News
Unmarked vehicles equipped with speed cameras go into circulation - Cars equipped with speed cameras and run privately are to be introduced on our region’s roads. This year the Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur region along with the Auvergne Rhone Alpes, will see cars deployed by private company OTC, which has been awarded a two-year public contract of almost 34.5 million euros. 126 unmarked vehicles will be in circulation with 5,000 check per day.
Major changes to the tramline in the west of Nice - Meanwhile, from today Monday 6th January, there will be major changes to tram lines 2 and 3 in the west of Nice. Both lines are being modified and line B is being created. Passengers heading to Cadam or from the Saint-Isidore district into the city centre should check the new routs on the lignes d’azur website.
Closure of Marineland in Antibes - Following the permanent closure on Sunday January 5th, of Marineland in Antibes, the fate of two killer whales is uncertain. Campaigners and the park’s managers have been locked in disagreement about what should happen to the orca whales with the French government already blocking one proposal to rehome them.
Last month Marineland said it would permanently shut on the 5th of January following new animal welfare laws. The legislation was passed in 2021 but comes into effect next year. Marineland, which describes itself as the largest of its kind in Europe, currently keeps two killer whales - Wikie, 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo. Several destinations for the whales have been proposed but there is disagreement on where they should go and what should happen to them. Most experts agree that releasing the two whales into the wild would not be suitable as both were born in captivity and would not have the skills to survive.
More than 4,000 animals will be moved out of Marineland. The actress Pamela Anderson called for the closure of Marineland in 2017 and held a protest outside its entrance saying, "captivity kills".
Reassuring figures for ski resorts - Reassuring figures for France’s ski season have been published with the ANMSM announcing that the occupancy rate of resorts during the holidays reached 85%. According to the National Association of Mayors of Mountain Resorts (ANMSM), which brings together more than 100 resorts - especially the largest ones out of the 240 to 250 resorts in France there has been "an ideal start to the season". The association points out that “this time last year some small resorts were closed due to lack of snow”. Not forgetting however that this year’s favorable conditions and good figures mustn’t overshadow the fact that “small ski resorts located in low and mid-altitude mountains remain concerned about their future, darkened by global warming” and lack of snow.
Sir Stelios and the members of Air League of Monaco express their gratitude - Sir Stelios and the members of the Air League of Monaco have expressed their gratitude for Cathy Foyle’s ongoing support and involvement, underscoring her commitment to preserving and advancing her late husband Christopher Foyle’s OBE DL legacy. Cathy Foyle accepted her late husband’s Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award from King Charles III at a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace on December 18th. The prestigious recognition honours Christopher Foyle’s remarkable contributions to aviation, literature, and philanthropy. The OBE presentation stands as a lasting testament to Christopher Foyle’s enduring impact, celebrating his achievements and the values he championed throughout his life.
Monte-Carlo Rallye - The 93rd Monte-Carlo Rallye is just a couple of weeks away and the official list of participating crews has been released. Among the 70 crews entered and this year’s edition has seen a record-breaking number of registrations, with 92 entry forms submitted. The final 70 entries include 10 Rally1 cars, 39 Rally2 vehicles (29 classified as Priority 2), 13 Rally3 vehicles (8 Priority 3), and 45 non-priority entries, which include Rally4, Rally5, and RGT classes. The event kicks off the 2025 WRC season with a strong lineup of teams and drivers, promising another exhilarating chapter in the rally’s history. The Rallye runs from the 20th to the 26th of January.
Dry January - If you are attempting Dry January there is an official website set up dryjanuary.fr. The site provides tools and inspiration with tips and support. Dry January began in France in 2020 and as with all dry January challenge’s worldwide it’s all about rethinking drinking habits. However, in cases of alcohol dependency an abrupt end to consuming alcohol can have negative effects. Here is the Principality the CSAPAM centre is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm offering confidential assistance and advice for those that are facing addiction.
First restaurant to open in the Mareterra district of Monaco - Finally, save the date as the first restaurant in the recently inaugurated Mareterra district of Monaco will be opening its doors on January 16th. British restaurant Marlow promises to combine “English charm with Mediterranean sophistication”. Designed by acclaimed designer Hugo Toro and located in the heart of the new district the much-awaited restaurant aims to bring a vibrant atmosphere in Monaco dining.
