News
Suspected oil pollution closes two beaches in Cagnes-sur-Mer - Cagnes-sur-Mer council has decided to temporarily close two of the town’s beaches due to suspected oil pollution. The slick was observed off the coast near Le Cros. As a precaution, "Entrée du Port" and "Eglise" beaches were closed. The closure comes after recent issues at the Saint-Laurent-du-Var wastewater treatment plant. The exact source of the pollution is still under investigation, with analyses currently underway.
Blue flag region - Meanwhile, the Var department has claimed the title of France's top Blue Flag region, with 44 certified beaches and 15 marinas, leading the country in environmental and sustainability efforts. In total, the Southern Region boasts 119 Blue Flag sites. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Blue Flag label, an international recognition for municipalities committed to environmental sustainability, the seaside resort of Le Lavandou hosted the award ceremony on Thursday, May 15th, 2025. The Blue Flag is not only a symbol of clean and safe beaches but also a reflection of the voluntary commitment of local governments to sustainable development. This year’s winner is the Var, which leads the nation with 44 beaches and 15 ports displaying the Blue Flag. Notably, Six-Fours-les-Plages has returned to the list after a previous refusal to apply for certification in 2024. Meanwhile, Cannes and Nice also saw improvements, with Cannes increasing its certified beaches to 13, including four new ones, and Nice earning recognition for eight beaches. The Blue Flag label, which now includes nearly 5,000 sites worldwide, is awarded based on stringent environmental and sustainability criteria. These include waste management, biodiversity protection, and water conservation, with new standards requiring a biodiversity inventory. Though some municipalities, such as Sanary, opt for other certifications, the Blue Flag continues to be a prestigious recognition of environmental excellence and sustainable tourism.
Car and tram collide in Nice, one Injured - A collision between a car and a tram occurred on Thursday, May 15, 2025, shortly before 8pm near the Pont Michel tram stop in eastern Nice. The 27-year-old driver of the vehicle was taken to the Pasteur Hospital, though his condition was not serious. A major emergency response was deployed to the scene. As a result, Tram Line 1 was suspended between Pont Michel and Pasteur. The exact cause of the accident remains unclear.
Weather warning - The Var and the Alpes Maritimes department have been placed on a yellow weather warning due rain, flooding, and thunderstorms today. Thunderstorms are expected to develop early in the day lasting until late afternoon. Expect strong winds along the coastline, with gusts of up to 60 km/h in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, though the winds will ease later in the day.
Actor banned from Cannes red carpet amid sexual assault allegations - Actor Theo Navarro-Mussy has been banned from the Cannes Film Festival red carpet following accusations of sexual assault. Navarro-Mussy, who plays a police officer in the film Dossier 137 by Dominik Moll, was scheduled to attend the premiere on Thursday. The allegations, first reported by Télérama, involve accusations from three former partners spanning from 2018 to 2020. Although the case was dropped last month due to lack of evidence, the women plan to appeal and file a civil lawsuit. Cannes festival director Thierry Frémaux confirmed the ban, citing the ongoing appeal. However, Navarro-Mussy's lawyer has denied the claims, asserting that the legal process is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Thursday evening saw French rugby star Antoine Dupont, recovering from a torn cruciate ligament since March, hit the red carpet despite his injury. The evening will culminate with a special screening of Bono’s documentary "Bono: Stories of Surrender," followed by a performance from the U2 frontman. Other notable events include the screening of L'inconnu de la grande and Angelina Jolie will also be honoured with the Chopard Trophy for her contributions to cinema.
