National News
France takes key step towards medical cannabis - France has taken a key step towards the widespread use of medical cannabis, with the Ministry of Health announcing that the framework for its production and authorization has been submitted to the European Commission. This move marks progress in securing regulated access to medical cannabis, despite previous uncertainty. The framework clarifies the status of ongoing trials, which will be extended until March 31, 2026, allowing for a potential general rollout. President of the Union of Manufacturers for Hemp Extracts, called it a "reason for hope" for future patients, as they will no longer worry about treatment termination. Cannabis-based treatments for pain and anxiety have been experimented with in France, and in late 2023, parliament voted on measures to commercialize these treatments under a transitional status for five years. However, the official process had been delayed, partly due to political instability.
French scientist denied entry to the US due to personal opinions about Trump’s research policies - A French scientist has reportedly been denied entry to the US this month after immigration officers found phone messages critical of the Trump administration. The scientist, traveling to a conference near Houston, had his phone searched, revealing personal opinions about Trump's research policies. French Research Minister Philippe Baptiste expressed concern, emphasizing that freedom of opinion and academic freedom are core values that France will continue to uphold. The incident occurred on March 9th, and sources say US authorities accused the researcher of sending "hateful messages" and mentioned an FBI investigation, though charges were later dropped before his expulsion. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to comment.
Modernised version of Beauty and the Beast causes uproar - A modernized version of Beauty and the Beast has caused controversy in France, leading the Ministry of Education to cancel 800,000 copies of the book. The book's author and illustrator, Jul (Julien Berjeaux), criticized the decision, calling it "censorship" based on "false pretexts." The modernized tale, aimed at fifth-grade students, included depictions of Beauty's father drinking and references to social media, which the ministry deemed too adult for children aged 10-11. The ministry argued that the themes of alcohol, social media, and complex social issues were more appropriate for older students. Jul, however, defended his work, claiming that the book was playful and magical, and suggesting the real issue was the modern depiction of the characters, which might not align with traditional views. Despite this, the book had been approved by the Ministry of Education, with Minister Elisabeth Borne praising its "new modernity" in the preface. The cancellation came just before the printing was to begin, and the Ministry of Education announced that another book from a previous year’s initiative would be distributed instead.
Weather warning for the Tarn and Haute-Garonne – The Tarn and the Haute-Garonne regions will be placed on orange wind alert starting this evening at 9pm, Thursday 20th March. Meteo France has announce that the southeastern wind, already strong on Wednesday, is expected to intensify, with gusts reaching up to 100 km/h near Toulouse and up to 120 km/h near Montagne Noire, Lauragais, and the Castres region. The strongest winds are anticipated to occur Thursday evening through to Friday morning.
Tyre bursts on Air France flight - Passengers had a scare aboard an Air France flight from Paris to Nice on Wednesday after a tyre burst during take-off. MP Christelle d'Intorni, who was on board, described feeling an unusual disturbance during take-off, which was later revealed to be caused by the loss of a piece of tyre. As the plane approached Nice, the crew prepared for an emergency landing, with firefighters notified in advance. Despite initial fears, the plane landed safely where it was inspected by firefighters. The plane arrived at its destination on time at 12:48 p.m., and police were present to investigate the cause of the tyre burst.
Changes to parking charges this summer in Nice - In an unexpected announcement during a neighbourhood meeting on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, Nice's Mayor Christian Estrosi revealed that starting this summer, parking on the streets of Nice will be free for one hour instead of the current 30 minutes. The new parking policy will take effect on July 1st, aiming to support local businesses and improve parking convenience throughout the city.
69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women - The Principality of Monaco has participated in the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, held from March 10th to 21st, 2025, in New York. During the session Monaco highlighted its efforts to promote gender equality. These included updating legal provisions, creating a Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women's Rights, and improving women's access to education, healthcare, and support for victims of violence. Monaco’s delegation successfully advocated for the inclusion of sports in this year’s declaration as a tool for empowering women and girls. The declaration emphasizes the importance of access to education, healthcare, and digital technology, as well as the need to eliminate violence and discrimination against women.
50th Monaco Cycling Criterion - The 50th Monaco Cycling Criterion will take place on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Port Hercule. To accommodate the event, several road changes will be in effect, as outlined below:
Road Closures and Modifications:
From Saturday, March 22 at 11 p.m. to Sunday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m.: Traffic on Boulevard Albert Ier will only be allowed on its service road. Traffic will be prohibited on the uphill lanes of Quai Antoine Ier between Route de la Piscine and Boulevard Albert Ier.
On Sunday, March 23 from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Closed areas: South Dock, Route de la Piscine, Avenue J.F. Kennedy, and Quai des États-Unis (between the restricted-access dock area and its intersection with Route de la Piscine).
A one-way traffic flow will be in place from the beginning of Quai Antoine Ier, after the Rocher Noghès tunnel, to the Fishermen's Esplanade.
Parking Restrictions: From March 22 at 11:00 p.m. to March 23 at 6:30 p.m.:
Parking will be prohibited on Quai Antoine Ier (between Rocher Noghès tunnel and the Quai Antoine Ier parking lot), all of Boulevard Albert Ier, Route de la Piscine, the Jules Soccal jetty, South Dock, the Louis Chiron bend, and Quai des États-Unis (between the restricted-access platform area and the intersection with Route de la Piscine).
Public Transport Adjustments: Bus Service: The "Stade Nautique" and "Princesse Antoinette (Gare)" bus stops will operate on the open road. Line 1 will be diverted to Avenue d'Ostende from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will not serve the "Kennedy," "Auditorium Rainier III," "Portier," "Spélugues," "Citronniers," and "Place du Casino" stops. These adjustments are made to ensure the safe and smooth running of the cycling event.
