News
Trial begins for woman accused in torture and murder of 12-year-old Lola Daviet - The trial of Dahbia Benkired, 27, begins today, Friday, October 17th, 2025, in Paris. She stands accused of the 2022 torture, rape, and murder of 12-year-old Lola Daviet, whose body was found in a plastic trunk near her home in the 19th arrondissement — a crime that shocked France. Benkired, an Algerian national ordered to leave France before the killing, allegedly lured Lola into her building where the attack occurred. She has been held at Fresnes prison since her arrest and was deemed fit to stand trial. The case sparked political outrage, with far-right figures, including Marine Le Pen, using Benkired’s immigration status to criticize government policies. Then-justice minister Éric Dupond-Moretti denounced the politicization of the tragedy. The trial is expected to last one week. If convicted, Benkired faces life in prison.
Château Diter permit annulled by France’s highest court - France’s Council of State has definitively annulled the building permit for Patrick Diter’s controversial château in Grasse, ending a years-long legal battle. Diter illegally expanded a 200 m² farmhouse into a 3,000 m² Renaissance-style estate , including a heliport and private road, in a protected forest zone. The court found he fraudulently inflated existing structures to gain building rights. This ruling enforces a 2019 demolition order and removes all remaining administrative barriers. Diter’s lawyers plan to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, but local residents praised the decision as “a new victory for legality.”
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene inaugurate new SMEG headquarters – HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene have inaugurated Monaco’s new SMEG headquarters on a milestone marking the energy company’s 135th anniversary. The 10-storey, 12,000 m² Immeuble SMEG will house company operations, private tenants, and government offices. CEO Thomas Battaglione called it a symbol of modernization and continuity, 35 years after Prince Rainier III and Prince Albert opened SMEG’s former site. The building supports Monaco’s sustainability goals through eco-conscious design and energy efficiency.
Open-Air art transforms Nice’s Promenade du Paillon - Nice will unveil the second phase of its Promenade du Paillon green corridor tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, 2025, an eight-hectare extension featuring large-scale artworks by celebrated artists. Highlights include: “Le Chat Moloch” by Théo Tobiasse, a surreal bronze cat with a human face, donated by the artist’s daughter.
“Le Monstre du Loch Ness” by Niki de Saint Phalle — a mirrored, mosaic dragon addressing animal rights and the environment. “Ligne indéterminée” by Bernar Venet, a monumental steel ribbon exploring material and form. Installed on the former sites of the Théâtre National de Nice and Acropolis, the sculptures will remain on permanent display, turning the area into an open-air museum.
Brigitte Bardot hospitalized in Toulon - French film icon and animal rights activist 91 year old Brigitte Bardot, 91 has been hospitalized in Toulon following surgery for a serious illness. She has been receiving care for three weeks at Saint-Jean Private Hospital and is expected to be discharged soon, though her condition remains concerning. A screen legend with 45 films and over 70 songs to her name, Bardot retired from cinema in 1973 and has since devoted herself to animal welfare. Her foundation recently launched a major adoption campaign, and earlier this year she published BBcédaire, written between 2020 and 2025.
Business
The UK government's named companies for failing to pay some staff the minimum wage. Centrica - who own British Gas - and Holland and Barrett are among almost 500 employers found to have been underpaying workers over several years. They'll be fined 10.2 million pounds in total.
It was a turbulent day on Wall Street yesterday. US stocks were hurt by drops for mid-sized banks as worries flare about the loans they've made. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 0.7 percent - and the Nasdaq composite was down 0.5 percent.
And - A UK financial watchdog says banks are missing chances to stop people falling for so-called 'romance scams'. Victims are often tricked into sending money to fraudsters who have created a fake relationship online.
Sport
Basketball - AS Monaco Basket are in action this evening, hoping to continue their winning streak against Valencia. The Euroleague match is taking place at home - at the Salle Gaston Medecin.
WCL - In the Women's Champions League, Arsenal beat Benfica 2-nil last night. England international players Beth Mead and Alessia Russo were the top scorers. Manchester United got past Atletico Madrid 1-nil - despite playing most of the game with 10 players.
Golf - Irish golfer Shane Lowry will be aiming to build on an impressive start to the India Championship when he tees off his second round today. He holds a one-shot advantage on 8-under par.
AS Monaco - AS Monaco are preparing for their League 1 match against Angers tomorrow. Angers will be hoping for their first win of the season.
Weather
A dry and sunny start to the weekend across the Cote d'Azur. Monaco will see highs of 21, with a small chance of light showers. A warm few days ahead, before next week's rain.
A homeless man accused of firing a shot which seriously injured another homeless person in Nice has appeared in court. The man in his fifties claimed ...
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A man has died after being struck by a train in the Var. Witnesses described seeing the man use his mobile phone whilst crossing the tracks at Puget-V...
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Several people have been taken into custody after a shooting in the centre of Nice yesterday. The victim was shot in the head on rue de la Buffa ...
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The French government has announced a prohibition on mobile phone use in six prisons
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A sharp blast of Arctic air is set to hit the Côte d’Azur this weekend, with temperatures dipping to –4°C in parts of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var....
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