NEWS
Pope Leon XIV - American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first U.S.-born pope and signalling continuity with Pope Francis’ social focus. His election comes amid tensions with a rising conservative movement in the U.S. Church, which he is expected to counter. Though seen as moderate and unifying, he's likely to maintain a cautious stance on societal issues, balancing tradition and reform.
450 Households Lost Power - Around 450 households and a retirement home have lost power Thursday night due to a major outage in the town hall area of Sorgues, Vaucluse. The blackout began around 10pm and lasted until the middle of the night. Enedis teams restored electricity after several hours and are carrying out further repairs on Friday without affecting the network.
Vinci Van Hit - A Vinci Autoroutes intervention van has been hit by a truck on the A8 motorway while assisting a broken-down lorry near Fréjus, Var. Thankfully, the patrol officer was unharmed as he was outside placing cones, but the damage shows the crash could’ve been much worse. It marks the 20th such collision this year, prompting renewed calls for drivers to be more cautious around roadside workers.
Fatal Cyclist Accident - A 70-year-old cyclist has died after being hit by a car on the coastal road between Antibes and Villeneuve-Loubet, less than two weeks after a similar fatal bike accident. Despite emergency efforts, the man could not be revived, raising renewed concerns about safety on this busy D6098 route shared by cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles. Local authorities have made gradual safety improvements in recent years, but accidents involving two-wheelers remain frequent.
Monaco Empolyees Discontent - Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, employees of the prestigious Hôtel de Paris are protesting low fixed salaries and an outdated €100/day "Grand Prix bonus" that hasn’t been updated in years. Kitchen and pastry staff, joined by colleagues from another luxury hotel, are also demanding better working conditions, citing long shifts with no time to return home between services. Despite a general assembly in April, negotiations have stalled, prompting a protest on the 9th of May in front of the hotel’s staff entrance.
SCH to Attend Cannes Film Festival - Marseille rapper SCH will attend the Cannes Film Festival to unveil the theme song he created for Marcel et Monsieur Pagnol, an animated biopic about the iconic writer and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol. SCH, who grew up in Aubagne like Pagnol, called it an "honour" to pay tribute to someone he admires deeply for his cinematic storytelling. The film, directed by Sylvain Chomet, will be shown in a special screening at the 78th edition of the festival.
Grasse, A perfume Capital - Grasse, the world’s perfume capital, has unveiled its first rose-scented bus stop, timed with the city’s annual ExpoRose festival. A sensor detects waiting passengers and gently releases a synthetic rose fragrance to create a calming atmosphere. Though the perfume isn’t locally made, the city plans to vary scents with future festivals, adding jasmine, tuberose, or lavender.
NEWS UPDATE
H.S.H Prince Albert II Offers Prayers and Hopes for Pope Leo XIV - On the occasion of Pope Leon XIV’s accession to the Papal Throne, the Prince of Monaco and his family have offered their heartfelt prayers and respectful congratulations. They have expressed hope that his spiritual mission will bring many blessings and successes. The Prince has also conveyed his deep and devoted attachment to His Holiness.
Top Marques - At the 20th edition of Monaco’s Top Marques show, classic cars have taken centre stage, with the "Classic Car Hall" drawing increasing interest from collectors and enthusiasts. Nearly 100 rare and historic models are on display, reflecting a rising trend among younger collectors aged 30–40. These vintage vehicles offer unique emotional value and history, contrasting the high-tech thrill of modern supercars—both now key pillars of the event.
White Wild Boar - While walking with his family on the 8th of May, a man has encountered a rare white wild boar, which he estimated to weigh at least 200 kg in Trans-en-Provence, Var. The calm animal, likely an albino, allowed them to get within five meters, giving them time to film and photograph it. Such sightings are extremely rare, making the experience both surprising and unforgettable.
CHPG - The Princess Grace Hospital has seen steady growth, with patient numbers up 22% since 2011, thanks to fast post-Covid recovery and major tech investments in Monaco. Innovations like robotic surgery and AI-assisted diagnostics have enhanced care quality and attracted more patients. A patient-centered approach, high satisfaction rates, and plans for a new facility in 2026 aim to further boost the hospital’s capabilities and appeal.
Watch Theft Foiled - Just before the Cannes Film Festival, police have foiled an attempted theft of a €600,000 Richard Mille watch from a Qatari royal, arresting five suspects in the act. The well-coordinated operation followed weeks of surveillance and collaboration with European partners, targeting a known gang from Naples. Authorities highlight this success as part of a broader effort to combat luxury watch thefts on the French Riviera.
BUSINESS
The US and UK reached a limited trade agreement reducing tariffs on British cars, steel, and aluminium, while allowing tariff-free quotas on beef and other products. While leaders hailed it as a major win, critics say it offers only modest relief and leaves many US tariffs in place. No formal deal has been signed yet, and much of the detail remains unclear, with mixed reactions from UK politicians and industry leaders.
And - Zara, now celebrating 50 years, continues to thrive by designing trendy, affordable fashion at high speed, producing many clothes near its Spanish HQ to respond quickly to global demand. Despite rising competition from ultra-cheap online retailers like Shein and Temu, Zara focuses on quality, creativity, and sustainability rather than low prices. Its secretive, family-founded business model—driven by data, fast logistics, and a huge international design team—helps it stay agile and relevant in the fast-changing fashion world.
SPORTS
Tennis - Defending champion Iga Swiatek cruised through to the Italian Open third round with a crushing straight-set win 6-0 6-1 victory in just 52 minutes over Italian wildcard Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Football - Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Arsenal striker Alessia Russo have won the Football Writers' Association awards for men's and women's player of the season. Salah has scored 28 goals and provided 18 assists to help Liverpool win the Premier League title, breaking the record for the most goal involvements in a single 38-game Premier League campaign. Russo has scored 12 goals and set up a further two in the Women's Super League this season, with Arsenal 12 points adrift of champions Chelsea with one game remaining.
Cricket - The Indian Premier League has been suspended for one week amid the ongoing tensions between India and neighbouring Pakistan. Overnight, India accused Pakistan of attacking three of its military bases with drones and missiles, a claim which Islamabad denied.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy with sunny intervals on the riviera as rain and chances of thunderstorms persist inland and in the Var department. We have gentle to moderate winds across the region with highs of 19 degrees in Nice, Cannes, Toulon and Marseille and 20 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, mostly clear with temperatures dropping to 14 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend,
Sat: mostly fine with occasional showers inland. Highs of 20 degrees.
Sun: light rain across the region with highs of 21 degrees.
Mon: occasional showers in the Var and Alpes-Maritimes with moderate winds and highs of 20 degrees.
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