NEWS
Weather this Week - The first week of June will bring mixed weather in the Alpes-Maritimes. Monday starts cloudy with some showers inland and light winds across the region. Tuesday will be sunnier and warmer, with highs of 29°C. Wednesday turns stormy across the region, with strong winds and cooler temperatures. Thursday and Friday bring a mix of sunshine on the coast and light rain inland, with temperatures rising to 31°C inland. The weekend looks mostly sunny on the coast, with possible storms inland.
Authorities to Seize Valuables if you're in Debt - Authorities can now immediately seize valuables from people in police custody if they have unpaid fines in the Var. This includes cash, luxury items like watches or jewellery, and even vehicles. A new agreement between police, prosecutors, and tax authorities aims to strengthen fine collection and ensure penalties are enforced. Officials say this measure reinforces justice and deters repeat offenses. Since expanding the policy, the amount of seized funds has significantly increased.
Greenpeace Excluded from UNOC2025 - Greenpeace, an international non-governmental organisation for the protection of the environment, has been excluded from the opening parade of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, despite initially being invited. Organizers have cited concerns over the intentions of the crew of the Arctic Sunrise, Greenpeace’s ship. Greenpeace denounced the move as intimidation, linking it to their recent protest against bottom trawling in a marine park. The NGO argues this reflects growing repression of environmental activists. Despite the exclusion, Greenpeace will still dock in Nice and offer public visits to their ship.
15-year-old Boy Crashes his Mom's Car - A 15-year-old boy has taken his mother’s BMW without permission claiming he was going to the pool in Carpentras, Vaucluse. He crashed into three cars during a high-speed “urban rodeo” and fled the scene, accompanied by an unknown accomplice. The incident was caught on surveillance cameras. His mother later brought him to the police herself. He had already been in custody earlier that week for theft and now faces further legal action.
Driving Under the Influence - A man in his thirties, under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, has fled a police-check on the 1st of June in Carpentras, Vaucluse. He crashed his car into a lamppost, then tried to escape on foot before being caught. While handcuffed in the police car, he insulted and violently kicked an officer in the face and neck. The injured officer required a medical exam. The man was taken into custody and is due to appear before a judge on the 2nd of June.
The Hyères Naval Air Base 100th Anniversary - The Hyères Naval Air Base has celebrated its 100th anniversary on the 1st of June, drawing 50,000 visitors in Hyères, Var. The event featured aircraft displays, music from the Navy band, and stunning aerial demonstrations, including the Patrouille de France. Historic planes like the Spitfire and Corsair have also been showcased. Visitors described the experience as breathtaking and unique. All proceeds from the celebration will support military families.
Vaucluse New Logo - The Vaucluse department has unveiled a new logo, replacing its blue and yellow colours with green and ochre. The new design features a dynamic "V" symbol, evoking both the department's name and its broad range of responsibilities. The previous logo had been in use since 2001. The redesign was done internally to keep costs low, focusing on sustainability and efficiency. The exact cost of the rebranding has not been disclosed.
NEWS UPDATE
National Council of Monaco - The National Council of Monaco has criticized government inaction and delays on key projects, calling for concrete progress and leadership clarity after 130 days without a permanent State Minister. Major projects like the waste treatment centre have been abandoned due to high costs, while the Fontvieille shopping centre is in poor condition and awaiting urgent renovation. Concerns were raised about legislative delays that risk Monaco’s removal from the grey list, as well as poor mobility during events like the Grand Prix. However, housing progress was praised. The government responded firmly, denying obstruction and urging constructive dialogue ahead of upcoming legislative sessions.
Clinical Trial to Treat Psoriasis - A clinical trial led by Nice University Hospital is testing if light forms of psoriasis can be cured with early intensive treatment. Traditionally, only moderate to severe cases benefit from advanced (but costly) biotherapies. The study compares standard cream treatment with four injections of bimékizumab, a highly effective drug. Researchers hope this early intervention could lead to long-lasting remission or even a cure. Only 40 patients across France can participate, targeting newly diagnosed or long-term mild cases.
