NEWS
Rain Forecast During Cannes Film Festival - Rain is once again expected during the Cannes Film Festival, staying true to tradition. While the start of the festival may see a few showers on Tuesday, heavier rain is forecast from Friday through the weekend. Next week also looks rainy, but with changing forecasts, locals are advised to keep both sunglasses and umbrellas handy.
3.0 Magnitude Earthquake - A 3.0 magnitude earthquake has struck early Tuesday around 5:30 am near Avignon, waking many residents with loud booms and vibrations. The tremor was felt across several towns in the Vaucluse, but no damage was reported. Emergency services received many calls, but it was mostly alarm without consequence.
Road Accident on A8 Motorway - A serious accident near the French-Italian border has caused complete traffic saturation on the A8 motorway between Menton and Ventimiglia, especially after the Ventimiglia toll. Emergency vehicles and helicopters were deployed, and Vinci Autoroutes advises avoiding the route due to a traffic jam stretching over 10 km. Drivers heading to Italy are urged to take alternate roads or exit early to avoid major delays.
Missing Girl, Found - Sixteen-year-old Eva, who had been missing since the 1st of May, has been found safe by police in Nice. Her parents were extremely worried, fearing she had fallen into the hands of a prostitution ring after her phone was traced to Toulon and linked to an escort site. Her mother had filed a complaint against Eva’s boyfriend, and investigations are still ongoing.
Depardieu Found Guilty - French actor Gérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexual assault against two women and sentenced to an 18-month suspended prison term, coinciding with the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival. Reactions on the Croisette were mixed, with some defending him and others demanding equal justice regardless of celebrity status. Depardieu has appealed the verdict, while many are calling for the film industry to show more support for victims.
Public Sector Strikes - Public sector workers have protested in Nice on Tuesday, the 13th of May, as part of a nationwide strike against the government's 2025 budget cuts. Unions criticize proposed savings of up to €40 billion, fearing job cuts, wage stagnation, and worsening work conditions, especially in education and healthcare. Protesters say defending public service means defending the public interest, and they reject reforms that undermine essential professions.
28th International Martial Arts Festival - The 28th International Martial Arts Festival, the second largest in France after Bercy, will take place on Saturday, on the 31st of May, in Nice at Salle Leyrit, expecting 1,800 attendees. Organized by Michel Clermont, the event will showcase nine disciplines including taekwondo, kung-fu, karate, and capoeira, featuring world-class champions like Romain Lacoste and local star Anthony Malvault. This year introduces sanda (Chinese combat sport) and honours taekwondo, promising a vibrant and immersive show under the aegis of the World Union of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF).
Riviera Readers Club - At just 16 years old, Tanuj Sondhi, a Monaco student originally from India, has launched the Riviera Readers Club at the Princess Grace Irish Library to share his love for books, which helped him cope with a lifelong stutter. The club encourages people aged 11 to 88 to disconnect from screens and rediscover the joy of reading through weekly social and reading sessions. With support from the library and growing interest, Tanuj hopes to inspire more young people to embrace literature in a digital age.
NEWS UPDATE
Fire - A house has been completely engulfed by flames on Tuesday, on the 13th of May, around 11 am, prompting intervention by about 20 firefighters in Sainte-Agnès. The fire was brought under control with two hoses, and thankfully, no one was injured. The sole resident, the homeowner, was safely rehoused by the local council, and the cause of the fire is still unknown.
Accident - A major accident involving six vehicles in the Aprosio tunnel on the A10 near Ventimiglia has caused severe traffic delays on the A8 motorway between La Turbie and the Italian border. Traffic was at a standstill for hours, but began to ease by the evening, though travel times remained extended. Several people were injured, including a 22-year-old woman and her baby who were airlifted to hospital.
PhiloMonaco - The 2025 PhiloMonaco Week will take place from the 10th-15th of June, focusing on the theme of "truth." Philosophers, writers, and public figures will lead discussions, debates, and interactive events across iconic and unexpected locations in Monaco. Highlights include daily morning talks at the market square and a major awards ceremony on June 12 at the Théâtre Princesse Grace.
BUSINESS
U.S. President Donald Trump has cut tariffs on small parcels from China and Hong Kong, reducing rates from 120% to 54%, as part of a 90-day trade truce between the US and China. A planned $200 fee was cancelled, and previous duty-free exemptions for low-value items were recently closed. Both countries also agreed to reduce broader tariffs, calming market fears of a trade war, though Trump warned tariffs could rise again if talks stall.
And - Marks & Spencer has confirmed that a recent cyber-attack has led to the theft of some customer data, including names, contact details, birthdates, and online order history—but not passwords or full payment info. The attack, linked to the cybercrime group DragonForce, has disrupted online services since the 25th of April, though M&S says there's no evidence the data has been shared so far. Customers are being prompted to reset passwords and warned to stay alert for scam emails or messages pretending to be from M&S.
SPORTS
Tennis - Andy Murray will no longer be working as Novak Djokovic's coach. The decision, said to be by mutual agreement, means Murray will not be by Djokovic's side when he chases an eighth Wimbledon title in July. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, joined forces with Murray in November.
Rugby Union - Worcester Warriors have named former Leicester Tigers defence coach Matt Everard as their new head coach. Warriors are set to return to professional rugby union next season in the Championship, two-and-a-half years after going into administration. The 34-year-old former Leicester and Wasps back-rower began coaching with Wasps after retirement in 2017.
Football - Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has had "urgent" surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained in last Sunday's Premier League match with Leicester. The Nigeria international, 27, collided with the post in the 88th minute of the 2-2 draw at the City Ground as he attempted to get on the end of a cross from Anthony Elanga.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy this afternoon on the coast with sunny intervals. Inland though thunderstorms have made themselves comfortable and plan to stay there until early evening. We have a gentle breeze with highs of 20 degrees in Nice, 21 in Cannes and Marseille, and 22 degrees in Saint-Tropez and Toulon.
Tonight, mostly clear with temperatures dropping to 13 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, mostly clear on the coast with thunderstorms not leaving the inland skies. We’ll have highs of 21 degrees with moderate winds.
Rain is once again expected during the Cannes Film Festival, staying true to tradition.
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As the 78th Cannes Film Festival opens today, a darker chapter in French cinema is unfolding in a Paris courtroom, where Gérard Depardieu faces a poss...
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Sunny with a gentle breeze. Highs of 20 degrees in Nice, 19 degrees in Monaco, Saint-Tropez and Saint Paul de Vence. ...
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