National News
France’s government on the brink of collapse - France's minority government is on the brink of collapse appearing likely to fall this week after leftwing and far-right parties lodged motions of no confidence in response to the prime minister’s decision to push through a belt-tightening budget without a vote. If passed by MPs, the vote of no confidence, which will be put to a vote in the national assembly tomorrow Wednesday 4th December, will bring down the government and force Michel Barnier’s resignation after only two and a half months.
Furious opposition parties said they would back a no-confidence motion to oust the former Brexit negotiator. Barnier opted to push through controversial reforms to social security by invoking presidential decree after failing to win enough support for the measures.
On Monday, the far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen increased the pressure on the government by announcing that her party was also lodging a no-confidence motion. The French have had enough,” she told reporters. Together, the NFP and the RN have enough MPs to topple the government – the first time a French government has been dispatched in such a way since 1962.
In an attempt to head off a crisis, Barnier had made last-minute concessions to the National Rally. After speaking to Le Pen, Barnier said on Monday that there would be no change to medication reimbursements in 2025, contrary to original plans. Addressing the lower house, Barnier said he had consulted all parliamentary groups but numerous constraints on the country required a reduction in the public deficit.
US President-elect Donald Trump to attend reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedrale - Meanwhile, it’s been announced that US President-elect Donald Trump will attend the weekend reopening of the restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris which was ravaged by a fire in 2019. Notre Dame will welcome visitors and worshippers again this Saturday and Sunday, with several world leaders expected among the guests, after a sometimes-challenging restoration.
French President Emmanuel Macron conducted an inspection of the restoration of the medieval cathedral last week, saying workers had done the “impossible” by healing a “national wound.” Trump praised Macron, writing that he had “done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!” Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were involved in the restoration work, which cost nearly 700 million euros (more than 750 million dollars at today’s rate). It was financed by the 846 million euros in donations that poured in from 150 countries in a surge of solidarity.
Macron said in December 2023 that he had invited Pope Francis to the reopening of the cathedral. However, the head of the Catholic Church announced in September, to the surprise of some observers, that he would not be attending. Instead, he is making a landmark visit the following weekend to Corsica.
Bernard Arnault elected full member of the Academy of Moral and Political Science - The CEO of the luxury group LVMH, Bernard Arnault, has been elected full member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, after a vote of around forty of its members. Arnault will succeed Denis Kessler, who died in June 2023. The Academy of Moral and Political Science in France, known as the "Académie des sciences morales et politiques," is one of the five academies of the French Institute. It focuses on the study of moral and political sciences, including topics like law, economics, sociology, political science, and ethics. The Academy was established in 1795 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious academic institutions in France. It consists of members, who are renowned experts in their respective fields, contributing to research and knowledge in moral and political sciences. The Academy's mission is to promote research, discussion, and the dissemination of knowledge in these areas, contributing to public policy and academic scholarship. It's a hub for intellectual discourse and often publishes reports, research papers, and holds conferences on various topics related to moral and political sciences. Membership is highly selective, and members are recognized for their significant contributions in these fields.
Local News
Detention of environmental activist Paul Watson extended - The detention of environmental activist Paul Watson in Greenland has been extended until December 18th. The founder of the NGO Sea Shepherd was arrested on July 21st while trying to intercept a Japanese whaling factory ship. It was just last weekend on Saturday 30th November that the association “je fais ma part’ gathered locally in Saint Tropez, on the port, to support Watson ahead of the hearing which took place on Monday December 2nd, coinciding with his 74th birthday.
Pensions take to the streets in Toulon and Nice - Pensioners are planning to take to the streets of Toulon and Nice this Tuesday as part of rallies organised throughout France to demonstrate against the pension reform. The nine unions (CGT, FO, CFTC, CFE-CGC, FSU, Solidaires, Fonction publique retraite, LSR, Ensemble et solidaire) have called for action due to losses suffered since 2017 demanding that pensions be revalued indexed to the average wage. In Toulon, a rally is planned in front of the Toulon bus depot. The procession will then go to the Prefecture. In Nice, a rally is planned at Place Garibaldi.
Event dedicated to cyclists’ backfires - An event dedicated to cyclists at the weekend has backfired for motorists. Last Saturday Novembre 30th, between 6.30pm and 9.30pm the “Voie Rapide” in Nice (which is the dual carriageway running from Magnan to the Palais des Exposition) was exceptionally closed to motorists to give way to cyclists only. The ride was organized by the City of Nice to promote the wearing of high-visibility equipment when cycling at night. Several associations also distributed vests and reflective devices to the more than 1,000 people who reported present. While the event was a success for cyclists, motorists were quick to criticise the move on social networks with many users reporting “monstrous traffic jams” adding “that it was not the right time to organise such an event, a Saturday evening after many have been shopping for Black Friday bargains”. Another simply “did not understand the point, especially if it was to raise awareness of the visibility of cyclists” saying “I have nothing against bringing people together but talking about raising awareness of night cycling on a fast lane or a motorway, I don't see the connection with cycling. There have never been any bicycles on the Voie Rapide day or night”. One Internet user on Facebook concluded in short, "it was a very bad idea”. While others are already hoping for a repeat of the event. Speaking on the subject Nice’s deputy mayor has declared that “the event wouldn’t come back on a regularly basis, but that next time another time slot will be chosen”.