Murderer Arrested - A 30-year-old man has been found fatally stabbed in the throat on the night of the 24th-25th of May in the Moulins district of Nice. He had received at least seven knife wounds and died despite attempts to save him. The attack reportedly began in an apartment and continued into the street. A suspect was recently arrested in Italy under a European arrest warrant. The investigation, which may involve drug trafficking, is ongoing.
UNOC 2025 Attendees - Argentinian President Javier Milei and Brazilian President Lula da Silva will attend the UN Ocean Conference from the 9th-13th of June in Nice. At least 70 world leaders are expected to participate, according to local authorities. The event will feature heightened security due to its scale and importance. Latin America will be well represented, including the Costa Rican president, a co-organizer. The contrast between leaders like the ultra-liberal Milei and leftist Lula highlights the diversity of voices attending the summit.
BUSINESS
Since the marine zoo Marineland closed in January, nearby campsites and shops have seen a sharp drop in visitors. The usually busy Ascension weekend was unusually quiet, with campsites nearly empty and no new bookings. Business owners report significant losses, especially those who relied on tourist traffic from the park. Marineland used to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly, supporting the local economy. For many, this closure is yet another blow after years of hardship from floods and the COVID-19 crisis.
U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping campaign against elite U.S. universities, particularly targeting Harvard, over issues like antisemitism, foreign influence, and liberal bias. His administration has frozen billions in funding, threatened accreditation, and demanded radical reforms in hiring, admissions, and academic freedom. Harvard and other universities are fighting back through lawsuits and public statements. Critics fear this could severely damage academic independence, while supporters see it as a necessary correction. The conflict marks a major escalation in the culture war over higher education in America.
And - The mayor of Menton, Yves Juhel, and the former director of the city's ports, Mathieu Messina, have been placed in police custody over alleged embezzlement of public funds. They're suspected of diverting money from the ports to finance the 2022 municipal campaign. The investigation, led by a financial crime unit, has uncovered questionable expenses including luxury purchases and false invoices. Both men were questioned by police in Nice and may be referred to a specialized court in Marseille. The case involves over €700,000 in suspicious spending and potential organized money laundering.
SPORTS
Rugby Union - Toulon (RCT) has beaten Bordeaux 27-10 in front of a packed stadium but missed out on a bonus-point win. They remain third in the Top 14 and fail to secure a direct spot in the semi-finals. Despite the victory, missing a fourth try leaves them with a bitter taste.
Football - Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is set to move to Brentford after the clubs agreed a £12.5m fee for the player, rising to £18m in add-ons. The Republic of Ireland international, 26, is seen as a replacement for the Bees' number one Mark Flekken, who is heading to German side Bayer Leverkusen.
Golf - Maja Stark has claimed her first major title with a two-shot victory at the US Women's Open to become the third Swede to lift the trophy. Stark, the first Swedish winner since Annika Sorenstam won her third title in 2006, held off the challenge of world number one Nelly Korda of the United States and Japan's Rio Taneka at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.
WEATHER
Mostly hazy this afternoon across the region with light rain planned inland and a gentle breeze. We have highs of 24 degrees in Nice, Cannes and Marseille and 26 degrees in Saint-Tropez and Toulon.
Tonight, very cloudy with temperatures dropping to 19 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, mostly clear with occasional cloudy intervals and highs of 25 degrees.
A child has died after falling from the 18th floor of a building in Marseille. The tragic incident occurred last night in the 15th arondissement ...
Read More
French air traffic controllers have filed a strike notice for the start of the summer holidays, in a dispute over working conditions....
Read More
The French National Assembly is set to debate the current conflict in the Middle East on Wednesday
Read More
French president Emmanuel Macron has held an urgent meeting of his national defence and security council on Sunday evening after the US waded into the...
Read More
The porn sites YouPorn, Pornhub, and RedTube have been reactivated in France by their owner, Aylo, after a French court suspended a law requiring age ...
Read More
