News
Macron Calls for More Young Volunteers to Support French Military - French President Emmanuel Macron has stated he does not want to reinstate mandatory military service but is calling for more young people to volunteer for military service. Speaking at the Army Digital and Cyber Support Command in western France, Macron urged young volunteers to help reinforce army ranks. He also called on European governments to boost their defence spending. As part of his speech, Macron asked the French government and armed forces to come up with proposals on how more young volunteers could be mobilized, if necessary, by May.
Holocaust Remembrance in Saint-Tropez Marks 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation – In local news, on Monday, January the 27th, 2025, the town of Saint-Tropez in the Var marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with a special ceremony at the Liberation monument. The event, observed by elected officials, religious representatives, and combatants, emphasized the importance of keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive for future generations. A 90-year-old survivor, who narrowly escaped death as a child, spoke about the horrific loss of 76,000 Jews, including 11,000 children, from France. He urged elected officials to actively fight against fascism, racism, and anti-Semitism.
Third Arrest Made in €35,000 Watch Theft Case in Vallauris – In other news locally, a third suspect, a 28-year-old man, has been arrested and imprisoned in connection with the theft of a €35,000 Bulgari watch from a Saudi national in Vallauris last July. The victim, who was followed from a Cannes hotel to his home, was attacked at gunpoint by two men who stole his personal belongings, including the valuable watch. Following an investigation, including phone records, authorities identified the vehicle and arrested the initial two suspects in August. They were charged with robbery in an organized gang and illegal possession of a firearm. The latest arrest, on January 22nd, further implicates the gang, and the investigation continues.
Renewed weather alert – Météo-France has renewed its weather alert for rain, flooding, and wave submersion in the Alpes-Maritimes today, Tuesday, January the 28th. The yellow alert warned of rainfall through the night until the early hours of this morning, with wave-submersion and avalanche risks lasting throughout the day. While the morning will bring calmer conditions and clear skies, strong south-westerly winds of up to 60-70 km/h are expected. Snow is forecasted in the mountains above 1,000 meters. Temperatures will range from 12°C in the morning to 13-16°C along the Mediterranean coast.
Villefranche-sur-Mer Tackles Disappearing Local Shops by Buying Vacant Premises - In Villefranche-sur-Mer, the loss of local businesses has become a growing concern for residents, with many feeling the town is slowly dying off during the winter months. The closure of shops, including supermarkets, banks, and bakeries, has left locals struggling, particularly the elderly who rely on these services. In response, the town hall has acted by acquiring vacant properties, including a former pharmacy, a bank branch, and the old Youth Centre. These spaces will be renovated and offered for rental to new businesses. The goal is to revitalize the commercial landscape by choosing businesses that cater to the specific needs of the community. Despite the town’s real estate market thriving with 18 agencies for just 5,000 residents, the mayor expressed concerns about the oversaturation of real estate offices. The town's efforts to diversify the commercial offering aims to bring essential services back to the area, hoping to make Villefranche-sur-Mer a more vibrant and self-sufficient town.
Students in La Croix-Valmer Plant Trees for the Forest of Tomorrow - Children from La Croix-Valmer’s recreation centre, nursery, and elementary schools, in the Var, have come together to plant new trees, aiming to create "the forest of tomorrow". Led by Pierre Lacosse, a ranger from the Port-Cros National Park, the students carefully planted pines, taking on the responsibility as "guardians" of the future forest. The project also saw intergenerational collaboration, with support from nursery school children, a local therapeutic educational institute, and residents from a nearby elderly care home. The trees planted include local Mediterranean species like oak and olive trees, the latter symbolizing peace. The project highlights the community's shared commitment to environmental sustainability and the restoration of natural habitats.
Cannes Resident Wins €60,020 Jackpot at Mandelieu Casino After Rainy Day - A Cannes resident hit the jackpot at the Mandelieu casino on Monday, winning €60,020. Mickaël, unable to work due to the rainy weather, decided to try his luck at the Royal Casino in Mandelieu-la-Napoule. At lunchtime, he placed a €1.76 bet on a slot machine and won the big prize. The lucky winner plans to use the money for a summer holiday in Seville and to repair his car.
Keeping the Kicks Alive: Preserving the Spirit of the French Can-Can - Famous for its connection to the Moulin Rouge, the iconic can-can is set to receive a boost thanks to new measures announced by France’s Culture Ministry. Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, has unveiled plans to officially recognize and protect cabaret as a vital part of the country's cultural heritage. In her announcement, Dati described cabaret as an art form that represents "French culture and freedom," with the Moulin Rouge being a prime example of its legacy. Across France, there are around 200 cabarets providing 5,000 jobs, including 1,600 performers. These venues attract about 2.7 million spectators each year, generating an impressive €225 million in annual turnover. The new measures are designed to ensure the preservation and growth of this unique aspect of French entertainment.
