News
UN Ocean Summit Nice - At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, experts have highlighted the increasing medical potential of coral reefs, despite their severe threat from climate change. Rising ocean temperatures have caused bleaching in 84% of coral reefs over the past two years, with nearly all at risk of disappearing if global warming reaches 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Corals, long known for their role in marine biodiversity and protecting coastlines, are now being studied for their possible uses in medicine. Researchers have found coral-derived compounds that could help treat cancer, HIV, and skin diseases.
However, producing these compounds on an industrial scale remains a major challenge, especially as coral ecosystems are rapidly declining. Start-ups like Monaco’s Coraliotech use coral DNA to synthesize therapeutic and cosmetic molecules in labs, avoiding the need to harvest corals directly. Scientists warn that losing coral reefs means losing not only biodiversity but also untapped medical resources. Protecting coral ecosystems is critical both for environmental and human health.
Will Emmanuel Macron return to Nice this Friday? - Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron may return to Nice on Friday for the closing moments of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), after spending the past three days in the city. Rumours are circulating that the French President could personally take part in a symbolic event, possibly releasing two protected loggerhead sea turtles back into the Mediterranean—an act meant to mark the success of the summit.
The Élysée Palace, however, says no return is currently scheduled, and Macron’s official agenda only lists a Council of Ministers meeting in Paris on Friday morning. Security officials remain open to the possibility. Macron’s presence may hinge on the number of countries ratifying the Treaty on the Protection of the High Seas (BBNJ). The President initially set a target of 60 ratifications and expressed confidence it would be surpassed. One summit organizer suggests Macron might return if the total exceeds 100.
Study shows rise in drugs and alcohol consumption at work in France - A recent study by iThylo has revealed a 107% increase in drug and alcohol consumption at work in France between 2017 and 2025. The research, titled “Révéler ce qui ne se voit pas” (Revealing What Is Unseen), highlights that temporary and precarious workers are the most affected. In 2025, 5.3% of workers tested positive for alcohol or drugs, compared to 2.6% in 2017. Cocaine use has surged dramatically, with 13 times more positive tests detected in 2025 than in 2017. Cannabis remains the most common substance detected, with 1.8% positive tests overall. Alcohol use is higher among night and evening shift workers, especially after 5 p.m. and on Fridays. iThylo calls for more inclusive and effective addiction prevention policies that address all worker groups and adapt to real workplace challenges, supported by qualified professionals and ongoing support systems. The study analysed over 110,000 random drug and alcohol tests in workplaces from 2017 to 2025, conducted legally and by trained health staff.
Monaco retail sector shows strong post-covid recovery - Monaco’s retail industry is showing a robust recovery following the Covid crisis, with solid growth reported over the past year, according to figures presented at a recent event organized by the Union of Traders and Craftsmen of Monaco (Ucam). The session, held at the Novotel Monte-Carlo, brought together key players from the local economic community and government officials, including Finance and Economy Minister Pierre-André Chiappori and National Council President Thomas Brezzo. Retail currently represents 853 businesses in Monaco, employing more than 3,100 people and accounting for approximately 6% of the Principality’s GDP. In 2024, retail contributed an estimated €575 million to Monaco’s total GDP of €9.24 billion.
The sector has seen impressive growth, with trade-related GDP rising nearly 9% from 2022 to 2023—significantly outpacing overall economic expansion. Monaco’s GDP has increased by 50% since 2014, while retail trade grew by nearly 62% during the same period. 2025 is off to a promising start, highlighted by a highly successful Monaco Grand Prix that drew large crowds and high-spending visitors. However, Minister Chiappori cautions against complacency amid ongoing global economic uncertainties, urging businesses to remain vigilant.
French antiques experts convicted - Finally, two French antiques experts, Georges “Bill” Pallot and Bruno Desnoues, have been convicted for forging historic chairs they claimed belonged to French royals like Marie Antoinette. They were sentenced to four months in prison and given suspended sentences. Since they already served time in pre-trial detention, they will not return to jail. Both were also fined €200,000 and €100,000 respectively. The fake chairs were sold to collectors, including the Palace of Versailles and a Qatari prince. The case, which took nine years to investigate, exposed weaknesses in the antiques market and highlighted the need for better regulation.
