NEWS
Storm Olivier - Storm Olivier, currently affecting the Canary Islands and Morocco with heavy rain and strong winds, could impact France this weekend. While the storm won’t hit the country directly, it may cause instability on the Côte d’Azur, including rain, storms, and gusty winds starting Saturday. Expect cooler, rainy weather in Nice and along the coast through early next week.
More American Buyers in Nice - More and more wealthy Americans are coming to Nice and the French Riviera, attracted by luxury hotels, direct flights, and Mediterranean charm — some even buying property and settling there. In 2024, American tourism in the region surged, surpassing other nationalities, with one in two apartment sales in Nice now going to Americans. While some express concerns about rising anti-American sentiment, many still choose the Côte d’Azur for its lifestyle, gastronomy, and sense of European stability.
Smoke over Nice - A large plume of smoke has been seen on the 9th of April due to a fire at a car repair shop in the Riquier district in Nice. Firefighters quickly responded with major resources and managed to contain the blaze within an hour, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes. No injuries were reported.
Truck Driver Without License and under the Influence Arrested - A truck driver without a license has been arrested after dangerously swerving through traffic while drinking beer and rolling a joint at the wheel on the A8 motorway in the Var. He intimidated drivers, caused damage to another truck, and tried to swap seats with his passenger when police arrived. Found under the influence and with a cancelled license, he now faces trial in October.
David Lisnard Commited to his role as Mayor of Cannes - David Lisnard, mayor of Cannes and president of the Association of Mayors of France, says he’s focused on building a national political project rooted in liberal and localist values but hasn’t officially declared for the 2027 presidential race. He remains committed to his role as mayor while advocating for reforms in public service, economic freedom, and state authority. Meanwhile, Cannes continues to thrive, with record congress activity and ongoing major redevelopment of the Croisette set to finish by 2028.
Cannes Film Festival - Wes Anderson and Julia Ducournau return to Cannes, while Scarlett Johansson and Bono debut as directors. The Official Selection for the Cannes Film Festival was unveiled on the 10th of April by President Iris Knobloch and delegate Thierry Frémaux. Filmmakers rushed to complete post-production in time for this major cinematic event.
NEWS UPDATE
French Tennis Player Almost Hits Spectator - French tennis player Arthur Fils, currently shining at the Monte-Carlo Masters, nearly hit a spectator while celebrating a win by hitting a ball toward the sea — but it landed in the crowd instead. He quickly apologized, calling it his "worst shot of the match." Thankfully, no one was injured.
Free Parking in Cagnes-sur-Mer? - Parking has been free since Monday, the 7th of April, and will remain so until Friday, the 11th in Cagnes-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes. The reason? A technical failure affecting all parking meters. The city has promised to update residents once the issue is resolved.
Wanted for Murder, Arrested during Routine Check - During a routine police check in Nice, a man wanted for attempting to kill his mistress in 2024 was arrested after acting suspiciously - seeing the police, he tried to hide between two cars, which only further alerted the police. He had brutally assaulted her in a jealous rage, leaving her unconscious, and fled to Barcelona. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison and banned from contacting the victim or returning to France for 10 years, though his lawyer plans to appeal.
BUSINESS
Lonestar, a Florida-based company, plans to build secure, solar-powered data centres on the Moon, with a successful first test already completed. Space-based data centres aim to solve Earth-based issues like limited space, power demands, and local opposition, while offering better security and data sovereignty. Though challenges like cost, cooling, and space hazards remain, firms are pushing ahead, with launches planned as early as 2026.
Monaco is now subject to new U.S. import tariffs introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump on the 5th of April facing a base 10% duty like most countries. EU countries, including France, are hit harder with a 20% tariff, while "hostile" nations like China face up to 49%. Trump justifies the move as a response to trade imbalances, prompting threats of a trade war from the EU.
And - Corner shops in urban India, some that have run for over 60 years, are struggling or shutting down due to the rise of 10-minute online delivery services like Zepto and BlinkIt. These quick commerce platforms offer unmatched convenience, drastically changing consumer habits and reducing foot traffic to traditional stores. While online shopping still makes up a small share of total retail, analysts say it’s a wake-up call for physical retailers to modernize and adapt.
SPORTS
Formula 1 - Robert Reid, deputy president for sport at the FIA, has resigned over what he describes as "a fundamental breakdown in governance standards within motorsport's global governing body". The Scot was a key member of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's leadership team when the Emirati was elected in 2021 but the pair have since fallen out amid a series of controversies surrounding the FIA president.
Rugby Union - Ireland will take on Scotland and Canada in Tests in early August as part of their preparations for the Women's World Cup which will begin later that month.
Meanwhile, Ireland have made three changes from the thumping win over Italy for Saturday's Women's Six Nations game against champions England in Cork. With captain Edel McMahon ruled out by injury, Ulster's Brittany Hogan returns to the back row with Dorothy Wall also recalled to the pack and Emily Lane drafted in at scrum-half.
Football - Before the Monaco vs. Marseille match this Saturday, Monaco announced two key updates: only a few tickets remain, and the game is expected to sell out. Fans are encouraged to wear red and white to support the team. A win would move Monaco into second place in the league standings.
WEATHER
Bright and clear this afternoon with moderate winds. We’ve got highs of 17 degrees in Nice and Marseille, 18 in Cannes, and 19 degrees in Saint-Tropez and Toulon
Tonight, it’s mostly clear with temperatures dropping to 10 degrees
And the outlook for tomorrow, mostly sunny with occasional cloudy intervals and temperatures reaching 24 degrees in part of the Var
However, storm Olivier will pass through the PACA region on Saturday and stay with us until Tuesday so we can expect heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds until then and temperatures won’t exceed 20 degrees.
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