News
Germany and France warn Donald Trump against threatening Greenland - Germany and France have warned US president-elect Donald Trump against threatening Greenland. The warning comes after Trump refused to rule out using military force to seize Denmark's autonomous territory. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said, "there is obviously no question that the European Union would let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders". On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, saying that the Arctic Island was "critical" for national and economic security.
Mayor of Nice increases efforts to stop spread of flu in the region - The Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi has stepped up efforts to curb the spread of the current flu epidemic in the Alpes-Maritimes by reinforcing preventative measures. In a post on social media he said that all Nice residents over 75 years old can be vaccinated in the centre in Hancy, or at home by contacting 04 92 17 44 90 if they cannot travel. According to the mayor, it is now mandatory for staff and visitors to wear masks at the three EHPAD care homes and three independent living residences of the Nice CCAS, as well as in all the city's municipal administrative sites in the event of symptoms. Hydro-alcoholic gel and masks are being distributed in all Nice municipal services.
Renovation work on A8 motorway - Renovation work has begun on the Sainte-Agnes overpass on the A8 motorway, while the extension of the Menton slip road is nearing completion. Vinci Autoroutes is starting a new project a few meters further on. The works are expected to last ten months. The project estimated at a cost of 5.47 million euros is part of the continuation of Vinci’s policy to maintain and continue the upkeep of the motorway heritage. The work undertaken by Vinci concerns the northern end of the overpass, towards Nice. To limit the impact for motorists, traffic will be maintained as normal throughout the duration of the works. However, some stages will require a temporary change to traffic with just one lane open. These changes will be introduced at night, between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., mainly between February and June.
Drop in the number of road deaths in our region - Meanwhile, the month of December saw a decrease in road deaths in the Alpes-Maritimes department compared to December 2023, according to departmental road safety authorities. In December 2024, two people lost their lives, compared with five in the previous December. However, the number of people seriously injured rose significantly, from 17 in December 2023 to 30 in December 2024.
Building work in progress for seasonal employees of La Messardière and Cheval Blanc in Saint-Tropez - More than a hundred apartments are currently under construction for luxury seasonal workers in Saint-Tropez in the Var. Following the settlement of legal action from neighbours, the project is progressing well for summer employees of La Messardière and Cheval Blanc in Saint-Tropez. Located at the entrance to Saint-Tropez the new housing complex for seasonal workers at La Messardière (LOV Group) and Cheval Blanc (LVMH), will see two two-story buildings emerge from the ground with a height of almost 10 meters and a built surface area of a total of 7,200m2. 112 T2 apartments will be built for seasonal workers with, underground, a parking lot and common service premises. A security system will be put in place to ensure the security of the site. On the environmental side, the pine forest will be preserved on the perimeter of the land to hide the building, a green program is planned as well as the installation of solar panels on the roof and a rainwater collection point for watering green spaces.
SBM holds recruitment day – Meanwhile, here in the Principality the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) is holding a recruitment day on 22nd January at One Monte-Carlo. The event will offer seasonal positions in hospitality, wellness, and leisure across the SBM’s establishments in Monaco. The day offers an opportunity for candidates with training or experience in high-end hospitality to apply for a range of seasonal roles. To find out more you can go to the SBM website.
Are you a parent or soon to be a parent and you live in Monaco? - For parents in Monaco the Early Childhood & Families Service is once again offering workshops for parents and future parents (Monegasques or residents of the Principality) as part of their “Parent Spaces” meetings. The workshops are a time for discussions between families and professionals, around issues related to parenting. The workshops start on January 14th and will run until March. Every Wednesday until the end of June there is also a game workshop “parents and children” which are fun sessions full of complicity, as well as the “Parent-baby massage” workshops. All workshops are free upon prior registration. For more information registration: +377 93 15 61 80 / espacesparents@mairie.mc
Vendée Globe - Finally, its good news for Boris Herrmann who is representing Monaco in the Vendée Globe and is hot on the heels of Sam Goodchild. After braving the elements for the new year and ten days before the finish in Les Sables-d'Olonne, the German skipper is neck and neck for 5th place in the race. While victory in the Vendée Globe will no doubt be decided in mid-January and seems out of reach for Boris, the German skipper, representing the Principality is still hoping to continue to gain a few places.