Monaco: Where living long and marrying less is the new trend - Monaco is once again leading the world in life expectancy, with Monegasques reaching an average of 87 years in 2024. The Principality continues to outshine the competition, with life expectancy at birth at 84 years for men and 90 years for women—nearly 6 years longer than the European Union average. Despite a slight rise in mortality (10 more deaths than last year), Monaco still fares better than most, with a mortality rate of just 8.2% in 2024. On the flip side, births are on the decline, with only 98 newborns registered last year—down from 104 in 2023. As for marriages? Well, they're at a historic low, with just 55 marriages celebrated in 2024, the fewest in 41 years. Looks like love in Monaco is taking a backseat to living well!
Only known script for iconic French film Breathless to be auctioned - Finally, the only known script for Jean-Luc Godard’s iconic New Wave film Breathless (À Bout de Souffle) will be auctioned later this year after being hidden for over 60 years. Around 70 pages of Godard’s handwritten notes, including the famous opening, were found in the estate of the film’s producer Georges de Beauregard. Breathless, which tells the story of an affair between an American student (Jean Seberg) and her criminal boyfriend (Jean-Paul Belmondo), is a cornerstone of the French Nouvelle Vague movement. Godard's unique filmmaking approach meant formal scripts were rare, as he preferred writing dialogue the night before shooting and often destroyed written records.
Business
France's central bank has reported another loss for 2024 but stated that the worst is over and a return to profit is expected in the coming years. Many central banks are experiencing losses due to higher interest payments on commercial banks' excess liquidity compared to the income from bonds they hold.
Passport fees in the UK are set to increase again in April, with a 7% hike, bringing the total rise since February 2023 to 25%. A Standard online application in the UK for Adults will cost £94.50 (up from £88.50) and children £61.50 (up from £57.50). Meanwhile, standard online application (overseas): will cost for adults £108 (up from £101) and for children £70 (up from £65.50). The Home Office clarified that the government doesn't profit from passport fees; they cover the costs of processing applications.
Mothers in Hungary are benefiting from a radical new tax exemption to combat soaring childcare costs and encourage higher birth rates. Mothers with two or three children will be exempt from income tax for life, while those with one child will be exempt until the age of 30. This is an extension of an existing program that makes mothers of four or more children completely tax-exempt. Prime Minister Viktor Orban called it the start of a "family-centred economy." Hungary's fertility rate was 1.5 in 2022 according to data 2.1 is needed to maintain population levels.
And - A North Dakota jury has found Greenpeace guilty of slander and has ordered the group to pay over $660m (£507m) in damages to Energy Transfer for its role in one of the largest anti-fossil fuel protests in US history. The Texas-based oil company also accused Greenpeace of trespassing and civil conspiracy related to the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline demonstrations. Greenpeace, which plans to appeal, warned the case could force it into bankruptcy, potentially ending over 50 years of activism.
Sport
Cycling – Both the men's and women's Tour de France will start in Britain in 2027. Edinburgh will host the men's Grand Depart, with Scotland, Wales, and England each hosting a stage. Details for the women's race will be announced in the autumn. The men's Tour has visited Britain four times before (1974, 1994, 2007, 2014), but this will be the first time both races are held in the same country in the same year. In 2014, 4.8 million people lined the roads for the English stages, and Scotland attracted about one million spectators for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Formula One – The CEO of Formula 1 has met with Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to discuss a potential street-circuit Grand Prix in Bangkok starting in 2028. The government will conduct a feasibility study for the race. The F1 season currently includes four races in the Asia-Pacific region.
Golf - World number one Scottie Scheffler is confident he's returning to form as he prepares to defend his Masters title next month. Although he hasn't won a tournament in 2025, he had two wins by this point last year.
Football – Chelsea football club has signed Sporting midfielders Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo for a combined £62.4m. 17-year-old Quenda will join Chelsea for up to £44m but stay with Sporting until the end of the 2025-26 season. The teenager made his first team debut this season and played in the Champions League in September. Meanwhile, Essugo, a 20-year-old defensive midfielder, will move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Weather
Mainly fine with some cloudy patches in the Var. Moderate to strong winds. Highs of 15 degrees in Nice, Antibes, Saint-Raphael and Monaco. 14 degrees in Saint-Tropez, 16 degrees in Toulon. This evening going down to 8 degrees along the coast.
The outlook for tomorrow and the weekend. Friday, cloudy with strong winds and gusts of up to 85km/hr forecast by meteo France. Saturday remaining windy but dry in the Var, with showers forecast in the morning for Nice. Sunday, rain expected across the region. Highs of 16 degrees.
Sunrise 06.33am
Sunset 06.42pm
Weather elsewhere
London 19° sunny
Paris 19° sunny
Dublin 14° sunny
And Finally
A study in the World Happiness Report suggests that strangers are twice as kind as people think. The report, released this Thursday, measured trust by deliberately losing wallets and comparing the return rates to people's predictions. Wallets were returned almost twice as often as expected, showing that belief in others' kindness is closely tied to happiness.
Finland ranked as the happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, while the US and UK dropped in rankings. The study found that people are overly pessimistic about others' trustworthiness, and happier societies are those where people believe others care.
The report also noted declining happiness and trust in the US and parts of Europe, linking it to political polarization. It highlighted that sharing meals and living with a few people were positively correlated with happiness.
The top 10 happiest countries are:
The findings emphasize that happiness stems from trust, kindness, and social connections.
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