Macron meets industry leaders to discuss Trump's new tariffs - French president Emmanuel Macron has held an emergency meeting with representatives from various French industry sectors affected by Donald Trump's announcement of a new 20% tariff on US imports from the EU. Prime minister François Bayrou and several other ministers were also present at the rapidly arranged meeting at the Elysée palace yesterday afternoon. The bosses of Airbus and pharmaceuticals firm Sanofi were among those on the guestlist, as were representatives from the chemicals industry, wine and food, automotive and beauty sectors.
Cruise ship reduction could cost local businesses millions - New limits on cruise ship moorings around Nice will cost the local economy an estimated €8 million this year - and €15 million next year. That's according to a new study from the Nice chamber of commerce and industry, which was commissioned after a request from local businesses. In January, Nice mayor Christian Estrosi signed a decree banning cruise ships with more than 2,500 passengers from stopping in Villefranche-sur-Mer, where moorings will be limited to 65 per year, with never more than one ship stopping over on any given day. According to the chamber of commerce, it means the number of cruise ship passengers arriving at Villefranche will be halved this year, representing an estimated loss of €7.5 million for local businesses. Another half a million euros would be lost at Nice port, with the banning of ships with more than 450 passengers. The projected losses are heavier in 2026, when the chamber of commerce expects a 75% drop in cruise passengers in Villefranche to result in a €14 million loss - and another €1 million at Nice port. Responding to the figures, Estrosi said that the economic impact was not the only factor that needed to be considered. Cruise tourism is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and poor air quality.
Raids at Nice city hall - Investigators have reportedly carried out raids and searched offices inside Nice city hall and the Negresco hotel in an ongoing investigation by the Marseille prosecutor's office into alleged misappropriation of public funds and conflict of interest. The investigation reportedly relates to the organisation of an environmental conference, the Nice Climate Summit, which was subsidised by the city of Nice. Investigators are also looking at alleged irregularities in the financing of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest which was held at the Negresco in November 2023. Nice city hall denies any wrongdoing and says it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
Leading Monaco cardiologist dies - Prince Rainier III's personal doctor, a leading cardiologist and one of the co-founders of the Monaco Cardiothoracic Center has died at the age of 93. Dr Jean-Joseph Pastor was a key figure in the Monegasque community. He devoted his entire life to medicine and was still practising at the Cardiothoracic Center a few weeks before his death. He passed away in the cardiology department at Princess Grace hospital - which he had founded himself in the 1960s. Pastor attended to the personal healthcare needs of Prince Rainier III from 1975 up until his death in 2005.
Food poisoning cases in schools - In other local news, several cases of food poisoning have been reported at schools around the Alpes-Maritimes, which is suspected to have been caused by listeria in a pâté served by school canteens. Parents at schools in Eze and La Roquette sur Var have reported their children becoming sick. The regional health authority says it is monitoring the situation.
More roadside checks in Hyères - National and municipal police in Hyères are planning to carry out more random spot checks on vehicles in what they describe as a "zero tolerance" approach to road offences. A three-day-long operation in the Var town recently led to 43 people being fined for traffic violations. Three drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. Other violations included excessive speed, using a mobile phone, lack of insurance, non-compliant number plates and driving with worn tyres. One person had been driving for a year and a half without a valid licence.
#WhiteCard campaign - This Sunday, Monaco will participate in the UN's International Day of Sport for Development and Peace - a day that highlights the role of sport in promoting positive change, bridging divides, and fostering peace. It's a global movement that aims to highlight the role of sport as a vector of peace and social inclusion, with a particular focus on the 460 million children living in conflict zones. The day will be marked by various activities promoting the message of peace through sport. In Monaco, the #WhiteCard campaign will be a central feature of the observance. To participate in the #WhiteCard campaign, individuals and organisations are encouraged to share images or videos of themselves displaying a white card on social media, accompanied by messages supporting peace and unity through sport. To mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Peace and Sport is inviting athletes, institutions, organisations and citizens from all over the world to take part in the #WhiteCard campaign to amplify this message of hope and unity on 6 April 2025. Find out more here.
20th edition of Top Marques - Organisers are busy putting the finishing touches to the 20th edition of Top Marques in Monaco, which will return to the Grimaldi Forum from 7-11 May. The show will feature a wide selection of super-cars, including a Ferrari 250 Spyder California worth €14 million, as well as vintage cars, watches and other jewellery. 13 world premieres have been promised from all over Europe and more than 30,000 people are expected to attend.
