News
French MPs to vote on a bill to legalise assisted dying - French MPs will vote today Tuesday, May 27, on a bill to legalise assisted dying for patients suffering from incurable illnesses, following two weeks of debate. If passed, the bill will head to the Senate. The proposed law would grant a tightly regulated right to assisted dying under five strict conditions: the patient must be an adult, live in France, have a terminal and incurable illness, suffer unbearably, and be mentally competent to consent. The request must be made in person to a non-family doctor, who must explain all care options. If the request proceeds, a multi-professional team, at minimum including a second doctor and a nurse, must review the case before approval. If approved, the patient must then undergo a 15-day reflection period. Only legal guardians can challenge the decision in case of doubt over the patient’s ability to consent. A final vote is expected later today.
Sales of Perrier mineral water drop - In other news, sales of Perrier mineral water have dropped by 14% since the start of 2025 compared to the same period last year. In April alone, consumption fell by 23%, following revelations of contamination at Nestlé's water facilities by Radio France and Le Monde. In response to the scandal, France's Health Ministry has ordered inspections of all bottled water plants by the end of 2026. Measures could include stripping products of the “natural mineral water” label or closing non-compliant sites.
Recall – Meanwhile, a nationwide recall has been issued for raw whole prawns sold under the name "Gambas entières crues 16/20 800g", barcode 3574300033619, lot 2251400031L, marketed between 22 and 23 May 2025. Sold at Grand Frais, Fresh, and mon-marché.fr, the prawns were found to contain excessive levels of contamination, according to Rappel Conso. Consumers are urged not to eat the product, which can cause gastroenteritis and abdominal pain. If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately. Customers may return the product for a refund. For more information go to the Rappel Conso website.
Missing person - In local news, an investigation is underway in Vallauris-Golfe-Juan following the worrying disappearance of Arlette Libois, 77, who has been missing since the afternoon of May 21st. Suspected to suffer from Alzheimer’s and likely disoriented, Arlette is known to walk along Chemin des Brusquets and Avenue du Général De-Gaulle. She is described as having Asian features, mid-length white hair, brown eyes, 1.55m tall, with a slim build. She was last seen wearing a grey woolly cardigan and pink patterned Crocs. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Vallauris police at +33 4 92 95 35 10.
Monaco parking to start renovation work - Monaco Parking has begun renovation works at the Casino car park on Monday, 26 May as part of efforts to enhance accessibility and user experience. The works are expected to last until June 9th. The improvements will focus on the access point near Place du Casino, with work taking place daily between 8am and 6pm. During these hours, the Café de Paris entrance will be temporarily closed, and users are asked to use the Boulingrins access points instead. All entrances and exits will remain fully accessible outside of working hours. For further details, contact: spp@gouv.mc.
Lucie, a 12 year-old prodigee - Finally, Lucie, a 12-year-old girl from Nice, speaks five languages, plays piano like a pro, and is already taking her baccalaureate exams. She skipped four grades, loves math and mythology, and dreams of becoming a neurologist, though she’s also considered becoming an astronaut. Despite her brilliance, as she was diagnosed with High Intellectual Potential (HPI), her parents strive to keep her balanced, ensuring she manages her many passions with structure and support.
Business
France and Vietnam have signed deals on Airbus planes, defence and other pacts, worth over $10 billion. French President Emmanuel Macron started his visit on Monday, seeking to boost France's influence in its former colony amid risks of high U.S. tariffs. Macron's first formal visit to Vietnam, the first by a French president in nearly a decade, follows U.S. President Donald Trump's threats on Friday to impose 50% tariffs on European Union goods from June 1st, fuelling tensions with the 27-country bloc, though he later delayed that deadline to July 9th.
However, the visit got off on the wrong foot after a moment between French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron stirred controversy after a video showing her touching his face went viral, mischaracterized by some as a slap. Initially dismissed by the Elysée Palace as AI-generated disinformation, the video was later acknowledged as real. Officials clarified the gesture was playful. To defuse the buzz, the presidential couple later appeared hand-in-hand during a walkabout, presenting a united front.
And - Sweden-based carmaker Volvo Cars has announced plans to cut around 3,000 office-based jobs, primarily in Sweden, as part of a sweeping cost-cutting initiative. The move affects approximately 15% of its white-collar workforce. The layoffs follow Volvo’s recently unveiled $1.9bn restructuring plan, aimed at tackling rising material costs, declining European sales, and growing global trade pressures, including 25% U.S. tariffs on imported cars imposed by President Donald Trump.
Sport
Football - A man has been arrested after a car ploughed into crowds during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade on Water Street. Merseyside Police confirmed 47 people were treated for injuries, including two seriously hurt, when a dark blue vehicle drove into dense crowds gathered to celebrate. The 53-year-old local man, believed to be the driver, is in custody. Witnesses described the scene as “horrendous,” with the car reportedly accelerating through onlookers, despite attempts to stop it. Some called the act “deliberate.” The incident abruptly ended the day’s festivities, turning celebration into panic. Police and emergency services quickly secured the area and launched an investigation.
Formula One - Mercedes driver George Russell has called for the Monaco Grand Prix to be removed from the Formula One calendar and replaced with dual qualifying sessions, after Sunday’s race ended without a single on-track overtake. Despite a mandated second pit stop to boost excitement, the front four drivers, including race winner Lando Norris, finished in the exact order they started. Russell, who finished 11th, said the race lacked purpose: “99% of people are here sipping champagne on a yacht... they don’t really care.” Lewis Hamilton echoed the sentiment, calling Sundays in Monaco a day drivers "almost want off". Red Bull boss Christian Horner suggested altering the layout to add overtaking zones, but Monaco's organisers claim such changes are impossible, despite the race being secured on the calendar until 2031.
Tennis - Emma Raducanu called her gritty three-set win over China’s Wang Xinyu one of the most satisfying of her career, after overcoming illness to book a second-round showdown with defending French Open champion Iga Swiatek. The 22-year-old Brit, who had to consult a doctor and have her blood pressure checked mid-match, triumphed 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in a gruelling two-hour, 44-minute battle, her joint longest match on clay.
Weather
Cloudy patches to start with some scattered showers giving way to sunny intervals and light winds. Highs of 21 degree in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, 22 degrees in Nice, 23 degrees in Cannes and 26 degrees in Toulon. This evening going down to 15 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for Wednesday and Thursday, sunny with a gentle breeze and highs of 25 degrees.
Sunrise 05.54am
Sunset 09.01pm
Weather elsewhere
Bordeaux 23° sunny intervals.
Cardiff 17° heavy rain.
Palma 26° sunny.
Beach weather
Saint-Tropez – Sea temperature 19°. Air temperature 23°. Sunny intervals. UV level 7.
Menton – Sea temperature 19°. Air temperature 21°. Sunny intervals. UV level 7.
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The United Nations Ocean Summit ends today Friday 13th June, unveiling a bold new plan to protect the world’s oceans by 2030. Known as the “Nice Commi...
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