artists and cultural workers in France are protesting against major budget cuts imposed by the Ministry of Culture under Rachida Dati, which they say threaten the future of live performance and public cultural access. They criticize the minister's denial of these cuts and staged a creative protest called "Speed Dati" during the Cannes Festival weekend to draw attention. The cuts affect not only ministry funding but also local budgets that support festivals, schools, and the arts, jeopardizing jobs and cultural outreach nationwide.
Heavy Rains Affects Vineyards - After heavy rains flooded vineyards, winemakers fear losing their entire harvest due to mildew and mud covering the vines, blocking photosynthesis in the Var. Tractors can't be used to treat the plants because of the mud, so growers are urgently requesting permission to use drones for spraying. This drone use needs approval from three French ministries, and only one temporary exception has been granted so far in Bormes-les-Mimosas.
Are Catfish Essential for our Ecosystem - Scientists from the Natural History Museum dispute claims by Rhône anglers that catfish (silure) are essential to aquatic ecosystems. They argue catfish are predators of migratory fish and harm biodiversity, calling for population control, while fishermen prefer catch-and-release. Tensions are high, with some scientists facing threats and avoiding public statements on the controversial species.
Cannes Film Festival Hairstyle - At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, many celebrities wore sleek, low buns - a trend driven by tighter hair and makeup budgets and a desire for simplicity. Stylists say quick, minimalist styles are practical and balance out elaborate outfits and jewellery. Social media also fuels the look, with hair tutorials promoting slick styles and popular styling products.
NEWS UPDATE
Electric Sabotage - Following a major sabotage of the power grid, a high-voltage pylon has been found with three of its feet sawn off, risking collapse in Villeneuve-Loubet, Alpes-Maritimes. Twenty engineers and a helicopter have been deployed to stabilize it with counterweights until a replacement can be installed in 2–3 months. Power supply remains unaffected thanks to secondary networks, while access to nearby areas is restricted for safety.
Taxi Driver Defrauds France's Health Insurance System - A taxi driver is on trial for defrauding France’s health insurance system (CPAM) of over €2 million by billing for fake medical transport between 2019 and 2024 in the Var. She used the funds to invest in property, vehicles, and a gym, with €1.37 million in assets seized by authorities. Now banned from working in transport, she faces up to 7 years in prison and a €750,000 fine.
A8 Motorway Works near Sainte-Agnès - Work continues near the A8 motorway ramp in Sainte-Agnès, with full weekday daytime closures until the end of June to secure a hillside retaining wall and upgrade drainage systems. Traffic is reduced to a single alternating lane, with complete shutdowns at specific times, and detours in place during those hours. The project, fully funded by Vinci Autoroutes, uses eco-friendly low-carbon cement and aims to ensure long-term safety and environmental care.
UVA Rays - UVA rays play a major role in skin cancer, aging, and pigmentation issues, as they penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB and are present year-round, even through clouds and windows. Most sunscreens focus on UVB protection (SPF), but UVA protection is often inadequate, so it's important to choose products that specify a high UVA Protection Factor. Everyone, regardless of skin tone, is vulnerable to UVA damage, making daily UVA protection essential, even indoors or in winter, for long-term skin health.
Lucie, a 12 year-old Prodigee - Lucie, a 12-year-old girl from Nice, speaks five languages, plays piano like a pro, and is already taking her high school baccalaureate exams. She skipped four grades, loves math and mythology, and dreams of becoming a neurologist, though she’s also considered becoming an astronaut. Despite her brilliance, as she was diagnosed with High Intellectual Potential (HPI), her parents strive to keep her balanced, ensuring she manages her many passions with structure and support.
Brief Power Outages - Brief power outages have been reported again on Monday, the 26th of May, in western Nice, affecting areas like Arénas, Carras, and Fabron. Enedis have confirmed the disruptions but ruled out further sabotage, linking the incidents to ongoing repair work from a weekend fire. Despite public concern online, the outages were short and are being actively monitored.
BUSINESS
Burgundy, a top French wine region, is worried about rising U.S. tariffs under Donald Trump, which could hurt exports. French winemakers fear big financial losses if tariffs increase, while even American wine producers oppose them. Both sides agree: trade wars damage the global wine market and threaten businesses on all fronts.
Researchers are using devices like the AI “Dreamachine” to explore how our brains create consciousness, the experience of being aware. As AI grows more advanced, some experts believe it could become conscious, but others argue that true consciousness may require life, not just computation. Meanwhile, even if AI only appears conscious, it could still change human behaviour and values in powerful and potentially risky ways.
And - Two powerful anti-obesity drugs, Wegovy and Mounjaro, which help patients lose significant weight, are set to be prescribed by general practitioners instead of specialists only. The French government aims to ease access because patients currently wait up to a year for specialist appointments. These weekly injectable drugs cost about €300 per month and are intended for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35 who have failed other treatments.
SPORTS
Basketball - Monaco has lost 70-81 to Turkey’s Fenerbahçe in their first-ever EuroLeague basketball final, held in Abu Dhabi. Despite a strong start, Monaco struggled in the second half as Fenerbahçe's defence and key three-pointers sealed the win. The defeat ends Monaco’s dream of becoming the first French EuroLeague champion since Limoges in 1993.
Cycling - The 2025 Mercan'Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes began on the 26th of May, with an early breakaway by Noah Knecht and Nicola Marcerou heading into the mountain climbs. This demanding race favours climbers and features three major ascents, ending at Valberg via the Col de la Couillole. With only 4 World Tour teams due to a date change caused by a UN event, the competition is more open, promising a fierce battle for victory.
Football - Kylian Mbappe has won the European Golden Shoe for the first time after scoring twice in Real Madrid's 2-0 defeat of Real Sociedad on Saturday. The France international scored 31 league goals in his debut season in Spain, meaning he also won La Liga's top scorer prize.
WEATHER
It’s a bit cloudy with occasional sunny intervals across the region with strong winds towards the Bouches-Du-Rhone department. We still have rather warm temperatures reaching 22 degrees in Nice, 23 in Cannes, 25 in Saint-Tropez, and 27 degrees in Toulon and Marseille.
Tonight, cloudy on the coast with lows of 15 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, much the same as today, partly cloudy with strong winds in the Bouches-Du-Rhone department and highs of 23 degrees.
Weather in the Alpes-Maritimes is set to be calm and warm this early week but will shift this weekend. We can expect cloudy skies and some light rain ...
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French MPs will vote today Tuesday, May 27, on a bill to legalise assisted dying for patients suffering from incurable illnesses, following two weeks ...
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Cloudy patches to start with some scattered showers giving way to sunny intervals and light winds. Highs of 21 degree in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, 22 d...
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With the summer season at our doorsteps, insects are increasingly present every day. And with insects come bites. Insect bites can range from harmless...
Read More
A major power outage in the Alpes-Maritimes over the weekend is now under investigation as a suspected act of sabotage. Two groups identifying themsel...
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