Animal march in Nice - And dozens of different breeds of dog are expected to take part in this Sunday's fourth edition of the Animal March through Nice. Cats, rabbits, llamas and donkeys have joined the procession along the Promenade des Anglais in recent years. Animal-owners of Nice had been invited to join the march from the I Love Nice statue to the Negresco at 10am on Sunday, which has the support of several local animal protection associations. The event aims to promote animal wellbeing in the city, which has twice been voted the best place in France to own a dog, according to the magazine for pet-lovers, 30 Millions d'Amis.
BUSINESS
Global stock markets fell on Thursday as investors reacted to US President Donald Trump's sweeping announcements on tariffs. The UK's FTSE 100 share index fell 1.5% and other European markets were also lower, echoing falls seen earlier in Asia. While stocks fell, the price of gold, which is seen as a safer asset in times of turbulence, touched a record high. Traders are concerned about the global economic impact of Trump's tariffs, which they fear could stoke inflation and stall growth. Markets across Asia had fallen sharply after Trump's announcement, with the Nikkei in Japan closing down nearly 3% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index 1.5% lower. Shares in Europe followed the downward trend, with Germany's Dax index down 2.2% and France's Cac 40 dropping 2.5%. The decision by the US government to impose a combination of a 10% baseline levy and higher duties on a number of other trading partners reverses decades of liberalisation that shaped the global trade order.
An energy firm in the UK with more than 80,000 customers has announced it is ceasing to trade. Rebel Energy customers will be protected by the regulator Ofgem - who will make sure that any accounts in credit are insured. Users will be contacted by their new supplier in the coming days, and their energy supply will not be cut while they are handed over, Ofgem said. The company blamed a "perfect storm" of soaring wholesale prices and tighter household budgets for its closure. Despite being named in the Sunday Times best places to work last year, it boasted one of the industry's worst customer service scores, according to Citizens Advice.
SPORT
Football - The United Kingdom is set to host the 2035 Women's World Cup as the sole "valid" bidder for the tournament, according to Fifa president Gianni Infantino. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland submitted a joint expression of interest in March to hold the World Cup across the home nations. Under Fifa rotation rules, the tournament must be in Europe or Africa. Spain's federation president Rafael Louzan said last week that they were "working on" a joint bid alongside Portugal and Morocco. However, the deadline for expressions of interest passed on Monday and Infantino says the UK's bid is the only one received for 2035, while the United States are set to host the 2031 edition.
In the Premier League this weekend, on Saturday Everton face Arsenal with a 1.30pm kick-off French time. At 4pm, Crystal Palace play Brighton and Hove Albion in the M23 derby, Ipswich Town meet Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth travel to West Ham. The 6.30pm kick-off sees Aston Villa face Nottingham Forest. On Sunday, Chelsea are away at Brentford, Fulham play Liverpool and Spurs face Southampton - all three of those matches with a 3pm kick-off French time. Then at 5.30pm it's the Manchester derby, United vs City.
Horseracing - Last year's winner I Am Maximus heads the field for Saturday's Grand National at Aintree after a maximum line-up of 34 runners was named. The horse, owned by JP McManus, triumphed by seven and a half lengths in 2024. The big race is due at 5pm French time, with runners and riders negotiating 30 fences over four and a quarter miles.
WEATHER
It should be generally fine and sunny today with just some light cloud here and there, some strong gusts of wind on the coast and temperatures reaching 18 degrees Celsius on the coast and up to 20 inland in the Var. Partly cloudy overnight with a gentle breeze and temperatures going down to 14 on the coast and 11 inland. The outlook for the weekend: Saturday should be fine and sunny, 19 degrees Celsius on the coast and up to 21 inland in the Var. More of the same on Sunday, 18 degrees on the coast and 20 inland.
Major traffic jams are expected in Nice-Ouest this Friday evening due to Lenny Kravitz’s concert at 8 pm at Palais Nikaïa and the OGC Nice–FC Nantes m...
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French president Emmanuel Macron has held an emergency meeting with representatives from various French industry sectors affected by Donald Trump's an...
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Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi is under scrutiny for multiple legal cases, including corruption, favouritism, and financial mismanagement. ...
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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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