NEWS
Weather this Week - Weather in the Alpes-Maritimes is set to be calm and warm this early week but will shift this weekend. We can expect cloudy skies and some light rain this early week in areas like Grasse and Roquebillière with temperatures between 19-26°C. Thursday and Friday will be windy and clear with highs of 29°C. However, this weekend storms are expected in the northern part of the department, while the coast should stay mostly dry with temperatures reaching up to 29°C inland.
Massive Power Outage Impacted Local Businesses - The massive power outage on Saturday has severely impacted businesses in Châteauneuf-Grasse, with some losing thousands of euros in merchandise and sales in the Alpes-Maritimes. An ice cream shop owner lost frozen cakes during the outage, while others like a cheesemonger chose to stay closed to protect their stock, cutting their earnings in half. Some adapted creatively, like a pizzeria switching to wood-fired service, and a bakery even saw record sales as people turned to them amid the chaos.
Taxi Protests in the Alpes-Maritimes - Around 300 taxi drivers from the Alpes-Maritimes have joined the national protest on Tuesday morning, against unfair competition from ride-hailing services (VTCs) and a new health transport agreement. Although they previously stayed quiet during major events like the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix, they are now voicing their anger through a slow-moving convoy along the Promenade des Anglais, promising no full blockades. Despite this, major traffic delays have occurred, especially near Nice airport, the Antibes tollbooth, and on the A8MW, as some taxis blocked VTC rides and filtered traffic.
Taxi Protest in Marseille - Marseille taxi drivers have suspended their blockades and are heading to Paris, where talks with the national health insurance body (CNAM) begin over patient transport reforms. The protest, which started eight days ago, was sparked by plans to unify medical transport rates and regulate ride-hailing platforms. Drivers warn the movement could resume as early as Wednesday if negotiations fail to meet their demands.
Meta Uses your Data to Train its AI, Here's How to Disable it - Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) can use your posts, photos, and comments to train its AI starting Tuesday, the 27th of May. This is legal under EU data rules, but users can refuse by submitting a form through each app’s privacy settings. To opt out, go to the privacy centre on Instagram or Facebook (or use the provided form for WhatsApp), complete the objection form, and you’ll receive confirmation by email.
Bronze Sculpture in Mandelieu - A bronze sculpture of a 1944 American bomber pays tribute to a WWII crew shot down by Nazis, while also delivering a strong political message in Mandelieu, Alpes-Maritimes. Mayor Sébastien Leroy has used the inauguration to draw parallels between past inaction against Nazism and current geopolitical threats. He argues that failing to act against rising dangers repeats historical mistakes, making the memorial both a historical homage and a call for vigilance.
Motocross Champion had her Bikes Stolen - Motocross champion Mélanie Perez, one of the few women in the sport, had her two bikes stolen from her home in Goult, Vaucluse, dealing a major blow to her career. The theft jeopardizes her participation in upcoming world championships, especially given her limited financial support and years of sacrifice. Her local moto club and community are rallying behind her, launching a fundraiser to help her get back on track.
NEWS UPDATE
Major Police Operation Dismantles Child Abuse Network - A major nationwide police operation in France has led to the arrest of 55 men involved in a child abuse network operating via Telegram. The suspects, aged 25 to 74, include individuals like a bishop, a music teacher, and a grandfather. One man, aged 63, has been arrested in the Alpes-Maritimes and will stand trial in June in Grasse. The investigation took ten months over 42 departments, uncovering a highly dangerous network.
Emergency Drill in Sainte-Agnes - A large-scale emergency drill has been carried out ins Sainte-Agnès, Alpes-Maritimes, to test response to heavy rain and flooding risks, coordinated by CARF with support from emergency services and regional authorities. The simulation, involving scenarios like overflowing streams, road blockages, and power outages, aimed to assess the effectiveness of crisis management, communication, and shelter setup for affected residents. Officials activated a crisis cell, informed the population via all available channels, and coordinated closely with partners to improve preparedness for real emergencies.
BUSINESS
Mansukh Prajapati, a traditional potter from India, has created the MittiCool clay fridge - an affordable, electricity-free cooling solution - after losing his home in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. His invention has sparked a wave of grassroots "frugal innovations" in India, like a lotus-stem fabric business that empowers rural women. Other inventors are building smart tools for the visually impaired, showing how simple ideas are solving real problems despite limited resources.
And - The EU has accused Chinese fast-fashion website Shein of breaking consumer protection laws through fake discounts, pressure tactics, and misleading claims, giving the company one month to respond or face fines. Shein is also under fire for unclear product labels, hidden contact info, and misleading reviews, with the EU demanding changes. This follows previous criticisms over poor labour conditions and lack of transparency in Shein’s supply chain.
SPORTS
Football - England goalkeeper Mary Earps has announced her shock retirement from international football - just five weeks before the Lionesses begin their European Championship defence in Switzerland. The 32-year-old played a significant role in the Lionesses winning Euro 2022 but had recently lost her starting place to Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton.
Rugby Union - Harlequins have signed experienced scrum-half Stu Townsend from Exeter Chiefs. The 29-year-old Devonian made more than 120 appearances for the Chiefs during almost a decade with the club, featuring in two Premiership title-winning campaigns as well as their 2020 European Champions Cup triumph. He becomes the second confirmed addition to Quins' squad for next season, following Scotland international hooker George Turner.
Tennis - World number one Jannik Sinner defied a late wobble to begin his French Open campaign with a straight-set victory over Arthur Rinderknech. Playing his first Grand Slam match since serving a three-month doping ban, Italian Sinner beat his French opponent 6-4 6-3 7-5 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy this afternoon across the region with light showers near Tende. We’ll have moderate to strong winds especially towards the Bouches-du-Rhône with highs of 22 degrees in Nice, 23 in Cannes, 25 in Saint-Tropez, and 26 degrees in Toulon and Marseille.
Tonight, cloudy with temperatures dropping to 19 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, much the same, cloudy with strong winds in the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône and highs of 24 degrees.
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that attempting to change Iran’s regime by military force would be a “strategic error,” as the Israel-Iran...
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Warm sunshine and clear skies from Saint-Tropez to Monaco. Highs of 30° in Nice, 29° in Monaco with a light sea breeze. 26° in Saint-Tropez. ...
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A major network outage has affected SFR users across France late Monday morning, including in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments....
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- In a historic first, French President Emmanuel Macron has visited Greenland, marking a rare and symbolic visit by a major world leader. Macron’s sto...
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Hot and humid conditions across the region, with partly sunny skies and the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening. ...
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