News
Bans ahead of New Year’s Eve - To ensure public safety during New Year's Eve celebrations, authorities in both the Var and the Alpes Maritimes have banned fireworks, retail fuel sales in portable containers, and public alcohol consumption (outside authorized venues). Additionally, unaccompanied minors under 13 are restricted in certain areas, with enforcement through police checks.
Road safety France raises awareness of dangerous driving over New Year – Meanwhile, ahead of this evening’s New Year’s Eve celebrations Road safety France has reminded revellers of the danger of drink driving. According to the organisation 10% of French people say they consume more than eight drinks on New Year's Eve and nearly half of French people fear an alcohol-related road accident, as 21% of French people say will take their car to get around on New Year's Eve. The Road Safety association, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, is mobilized for the 15th year on education and prevention messages related to the festive New Year's Eve evening. According to the 2023 figures 29% of fatal accidents involve a drunk driver and 65% of fatal accidents due to alcohol, occur at night. On December 24th and 25th, 2023, 11 people died. Three quarters (67.8%) of French people “suggest unsuitable solutions for getting home after drinking”, such as driving slowly, taking small roads, sucking a mint, drinking a coffee or waiting before getting behind the wheel. Road safety France reminds the public that it takes two hours to eliminate a glass of alcohol.
Ski accident - An 11-year-old child has been injured in a skiing accident in Allos. The accident occurred on Monday and the child was taken care of by a doctor on site before emergency services intervened airlifting them to a hospital in Nice. An investigation has been opened to determine the exact circumstances.
Air Pollution - The Var department is under a fine particle pollution alert (level 1) for today, Tuesday, the 31st of December. The pollution, linked to heating, traffic, and industrial activities, prompted recommendations to reduce intense physical activity and limit vehicle use by opting for carpooling or public transport.
Major power cut - A major power cut has plunged many homes into darkness in Antibes. The incident occurred on Monday evening. Enedis confirmed that around thirty incidents had been reported in the Antibes area. Technicians intervened aiming to restore power by around 2am this Tuesday morning.
Monaco mourns major figure in the world of contemporary art- Monaco is mourning following the loss of a major figure in the world of contemporary art Marie-Claude Beaud, who has died at the age of 78. Marie-Claude Beaud’s career in the arts spanned over five decades. Former director of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM), her passing on December 29th has created immense sadness across the cultural community of the Principality. In a joint statement, released by the Prince’s Government and the Department of Cultural Affairs she was described as a “personality essential to contemporary art”. Following the news tributes have poured in celebrating her extraordinary life and work. Described as an inspiration, trailblazer and mentor, she is remembered for her dedication to making art accessible to all and her respect for the artists with whom she collaborated.
Winter Sales - The date of the 2025 winter sales has been announced. This year, the winter sales will start on January 8th, 2025. Traditionally, the winter sales start on the second Wednesday of January at 8am. Therefore, the sales will start on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025, and end on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Four weeks to grab a bargain.
Luckiest region in France for winning the lottery - The Française des Jeux (FDJ) has released a list of the luckiest regions in France when it comes to winning the lottery with the Île-de-France or Paris region, being the luckiest. The second luckiest region in France is the Nouvelle-Aquitaine followed by in joint position, Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, Normandy, the Paca, the Grand Est and the Hauts-de-France with each region witnessing two jackpots in 2024. So, will this evening Euromillions du Nouvel An and its 17 million euros at stake follow the same trend?
Warning - Playing involves risks: debt, dependency, isolation, for help, call 09-74-75-13-13 (non-premium rate call) or go to joueurs-info-service.
Sunny Weather - The Alpes-Maritimes will enjoy sunny weather with seasonal temperatures for New Year’s Eve, reaching up to 14°C in coastal areas like Nice and Menton. New Year’s Day will also be sunny, though mornings will be cold with temperatures as low as -4°C in some areas. While there’s no snow forecast in the mountains, artificial snow ensures skiing remains possible on some slopes.
New Year’s Eve in Monaco - Finally, Monaco is preparing to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style with numerous events from live music and a firework display on the stroke of midnight over the port of Monaco. The Christmas and Sports Villages will extend their opening times until 2am and from 9pm there will be live music. The town hall has described the events as an opportunity to close the year on a celebratory note and welcome the new year with optimism.
Business
The victims of disgraced Wall Street fraudster Bernard Madoff can expect to receive their final round of payouts. The fund was created by the US government to help compensate victims of the late Bernard Madoff and is worth $131.4m (£104.6m) bringing the total amount it has returned to 40,930 victims to $4.3bn. Madoff, died in prison in 2021 after he admitted to one of the biggest frauds in US financial history. He had been serving a 150-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2009 to running a so-called Ponzi scheme, which paid investors with money from new clients rather than actual profits.
American officials announced on Monday that a Chinese state-sponsored hacker had broken into the US Treasury Department's systems, accessing employee workstations and some unclassified documents. The breach reportedly occurred in early December and was made public in a letter penned by the Treasury Department to lawmakers notifying them of the incident. The US agency characterised the breach as a "major incident” and said it had been working with the FBI and other agencies to investigate the impact. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington DC said that the accusation is part of a "smear attack" and was made "without any factual basis".
And - In order to secure its future, the operator of nearly 150 Pizza Hut restaurants in the UK is in advanced talks with potential buyers. Back in November HWS had begun approaching potential bidders as it sought to mitigate the impact of tax hikes announced in the previous month's Budget.
Sport
Football - Newcastle have beaten Manchester United 2-0 in a league game at Old Trafford for only the second time since 1972. It was United’s third straight home loss for the first time in 45 years. Newcastle have won their past four Premier League games. Meanwhile, Ipswich earnt their first home win of the season beating Chelsea 2-0.
Darts - Luke Littler survived a massive scare but managed to beat Ryan Joyce 4-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the PDC World Darts Championship. The 17-year-old was again far from his best, particularly on doubles, where he made just 14 of 48 attempts.
Tennis - Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from this week's WTA event in Auckland because of a back problem. The 22-year-old was due to play Robin Montgomery of the United States in the first round of the ASB Classic today.
New Year Honours - Gareth Southgate is the fourth England manager to be knighted, following Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson. The former England manager has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list. 54-year-old Southgate stepped down from the role back in July after leading England to the final of Euro 2024. Former Wales and British & Irish Lions winger Gerald Davies will also receive a knighthood. The 79-year-old, who was president of the Welsh Rugby Union for four years up to 2023, has been honoured for services to the sport and to voluntary and charitable service in Wales. And Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024, becomes an MBE. The 22-year-old is recognised alongside several Team GB colleagues after this summer's Games in Paris, while numerous Paralympians are also awarded honours.
Weather
Cloudy patches to start, giving way to clear skies by this afternoon. Light winds and highs of 15° in Nice, Cannes and Mougins. 14° in Monaco and Saint-Tropez with a misty start forecast for Saint-Tropez and parts of the Var. This evening going down to 6° with cloudy skies.
The outlook for New Years Day, sunny with a gentle breeze and highs of 15°. Thursday sunny intervals with a fresh breeze and highs of 16°.
Sunrise Monaco 08.04am
Sunset Monaco 05.03pm
Weather elsewhere
Bordeaux 6° misty start with sunny intervals.
Glasgow 9° gusty winds and heavy rain.
Brussels 4° light cloud.
Expect heavy traffic this weekend in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var as the school holidays end.
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