NEWS
SNCF Strikes - Rail workers in France are launching strikes starting on the 5th of May, demanding better pay, improved working conditions, and more stable scheduling, especially during the long holiday weekend. Unions criticize SNCF's management for announcing major profits while ignoring wage negotiations and warn against unfair competition from private operators like Trenitalia. While TGV service should remain normal, regional TER trains—especially in the south—will face disruptions; travellers are urged to check schedules daily.
Yellow Storm Alert - Due to a yellow storm alert in the Alpes-Maritimes this Monday, Nice has banned swimming and closed the coastal path from 2 pm. Strong waves and 40 km/h wind gusts are expected, with conditions easing by evening. The city urges caution and reminds residents to follow safety instructions and avoid coastal areas.
'Concrete Sarcophagus' Trial - The trial of a bar manager has begun for alleged murder in Nice. A mummified body has been found encased in concrete under the bar after six months missing. The bar manager claims he only meant to “teach a lesson,” not kill, while a co-accused ex-boxer admits helping clean up but denies involvement in the death. The victim’s family seeks truth and justice after months of silence, while the court must determine whether the act was premeditated or a fatal outburst.
Cardiac Arrest in Nice Airport - A 34-year-old delivery driver has suffered a fatal cardiac arrest at Nice Airport on Monday. Despite quick intervention by firefighters and emergency responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation has been opened to determine the exact cause of death.
Teachers on Strike - Around 100 teachers and staff at a high school in Saint-Tropez have gone on strike after two students previously expelled for bullying were allowed back following an appeal. The staff has expressed concern for the victim’s well-being, highlighting the lack of a proper reintegration protocol for harassers. While officials stress support measures and legal procedures were followed, educators feel a gap remains between policy and on-the-ground realities.
Tribute to Lorenzo Menardi - A heartfelt tribute has been held at the Carros football club for Lorenzo Menardi, a 15-year-old apprentice who died in a construction site accident in Saint-Martin-du-Var. Though he wasn’t part of the team, his best friend and team captain, Noah, honoured him alongside players, family, and locals, all wearing black armbands. An investigation into the accident is ongoing, as his tragic death deeply moved both his loved ones and the broader community.
Blood Donation Shortage in Monaco - The Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG) has opened a new, more welcoming blood donation centre, improving comfort for both donors and staff in Monaco. Despite modern facilities and better workflow, Monaco still faces a major shortage of blood donations and relies on imports to meet demand. New strategies, including plasma freezing and increased donor outreach, aim to boost self-sufficiency and meet medical needs.
MOPC - The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge (MOPC) celebrates innovative student and startup ideas that help protect the ocean, with its grand finale on the 14th of May at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Six finalist teams, selected from 138 entries across 66 nationalities, will pitch their projects to an international jury. This 8th edition aligns with major upcoming ocean conferences, aiming to empower a new wave of ocean-focused entrepreneurs with real-world impact.
Noyau - Renowned chef Mauro Colagreco has launched Noyau, a sustainable artisanal grocery brand using surplus produce from his permaculture gardens to create zero-waste culinary essentials. Alongside this, he’s expanding his culinary ventures with two new restaurants and a boutique hotel in Cap d’Antibes and Menton, Alpes-Maritimes. Noyau offers eco-friendly products like olive oil, jams, vinegars, and honey, now available in select stores and his own establishments.
Monaco Concert - Conductor Lio Kuokman will lead the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra on the 11th of May at the Auditorium Rainier III of Monaco. The concert will feature iconic American and Russian works by Bernstein, Gershwin, Barber, and Rachmaninov. Pianist Jorge Luis Prats will perform Gershwin’s Concerto in F, and a pre-concert talk by André Peyrègne will take place at 5pm.
Opéra Déconfiné - The "Opéra Déconfiné" initiative brings live 15-minute opera concerts to unexpected public places like supermarkets and football fields, aiming to make opera accessible to all. Mezzo-soprano Noelia Ibáñez performs among shoppers and children, moving audiences and breaking down the elitist image of opera. Organized by CALMS and the local council, the project runs every Wednesday until the 18th of June, fostering emotional connection and cultural inclusion through music.
