NEWS
Nurse independence - A new reform will allow French independent nurses to perform more medical acts without a doctor’s prescription, such as blood tests or wound care. The Vaucluse nurses' union strongly supports the change, saying it reflects their real capabilities and improves patient care. They believe it will help combat medical deserts by making care more accessible. The reform promotes prevention and direct access to care, especially for patients needing ongoing support. However, hiring more nurses is restricted by health agency rules, which limits expansion despite increased responsibilities.
Greenpeace still protests - Greenpeace has been barred from attending the Ocean Summit in Nice by sea, after their ship, the Arctic sunrise, dropped about fifteen rocks into a protected area of the Mediterranean Sea. The Arctic Sunrise remained offshore under French military watch, unable to dock or get closer. So, activists decided to carry out protests on land. Greenpeace has held marches, sit-ins, and awareness workshops at the port to call for better marine protection. They criticized France’s lack of real action, noting only 4% of its waters are fully protected. Activists welcomed the possible adoption of the High Seas Treaty but regretted the lack of debate on deep-sea mining.
Climate Change advances faster than planned - Guillaume Sainteny, head of ‘Plan Bleu’, warns that climate change is advancing faster than expected. A new report called "MED 2050", explores what the Mediterranean region might look like by 2050. The report is released alongside the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. It highlights serious threats from climate change and pollution affecting both land and sea. Sainteny says the outlook is worrying for the 21 Mediterranean countries involved.
Donald Trump cardboard cutouts - Niçois artist TooLate has installed life-sized cardboard cutouts of Donald Trump in Nice on the 11th of June, to protest his absence from the UN Ocean Summit. The artworks showed Trump in satirical scenes such as catching a dolphin, chasing treasure, or holding a melting Earth in an ice cream cone. The message, "Make Oceans Great Again," criticized his environmental inaction. TooLate said the stunt was a symbolic alarm about Trump’s disregard for ocean protection. Two of the four cutouts were already removed by mid-morning.
Prison staff protest - Staff at Luynes prison near Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, have protested on the 11th of June, citing dangerous overcrowding, lack of staff, and rising violence. With 2,100 inmates for 1,400 spaces, the prison operates at 180% capacity, making conditions unmanageable. Guards report daily verbal abuse, weekly physical attacks, and inadequate security equipment. Union leaders warn the prison is in chaos, with inmates in control and staff facing serious safety risks. Suicide rates among inmates and staff are rising, prompting calls for urgent reforms and a halt to new admissions.
PMU winner - A PMU bettor has won €389,669 with a €3 bet on the Quinté+ spOt option Max in Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes. This makes him the fourth big winner in the Alpes-Maritimes in 2025, following three others in Nice and Le Cannet. The winning ticket was validated at "Presse Leclerc," whose owner was thrilled by the news. The winner has not yet come forward to claim the prize, raising hopes the receipt isn’t lost. The shop has seen several wins recently, and the owner hopes a third big prize will arrive soon.
NEWS UPDATE
Swimming from Calvi to Monaco - Swiss swimmer Noam Yaron plans to swim over 100 km from Calvi to Monaco in August 2025, through the Pelagos marine sanctuary, to raise awareness for marine life protection. After failing in 2024 due to weather, he’s now using advanced sailing technology to optimize his route. The challenge blends athletic achievement, scientific research, and environmental activism. Yaron has a history of combining extreme swims with ecological studies, like revealing pollution in Swiss lakes. Supported by Prince Albert II, he still seeks final funding and hopes the project sparks global awareness and change.
UNOC - The UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, happening from the 9th to the 13th of June, gathers 193 countries to commit to ocean protection amid growing climate and biodiversity crises. Despite past promises, many nations still rely heavily on polluting energy sources like coal and offshore drilling. Scientists have proposed 10 key recommendations for ocean sustainability, from banning deep-sea mining to reducing CO₂ emissions. France and others announced new protective measures, but experts remain sceptical about real follow-through. The challenge lies in turning words into lasting, global action for the oceans.
