News
Storm warning - Storm Caetano is expected to hit France today Thursday 21st November, with 17 departments being placed on an orange weather alert due to strong winds. The cold spell arriving is also expected to see snowfall in mountainous areas with 32 departments on an orange alert for snow and ice. Locally in the Alpes Maritimes and the Var, a yellow warning is in place due to strong winds forecast this afternoon.
French Prime Minister calls for an end to ministerial convoys - In other news in France, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has announced an end to “convoys of too many cars with blaring sirens and flashing lights, which often accompany his ministers". An all too familiar sight of vehicles with tinted windows overtaking you on the promenade or the ring road in Paris and running through red lights as well as speeding, with the excuse that somebody important is inside, may become a thing of the past. Barnier has called for his ministers to set an example adding that “these exceptional convoys are neither emergency vehicles nor police cars” pointing out that “the circulation of ministerial convoys should not deviate from the compliance with the highway code, except in cases which are strictly justified to be a safety emergency”.
Following the announcement some colleagues admitted that “after five years in the job it will be strange to have to stop at a red light”. Barnier also hopes that the move will eventually, for environmental reasons, lead to ministers travelling by train rather than car. Barnier indeed is calling for “efficiency, simplicity and thoughtfulness” from his ministers. Although some see it as if he is acting like “a father who is finally calling his children into an orderly fashion”.
Disruptions on the train network - The SNCF has said that while most trains should be running as normal, there will be some changes to regional networks due to strike action. It has not been very clear as to when the action was taking place. On Wednesday November 20th, it was announced that services would be disrupted from 7pm however, many passengers experienced delays and cancellations during the morning rush hour and for most of the day. If you are planning on travelling by train today, the best is to check on the SNCF website or app. While things should return to normal by the end of this week, unions have already announced plans to launch unlimited strike action starting on December 11th and just in time for the Christmas holidays.
Rapid HIV Diagnostics in Pharmacies - For the first time in France, rapid HIV tests are now available in pharmacies in the Alpes-Maritimes. Conducted without a prescription or upfront payment, the tests provide immediate, confidential results. Currently offered in six pharmacies around Menton, the initiative aims to expand, based on its success, in an ongoing effort in the fight against HIV.
Armed Robbery - Two armed and masked robbers have carried out a robbery at the post office on the island of Porquerolles in the Var. The incident occurred on Wednesday November 20th. The two individuals fled the scene with an envelope. The post office worker, left in shock, received medical attention and was taken to a mainland hospital. Police are investigating and reviewing CCTV footage.
Road closures due to the Var rally - The Rallye du Var gets underway today and due to the 70th edition traffic diversions will be in place. The event runs through until Sunday. Today will see the closure of the RD 89 in Gassin in the Var from midday to 7pm. Tomorrow, Friday, the RD 14 will be affected between Collobrières, La Mole and Cogolin from 11:35am to 5:45pm, the RD 41 between Bormes-les-Mimosas, La Londe and Collobrières from 12:30 to 6:40pm and the RD 44 in Sainte-Maxime from 2:10pm to 7pm. On Saturday, the RD 39 will be affected in Gonfaron from 6:45am to 5:40pm, and the RD 41 between Bormes-les-Mimosas, La Londe and Collobrières from 11:25am to 7:40pm as well as the RD 14 between Collobrières, La Mole and Cogolin from 6:30am to 8:25pm. Finally, on Sunday, you should avoid the Sainte-Maxime area (RD 44) from 5:15am to 11:40am. The RD 14 will also be closed in Collobrières from 6am to 12:40pm and the RD 39 between Gonfaron and Collobrières from 7am to 2:15pm.
“Polygone Riviera” becomes “Shopping Promenade Riviera” - Many of you may be familiar with the “Polygone Riviera” outdoor shopping mall in Cagnes-sur-Mer which has recently been rebranded as the “Shopping Promenade Riviera”. New owner, the Frey Group, is planning a number of significant changes adding leisure, art and cultural experiences, including a speed Park for families and groups, featuring activities such as bowling, karting and laser games and a new Fort Boyard adventure space as well as new restaurants. Recent figures show that the 70,000m² space currently attracts between 8 to 10,000 weekly visitors.
Princess Grace Irish Library celebrates its 40th anniversary - The Princess Grace Irish Library here in the Principality has celebrated its 40th anniversary. Created by Prince Rainier III of Monaco in memory of his late wife, Princess Grace, it was inaugurated on November 20th, 1984. Princess Grace had always expressed a deep affection for her Irish roots and inspired its creation. Located just a stone’s throw away from the Palace of Monaco since it opened the library has acquired over 12,000 works. This year’s celebrations highlight “A Retrospective of the Life of Princess Grace: Her Irish Origins and Passion for Irish Culture.” Visitors can discover and explore Grace Kelly’s family history, tracing her roots back to her grandfather, John Kelly, who emigrated from Ireland to America at the age of 20.