NEWS UPDATE
Train Strike - Train travel in southern France will be heavily disrupted during the 8th of May 8 long weekend due to strikes by SNCF staff, including conductors, maintenance workers, and drivers. Only one in three TER regional trains will run on Monday, with major disruptions expected from the 9th to 11th of May. The strikes are driven by demands over pay and working conditions.
Dog Trafficking - A dog trafficking operation has been dismantled in Nice-Nord, where a clandestine dog breeding camp was discovered in a makeshift settlement. Police and animal protection associations, after months of investigation, uncovered that puppies were being drugged to stay calm and sold for prices between 150 and 400 euros. Around 20 dogs were rescued, and the illegal camp is being dismantled by authorities.
BUSINESS
Mark Carney, former central banker turned Liberal Party leader, won a surprising election in Canada amid rising tensions with the U.S. under President Donald Trump. His campaign focused on defending Canadian sovereignty and economic stability, especially in the face of aggressive U.S. trade actions and rhetoric. Though he narrowly missed a majority, Carney aims to unite parties in a “Team Canada” approach and is already shifting Canada’s strategic and economic focus beyond U.S. dependence.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX site in southern Texas has officially become a city called Starbase, after residents—mostly SpaceX employees—voted overwhelmingly in favour. The new city, led by a SpaceX executive as mayor, will have control over local planning and taxes, though some locals and environmentalists oppose it due to concerns over access and ecological impact. A proposed Texas bill may allow Starbase to limit public access during launches, setting up tensions with county officials and raising environmental concerns amid growing rocket activity.
And - In Colombia’s La Guajira region, powerful winds have made it a hub for wind energy, but the rapid development of wind farms is causing tension within the indigenous Wayuu communities. While some locals benefit from jobs, infrastructure, and compensation, others raise concerns about cultural disruption, lack of transparency, and environmental harm. Despite producing clean energy, many Wayuu worry they won’t receive any electricity themselves, highlighting a disconnect between national ambitions and local needs.
SPORTS
Football - England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave Premier League champions Liverpool at the end of the season. The 26-year-old, who has been at the club since he was six, is out of contract on 30 June and is expected to join Real Madrid.
Tennis - British number one Jack Draper missed out on a first ATP Tour clay-court title as Casper Ruud edged an absorbing Madrid Open final. Draper, 23, was beaten 7-5 3-6 6-4 in the Spanish capital. Meanwhile, world number 1 Jannik Sinner set to make his comeback at the Italian Open in the coming days.
Golf - Scottie Scheffler secured his first win of 2025 with a dominant display at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas. The American world number one, 28, who finished fourth at the Masters last month, carded an eight-under-par 63 to finish on 31 under - eight shots ahead of nearest rival Erik van Rooyen.
WEATHER
Cloudy today with occasional sunny spells and wet intervals accompanied by thunderstorms around 4pm in the Alpes-Maritimes. We’ll have moderate to strong winds across the region with highs of 19 degrees in Marseille, 20 in Toulon, and 21 degrees in Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Nice.
Tonight, mostly cloudy with lows of 14 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, thunderstorms are moving inland with occasional sunny spells on the coast and highs of 20 degrees.
Another power outage has hit three towns on Friday morning, the 30th of May, affecting 120 homes in the Alpes-Maritimes....
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France’s health minister has announced that France will introduce a nationwide ban on smoking in outdoor public areas commonly visited by children, st...
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The Var department has experienced its first "tropical night" of the season, with temperatures not dropping below 25°C at 3 am, particularly in Hyères...
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The Société des Bains de Mer (S.B.M.) has announced solid financial results for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, ending March 31, 2025, with revenue rising ...
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France is set to experience record-breaking heat over the Ascension Day holiday, with tomorrow, Friday, May 30th, expected to be the hottest day of th...
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