Japan’s Pastry Perfection Takes the Cake, Malaysia Gets a Slice of History – Finally, defending champions Japan have claimed the gold medal at the 2025 Pastry World Cup in Lyon, defeating France in a thrilling final. Japan’s winning creations were a masterclass in craftsmanship and flavour, drawing on traditional Japanese ingredients and motifs. The team gave their work the dragonfly theme, symbolising elegance and nature. Their innovative designs and expert technique earned them top honours, reinforcing their status as pastry world leaders. Meanwhile, Malaysia made history with its first-ever podium finish at the prestigious competition, taking home a well-deserved bronze. The competition, held every two years, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of pastry arts, showcasing the best of the world’s pastry chefs.
Business
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok, with the President suggesting there’s significant interest in the app from multiple parties. Trump has expressed a desire for a “bidding war” over the social media platform, which has been embroiled in national security concerns due to its Chinese ownership. Trump’s administration has pushed for TikTok to be sold, citing security risks. Trump has previously stated that discussions with several companies, including Microsoft, were ongoing. While Microsoft has remained tight-lipped about the deal, other potential buyers include Oracle and even YouTube star MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), who expressed interest in acquiring the platform. Trump expects to make a final decision within the next 30 days.
DeepSeek, an AI-powered chatbot developed by the Chinese tech company DeepSeek, has taken the tech world by storm, becoming the most downloaded free app on Apple’s store just after its January release in the US. The app’s rapid rise has sparked both excitement and concern in the financial markets. Silicon Valley venture capitalist Marc Andreessen has called DeepSeek “one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs” in AI, highlighting its potential to disrupt the industry. What’s making DeepSeek particularly noteworthy is its cost-effectiveness. The company claims that its latest AI models rival those of industry giants like ChatGPT but at a fraction of the cost. DeepSeek’s development reportedly only required $6 million, a stark contrast to the billions invested by US-based AI companies. The app's success and its affordability are raising eyebrows in both the tech and investment worlds, challenging the dominance of US AI firms and setting a new benchmark for AI development.
And - Coca-Cola has recalled several drinks in parts of Europe due to "higher levels" of chlorate, a chemical used in disinfectants. The recall affects returnable glass cans and bottles of Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss and Tropico on the market since November in Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, France and Luxembourg. Chlorate can form when chlorine-based disinfectants are used in food processing, but independent experts say the risk to consumers is very low.
Sport
Football – The Premier League is splashing the cash this January, with clubs already spending a massive £247 million, a big jump from last year’s £90 million. And with a week still to go in the transfer window, that total could rise even further. Manchester City alone has spent around £125 million – that’s more than all 19 other Premier League clubs combined. While the spending’s been huge, we’re still a long way from the record-breaking £815 million the league spent in January 2023. Over in France, Ligue 1 is the second-biggest spender this month, with £106 million spent.
Rugby - In a bid to lift the mood around Welsh rugby, Warren Gatland has brought in a familiar face – cult hero Adam Jones. The former Wales prop has joined the backroom staff as scrum consultant for the upcoming Six Nations. Jones, who’s currently with English club Harlequins, has been given a special temporary role to link up with the Wales squad, starting with a tough opening match against France in Paris this Friday night. Jones’ arrival comes at a time when Welsh rugby could really use a boost, and many fans will be hoping his expertise can help steer Wales in the right direction.
Cycling - Cycling's world governing body, the UCI, is set to vote this week on a ban for carbon monoxide rebreathing equipment. Last year, it was revealed that some teams had been using this method to measure haemoglobin levels in riders' blood before and after altitude training. While there’s nothing in the rules explicitly banning it, concerns have been raised about its potential to enhance performance if used repeatedly, or whether it’s simply too dangerous to inhale a deadly gas as a measurement tool. The decision to ban it seems clear-cut, but there’s growing confusion in the sport about what such a ban will actually mean. The UCI is reportedly considering allowing the use of this equipment in a "medical setting," which has left some wondering where the line will be drawn.
Weather
The weather today will see calmer conditions than on Monday but with a yellow warning still in place due to strong winds. Clear skies with strong south-westerly winds of up to 60-70 km/h expected. Snow is forecasted in the mountains above 1,000 meters. Temperatures will range from 12°C in the morning to 13-16°C along the Mediterranean coast. This evening going down to 11 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for Wednesday, remaining windy in the Var region, with sunny intervals. Showers are expected to return to our region by Thursday.
Sunrise 07.51am
Sunset 05.35pm
Weather elsewhere
Cardiff Light rain 9°.
Miami sunny 26°.
Rome 17° thundery showers.
Local snow report
Isola 2000 – Sunny, -1°. 12/19 lifts open. 32/46 runs open. 65cm snow.
Valberg – Sunny, highs of 3°. 9/15 lifts running. 17/42 runs open. 40cm snow.
Auron – Sunny, highs of 3°. 17/19 lifts running. 28/43 runs open. 70cm snow.
And Finally
The world’s most welcoming places for 2025 have been named, with Sigiriya in Sri Lanka taking the top spot globally. And earning the highest number of Traveller Review Awards. Chester has been ranked No.1 in the UK and 10th globally, making it one of the most welcoming destinations worldwide.
The rankings, compiled by Booking.com, are based on the number of Traveller Review Awards each destination received.
Chester’s inclusion in the top 10 comes as no surprise, as the historic city is known for its Roman, medieval, and Tudor architecture. With its friendly locals and vibrant community, Chester exudes a warm, inviting charm.
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