NEWS
Weather this Week - This week, the Alpes-Maritimes will see unstable weather with a mix of rain, thunderstorms, and sunny spells. Monday through Friday brings scattered showers, strong winds, and occasional sunshine, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 25°C. The weekend may bring rain on Saturday across the region, while Sunday could offer clearer skies along the coast and rain inland.
Taxis on Strike - Over 500 taxi drivers are striking on Monday the 19th of May, in the Bouches-du-Rhône, Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments to protest new health insurance transport tariffs. Major disruptions are hitting traffic in Marseille and Toulon, with slow-moving convoys ("opérations escargot") on key motorways like the A7, A55, and A50. Heavy traffic is also expected around the Allianz Riviera Stadium by the A8 Motorway near Nice West. Drivers are opposing shared patient transport, deregulated pricing, and competition from platforms like Uber. Routes to hospitals, city centres, and government offices are especially impacted, with traffic heavily affected throughout the region.
Train Service Halted this Saturday - Train service between Nice and Monaco will be suspended on Saturday, the 31st of May, due to rail connection works at the Nice-Ville maintenance centre. Train traffic will be disrupted on several lines, with replacement buses and ZOU! buses available for affected travellers. This work supports the upcoming expansion of TER services between Nice and Marseille starting on the 29th of June.
Nice-Matin Employees new Printing Site - Nice-Matin employees feel betrayed after plans for a new printing site in the Var were dropped in favour of a shared facility in Vitrolles, Bouches-du-Rhône, far from their core readership. Unions warn the move could disrupt newspaper delivery and lead to subscriber losses, and have proposed an alternative site closer to the distribution zone. They urge a broader debate on the future of regional press and will present their counterproposal to the main shareholder on the 19th of May.
Gas Leak in Nice? - Firefighters have responded to a possible gas leak on Monday, the 19th of May, reported by a construction company on Rue Scaliero, near the port in Nice. A safety perimeter has been set up, and both firefighters and police are on the scene. The incident is under investigation, with no confirmed leak at this stage.
Tower known for Drug Trafficking Demolished - Two 14-story towers known for drug trafficking are being demolished floor by floor, starting from the top, with one to be gone by August and the other by the end of 2025 in Cavaillon, Vaucluse. The goal is to eliminate crime hotspots, improve living conditions, and replace the space with social and urban development projects worth €110 million. Residents and officials hope this marks the end of years of violence and fear, bringing back a peaceful life to the neighbourhood.
Car Crash - A car has struck two pedestrians on the 19th of May before crashing into street furniture on Boulevard Victor Tuby in Cannes. Three people — the two pedestrians and the approximately 80-year-old driver — were slightly injured and taken to the hospital. Emergency services quickly responded, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Palm Tree Falls on Chinese Film Producer - A Chinese film producer has been injured on the 17th of May when a palm tree fell on him on the Croisette during the Cannes Festival. He sustained serious head injuries but was released from the hospital the next day. An investigation is ongoing to determine why the tree, weighing up to 1.5 tons, suddenly fell; no complaints have been filed yet.
Inmate Escaped - A 34-year-old man has escaped from the courthouse holding cells in Toulon, Var, after being sentenced to four years in prison (one suspended) for stealing a refrigerated van and refusing a police stop. Already known for similar offenses, he injured a police officer during the incident and was convicted for multiple charges including endangering law enforcement. He is now the subject of a nationwide search in France, particularly in the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône.
LGBTQIA+ Centre - The LGBTQIA+ centre, opened in late 2024, offers a safe, inclusive space to combat isolation and support the community through personalized guidance, workshops, and peer solidarity in Toulon. It plays a vital role in fostering belonging, mental well-being, and self-acceptance, especially for those facing social judgment or rejection. Issues like mental health are often tied not to identity itself, but to societal attitudes—highlighting the centre’s importance in offering respectful and affirming care.