In addition, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation hosted a musical lunch in Monaco on Wednesday for the 40th anniversary of the Princess Grace Irish Library. It was of course earlier this year in May, that the Stelios Foundation hosted the film premiere of ‘Quintessentially Irish’ for the Princess Grace Irish Library. The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation gives back to society by supporting a diverse range of good causes in our local communities that we call close to home: the UK & Ireland, Monaco & France, Greece & Cyprus, where the founder Sir Stelios and his family have lived and worked. The foundation is funded by donations from the easyGroup.
Italian village trying to repopulate with Americans who are disappointed by Trump’s election - Finally, an Italian village is offering houses for 1 euro to Americans who are disappointed by Donald Trump's election. The village of Ollolai in Sardinia recently launched a website aimed at encouraging Americans disappointed by Trump's election to move to the town. Since 2018, the town has been multiplying initiatives to try to repopulate, mainly offering houses to renovate at the low price of €1. According to reports the village is also prepared to accelerate the settling in procedure. The mayor Francesco Columbu indicates that several formulas are available. Some “digital nomads” who can have access to free houses for a limited period. The others can choose between ready-to-live-in houses at prices of up to €100,000 and houses requiring renovations offered at €1. In his statement, the mayor did not hide his love for the United States and his desire to first approach the Americans to repopulate his village.
Business
According to reports from Reuters, Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to discussing a Ukraine ceasefire deal with Donald Trump but rules out making any major territorial concessions and insists Ukraine abandons ambitions to join NATO. U.S President-elect Donald Trump, has vowed to swiftly end the conflict, and is returning to the White House at a time of Russian domination. Moscow controls a chunk of Ukraine about the size of the American state of Virginia and is advancing at the fastest pace since the early days of the 2022 invasion.
National Rally far-right French leader Marine Le Pen has threatened to seek to topple French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's fragile coalition government if her party's cost-of-living concerns are not incorporated into the 2025 budget. Le Pen's warning on Wednesday comes as she faces a major potential setback, with prosecutors seeking an obligatory five-year ban from public office for her alleged role in embezzling EU funds. She denies the allegations. If judges convict Le Pen and uphold the sought sentence, she would be barred from running in the 2027 presidential election which many believe she could win.
Meanwhile, French steelworkers in two northern French cities have gone on strike. Unions warn of two potential plant closures in northern France affecting some 130 workers. The potential closures are due to problems in the European auto industry and high raw material and energy costs. European industries have continued to struggle to recover as gas and power prices remain high, with the steelmaker the latest company in the region to announce job cuts and closures.
Sport
Football – The owner of football club Aston Villa has said the club will join Manchester City in voting against amendments the Premier League has proposed to rules which govern commercial deals. On Friday, top-flight clubs will vote on the changes at a Premier League meeting. Manchester City have already written to the 19 other clubs expressing their "fundamental concern" over what they claim are "unlawful" amendments the Premier League has proposed.
Formula One – Formula One diver George Russell has said that fellow drivers are "a bit fed up" with the leadership of the sport’s governing body, the FIA. Mercedes driver Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), said the drivers "weren’t aware" of the decision to remove the race director Niels Wittich three races before the end of the season. Russell made it clear he was referring specifically to the leadership of the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Weather
Sunny intervals to start. Clouding over by the afternoon with winds picking up. Meteo France has issued a yellow weather alert due to strong winds in both the Var and the Alpes Maritimes. Rain is forecast by early evening. Highs of 14 degrees in Nice, 12 degrees in Monaco, 11 degrees in Vence, 16 degrees in Saint- Tropez and 15 degrees in Marseille. This evening going down to 10 degrees and cloudy.
The outlook for Friday, strong winds and sunny. Highs of 16 degrees. Heading into the weekend, Saturday, sunny with a moderate breeze and highs of 15 degrees. Sunday, light rain gentle breeze and highs of 16 degrees.
Sunrise 07.32am
Sunset 04.59pm
Weather elsewhere
Berlin 3° light cloud.
Rome 16° sunny intervals.
Lisbon 19° sunny.
And Finally
According to ground-breaking research an Egyptian mug from 2,000 years ago was last used to serve up a cocktail of psychedelic drugs. Researchers at the University of South Florida used advanced chemical analysis on what's known as a Bes mug - cups left behind by ancient Egyptians.
The mugs are decorated with the head of Bes, an ancient Egyptian god or guardian demon worshiped for protection, fertility, medical healing and magical purification. Until now historians have only ever been able to speculate about the mugs' contents, with some believing they were used to hold "sacred" water, wine or beer.
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