NEWS
Monaco's New Postal Sorting Facility - Monaco’s new central postal sorting facility will open on the 12th of May at Îlot Pasteur, merging the existing sites for improved efficiency. Employees will benefit from better working conditions, and deliveries will be streamlined by combining parcel and letter distribution. New services include parcel lockers and order fulfilment, with minimal disruptions expected for customers.
Drugs Seized - A man has been caught with over 25kg of cannabis on his motorcycle at a toll station in Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, and was arrested by customs officers from Nice and Menton. He admitted to transporting drugs from Spain and was sentenced to 3 years in prison with a €256,550 fine, and his vehicle was confiscated. Authorities in the Alpes-Maritimes continue their daily fight against drug trafficking, having seized a record 192kg of cocaine in 2024.
Road Accident - A young driver lost control of his car on the 1st of April, driving onto a central median and destroying plants and a road sign in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Alpes-Maritimes. Fortunately, no one was injured, and was caused by the driver’s distraction as he was changing music. The mayor responded with sarcasm, thanking the driver for his "contribution" to the city's green spaces.
ZFE in Avignon - The public consultation on the low-emission zone (ZFE), originally set to start on Monday, has been postponed in Grand Avignon. This decision follows a parliamentary vote on March 27 to ban such zones in the region. The proposed ZFE aimed to restrict heavy vehicles (+3.5 tons) without a Crit'Air sticker or classified as Crit'Air 5 across 16 municipalities.
Big Win in Local PMU - A regular but modest gambler has won €145,049 at the PMU with a simple €2 bet on the 29th of March in Carnoules, Var. He validated his ticket at the local café-tabac "Le Collet," where the owner expressed joy for the lucky winner. This is the second big win at the establishment, which previously saw a customer win €5 million in the lottery.
Closed Beaches this Summer in Menton - The court of Menton has confirmed the suspension of four beach operation contracts at Les Sablettes, leaving only three private beaches likely to open this summer. The decision, following concerns over irregularities in the concession process, rejected the city's appeal. The mayor hopes for a negotiated solution with the state to avoid a major impact on the local beach economy.
Biot et les Templiers Festival - The "Biot et les Templiers" festival transforms Biot into a medieval village from the 4th to the 6th of April, offering free immersive experiences like combat reenactments, medieval weapon demonstrations, and fire-lit equestrian shows. New highlights include an international medieval battle, a climbing challenge, and spectacular war machines. The event also features a grand torchlit parade, historical taverns, and Europe's largest mapping show, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually.
The Special Days 2025 - The Special Days 2025 event, happening on the 4th and 5th of April, will showcase 45 high-end cars, including electric models, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Luxury brands like Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Rolls-Royce will be featured, with exclusive deals available for buyers. Organized by Monaco-Occasions and BPM Exclusive, the event is free to attend.
NEWS UPDATE
Nintendo Switch 2 - Nintendo has announced that the Switch 2 will launch on June 5, priced at €469.99 in Europe and $449.99 in the U.S. The hybrid console features a larger screen, magnetic controllers, and a "Game Chat" function, with "Mario Kart World" among its launch titles. Analysts predict strong sales, with up to 21 million units expected to be sold by 2026, as Nintendo aims to revitalize the gaming market.
Ouigo Train form Nice to Paris Cancelled - The early morning Ouigo train from Nice to Paris has been cancelled due to temporary railworks, forcing passengers to change trains in Marseille. The French Communist Party (PCF) has launched a petition against the suspension, calling it a setback for public service. The SNCF denies plans to reduce TGV service in the region, calling such concerns unfounded.
BUSINESS
Newsmax's stock market value has skyrocketed over 2,200% since its debut, reaching nearly $30 billion—surpassing Fox Corp and major media firms. The surge, driven by retail investors, has made CEO Christopher Ruddy worth over $9 billion, with comparisons to the GameStop meme-stock frenzy. Newsmax, a conservative-leaning outlet endorsed by US President Donald Trump, recently settled a $40 million defamation case over false election claims.
And - US President Donald Trump is set to announce sweeping tariffs on imports, potentially up to 20%, marking a major shift away from economic globalisation. The move could trigger global retaliation, risking a $1.4 trillion hit to the world economy and potential trade wars. While the UK may take a cautious approach, the EU could target US tech, and China stands to benefit from diverted trade.
SPORTS
Formula 1 - Sergio Perez says he has spoken to "a few" teams about a return to the grid next season. The 35-year-old Mexican left Red Bull shortly after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, six months after signing a new two-year contract. He failed to win a race in 2024 and had only four podium finishes, his worst season since joining Red Bull in 2021.
Rugby Union - Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams is in the "prime of his career" says Gloucester's attack coach James Lightfoot Brown, with the club "reaping the rewards" of signing him. Williams joined the Cherry and Whites from Cardiff last summer and has started 12 out of 13 Premiership matches this season, scoring seven tries and assisting another eight.
Tennis - Britain's Fran Jones was helped off court in a wheelchair after collapsing during a match in Colombia. Jones was attempting to serve in the ninth game of a deciding third set in Bogota when she fell to the floor. Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian. Meanwhile, Heather Watson is out of the Charleston Open after a straight-set defeat 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 by world number 215 Iryna Shymanovich in the first round.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy with occasional sunny intervals and strong winds. Highs of 17 degrees in Toulon, 18 in Nice, Saint-Tropez and Marseille, and 19 degrees in Cannes.
Tonight, partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to 12 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, sunny with cloudy intervals. Highs of 19 degrees and moderate to strong winds.
France's national assembly is debating a bill this week that would require drivers over the age of 70 to undergo a medical examination every five year...
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Monaco’s new central postal sorting facility will open on the 12th of May at Îlot Pasteur, merging the existing sites for improved efficiency. ...
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French president Emmanuel Macron has set out the key objectives for this summer's United Nations Ocean Conference, which will take place in Nice from ...
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Two Marseille drug enforcement officers are in custody over the disappearance of 350 kg of cocaine during a 2023 undercover operation. ...
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A local authority in the Var is calling for the speed limit on part of the A8 motorway to be cut from 130 to 110 kilometres per hour for environmental...
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