Orcas of Marineland - A viral video showing orcas in algae-covered tanks at Marineland has sparked controversy, with animal rights groups claiming the animals are being neglected since the park’s closure. Experts and associations like Sea Shepherd argue the algae are natural due to untreated seawater and pose no harm, and that caretakers remain active and committed. All sides agree the real issue is finding a proper sanctuary for the orcas and dolphins, as no relocation solution has yet been secured.
NEWS UPDATE
Measures during Monaco Grand Prix - The Monaco government is strengthening measures during events like the Formula One Grand Prix (May 22–25, 2025) to prevent dangerous driving and public disturbances caused by powerful vehicles. Unscheduled gatherings of sports cars often lead to traffic violations and inappropriate behaviour. To protect public safety, vehicles breaking road laws can now be impounded for up to 120 hours.
BUSINESS
The UK government is introducing new regulations for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services to protect consumers from unaffordable debt, including mandatory affordability checks and faster refunds. Under BNPL, rather than paying the full amount of a purchase in one go, shoppers can spread payments into smaller amounts over a short period of time, usually only weeks or months. With usage rising rapidly—especially among young women and single parents—concerns have grown over people unknowingly taking on debt they can’t manage. However, consumer groups and major BNPL providers have welcomed the move, which aims to bring clarity, safety, and accountability to a previously unregulated market.
And - The UK and EU have agreed on a major reset in relations, covering trade, defence, energy, and fishing, with EU boats getting access to UK waters until 2038. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says it's time to move past Brexit debates and focus on practical cooperation. Critics call it a "surrender," but the government argues the deal will ease trade barriers and boost the economy.
SPORTS
Football - The first-ever Racing Stars Football Cup will take place on the 21st of May at Monaco’s Stade Louis II, featuring motorsport legends and celebrities playing football just before the Monaco Grand Prix. Organized by Louis Ducruet and the Barbagiuans of Monaco under Prince Albert II’s patronage, the match supports two charities: the Jules Bianchi Association and Be Safe Monaco. With stars like Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, Mika Häkkinen, and others, the event blends sport, solidarity, and entertainment for a meaningful cause.
Rugby Union - Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss will lead a combined Australia and New Zealand side that will play the British and Irish Lions this summer. It will be the first combined Australia and New Zealand team since 1989 and they will play a Lions side who start a three-Test series against Australia on Saturday, 19th of July in Brisbane.
Golf - On 17 May 2024, Scottie Scheffler prepared for his second round at the US PGA Championship by "warming up in a jail cell". On 18 May 2025, he lifted aloft the Wanamaker Trophy as the new US PGA champion. It was a very different US PGA experience this year for the world's most dominant player, as he marked the day after the anniversary of his shock arrest at Valhalla by doing what he regularly does. Winning a golf tournament.
WEATHER
Mostly clear this afternoon in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var, though cloudy inland and in the Bouches-du-Rhone department with strong winds over there. It’s rather warm today with highs of 21 degrees in Nice and Cannes, 24 in Toulon and 25 degrees in Saint-Tropez and Marseille.
Tonight, rain and thunderstorms will pay us a visit with temperatures dropping to 14 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, showery thunderstorms should remain until early evening as temperatures reach 20 degrees accompanied by strong winds.
France’s last two captive orcas remain stranded in an abandoned marine park, caught in a bureaucratic deadlock. ...
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Six departments in the southwest of France were placed on and orange weather alert for rain and flooding on Monday evening. The affected areas include...
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Expect unsettled weather today across the Alpes-Maritimes. The department is under yellow alert for rain, flooding, and thunderstorms. Thunderstorms w...
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Over 500 taxi drivers are striking on Monday the 19th of May, in the Bouches-du-Rhône, Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments to protest new health insur...
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Flights cancelled at Paris-Orly today - Airline companies at Paris-Orly Airport have been asked to cancel 15% of their flights this Monday, May 19, be...
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