Business
In line with EU rules which have come into force banks in France will no longer be able to charge customers more for making an instant online money transfer. Many bank customers in France were, until Wednesday, January 8th, charged a €1 fee for transferring money instantly from one account to another at any time of the day or night. Banks had until January 8th, 2025, to comply with European regulations on instant transfers that came into force last April stipulating that the price of an instant transfer may not exceed that of a standard transfer. As a result, all operations carried out online become de facto free of charge. Furthermore, a new European payment wallet known as Wero is being rolled out across the EU. It is already available to account holders at a number of French banks and should enable people to pay for purchases online and at retailers by 2026. It is intended to replace the existing French Paylib wallet.
French childrenswear brand Bonpoint has been sold to a Chinese fashion group. It’s owners EPI see the transaction as an opportunity to provide Bonpoint with the means to accelerate its strong growth momentum and to embark on a new chapter in its history with the support of a new shareholder, who is an expert in the Asian market and brand development. Acquired by EPI in 2007, Bonpoint has since more than tripled its store count to some 130 locations in 30 countries. Bonpoint was founded in 1975 and was known as the only French couture house dedicated to childrenswear, boasting its own atelier in Paris turning out one of the largest ranges of clothing for babies, infants and children in the luxury and designer market
And - With UK government borrowing costs continuing to rise, the pound has fallen to its lowest level for nine months. The drop came as UK borrowing costs surged to their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis. Experts have warned the rising costs could lead to further tax rises or cuts to spending plans as the government tries to meet its self-imposed borrowing target.
Sport
Football – Tottenham have beaten Liverpool 1-0 in the League Cup semifinal first leg. The Premier League leaders were nowhere near their best. The match also went down in history as it saw the first VAR decision be made on the pitch.
In the FA Cup third Round this evening, Sheffield United face Cardiff City, Everton play Peterborough and Fulham are at home to Watford.
Formula One – A new contract has been secured for the Belgian Grand Prix. The contract will mean that the Belgian Grand Prix will remain on the Formula 1 calendar for four out of six years from 2026 to 2031. It is the first deal of this type signed by F1, which is seeking to find ways of accommodating new events in an already crowded calendar.
Athletics - UK Athletics has been charged with manslaughter over the death in 2017 of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei who died when a metal cage fell on him during training in London. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has charged UK Athletics Limited with "corporate manslaughter and a health and safety at work act offence". Hayayei was training for the World Championships in London at the time of the incident. Hayayei, a father of five, finished sixth in the javelin and seventh in the shot put when making his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016. London 2017 was due to be his second appearance at a World Championships. A moment of silence was held in honour of Hayayei during the opening ceremony of the World Championships at London Stadium.
Weather
Mainly fine with strong winds and highs of 18° in Nice, Toulon and Draguignan, 17° in Monaco and Saint-Tropez and 19° in Saint-Raphael. This evening going down to 7 degrees inland and 9 degrees along the coast with clear skies.
The outlook for Friday and heading into the weekend fine with cloudy patches on Saturday highs of 15-16 degrees.
Sunrise 08.03am
Sunset 05.12pm
Weather elsewhere
London 3° sunny.
Liverpool 4° misty.
Lisbon 17° misty.
A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of his brother in Grasse. The man in his fifties was convicted of fatally shooting his b...
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Monaco has announced that this year’s festive attractions over the Christmas period have achieved a record number of visitors. ...
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Online registrations for primary and secondary schools in the Principality in the public and private sectors under contract for 2025 have opened. The ...
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A bakery in Nice has such a good reputation that it supplies the Vatican with its galettes des rois. The establishment in Drap "La Boul'ange" treats t...
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Germany and France have warned US president-elect Donald Trump against threatening Greenland. The warning comes after Trump refused to rule out using ...
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