NEWS
Massive Power Outage Struck Spain, Portugal and Parts of France - A massive power outage struck Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France late Monday morning, leaving buildings in the dark, trains halted, and traffic lights down. Portuguese electricity operator REN confirmed the widespread disruption and said the cause is still under investigation, with a cyberattack being considered. It’s reportedly the worst blackout in the region’s history, with major cities like Lisbon heavily affected and some French border areas also impacted.
Weather this Week - Sunny weather with temperatures up to 27°C is expected on the Côte d’Azur this week, especially for the 1st May holiday weekend. While some local thunderstorms may hit the inland areas early in the week, the coast will mostly enjoy clear skies and warm conditions. Despite yellow weather alerts, the risk is minimal for tourists, and the overall forecast promises a summery vibe for the long weekend.
Car on Fire - A car has caught fire causing major traffic disruptions around midday on Monday the 28th of April on the A8 motorway near Nice. The incident occurred after exit 54 Nice Nord, with emergency services on site.
Abandined Bag - An abandoned bag at Marseille's Saint-Charles station has disrupted all train traffic on the Côte d'Azur Monday morning. No trains could depart from or arrive at the station due to the security alert. Service was expected to resume around midday, according to SNCF.
Marseille Beach Closed - The Catalans beach in Marseille will be closed for three days from the 28th to the 30th of April for maintenance, cleaning, and preparation for the summer season. Work includes reinforcing the area around the Tour du Lazaret, installing a wooden and steel footbridge, and improving access and safety features. Facilities like restrooms and lifeguard posts will be set up, and the beach will be cleaned and levelled—costing over €164,000 in total.
Measles Cases in 2024 in France - France has reported nearly 500 measles cases in 2024 so far — four times more than in 2023, according to Santé publique France. Most cases occurred in mainland France, with no deaths but about a third requiring hospitalisation, mainly among young children and adults over 30. The rise is linked to declining vaccination rates since the Covid-19 pandemic, though case numbers remain lower than pre-pandemic averages.
Cycling to Raise Funds - Dozens of cyclists have ridden 140 km on the 27th of April from Saint-Tropez to Monaco to raise funds for the Princess Charlene Foundation and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The event, joined by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, ended with a festive street party in Monaco, continuing a tradition started in 2012. Despite rainy conditions, participants—including cycling legend Stephen Roche—helped raise donations for several causes, with over €1 million raised over the past decade.
Marathon in Avignon in September 2026 - Aiming to attract top international runners, Avignon, Vaucluse, will host a marathon in late September 2026, though the exact date is still to be confirmed. The course is expected to highlight the city’s landmarks like the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon. Organizers hope the event will boost tourism and fill a regional gap, as major marathons are rare in the PACA region.
Swarm of Bees Frightens Passersby in Cannes - A swarm of bees has caused a stir on Monday, the 28th of April, gathering around a trash bin on rue d’Antibes in central Cannes. Firefighters quickly set up a safety perimeter, and an expert beekeeper was called in to handle the protected species. The bees were eventually found clustered on a streetlamp and safely removed.
Dubai Chocolate - The viral success of "Dubai chocolate" filled with pistachio cream has boosted global demand for pistachios, benefiting growers in southern France. In Provence, farmers are reviving pistachio cultivation, with 550 hectares planted and support from regional and EU funding. Producers see long-term potential in premium green pistachios for pastries, aiming to meet rising demand while reducing France's reliance on imports.
NEWS UPDATE
Power Outage Update - A massive power outage has hit Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France on Monday, disrupting air and rail traffic, shutting down nuclear plants, and cutting power to major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon. Authorities are still investigating the cause, with speculation about a cyberattack, although the EU says there's no evidence of that yet. Power is being gradually restored, with France assisting Spain’s grid, but full recovery may take several hours.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident - A 19-year-old pedestrian was fatally struck by a high-powered motorcycle while crossing at a crosswalk near the Fontaine du Soleil in Nice’s Place Masséna around 2:30 am. The motorcycle was reportedly speeding at the time of the collision. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, the young man succumbed to his injuries.
Deportation Order Delayed - A 24-year-old man has appeared in court in Nice for trying to avoid deportation from France after a drug-related conviction led to a five-year ban from the country. During a transfer flight from Paris to Tunisia, he covered himself in his own feces at the airport to prevent being put on the plane. As a result, the deportation was aborted, and he was sent back to court in Nice; he remains in custody and will be tried again in June.
BUSINESS
A letter written by Titanic survivor Colonel Archibald Gracie, just before the ship sank, has been sold at a UK auction for a record £300,000. Written on the 10th of April 1912, the letter eerily hinted at the ship's fate and was posted during a stop in Ireland. Gracie, who later published an eyewitness account of the disaster, survived by clinging to an overturned lifeboat but died months later due to complications from his ordeal.
And - Armenia is investing heavily in tech education from a young age through its Armath labs, where children learn coding, robotics, and engineering. With over 650 labs and 17,000 students, the country is building a pipeline of future tech talent, supported by public-private partnerships and a strong global diaspora. Armenia's tech sector is growing rapidly, boosted by local startups, returning diaspora, and an influx of Russian IT experts, with global success stories like Picsart and Service Titan.
SPORTS
Boxing - Chris Eubank Jr has been discharged from hospital after he was admitted as a precaution following his victory over Conor Benn on Saturday. Eubank beat Benn by unanimous decision in a thrilling 12-round middleweight fight at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Eubank was admitted as part of a standard procedure for boxers after a gruelling bout, with promoter Ben Shalom saying he was having "precautionary checks".
Formula 1 - Formula 1 heads to Miami in the United States for the sixth race of the 2025 season from 2-4 May. McLaren's Oscar Piastri took his third win of the campaign and with it the world championship lead at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Australian heads team-mate Lando Norris by 10 points, with defending champion Max Verstappen in third, 12 points adrift. Sunday's main race starts at 21:00 BST.
Rugby Union - Exeter head coach Rob Hunter says his side "need to dwell" on their heaviest ever Premiership defeat. The Chiefs conceded 13 tries as they were thrashed 79-17 at Gloucester to mark the nadir of what has been their worst season in the top flight.
WEATHER
Partly cloudy with sunny intervals on the Cote d’Azur however, rain and thunderstorms are expected inland and towards Marseille. We've got gentle to moderate winds across the region with highs of 20 degrees in Marseille, 22 in Nice, Saint-Tropez and Toulon and 23 degrees in Cannes.
Tonight, mostly clear with temperatures dropping to 16 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, much the same, mostly sunny on the Cote d’Azur with thunderstorms persisting inland. We’ll have highs of 21 degrees with moderate winds.
A massive power outage struck Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France late Monday morning, leaving buildings in the dark, trains halted, and tra...
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French politicians have strongly condemned a deadly stabbing at a mosque in southern France, where a man was killed while praying. ...
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A mainly fine start in the Alpes Maritimes with showers forecast for the Var region. Scattered thundery showers are expected across the region by this...
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The 13th Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament concluded on Saturday April 26th with Montpellier Hérault Rugby defeating Cobham FC 2-0. ...
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Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu has said that there is now no hope of rescuing the sailor who fell overboard from a French Navy ship early yes...
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