News
Man found freezing after clinging to outside of a TGV train for 500 kilometres - A Polish man in his forties has been hospitalized in Valence after enduring a harrowing journey between two TGV carriages from Paris. According to police, he travelled outside on the rigid connection between the carriages for a journey of around 500 kilometres in freezing conditions. Discovered at the Valence TGV train station, he was immediately taken to hospital. The SNCF has yet to comment on the incident.
WWII still resonates deeply with the French - As Europe marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, a new survey has revealed that nearly four out of five French people remain interested in the Second World War. Commissioned for the Liberation Mission, the poll highlights the war’s enduring importance, with 41% of respondents naming it the most significant event since 1900, well ahead of the First World War or the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Normandy landings and the Holocaust were cited as the most memorable events of the conflict. According to historian Denis Peschanski, this reflects a shared remembrance focused both on acts of heroism and on the suffering of victims.
Biot reprimanded over social housing cuts - The municipality of Biot has come under fire after a court upheld the prefect’s suspension of its 2022 urban planning changes. The revised plan reduced space for social housing, drawing sharp criticism from the Alpes-Maritimes prefect and resulting in legal action. The court confirmed that the amendment failed to meet social housing obligations.
Cap Camarat Lighthouse reopens after 18 years - After being closed for nearly two decades, the iconic lighthouse at Cap Camarat in the Var region will reopen to the public in June. Following major renovations, the site, perched above the sea and owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral—will host guided tours twice a week, available by reservation through the Ramatuelle Tourist Office. A special preview visit marked the 50th anniversary of the Conservatoire, with small, supervised groups discovering the restored site. For longtime warden Raymond Viala, guiding visitors was a moment of pride: “It’s a great source of pride to be able to share this place with the public again.”
Cannes Film Festival - The Official Selection for the 78th Cannes Film Festival is now complete, with four new films announced, including "Resurrection" by Chinese filmmaker Bi Gan, which has secured a place in the race for the Palme d'Or. This addition brings the total number of films in competition to 22. Among the highlights: "13 Days, 13 Nights" by Martin Bourboulon will be screened out of competition, depicting the 2021 evacuation of the French embassy in Kabul. "The Six Billion Dollar Man", a documentary on Julian Assange, directed by Eugene Jarecki, will be shown in a special screening. "My Brother" by Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret will be part of Cannes Première, following their previous success with "The Worst". The festival kicks off on May 13, with the jury chaired by French actress Juliette Binoche.
Motorsport meets Football: Monaco to host star-studded charity match at Stade Louis II - Monaco’s Stade Louis II will host a glittering charity match on 21 May, bringing together motorsport legends and football stars for the inaugural Racing Stars Football Cup. Reviving a beloved pre-Grand Prix tradition, the event is held under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II and is organised by the Barbagiuans of Monaco, founded by the Prince and now chaired by Louis Ducruet. The match promises a unique blend of elite sport and entertainment. Two-time F1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen will serve as event ambassador. “I was honoured and thrilled to be part of this initiative, especially as it supports two vital causes,” he said. Proceeds will benefit the Jules Bianchi Association, supporting brain injury care in Nice, and BE SAFE Monaco, which promotes road safety. Tickets are available online.
New Comic Strip “Paul” Explores McCartney’s Post-Beatles Reinvention – Finally, a new comic strip “Paul: The Resurrection of James Paul McCartney (1969–1973)”, by French author Hervé Bourhis, takes readers on a journey through McCartney's transformation after the Beatles’ breakup. This witty and insightful comic sheds light on the turbulent years of reinvention, offering a fresh look at a period often overshadowed by the band's legacy. Filled with quirky anecdotes, the comic strip reveals surprising moments, like McCartney’s creation of a geodesic meditation dome in his garden and the inspiration behind Picasso’s Last Words, sparked by an encounter with actor Dustin Hoffman in Jamaica. Amid a wave of recent Beatles-related releases, Paul stands out for its charming storytelling and new perspective on the man behind the music. It’s a must-read for fans eager to explore McCartney's evolution beyond the Fab Four.
Business
U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that tariffs on Chinese goods may soon be reduced, as top American and Chinese trade officials prepare for talks in Switzerland this weekend. The comments came during the announcement of a new tariff deal with the UK, the first such agreement since sweeping levies were introduced globally in April. The upcoming meeting is being seen as a major step toward deescalating the U.S.-China trade war, which has rattled financial markets worldwide.
And - Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has announced plans to give away 99% of his fortune over the next two decades, aiming to wind down the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by 2045. In a blog post, Gates, 69, said he’s determined that “‘he died rich’ will not be one of the things people say about me.” His foundation has already distributed $100 billion toward global health and development, with another $200 billion in spending projected, depending on markets. Despite the massive pledge, Gates could still remain a billionaire. He is currently the fifth-richest person in the world, according to Bloomberg. Gates also criticized foreign aid cuts by the U.S., U.K., and France, and was especially critical of Elon Musk’s role in reductions tied to the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Sport
Football – Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will face off in an all-English Europa League final on 21 May. United aim to lift the trophy for the second time in eight years, while Tottenham are chasing their first European title in 41 years. This marks the sixth all-English final in major European competitions—three of which have involved Spurs. The result also confirms six English clubs will compete in next season’s Champions League.
Meanwhile, action in the Premier League this Saturday will kick off at 4pm French time with four matches Fulham take on Everton at Craven Cottage, Ipswich Town host Brentford in what promises to be a closely fought contest, Southampton welcome reigning champions Manchester City. And Wolverhampton Wanderers face Brighton. Then later in the day, at 6:30 PM, AFC Bournemouth go head-to-head with Aston Villa in the evening fixture. Sunday kicks off at 1pm French time, as Newcastle United host Chelsea at St. James’ Park. Then, at 2:15 PM, Manchester United take on West Ham United at Old Trafford, Nottingham Forest go up against Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur play Crystal Palace in a London derby. Finally, the headline fixture of the day kicks off at 5:30 PM, as Liverpool face title contenders Arsenal at Anfield in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Tennis - Britain’s Jacob Fearnley is through to the second round of the Italian Open after a commanding 6-2, 6-3 win over Fabio Fognini in Rome. The 23-year-old saw off the veteran Italian, who had announced this would be his final appearance at a Masters 1000 event, in straight sets on Thursday. Fearnley, who said he had to "dig deep" to overcome the 37-year-old, will now face Matteo Berrettini in the next round on Saturday. The match was briefly paused as spectators were informed of the election of Robert Prevost as the new Pope.
Olympics - Los Angeles will make Olympic history in 2028 by becoming the first city to use two stadiums for the Games' opening ceremony. Both the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium will co-host the opening on 14 July 2028. The Coliseum, a venue in the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, will also stage the closing ceremony on 30 July, making it the first venue to host events across three Olympic Games.
Weather
Cloudy with sunny intervals. Light rain is forecast for the Var region with moderate to strong winds. Highs of 17 degrees in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, 18 degrees in Nice. This evening going down to 13 degrees along the coast.
The outlook for Saturday mainly fine with highs of 20°. Sunday hazy skies and mainly fine, moderate to strong winds in the Var and highs of 21°.
Sunrise 06.11am
Sunset 08.42pm
Weather elsewhere
London 19° sunny.
Dublin 17° sunny.
Paris 21° sunny intervals.
Beach weather
Saint-Tropez – Sea temperature 18, air temperature 19. UV level 6.
Nice - Sea temperature 17, air temperature 19. UV level 6.
And Finally
We’ve all been there, wondering if your date likes you or just tolerates you. Well, according to new research, all you have to do is track their gaze! Scientists say that if they’re staring at certain parts of your face, it’s a good sign. Turns out, people tend to focus on the mouth, nose, and cheeks (the "central triangle") when they think you’re attractive. So, if they’re locked in on your lips, you’re in luck!
For guys, it’s all about the mouth. For girls, they’re eyeing the eyes and hair. So, if your date’s gazing into your eyes like it’s the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen, congratulations, you’re a hit! And for those of you thinking about lip fillers, men actually prefer natural lips. Yep, you heard that right! So, next time you're on a date, pay attention to where they’re looking, it could reveal more than just attraction!
American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first U.S.-born pope and signalling continuity with Pope Francis’...
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A Polish man in his forties has been hospitalized in Valence after enduring a harrowing journey between two TGV carriages from Paris. ...
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Cloudy with sunny intervals. Light rain is forecast for the Var region with moderate to strong winds. Highs of 17 degrees in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, ...
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White smoe Is billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel meaning A new pope has just been chosen! 133 cardinals have gathered in the Sistine cha...
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No new pope has been elected yet, as black smoke signalled another inconclusive vote during the conclave in the morning of Thursday the 8th of May. ...
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