News
Weather warning - France is preparing for severe weather as Storm Benjamin sweeps in from the British Isles, bringing violent winds, heavy rain and powerful coastal waves. Nineteen departments across the west and north of the country have been placed under orange alert for today, Thursday 23rd October, with gusts of up to 130 km/h expected along the Atlantic and Channel coasts.
According to Météo-France, the storm will bring a “strong and violent gust of wind” across much of the country, with the Atlantic façade, northern coastline, and Mediterranean regions, from Roussillon to the Côte d’Azur and Corsica, among the areas most at risk. Inland regions will also experience strong winds and heavy rain, particularly across the northern Alps. Temperatures are forecast to fall throughout the day and into Friday.
Transport disruption is expected nationwide. Regional TER train services will be suspended on several routes in Normandy, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, while delays and cancellations are likely elsewhere. Some ferry services in Corsica will also be halted from this morning.
The Alpes-Maritimes and the Var region have been placed on a yellow alert for strong winds, with forecasters warning of gusts reaching 80 to 100 km/h inland, and up to 120–130 km/h along exposed coastlines and mountain areas. In Corsica, winds could reach 150 km/h. According to La Chaîne Météo, the storm will bring a “surge of wind” beginning Thursday evening near the Mediterranean before moving towards Corsica. Residents are advised to take caution with outdoor activities and to stay informed of any changes in weather warnings throughout the day.
Fatal bus crash kills five French citizens - Five French citizens, four of them from the same region, have died in a bus crash during a humanitarian mission in Benin. Among the victims were three residents of La Ciotat, in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur région, all were members of the Lions Club, the global volunteer service organisation. They were travelling on Wednesday to attend the inauguration of a maternity unit funded by their association when the accident occurred. An investigation is under way, and local authorities in our region have expressed their condolences.
Over-65s exempt from France’s new residency language and civics tests - The French government has confirmed that foreign residents aged 65 and over will be exempt from the new French language and civics test requirements for residency cards starting 1 January 2026. The exemption, outlined in a July 2025 decree, applies to applicants for multi-year and 10-year residency cards, but not to those seeking French citizenship. Under the new law, most applicants must show A2-level French for multi-year cards and B1-level for 10-year cards, plus pass a civics exam. The rules apply only to first-time applicants. Exemptions also exist for people with disabilities and post-Brexit British residents. For citizenship, a B2-level in French will be required, with the civics test applying only to applications based on residency.
European Parliament - The European Parliament has approved new road safety laws that will make driving bans for serious offences valid across all EU countries. This ends a loophole where drivers could escape penalties by crossing borders. Offences such as drink-driving, excessive speeding and causing death or injury will now result in an EU-wide ban. Licences must be revoked within 15 days of the decision. The reforms also introduce digital driving licences, supervised driving from age 17 and lower minimum ages for professional drivers. Critics warn younger lorry drivers could pose safety risks. EU states have three years to apply the changes, part of efforts to cut road deaths by half by 2030.
Hospital in the Var reduces services - Hyères hospital will operate its emergency department in a “reduced mode” from this Saturday evening to Sunday morning due to a temporary shortage of medical staff. Between 8 pm on 25 October and 8 am on 26 October, patients are asked to call the SAMU (15) before attending. Exceptions include maternity emergencies, victims of violence, and cases directed by SAMU. The hospital says services will return to normal outside these hours.
Police under investigation - The municipal police of Saint-Laurent-du-Var, near Nice, are under scrutiny following allegations of racism and brutality. The controversy centres on claims of misconduct, including the alleged assault of a handcuffed man during an arrest. The mayor, Joseph Segura, has defended his force, calling the accusations politically motivated, while a dismissed officer has taken legal action following a disciplinary ruling. The dispute continues to stir debate in the town.
Beach owners in Nice to appear in court - The director of Castel Plage and his daughter, who legally represents the company running the famous private beach on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, are facing court over unauthorised works and environmental breaches. They are accused of carrying out major shoreline alterations between 2019 and 2023 without permission, including the placement of large rocks delivered by lorry, which altered the beach’s natural appearance. The case is being heard at the Nice criminal court.
Brigitte Bardot denies death rumours - French screen legend Brigitte Bardot has reassured fans that she is alive and well, following false rumours circulating on social media claiming she had died. Last week, Bardot was briefly hospitalised in Toulon (Var) for a “minor surgical procedure” before returning home to Saint-Tropez. Her office confirmed that she was recovering well. In a May interview with BFMTV, Bardot described her simple lifestyle, saying she lives “like a farmer,” surrounded by her sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, donkey and pony — and that she owns “neither a mobile phone nor a computer.”
Business
The price of gold fell on Wednesday as momentum on Wall Street went into reverse. The S&P 500 sank 0.5 percent - but its still within 1 percent of its all-time high set earlier this month.
Chat GPT creator OpenAI will be able to store data on British soil for the first time. It's part of a government deal aimed at keeping information on local servers in the face of global cyber threats.
Tesla has reported an increase in sales over the past three months - after it was hit hard by boycotts earlier this year. Profits still fell sharply - down to 1.05 billion pounds, from 1.65 billion this time last year. The company was also helped by surging sales from its separate battery storage business.
Sport
It was a goalless game between AS Monaco and Tottenham Hotspurs last night. The draw means the UK team remain unbeaten in UEFA Champions League - whilst Monaco are still waiting for a win.
Liverpool ended their four game losing streak in style as they thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in their clash in Germany.
In the Europa league, OGC Nice take on Celta Vigo tonight.
British tennis number two Cam Norrie aims to reach the quarter-finals of the Vienna Open later. He faces former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in Austria.
Norrie has lost to the Italian in their two previous meetings.
Elsewhere in tennis, Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming Rolex Paris Masters, where he is a record seven-time champion. The 38-year-old last competed earlier this month in the semi-finals in Shanghai, where he fell to surprise champion Valentin Vacherot.
Weather
A mixed bag across the Cote D'Azur today - sunny spells and a few scattered showers - with a high of 22 degrees in Monaco. Becoming very windy for a time later as we feel the effects of Storm Benjamin.
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