Inauguration of Monaco’s new district Mareterra - A remarkable environmentally friendly new district of Monaco Mareterra, will be inaugurated tomorrow Wednesday 4th December. Organizers promise a spectacular evening of celebration for both residents and visitors, as well as those involved in the project which has been completed six months ahead of its official deadline. The vision of the project - to celebrate the spirit and sensations of the Mediterranean, as its name suggests the sea and the land. It lies in the heart of the principality s future growth and has been developed using pioneering sustainable building techniques. The inauguration will officially take place during the day in the presence of H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene, followed in the evening, by a line up of concerts, drone shows and fireworks.
SBM launches international conquest - Finally, it’s not just at home that the Principality is achieving great heights, as the SBM has announced its conquest on an international level, beyond Monaco. Casinos on cruise ships, a restaurant in Dubai, a hotel in Courchevel in 2026, the conquest has been launched by the Société des Bains de Mer. Indeed, November 14th was a historic day for the SBM, for the first time in its history, it inaugurated, outside its borders, a casino bearing its style and values. The establishment opened on board the Crystal Symphony cruise ship and was the result of a partnership between the Monegasque group and the Crystal Cruises company with the Monte-Carlo brand expanded.
Sport
Football – Manchester United have been drawn away to 14-time winners Arsenal in the FA Cup third round. Premier League leaders Liverpool will host League Two Accrington Stanley. The third-round ties will be played over the weekend of Saturday, 11 January. The third round is when the 44 Premier League and Championship clubs enter the competition, joining the 20 lower-league and non-league clubs who made it through last weekend's second-round ties.
In this evening’s Premier League Ipswich are at home to Crystal Palace and Leicester face West Ham.
Formula One - McLaren have called for an inquiry into the penalty Lando Norris was given for ignoring yellow flags during the Qatar Grand Prix. The decision dropped Norris from second place, and a close fight with the leader and eventual winner Max Verstappen, to an eventual 10th place.
Tennis – Great Britain have been handed a trip to Japan in the first round of qualifying for the 2025 Davis Cup. Britain will play Japan in the men's team event in late January/early February, a week after the Australian Open finishes.
Rugby Union - A new logo for the men's Six Nations has received mixed reviews. The logo aims to encapsulate the "electrifying action" of the tournament and shows an orange ball symbol and 'M6N' in the foreground. Creators say the modern brand signifies the optimism fans feel when they come together at the end of winter to experience the Six Nations. However, supporters on social media were unconvinced.
Business
A judge in the US has ruled that Tesla CEO Elon Musk's record-breaking $56bn pay award will not be reinstated. The decision comes after months of legal wrangling and despite it being approved by shareholders and directors in the summer. The judge however, upheld her previous decision from January, in which she argued that board members were too heavily influenced by Mr Musk. Reacting to the ruling, Mr Musk wrote on X: "[S]shareholders should control company votes, not judges." Tesla vowed to appeal the ruling, saying the decision was "wrong".
Luxury car maker Jaguar has unveiled its new electric concept car. The unveiling of the Type 00 car triggered mixed responses from social media users, with some cheering its design, while others mocked the launch. The car maker, which is embarking on the biggest change in its history, announced a new logo, ahead of its relaunch as an electric-only brand.
If you're travelling from the UK to Spain anytime soon, don't be alarmed if you're asked by your hotel to fill out a little more paperwork. The move is due to a new law in Spain which aims to improve the country's national security. The law requires accommodation providers and car rental firms to collect personal information about their customers and share it with the Spanish government. From today, when checking into any kind of accommodation in Spain, whether that be a hotel, hostel, or an Airbnb, you'll need to share your personal information.
And - Marks and Spencer’s has ditched its digital Christmas advent calendar after offering it to customers for the last three years. The "12 days of M&S" was available to people who signed up for the supermarket's Sparks reward scheme. From 1 to 12 December, customers could open a digital door to reveal free gifts or discounts on products. Last year, hundreds of thousands of people signed up for the giveaway.
Weather
Sunny intervals with strong winds in the Var. Highs of 16 degrees in Nice, 14 degrees in Monaco and Saint-Paul de Vence, 12 degrees in Marseille, 15 degrees in Saint-Tropez. This evening going down to 7 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Thursday, sunny with light winds and highs of 15 degrees.
Sunrise 07.46am
Sunset 04.53pm
Weather elsewhere
Glasgow light cloud 4°.
Palma sunny intervals 20°
Amsterdam light cloud 7°
And Finally
A six-year-old child has been banned from the stadium in Le Havre for throwing balls of paper. The young man had thrown cardboard cups and balls of paper from the stands during a match against Reims last November. According to L’Équipe, the cups and balls were intended to be for one of his friends located in the stands, but they finally landed at the edge of the field, behind the advertising boards. However, they did not enter the field and did not hit any players. The child was identified using CCTV cameras and was given the ban from the stadium until the match against Lens in January 2025, as was his uncle who was with him at them time. The young child’s parents were summoned by the Normandy club, but did not contest this sanction.
France is considering a "taxe lapin” or “rabbit tax" to fine people who cancel medical appointments without warning. The proposal aims to hold patient...
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Due to high murkiness caused by recent storms, several municipalities in the Pays de Fayence continue to face tap water restrictions. ...
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A recent report published by the Court of Auditors has highlighted the underestimated risk of flooding on the Cote d’Azur, particularly criticizing th...
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Nice’s mayor, Christian Estrosi, has said he is open to compensating Villefranche-sur-Mer’s businesses if they suffer losses due to the cruise ship ba...
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On Monday, two skiing accidents occurred in our regions ski resorts.
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