Business
“Is the Elon Musk and Nigel Farage romance over”? Is the headline in some news outlets, as the CEO of Tesla and Space X Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of the Reform UK party. The call comes just weeks after reports that the multi-billionaire was in talks to donate to the party. In a post on his social media site X, Musk said Farage "doesn't have what it takes" to lead the party - but did not explain his reasoning. Farage suggested this was due to a disagreement over Musk's support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Farage added that Musk's comment was "a surprise", but that he would "never sell out to his principles".
New York has become the first city in the US to introduce a congestion charge. Car drivers will pay up to $9 (£7) a day, with varying rates for other vehicles. Four hundred lanes of traffic are now covered by more than 1,400 cameras, with more than 110 detection points and more than 800 signs. President-elect Donald Trump is among those resisting the scheme. The congestion zone covers an area south of Central Park, taking in such well-known sites as the Empire State Building, Times Square and the financial district around Wall Street. The scheme aims to ease New York's notorious traffic problems and raise billions for the public transport network.
And - A bluefin tuna described to be the size and weight of a motorbike has been sold for £1m at the annual new year auction Fish Market in the Japanese capital of Tokyo. A group representing sushi restaurants won the bid paying the second highest price ever for the tuna which weighs 608lb.
Sport
Football – There were two draws in Sunday’s Premier League action with Fulham drawing 2 all against Ipswich and leaders Liverpool were fortunate to escape Anfield with a 2-2 draw against 14th-placed Manchester United. This evening Wolves are at home to Nottingham Forest.
Cricket – Australia’s captain Pat Cummins has said that their series against India lived up to the weighty expectations, after his side sealed a 3-1 win. Cummins led Australia to a six-wicket victory on the third day of the fifth Test in Sydney, with the home side having bounced back following a 295-run defeat in the series opener in Perth.
Formula One – Sir Lewis Hamilton has said that he "could not be more excited" as he embarks on his new career at Ferrari in 2025. The seven-time champion from Stevenage said he was "embracing new opportunities, staying hungry, and driving forward with purpose".
Weather
Thundery showers are forecast, with moderate to strong winds. Highs of 15 degrees in Nice and Saint-Tropez, 14 degrees Monaco and Antibes. This evening going down to 8 degrees along the coast.
The outlook for tomorrow. A fine start to the day becoming increasingly cloudy with highs of 17 degrees forecast for Nice and moderate to strong winds. Wednesday, winds dying down with sunny intervals and highs of 16 degrees.
Sunrise 08.04am
Sunset 05.07pm
Weather elsewhere
London 13° rain.
Dublin 4° sunny intervals.
Paris 12° light rain.
Liverpool 4° rain.
And Finally
According to a professor of immunology at Imperial College, London, dancing, toenail clipping and kissing, which may not top your new year’s resolutions, could keep you healthy and help you avoid getting old. Professor John S. Tregoning says greek heroes begged the gods to give them the gift of eternal youth and today we’re offered expensive tests, fad diets or wonder drugs that promise the same. However the professor, who has set out to examine which anti-ageing processes and tips actually work, says from exploring gene sequencing, microbiome testing, fasting, living in isolation and cold-water swimming what we die from has changed dramatically over the last century.
Keeping your toenails trimmed is essential. Not only can it be a useful guide to how flexible you are, it also helps avoid falls, as people often experience foot pain when toenails are left unruly. So, what are Tregoning’s overall conclusions? First, you don’t need to spend a fortune. Instead, don’t smoke or drink, eat no more than you need, and exercise regularly. He points out that smoking kills as many people as the entire population of Wales each year. And there is no safe limit for drinking. To keep your blood pressure healthy, he recommends reducing your salt intake and eating bananas, rich in potassium, which dislodges sodium from the blood. And drinking beetroot juice, which contains nitrates to reduce blood pressure. For those concerned about dementia, one of the best things you can do to keep your brain in good shape is dancing. But what he stresses above all is that happiness and social connectivity trump everything, as one of the longest running studies of ageing, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, has proved. Loneliness has been estimated as more dangerous than six alcoholic drinks a day, influenza, obesity or pollution; social connectivity increases your survival by 50 per cent.
It's been announced that French politician Jean-Marie Le Pen has died at the age of 96. He founded the far-right National Front party in 1972...
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The Sirens will exceptionally be heard throughout the Alpes Maritimes tomorrow Wednesday, January 8th...
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The Princess Grace Rose Garden is preparing to bring the 40th anniversary celebrations to an end tomorrow, Wednesday 8th January. ...
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