News
Weather - After the torrential rains that hit the Côte d'Azur and the red alert issued last Thursday, a new intense Mediterranean episode is expected this week. The weather is expected to deteriorate from today Thursday 24th October. Météo France does not yet know how intense the rainfall will be, but up to 122 mm of rain is expected locally on the coast throughout the South-East and particularly in the PACA region. The episode is being closely monitored by Météo France with the latest update forecasting that Saturday will be the worst day for heavy ran and thunderstorms.
Couple go on trial for involuntary manslaughter – In other news, a South African couple, who rented out their house in Vidauban in the Var have faced trial for involuntary manslaughter after the accidental death of a child who was staying with her family at the villa in the summer of June 2020. At the time of the tragic incident, there was no security system protecting the swimming pool in which a 3-year-old child drowned. The couple appeared before the criminal court of Draguignan last week and a decision will be given on November 21st.
The cost of a flight from Toulon-Hyeres and Nice airport are set to increase - Flights from Toulon-Hyères airport in the Var and Nice International airport in the Alpes Maritimes, are expected to increase in price. The price hike aims to cover the increase in the solidarity tax on airline tickets (TSBA) on domestic and international flights. The French government says the move is for ecological purposes and hopes to save 60 billion euros on the next budget. Airlines, such as EasyJet, which is well established in Nice, are opposed to the increase in the cost of a plane ticket, as is the management of the Côte d'Azur airport. Both have called for the impact of this new measure to be closely looked into. According to EasyJet the move is “technically a 10% increase in the price of a ticket an increase which will essentially prevent middle-class households from accessing air travel." France is "one of the countries in Europe that already taxes its airline sector the most heavily", and there are fears that "this new tax, will result in a loss of competitiveness for French airlines and penalize the attractiveness of France as a destination."
New installation at the Calanques National Park in Marseille - To better fight forest fires, the Calanques National Park in Marseille is preparing to replace the temporary lookout installed during the summer season, with a 360-degree intelligence camera, controlled by the marine firefighters. This new generation camera will sit at an altitude of 646 meters on the highest point in the Calanques National Park, to monitor as closely as possible any fires risk. The project has been in the pipeline for several years and is part of the community's plan in the ongoing protection of forests areas against fires.
Tightening of tax rules on furnished rentals such as Airbnb - The French government has announced plans to tighten the tax rules on furnished rentals such as Airbnb. France is faced with a severe housing crisis and the government is hoping that tightening of the current tax obligations on furnished properties, including seasonal rentals such as Airbnb, which are booming, would incite owners to favour traditional unfurnished rentals instead. In the draft finance bill, the government plans to make the rental of furnished properties by individuals much less tax-advantageous by removing a tax loophole. A measure that should bring in 200 million euros in 2025.
Meanwhile, the French government has recently launched a new platform which is available to the public for free and allows homeowners and potential buyers to access property value estimations. The platform provides a range of useful information. It is possible to look at a specific address or consult an interactive map with a list of properties for sale in each department. You can easily access information on the price and date of a sale for an existing house, apartment, or land as well as a full description of the property and the median selling price per square metre by city and region. For more information go to https://explore.data.gouv.fr/fr/immobilier?onglet=carte...
Video goes viral showing difference in the up-keep between the streets of Monaco and France - A video has been circulating on social media to denounce the difference in the up-keep between the streets of France and Monaco. The clip showing the border between France and Monaco on a street in Beausoleil has gone viral being viewed 2.6 million times. With the caption, "France VS Monaco" the video shows an obvious difference with a rather poor up-keep in France compared to that in Monaco. However, for some Internet users, we should not "compare the incomparable". "Monaco is a small principality of very rich people and France is a big country". According to figures from INSEE as of December 31, 2023, the Principality of Monaco had 38,367 inhabitants, the vast majority of whom were foreigners (64.6%) compared to more than 68 million in France as of January 1, 2024.
Fight Aids Monaco - Princess Stéphanie and the Fight Aids Monaco team have travelled to Madagascar. Fight Aids Monaco provides financial support to an association that fights HIV in Madagascar. The trip has marked the Princess’s continuing international commitment to the fight against AIDS. Since 2023, with the support of Fight Aids Monaco, the association's program has expanded to promote the empowerment of people living with HIV. This includes vocational training and academic support for their children. At the end of her visit, Princess Stéphanie presented a check for 8,000 euros.