Formula 1 brain trauma - A groundbreaking study in Monaco examined the brains of former race car drivers and revealed worrying signs of brain trauma. Despite extreme forces endured in motorsports, cognitive impacts have been largely overlooked compared to sports like football or rugby. Initial MRI and eye-tracking tests revealed both neurological anomalies and exceptional reflex abilities in pilots. Researchers urge the FIA and teams to implement regular, standardized cognitive monitoring throughout drivers' careers. The study highlights long-term brain damage risks from repeated impacts, pushing for better medical protocols and onboard data collection tools.
BUSINESS
A Twix TV ad has been banned in the UK for promoting unsafe driving during a stylized car chase and crash. Viewers have complained it encouraged reckless behaviour, despite Mars-Wrigley arguing it was clearly fantastical. The ASA ruled the ad broke guidelines by emphasizing speed and potentially breaching the Highway Code. Mars defended the ad, saying all driving was lawful and part of Twix’s playful brand style. Despite Clearcast’s approval, the ASA ordered the ad off-air in its current form.
Nintendo has sold 3.5 million Switch 2 consoles globally in just four days, setting a new launch record for the company. Strong pre-orders, especially in Japan, led to stock shortages in some regions before launch. Despite its higher price, Nintendo aims to sell 15 million units by March 2026, but analysts warn sustaining momentum may be tough. The Switch 2 includes major upgrades like a bigger screen, more memory, and new online/social features. Long-term success will depend on new games, pricing strategy, and appealing to casual gamers in emerging markets.
And - AI is gradually entering architecture, offering tools like automated plan generation and bid preparation, though it's met with scepticism. Some architects see it as a helpful time-saver, while others worry about reliability and loss of control. Apps like Make.Plan and JOOC aim to assist but not replace professionals, letting them focus on creative and strategic tasks. Despite AI’s potential in peripheral tasks like image production or space planning, key responsibilities remain legally tied to certified architects. Overall, while AI can support the profession, the core of architecture, which includes human judgment, legal responsibility, and fieldwork, remains irreplaceable.
SPORTS
Football - Spain record goalscorer Jenni Hermoso has been left out of their squad for the upcoming European Championships in Switzerland. Hermoso, 35, has scored 57 goals in 123 appearances for her national side and played a key role as Spain lifted the World Cup in Australia in 2023.
Rugby Union - Highly-rated Exeter back Tommy Wyatt will not play until 2026 after suffering a serious knee injury. The 25-year-old ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the final game of the season at home to Sale. Wyatt had only returned from a similar injury in his other knee in November which saw him miss much of 2024.
Golf - Tyler Weaver had just completed a practice round with two-time champion Brooks Koepka. Then came a warm down session on a range full of the world's best golfers - all watched by his mum, dad and brother. Life has taken a surreal turn for the 20-year-old amateur from Suffolk, who makes his major debut in the US Open, which starts here at Oakmont on Thursday.
WEATHER
We’ve got yet another beautiful day ahead of us with bright and clear skies across the region – expect for Tende where light rain is set to fall. On the coast we’ve got highs of 26 degrees in Nice, 27 in Cannes and Saint-Tropez, and 30 degrees in Toulon and Marseille; inland though temperatures may be as high as 35 degrees in parts of the Var.
Tonight, partly cloudy with lows of 20 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, partly cloudy in the morning and bright and clear once again in the afternoon with highs of 27 degrees and gentle to moderate winds.
A heatwave-like episode called a "plume of heat" is affecting the Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments, with temperatures nearing 40°C by the weekend. ...
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At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, experts have highlighted the increasing medical potential of coral reefs, despite their severe threat from climate...
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Sunny with light winds. Highs of 26 degrees in Monaco and Nice, 27 degrees in Cannes and Toulon, 24 degrees in Saint-Tropez, 29 degrees in Marseille, ...
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A new reform will allow French independent nurses to perform more medical acts without a doctor’s prescription, such as blood tests or wound care. ...
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French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that France could independently ban social media for under-15s within months if the European Union fails t...
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