NEWS
Tractor Thief - A repeat offender has been sentenced to two years in prison for a series of burglaries in southern France. He stole agricultural equipment, including a tractor, which he exchanged for cocaine to fuel his addiction. His crimes caused significant financial and emotional damage to local businesses, including beauty salons and restaurants.
Stabbing in Nice - A 29-year-old man has been stabbed multiple times during a fight in Nice's Riquier district but is not in critical condition. The attacker is still at large, and the victim has refused to cooperate with police. The investigation is ongoing.
Bomb Alert Near Nice - A suspected explosive found under the Napoléon-III Bridge between Nice and Saint-Laurent-du-Var turned out to be a gas bottle. Bomb disposal experts secured the area, but there was no impact on traffic. The alert was lifted by 11:30 AM.
More 17-year-olds are Getting their Driver's Licenses - More and more 17-year-olds in the Alpes-Maritimes are getting their driver’s licenses since the legal age was lowered in January 2024. The region saw a 37% rise in registrations, though driving instructors worry it discourages supervised learning. Insurance costs for young drivers remain high, especially in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Tsunami Risk in Monaco - Monaco faces a high tsunami risk by 2050, but unlike France, it has no legal framework for natural disaster insurance. Luxury property owners must carefully review their policies, as coverage would be based on reconstruction costs, not market value. Without a national disaster fund, financial protection in case of a tsunami remains uncertain.
New Bus Stop in Monaco - Monaco's government is adding a new "Sainte-Dévote" stop to the X3 express bus line on the 24th of February, improving access to the train station. The X3 and X4 lines, launched in April 2024, have stabilized at 13,400 and 5,300 monthly passengers, respectively. This change aims to enhance public transport and reduce car use.
141 Nationalities in Monaco - Monaco is home to 141 nationalities, making it one of the most cosmopolitan places in the world. The latest census shows Monégasques, French, and Italians as the top three nationalities, while Russian, Ukrainian, Israeli, and Cypriot populations have grown significantly. In contrast, French and Italian residents have declined in recent years.
Hotel de Paris to Renovate its Wine Cellars - The famous wine cellars of Hôtel de Paris in Monaco, home to 300,000 bottles, are undergoing a major transformation. Set to reopen in spring 2025, the renovated space will feature a heritage restoration, interactive museum, wine tastings, and an immersive 3D experience. Visitors will explore rare vintages and the cellar’s history through cutting-edge technology.
Reinforced Security for nice Carnival - Nice has significantly reinforced security for its Carnival with national and international police, CRS, armed patrols, and surveillance teams. Around 300 national police officers were deployed for the opening night, with 80 monitoring video surveillance. The heightened security aims to prevent potential threats, ensuring a safe event until the 2nd of March.
Beekeepers Against Asian Hornets - Beekeepers are fighting the invasive Asian hornet, which devastates hives by preying on bees in Vaucluse. To prevent new nests from forming, they are setting up 10,000 traps targeting queen hornets before they establish colonies. The threat extends beyond honeybees, as Asian hornets also endanger biodiversity by depleting wild insect populations.
Underwater Photographs - Underwater photographer Sylvain Bes won third place at the Paris International Diving Show for his surreal photo blending sky and sea in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer in the Var. Known for capturing freediving moments, his work emphasizes the dreamlike quality of the ocean. He also creates films and organizes underwater photography events in France.
BUSINESS
India is the world's largest exporter of human hair, but most of it is processed into wigs in China rather than domestically. While demand for wigs is growing in India, the industry lacks investment in automation and advanced manufacturing. Some Indian businesses, like Diva Divine Hair, are working to change this, but experts say India has a long way to go to compete globally.
And - Argentine President Javier Milei faces impeachment calls and fraud accusations after promoting a cryptocurrency that crashed soon after he deleted his post. Critics accuse him of a "rug pull" scam, while his office denies involvement and promises an investigation. Opposition leaders, including former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, have condemned the incident.
SPORTS
Tennis - Jannik Sinner, the men's tennis world number one was handed an immediate three-month ban by Wada on Saturday after reaching a settlement over his two positive drug tests last year. Sinner, 23, will be eligible to play at the French Open - the next Grand Slam - which begins on the 25th of May.
Meanwhile, British number one Katie Boulter and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu will compete in a historic women's tournament at Queen's Club in June.
Football - Liverpool manager Arne Slot has said defender Joe Gomez will miss "large parts" of the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury that may require surgery. The England centre-back was substituted after 11 minutes in Liverpool's FA Cup fourth-round defeat by Plymouth Argyle on 9 February.
Lastly - Monaco will host the French Women's Torball Championship (D1) for the first time on the 17th of May, featuring top visually impaired athletes. The event is part of a broader initiative to promote disability awareness and para-sports. Activities will include interactive workshops on visual impairment, braille, and a meeting with Paralympic snowboarder Patrice Barattero.
WEATHER
Cloudy across the region with gentle to moderate winds. Highs of 13 degrees in Nice, 14 in Cannes and Toulon, and 15 degrees in Saint-Tropez and Marseille.
Tonight, mostly cloudy with temperatures dropping to 10 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, much the same, cloudy with highs of 15 degrees and moderate winds.
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