Charles Leclerc takes to the skies in new documentary - Formula One driver Charles Leclerc is to star in a new documentary being aired on the French channel Canal+. The film which will be broadcast on the 3rd November at 5pm on Canal+ sees the Monegasque perform n a daring airplane stunt in a fighter jet. The trailer shared on social media for the documentary entitled ‘Supersonique’, shows Leclerc board a Rafale fighter jet to take part in a French Air Force training mission.
8th edition of the E-Rallye Monte-Carlo - The 8th edition of the E-Rallye Monte Carlo got underway here in the Principality on Wednesday at the Casino Square in Monte-Carlo. From today Thursday 24th October, through until Saturday, four intense stages will be taking place over 3 French departments, the Alpes de Haute-Provence, the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var as well as a short jaunt planned on the heights of the Italian Riviera. Organised by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) this year’s event is set to be even more challenging than before. The ever-increasing autonomy of new-generation vehicles should ultimately be one of the keys to the success of competitors and manufacturers who have turned out in ever-greater numbers. 63 crews, 40 cars from 18 brands and 17 nationalities are taking part.
Business
Striking workers at Boeing have rejected a new offer from management which included a 35% pay rise over four years. The company’s biggest union said that the 64% of its striking members voted against the proposed deal. More than 30,000 of Boeing's workers have joined the walkout, which started on the 13th of September, after an initial offer was rejected. It is the second time that the striking workers have rejected a proposed deal in a formal vote. The previous offer was turned down last month by 95% of workers.
According to industry experts in the UK the clubbing era “which has defined generations” is at risk of collapsing. Ahead of next week's autumn budget, Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Nighttime Industries Association (NTIA), has spoken about the urgent need for the UK government to support and protect a "vital part of the UK's social fabric". New research by the NTIA shows that in the past four years the UK has lost 37% of its clubs, which works out at about 10 clubs closing each month. The NTIA says things are so bleak that if the current rate of closures continues then on 31 December 2029, we will have no more clubs in the UK.
And - The most expensive sports ball has been sold at auction. The ball was hit by Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani for his 50th home run of the Major League Baseball season. The Japanese hitter became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season during his side's match on the 19th of September. The £3.4m paid by the unknown buyer is the most a sports ball has ever fetched at auction.
Sport
Athletics – British shot put record holder and two time world’s strongest man champion Geoff Capes has died aged 75. He was a three-time Olympian and came closest to winning a medal with a fifth-place finish at the 1980 Games in Moscow.
Tennis – 37-year-old Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week's Paris Masters, potentially ending his 2024 season. Djokovic is the defending champion in Paris and has won a record 40 Masters titles in his career along with his 24 Grand Slam titles.
Football – The UK government is looking to introduce a bill to parliament today which plans to "strengthen" legislation to establish an independent football regulator for the game. The regulator will be given "new powers" as part of the Football Governance Bill, including over the Premier League's controversial multi-million pound 'parachute payments' that are given to relegated clubs. It will "explicitly require clubs to provide effective engagement" with fans on changes to ticket prices, and any proposals to relocate home grounds. The bill was initially tabled in March but failed to pass through Parliament before the general election was called in May.
Weather
Mostly cloudy with light rain forecast by this afternoon and winds picking up in the Var. A yellow weather warning in place due to the rain causing possible flooding. 21 degrees in Monaco, Nice and Saint-Tropez. 23 degrees in Cannes. This evening going down to 16 degrees and cloudy.
The outlook for Friday is light showers with some sunny intervals and highs of 22 degrees. Heavy rain and thunderstorms along with strong winds is forecast for Saturday. Sunday, light rain and highs of 23 degrees.
Sunrise 07.56
Sunset 06.31
Weather elsewhere
London 17° sunny.
Paris 18° sunny.
Dublin 16° drizzle.
The Monegasque Government is relaunching the Blue Fund initiative to support the Principality's economic development, highlighting the many opportunit...
Read More
The Fort Antoine open stage, dedicated to artists aged between 18 and 30 and organised by Monaco's Department of Cultural Affairs, is to return next y...
Read More
According to the EU drugs agency, France has the highest cannabis consumption in Europe despite having some of the continent’s strictest drug laws. ...
Read More
The Channel Islands and France have signed an agreement to share information in the event of a nuclear or radiological incident. ...
Read More
Police have issued a public appeal to locate Jacques Assouly, a 96-year-old man who has been missing since the 22nd of November, in the Ayguade area i...
Read More
