NEWS
Rain and Thunderstorms Ahead - Rain and storms are expected this weekend, ending the recent stretch of sunny weather in the Alpes-Maritimes. Saturday will see clouds and scattered showers inland, with the coast mostly dry, while Sunday brings similar conditions with rain spreading across the region by evening. Temperatures will stay mild, reaching up to 25°C, but unsettled weather with daily rain and storms is forecast to continue into next week.
French President Meddling in the Papal Conclave - Conservative Italian media accuse President Emmanuel Macron of meddling in the papal Conclave to promote Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, a progressive archbishop from Marseille, as the next pope. They criticize Macron's diplomatic efforts in Rome as overreach, claiming he’s trying to block conservative candidates and boost France’s global influence. This alleged interference is stirring controversy, with concerns it could backfire and damage Aveline’s chances due to perceived political pressure.
Republicans' Stronghold - In Nice, the Republicans are rebuilding their local stronghold with a new headquarters and renewed momentum after a period of division caused by Eric Ciotti's alliance with the far-right. Led by Pierre-Paul Léonelli, many former members are returning, and the party has grown to over 6,500 members in the region, ahead of a leadership vote between Bruno Retailleau and Laurent Wauquiez on 17th and 18th of May. The atmosphere is one of reunion and revival, with a new generation of young activists joining alongside longtime supporters, all seeking a centre-right alternative to the extremes.
Saved from Drowning - A woman in her 70s has been rescued after nearly drowning around 11:30 am at Macé Beach in Cannes. Firefighters found her in cardiac arrest but managed to revive her on the scene. She remains in serious condition and was urgently taken to Simone-Veil Hospital.
Nice Mayor Critisises Five-Star Hotel - Nice mayor Christian Estrosi has issued a formal warning to the five-star Anantara hotel after repeated noise complaints from local residents. He has criticized the hotel for loud rooftop music and disturbances, warning of severe penalties if the situation continues. The hotel insists it complies with legal noise limits and argues that city-centre noise is to be expected.
Nice 2nd Most Dog-Friendly City in France - Nice has retained its spot as the second most dog-friendly city in France, just behind Lille, according to the 30 Millions d’Amis foundation. The city has held this position for three years, thanks to its efforts like dog parks, dog-friendly beaches, and waste stations. Mayor Christian Estrosi has praised the ranking as recognition of Nice's ongoing commitment to animal welfare and quality of life for pet owners.
JIRS - The Marseille-based JIRS (Specialised Interregional Jurisdiction) handles complex criminal and financial investigations across southern France, including the Côte d'Azur, especially when cases exceed local courts' capacities. It focuses on organised crime (like drug trafficking and corruption) and economic offenses, often involving transnational networks and large-scale financial stakes. In 2024, the JIRS has tackled numerous high-stakes cases, including cocaine trafficking and political-financial scandals, adapting its methods to modern threats like narco-deliveries and facing increasing intimidation attempts.
6th Biennale of Arts and the Ocean - Nice hosts the 6th Biennale of Arts and the Ocean, featuring 11 major exhibitions from May to October across museums and public spaces, celebrating the sea through art, history, and ecology. The program blends past and future, with prehistoric beach life, underwater archaeology, and modern ocean challenges explored through photography, installations, and international collaborations. This cultural event coincides with the UN Ocean Conference in June and aims to raise awareness of marine issues through immersive art, lectures, and public engagement.
NEWS UPDATE
Man Resuscitated - A man in his 40s has been rescued and resuscitated after falling onto rocks on Friday afternoon at Coco Beach in Nice. He was found in cardiac arrest by firefighters, who managed to revive him with emergency services on site. He was taken to Pasteur 2 Hospital in serious condition, suffering from multiple fractures.
A Man Drowned in Nice's River - The body of a man around 65 years old was found drowned in a river on Friday, the 2nd of May around 2 pm near Nice, in the town of Le Broc. Firefighters recovered the body from the water on Route de la Clave. Authorities believe it was an accidental drowning, and the gendarmerie is investigating.
BUSINESS
U.S. President Donald Trump has closed a trade loophole that let Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu ship low-value packages to the U.S. without paying duties, causing prices to rise for American shoppers. The "de minimis" rule exempted goods under $800 from import taxes, but officials say it was abused to smuggle drugs like fentanyl and hurt U.S. businesses. Now, these imports face steep taxes or fees, with similar crackdowns planned in the UK and EU, likely leading to further global price increases.
And - Apple is shifting most iPhone production for the U.S. market from China to India, with Vietnam taking over for iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, to reduce exposure to U.S. tariffs. The company expects this transition to take time and billions in investment, while still keeping China as a key hub for non-US sales. Despite trade tensions, Apple and Amazon both reported strong revenue growth, showing resilience amid global supply chain disruptions.
SPORTS
Cricket - The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced Transgender women have been barred from competing in all levels of women's cricket with immediate effect.
Football - Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says it is unlikely that midfielder Joelinton will play again this season because of a knee injury. With four games left to play, his absence could be a huge blow for Newcastle in their pursuit of Champions League football. The Magpies are currently third in the Premier League table but just two points separate them from Nottingham Forest in sixth.
Tennis - Coco Gauff produced a stunning display to thrash four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek 6-1 6-1 and reach the final of the Madrid Open. Gauff, 21, had never beaten her Polish opponent on clay before but took just 64 minutes to dispatch the world number two. American Gauff will play world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
WEATHER
The sun shines bright today! We’ll find clouds get progressively thicker as the afternoon goes on, but we still have nice and warm temperatures with highs of 23 degree in Nice and Cannes, 24 in Saint-Tropez and 25 degrees in Toulon and Marseille.
Tonight, mostly cloudy with lows of 15 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend:
Sat: mostly cloudy with rain and thunderstorms roaming inland. Highs of 23 degrees.
Sun: Cloudy with rain and thunderstorms making them way to the Cote d’Azur by early evening alongside moderate to strong winds and highs of 21 degrees.
Mon: light rain until late evening with highs of 21 degrees. though temperatures are set to remain high, rain will persist in the region for the rest of the week.
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