News
Drop in French radar fine income after widespread damage - Income from fixed speed cameras in France fell by €76 million in 2024, dropping to €889 million from €965 million in 2023. The fall comes after many cameras were damaged or decommissioned, particularly during farmer protests. Fines from fixed cameras alone accounted for €651 million, with an additional €231 million from late payments. Over 11.7 million points were deducted from French driving licences last year. The number of active speed cameras also dropped from 88% to 81%, contributing to fewer fines—14.2 million were issued in 2024, down from 16.8 million in 2023. Most were for speeding, while over 270,000 were for running red lights. Revenue from fines is allocated to road safety (€340M), local authorities (€194M), transport infrastructure (€122M), and public health (€26M). The report notes that damaging a speed camera can carry fines of up to €75,000 and five years in prison, rising to €100,000 and seven years if done masked or in a group.
Record ecstasy seizure in southern France: 63.5kg Found at Motorway Rest Area - Customs officers in Avignon have made the largest ecstasy seizure of the year in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, after discovering 63.5 kilograms of the drug, equivalent to around 140,000 tablets, in a vehicle at the Mornas service area on the A7 motorway in the Vaucluse. The incident occurred on Thursday, 23 October 2025, when officers stopped a car whose two occupants claimed to be travelling from Charleroi, Belgium, to Spain. Both were immediately taken into custody. The pair appeared before court in an immediate trial on Monday, 27 October, where they were sentenced to three and four years in prison respectively. Each received a customs fine of €1.4 million, and both were issued detention warrants. Authorities described the seizure as a significant success in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking across southern France’s main transit routes.
Five years after Storm Alex: Reconstruction progress in the Alpes-Maritimes valleys - Five years after Storm Alex devastated the hinterland of the Côte d’Azur, and three years after storm Aline, the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Laurent Hottiaux, has provided an update on the ongoing reconstruction efforts in the region’s valleys. The prefecture reported that 109 of the 126 reconstruction operations underway at the time of storm Aline have now been completed or are in progress, representing more than 85% of the total. Of these, 83 projects have been completed, 21 more than last year, while 17 operations have yet to begin. In total, 130 planned demolitions have been carried out, alongside significant progress in the Barnier Fund programme, which compensates victims and helps them relocate to safer areas. Around 90% of amicable property acquisitions for the 300 eligible sites have been finalised. The prefect also highlighted the “Future of the Valleys” plan, which has supported nearly 40 development projects aimed at boosting economic recovery and improving living conditions in the affected territories. “Since last year, 21 additional operations have been completed. More resilient temporary structures have been built,” said Laurent Hottiaux, who thanked all those involved in the long-term reconstruction effort. Despite visible progress, many communities, particularly in the Roya and Vésubie valleys, continue to bear the scars of the devastating floods, as work towards full recovery continues.
Princess Charlene and her Chihuahua Kita to join Rokethon charity walk – HSH Princess Charlene will take part in Monaco’s second annual Rokethon charity walk this weekend on Sunday 2nd of November, at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille, joined by her chihuahua, Kita, to raise awareness about animal abandonment. Rokethon president Sylvia Sermenghi said the event aims to “give a voice to the voiceless”, sharing the charity’s long-term goal of creating a sanctuary for abandoned and mistreated dogs. The day will include a symbolic walk, a dog fashion parade, and interactive activities led by Woofest founder Lucas Bérullier, with sponsors donating €2 per kilometre completed. Princess Charlene, who also supported the inaugural event, was praised by Sermenghi for her “commitment to the animal cause”. More information and registration details are available at www.rokethon.com.
Business
Donald Trump is starting the final leg of his Asia trip in South Korea - hoping to strike a trade war truce with China's President. He's also optimistic abut advancing an unresolved tariff deal with South Korea's Lee Jae Myung.
British tech firm Idox has confirmed it's cutting jobs after being bought by a US investor. The business has been taken over by Long Path, in a deal worth nearly 340-million pounds. Bosses say they expect to cut around five-percent of the current workforce of 680 people.
Oil prices have edged lower as doubts about the effectiveness of Russia sanctions put pressure on the market. The draws have triggered a short-term price surge during the last trading session and supported today's early morning market.
Sport
British tennis player Cameron Norrie described his victory over world number one Carlos Alcaraz as the "biggest win of his career". He's through to the last-16 of the Paris Masters after coming from behind to knock the six-time Grand Slam champion out. Norrie will play either Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot next.
AS Monaco are in action today - playing Nantes away. They'll be hoping to continue their winning streak - after a successful Ligue 1 game vs Toulouse at the weekend. OGC Nice will go up against Lille at home tonight. They haven't won against Lille for their last few head-to-heads.
Interim boss Martin O'Neill claims it's "in the lap of the gods" as to whether he'll be a success in his second spell at Scottish team Celtic. He's taken the job on temporarily after the resignation of Brendan Rodgers.
Weather
We're in for a showery day across the Cote d'Azur. A yellow weather warning's in place across the Var region - with thunderstorms expected this evening. Mild temperatures with highs of 19 in Monaco.
Income from fixed speed cameras in France fell by €76 million in 2024, dropping to €889 million from €965 million in 2023. The fall comes after many c...
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There’s been a large increase in unemployment in France. Just over 3.2 million people were completely unemployed in the third quarter...
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Carmaker Renault has issued a recall in France for six car models after a fault was found in the automatic handbrake system that could cause vehicles ...
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Traffic is still disrupted early this evening on the A8 motorway near Antibes after a major vehicle fire earlier today. The carriageway in the directi...
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French police have arrested two men suspected of involvement in the spectacular €88 million jewel theft from the Louvre museum in Paris last week. ...
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