Business
Talks aimed at easing tensions between the US and China have concluded with a “deal,” according to US President Donald Trump. Trump announced that China agreed to supply US companies with magnets and rare earth metals, while the US will ease visa restrictions on Chinese students. The announcement came after two days of intense talks in London, following a truce in May to halt escalating tariffs that threatened trade between the world’s two biggest economies. The deal awaits final approval from both President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Billionaire Elon Musk has expressed regret over some of his social media posts about US President Donald Trump, admitting "they went too far." The tension between Musk and Trump began after Musk stepped back from his White House role and described Trump’s tax bill as a disgrace. Musk’s comments follow Trump’s recent interview with the New York Post, where the president said he was open to reconciliation, noting he felt "a little disappointed" about the fallout but harbored "no hard feelings."
And – Sacré bleu! Paris Baguette, the Korean bakery chain known for its French-inspired branding, is targeting major international growth. Despite its Parisian-themed décor and name, the brand is entirely Korean, owned by SPC Group. SPC Group, which traces its roots back 80 years, reported sales of $5.6 billion last year and employs 20,000 people. Paris Baguette operates 4,000 stores across 14 countries, including Asia, Europe, and the US. The company plans to open more than 1,000 new international outlets by 2030, with a focus on the American market. A new factory under construction in Texas is set to become its largest overseas production facility by 2027, supplying North and Latin America. SPC’s CEO, Jin-soo Hur, said the brand doesn’t claim its products have to be French, calling items like croissants “universal products” enjoyed worldwide rather than exclusively European.
Sport
Football – Marseille football club have reached an agreement in principle to sign England midfielder Angel Gomes on a free transfer. The 24-year-old will leave Lille when his contract expires this summer, despite interest from Tottenham and West Ham. Gomes has opted to remain in Ligue 1, where his performance has been impressive since joining Lille from Manchester United in 2020.
And - England’s manager Thomas Tuchel has defended Jude Bellingham’s fiery reaction to a disallowed goal in the 3-1 loss to Senegal, despite admitting even his own mother found the midfielder’s behaviour “repulsive.” Speaking to Talksport, he said Bellingham’s passion is key to England’s ambitions: “He brings an edge which we welcome. It just needs to be channelled.”
Formula One - Aston Martin have confirmed that Lance Stroll will return to action at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix after missing the Spanish race due to injury. The 26-year-old Canadian had been sidelined with lingering pain in his hands, linked to a cycling accident in early 2023. Following a recent medical procedure and a successful test at Paul Ricard, Stroll is now fit and ready to race in front of his home crowd.
Tennis - Britain’s Sonay Kartal missed the chance to reach a home quarter-final at Queen’s after a tough defeat to American Amanda Anisimova. World number 50 Kartal was beaten 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour by the tournament’s eighth seed. Kartal had recently claimed the biggest win of her career, defeating world number 16 Daria Kasatkina, but couldn’t secure a third top-20 victory. Anisimova, who has already beaten another British player, Jodie Burrage, will face fellow American Emma Navarro in the quarter-finals.
Cricket - As Australia and South Africa prepare to face off in this week's World Test Championship final at Lord’s, attention turns to the future of cricket’s most traditional format. Long seen as the pinnacle of the sport, Test cricket has faced declining interest in several countries amid the rise of shorter formats like T20. With financial pressures mounting, some boards now see Tests as a costly burden.
Weather
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, this evening going down to 19 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for Friday and the weekend, fine and sunny with light winds and highs of 28 degrees.
Sunrise 05.48am
Sunset 09.12pm
Weather elsewhere
Athens 35° sunny.
Liverpool and Berlin 23° sunny.
New York 32° sunny.
Beach weather
Nice – Sea temperature 22°, air temperature 25° feels like 31°. UV level 8.
Antibes - Sea temperature 21°, air temperature 27°. UV level 8.
And finally
A team of researchers from the University of Portsmouth has put forward a bold new idea that challenges the long-standing Big Bang theory. Instead of the universe beginning with a massive explosion, the scientists suggest it may have formed from a gravitational collapse — essentially, a giant black hole that later bounced outward to create everything we see today. Called the "Black Hole Universe" theory, the model explains the shape and structure of the cosmos without relying on mysterious elements like dark energy. It also predicts that space is slightly curved, rather than perfectly flat — a detail that current NASA missions could help confirm. While still controversial, the theory offers a fresh way to understand the universe’s origin and could reshape how scientists view our place in it.
The United Nations Ocean Summit ends today Friday 13th June, unveiling a bold new plan to protect the world’s oceans by 2030. Known as the “Nice Commi...
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Sunny with light winds. Highs of 26 degrees in Monaco, Nice and Saint-Tropez, 27 degrees in Cannes 31 degrees in Marseille, this evening going down to...
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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, ...
Read More
