NEWS
Chikungunya on the rise - The Regional Health Agency (ARS) reports 124 chikungunya cases in southern France as of Monday, with major clusters in the Var. Residents are urged to seek medical care if symptoms like fever, joint pain, or rash appear and to protect against mosquito bites. Mosquito control operations are ongoing, and the public is advised to eliminate stagnant water and use repellents or nets.
Free buses in Monaco during major events - Monaco will make CAM buses free during major events, starting from tomorrow to the 1st of October as part of the Monaco Yacht Show and extending to others like the Grand Prix and Monaco E-Prix. The aim is to encourage public transport use and ease travel for residents and visitors during peak periods. National Council members welcomed the move but urged for a broader regional transport strategy, including projects like a Nice–Ventimiglia metro.
Traffic restrictions during Monaco Yacht Show 2025 - The Monaco Yacht Show 2025 will take place from 24th–27th of September at Port Hercule. During this period, port access will be restricted: only boats with a special badge may circulate between 7 am and midnight, and no traffic is allowed overnight. For safety, navigation speed is limited to 3 knots.
Nationatal strike - National protests are ongoing today, with around 10,000 people involved by midday and 58 arrests in Paris, though the Interior Minister said mobilisation was “less intense than expected.” Actions included blocking schools, bus depots, and transport, with significant disruption in Paris, Marseille, Martinique, and the Côte d’Azur, where 10,000 marched in Nice. Unions united against austerity measures, cuts worth €44bn, and lingering anger over the 2023 pension reform, while pharmacists joined in by closing most pharmacies nationwide.
Fire - 17 firefighters stopped a night-time house fire, likely of electrical origin, in Avignon, Vaucluse. No one was injured, though one man was in shock, and the three residents have been re-housed while an investigation continues.
Trail des Possibles - The Trail des Possibles takes place on Sunday in Draguignan, Var, organised mainly by people with disabilities from the local ESAT centre. Volunteers handle tasks like clearing paths, marking the course, and setting up refreshment points, and will also assist during the race. The event aims to challenge stereotypes about disability by showing full inclusion in community activities.
'Un Simple Accident' will represent France at the 2026 Oscars - The CNC has chosen Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or winner ‘Un simple accident’ to represent France at the 2026 Oscars in the Best International Film category. Shot clandestinely in Iran and co-produced by France’s Les Films Pelléas, the film highlights France’s role as a hub for international co-productions. This marks Panahi’s first Oscar bid, with the shortlist due in December, nominations in January, and the ceremony on the 15th of March 2026.
NEWS UPDATE
Highs students arrested during protest - Two high school students have been arrested today after a protest at Lycée Dumont d’Urville. The incident escalated when one girl refused an ID check after displaying an anti-police sign, reportedly biting an officer during the altercation. Unions and locals denounced the arrests as “abusive” and gathered outside the police station demanding their release.
What will we see at the Monaco Yacht Show 2025? - The Upper Deck Lounge at Monaco Yacht Show 2025, which takes place from the 24th–27th of September offers a curated space of yacht design, luxury travel, and fine dining. Visitors can explore top interior design houses, discover destinations like the Bahamas, Egypt, and Qatar, and experience Dassault Falcon jets. The lounge also features a restaurant by Fairmont Monte Carlo, a relaxed bar, and an exclusive Sapphire Lounge for premium pass holders.
Woman sentenced for running fake animal shelter - A woman running a fake animal shelter has been sentenced to a suspended six months in prison, an €80,000 fine, and permanently banned from owning animals in Le Luc-en-Provence, Var. Animal rights groups welcomed the ruling but warned of risks of future mistreatment, as she was reportedly keeping animals again. The fine included €4,500 in damages to associations and over €74,000 in care costs to the SPA after malnourished dogs and cats were found on-site.
Round up of today's strikes - Unions called for a major strike across transport, education, health, and public services today in the Var and Alpes-Maritimes. In Nice, around 10,000 people have marched, joined later by pharmacists and physiotherapists, and in Toulon, 7,000 rallied behind the CGT union. At Toulon’s Dumont-d’Urville high school, students organized a blockade, and two schoolgirls were arrested amid chaotic police intervention.
Man fatally shot - Police have shot and fatally wounded a man armed with a machete near a kindergarten today in La Seyne-sur-Mer, Var. The 30-year-old had allegedly been harassing children and later threatened officers after fleeing into a nearby garden. Taser shots failed to stop him, leading police to open fire; he later died in hospital.
BUSINESS
Massive wildfires in north-west Spain have burned more than 20,000 hectares, devastating farms, honey production, and tourism, with estimated damages of €600m. Farmers lost animals, crops, and hives, while many businesses and tourist sites suffered severe financial blows. The crisis has deepened tensions in Spain’s rural areas, already struggling with depopulation and economic hardship.
And - The UK government has announced £150bn in US investment, mainly from Blackstone, Microsoft, and Google, expected to create 7,600 jobs nationwide. The news comes after setbacks, with Merck and AstraZeneca halting major UK projects and shifting funds to the US. The investments span data centres, defence, life sciences, and clean energy, and will be formalised during the signing of a new UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal.
SPORTS
Basketball - The Monaco Basket Association (MBA) has achieved historic promotion to Ligue Féminine 2, marking a new era for the club with strong backing from SBM and co-president Stéphane Valeri. With a refreshed squad, including stars like Martina Bestagno, MBA aims for a promising 2025–26 season, starting on Saturday against Feytiat.
Rugby Union - Ellie Kildunne returns from a concussion sustained in England's final pool-stage game against Australia a fortnight ago to take her place as starting full-back in the Rugby World Cup semi-final against France on Saturday.
Golf - Stacy Lewis, the captain of the United States' 2024 Solheim Cup-winning team, says she will retire from golf at the end of the LPGA season.
WEATHER
It’s mostly clear today with a few cloudy patches here and there across the region accompanied by a very gentle breeze. Highs of 27 degrees in Nice, 28 in Saint Tropez and Marseille and 29 degrees in Cannes and Toulon.
Tonight, mostly clear skies with lows of 20 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, hazy sunlight with highs of 28 degrees and a gentle breeze
Five suspects have been arrested after an armed robbery this afternoon in Lyon
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In Paris, left-wing and far-right MPs have joined forces to pass a new measure against tax optimisation by multinational corporations, during the firs...
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A ceremony took place in Nice this morning to mark the fifth anniversary of the attack at the Notre-Dame Basilica ...
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Income from fixed speed cameras in France fell by €76 million in 2024, dropping to €889 million from €965 million in 2023. The fall comes after many c...
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There’s been a large increase in unemployment in France. Just over 3.2 million people were completely unemployed in the third quarter...
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