Star-studded Gala in Monaco raises funds for youth in Burundi - Glamour met generosity at a spectacular gala dinner and auction hosted by the Thilo Kehrer Foundation, held right here in Monaco at the Mome. The evening brought together footballers, basketball stars, and Monaco’s most influential figures, all united by one goal: to empower the youth of Burundi through access to education, cultural enrichment, and sports development. Founded by AS Monaco footballer Thilo Kehrer, the foundation is dedicated to building vibrant communities where young people can discover their talents, achieve their dreams, and shape a brighter future. Through sustainable initiatives and global collaboration, the foundation also works to preserve culture and promote personal growth. Guests were treated to a high-energy auction featuring incredible items, including a signed David Beckham football shirt, an AS Monaco shirt belonging to HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and signed by him and a particularly popular item a Lionel Messi signed football shirt, which raised more than €40,000 alone! With AS Monaco players in attendance and stars from the Monaco basketball team set the scene showing their support, it was a true masterclass in raising funds for a worthy cause. A huge well done to everyone who gave so generously. Want to get involved or learn more? Visit thilokehrerfoundation.com
Young entrepreneurs shine at inaugural Stelios Awards in Monaco - Finally, the energy of innovation was unmistakable here on the Port of Monaco on Thursday, as the very first edition of the Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Monaco & the French Riviera celebrated a new wave of business brilliance across the region. The event brought together some of the most promising startups and creative minds in the area, each one not only pushing boundaries in their sectors but also making a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The awards, created by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and supported by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, aim to reward and spotlight young entrepreneurs making a real difference in Monaco and the surrounding French Riviera.
This year’s winners were: Joint 4th Prize (€5,000 each): Goya Restaurant (Nice) – Known for its modern culinary flair and vibrant, creative approach to Mediterranean dining and LAU (Monaco). A chic concept store offering home décor, fashion, jewellery, small furniture, and personalised embroidery. LAU stands out in Monaco’s luxury landscape by offering high quality at accessible prices and promoting local makers. The 3rd Prize (€10,000) went to SEZ Production (Cannes). A visual production company making waves through innovative storytelling and high-end content creation. 2nd Prize (€20,000) was awarded to BED BOAT. A trailblazing concept that blends boutique hospitality with the Riviera’s yachting culture, offering a unique lifestyle experience. Finally, 1st Prize (€30,000° was SIANATECH. A standout tech company developing sustainable, forward-thinking solutions with real-world impact.
Partnering with Riviera Radio, the event gave us a front-row seat to all the action and inspiring stories. And if you missed your chance to take part this year then don’t worry. This is just the beginning, as the Stelios Awards will return in 2026.
Business
A claim by US President Donald Trump that India has agreed to drop all tariffs on American goods has been swiftly denied by Delhi. India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar clarified that trade talks are ongoing and “nothing is decided.” His statement directly contradicts Trump’s earlier remarks, in which he told reporters that India had “offered us a deal” with zero tariffs. The two countries remain in negotiations over a potential trade agreement, but no final deal has been reached.
The UK must expand its nuclear energy capacity to meet the soaring power demands of artificial intelligence, according to Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud computing provider. AWS plans to invest £8 billion in new UK data centres over the next four years. These facilities, essential for powering AI, data processing, and streaming, can consume as much energy as a small town. Garman described nuclear as a “great solution,” calling it an “excellent source of zero-carbon, 24/7 power” to support the future of tech infrastructure.
And - Cryptocurrency giant Coinbase has revealed it could face losses of up to $400 million (£301 million) after a recent cyber-attack targeting customer data. Hackers reportedly bribed contractors and employees to gain limited access — less than 1% of customer information — which was then used in a phishing scam to steal crypto from users. The attackers demanded a $20 million ransom, but Coinbase refused to pay and has pledged to reimburse all affected customers. Following the disclosure, the company’s share price dropped 4.1%.
Sport
Rugby Union - Former South Africa international Cornal Hendricks has died aged 37 after suffering a heart attack. Hendricks earned 12 Test caps for the Springboks, scoring five tries, and was also a standout in rugby sevens, winning gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. After being forced to retire in 2015 due to a heart condition, Hendricks made a remarkable comeback in 2019 with the Bulls, going on to play a total of 233 first-class matches over a 17-year career. Bulls rugby director Jake White said, “Many people were shocked and sad when his career was cut short in 2015,” adding to the deep sense of loss felt across the world of rugby.
Tennis - American tennis star Tommy Paul is through to the Italian Open semi-finals after a straight-sets win, but his week hasn’t been smooth off the court. The 11th seed revealed he had been dealing with personal stress after his truck was repossessed due to missed payments. The 27-year-old paid around $1,000 (£752) to reclaim the vehicle and joked that winning matches helped cover the cost. He’s now guaranteed around £245,000 in prize money and will face world number one Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals today.
Cycling - A dramatic mass crash on stage six of the Giro d'Italia has forced several riders to abandon the race. The crash, which happened with around 70km to go on rain-slick roads, affected about 20 riders, including race leader Mads Pedersen, who managed to continue and retain the pink jersey despite finishing over five minutes behind.
Football – It’s a big evening in the Premier League with two key clashes on the schedule. First up, Aston Villa host Tottenham Hotspur at 8.30pm French time, as both sides continue their push for European qualification. Then at 9.15pm old rivals Chelsea and Manchester United face off at Stamford Bridge in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter. Plenty to play for.
And - Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the top spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for the third year running, with estimated earnings of $275 million. The 40-year-old continues to profit from both his Saudi Pro League move and a vast portfolio of sponsorship deals, boosted by his 939 million social media followers. NBA legend Stephen Curry jumped to second place with $156 million, while British boxer Tyson Fury climbed to third with $146 million, helped by a Netflix series and tourism partnership. Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel Messi has slipped to fifth in the rankings.
Cricket - Jos Buttler will miss the IPL play-offs, choosing instead to prioritise England’s upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies. Buttler, one of five England players in the IPL, will return home for the first ODI on 29th May, which clashes with the start of the IPL play-offs. The tournament was rescheduled due to political tensions between India and Pakistan. The IPL resumes this Saturday, with the final set for 3 June.
Formula One - Mercedes driver George Russell has called the recent controversy over punishing F1 drivers for swearing "all a bit suspect" after the FIA dramatically scaled back its stance. The governing body had initially proposed bans and heavy fines for drivers who swore or criticised officials, but reversed the move this week amid backlash. Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, welcomed the change but said the rule "should never have been there in the first place," calling the original idea "ludicrous."
Weather
The Var and the Alpes Maritimes department have been placed on a yellow weather warning due rain, flooding, and thunderstorms today. Thunderstorms are expected to develop early in the day lasting until late afternoon. Expect strong winds along the coastline, with gusts of up to 60 km/h in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, though the winds will ease later in the day.
Cloudy. Highs of 20 degrees in Monaco and Toulon, 21 degrees in Nice, 18 degrees in Saint-Tropez. This evening going down to 13 degrees along the coast.
The outlook for the weekend. Mainly fine with a gentle breeze and highs of 22-23 degrees.
Sunrise 06.03am
Sunset 08.50pm
Weather elsewhere
London Sunny 21°
Paris Sunny 21°
Berlin 17° light rain
Beach weather
Cannes- Sea temperature 20°. Air temperature 19° feels like 23°. UV level 6.
Nice - Sea temperature 19°. Air temperature 21°. UV level 6.
Cagnes-sur-Mer council has decided to temporarily close two of the town’s beaches due to suspected oil pollution. The slick was observed off the coast...
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The Var and the Alpes Maritimes department have been placed on a yellow weather warning due rain, flooding, and thunderstorms today. ...
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Monaco is set to take a historic step by voting on a bill to legalize abortion (IVG), currently only permitted in rare cases. ...
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- A taxi driver has been charged by French police with the theft of luggage and cash from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his wife, Nicola Green,...
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Sunny with a gentle breeze. Highs of 22 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Menton. 21 degrees in Saint-Tropez and reaching 23 degrees in Cannes for the Film ...
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