National News
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, because of an ongoing air traffic control system outage. The problem started on Sunday afternoon and still hasn’t been fully fixed. The issue caused major delays and cancellations, with about 130 flights cancelled, many at the last minute, even after passengers had boarded. France’s Civil Aviation Authority says the situation is slowly improving, but delays are still expected. Passengers flying through Orly today are being urged to check with their airline before heading to the airport. This is now the second day of major disruptions at Orly, and authorities are continuing efforts to restore full air traffic operations.
Taxi drivers call for strike action – Meanwhile, taxi drivers across France are going on strike this Monday, May 19, over changes to how they’re paid for medical transport services. In Paris, a slow-moving protest is planned to start at 7am and more demonstrations will happen in other parts of the country. The strike was called by the National Taxi Federation, which says the new pricing plan set by the French Health Insurance Agency will hurt both drivers and patients. The plan includes a flat fee and per-kilometre charges and is set to take effect in October 2025. Taxi drivers say this system will make it harder to provide medical transport, especially in rural areas, leading to regional inequalities and fewer options for patients.
The federation also criticizes ride-hailing apps, accusing them of breaking the rules, undercutting traditional taxis, and avoiding taxes. Drivers are asking the government to freeze the new pricing plan, keep current fare systems in place, and appoint an independent mediator to help resolve the dispute. They warn that the strike could continue, or change, depending on how talks with the government go.
Choose France 2025 Summit - In other news nationally in France, a record-breaking €37 billion in investments will be announced this Monday at the Choose France 2025 Summit, according to the Élysée Palace. Of that total, €20 billion will come from completely new projects, covering areas like green energy, mobility, digital technology, logistics, and tourism. The rest is tied to projects first discussed at France’s AI Summit back in February. The Élysée says this proves that France is becoming more attractive to international investors and that efforts to bring more industry back to France are working. Last year’s summit, which was also a record at the time, saw €15 billion in announcements. The French government sees this as a major boost for jobs, innovation, and the country’s position as a tech and industrial leader in Europe.
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert at the Vatican - Princess Charlene of Monaco joined her husband, Prince Albert II of Monaco, at the Vatican for a historic event on Sunday, May 18. The couple attended the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history. Princess Charlene, alongside other European royals was seen in a stunning all-white ensemble, a tradition that allows Catholic queens and princesses to wear white when meeting the Pope. This special privilege, called le privilège du blanc, is a rare honour shared by only a few women in the world. At the same time, Monaco’s royal family marked a significant family milestone: Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, received their First Holy Communion in a beautiful ceremony. The proud parents were seen beside their children, sharing in the joyous occasion as the young royals beamed in their white robes. The First Holy Communion, an important Catholic tradition, symbolizes a child's deepening connection with the Church, and the twins’ ceremony has been a moment of great pride for the people of Monaco.
Man injured from falling palm tree in Cannes – In other news, a man has been seriously injured after being struck by a falling palm tree in Cannes. The incident happened on Saturday, May 18, on the Croisette, during the Cannes Film Festival. According to emergency services, the wind caused a palm tree trunk to break and hit the man, who was walking along the Boulevard de la Croisette. The victim, in his thirties, was treated at the scene and taken hospital in serious condition. Firefighters set up a safety perimeter while the tree was removed.
Cannes Film Festival - Finally, at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday Hollywood invaded the Croisette. The star-studded line-up included Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, and Wes Anderson. Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman received the prestigious Women in Motion Award, which honours individuals who have advanced the role of women in cinema and society. The excitement builds as the 78th edition of the festival continues, with 22 films in competition for the Palme d'Or, which will be awarded on May 24.
Business
For the first time since Brexit, the UK and the European Union are holding a major summit in London today Monday 19th May, and while no one expects big breakthroughs, both sides say they’re ready to reset the relationship. The mood is very different from the tense years after Brexit. With war in Ukraine, rising concerns about Russia and China, and doubts over future U.S. support for European defence, both the UK and EU now see the value in working more closely together. Officials say the summit will focus on areas where they can cooperate, like trade, defence, and foreign policy. There’s a plan to ease some of the trade problems caused by Brexit, making it easier to move goods like food and plants between the UK and EU. A new deal is also expected on defence and security, though talks are tricky, especially around whether UK defence companies can take part in new EU projects.
The summit could also bring improvements for UK musicians performing in Europe, and talks continue about letting young people from EU countries live and work in the UK, similar to schemes the UK already has with countries like Canada and Australia. It’s a careful balancing act for the UK government, which wants closer ties with Europe but is also under pressure at home to respect the result of Brexit.
And - Uber has declared it is "ready to go" with driverless taxi services in the UK, but the British government has revised its timeline for fully autonomous vehicles, now expecting approval no earlier than the second half of 2027. The previous government had aimed to see fully self-driving cars on UK roads by 2026, but the current administration says more time is needed to implement the necessary legislation and ensure safety standards are met. The UK’s Department for Transport confirmed that self-driving vehicle legislation will be introduced in the latter half of 2027, while also exploring short-term trials and pilot programs to support industry growth. In the US, Uber robotaxis operate up to 20 hours per day, seven days a week, with fares currently matching those of human-driven rides. Customers are given the option to opt in or out of the experience via the app. Still, public hesitation remains a hurdle. A 2024 YouGov poll found that 37% of Brits would feel "very unsafe" in a driverless car.
Sport
Formula One - As here in Monaco final preparations are being put in place for next Sunday’s Grand Prix Max Verstappen delivered a statement victory at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, catching McLaren off guard to claim his second win of the Formula 1 season and reignite his championship challenge. The Red Bull driver made a bold move at the first corner to snatch the lead from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, setting the tone for a commanding drive. Unlike in Miami two weeks ago, where he was overwhelmed by the pace of McLaren, Verstappen was in total control at Imola, never looking threatened once out front. Lando Norris finished second with Piastri completing the podium in third. Despite the result, he retains a narrow championship lead ahead of Norris and Verstappen, with just a handful of points separating the trio as they head to Monaco
Football - It was an action-packed day in the Premier League on Sunday, Everton secured a solid home victory with a 2-0 win over Southampton, continuing their push for a mid-table finish. Nottingham Forest claimed a crucial away win at the London Stadium, edging West Ham United 2-1 in a competitive encounter. In a thrilling West London derby, Fulham came out on top with a 3-2 win over Brentford in one of the weekend's highest-scoring games. Leicester continued their strong form with a convincing 2-0 victory against newly promoted Ipswich Town. Arsenal kept their title hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle United. This evening Brighton are at home to Liverpool. Kick off is at 9pm French time.
Tennis - Carlos Alcaraz ended world number one Jannik Sinner’s 26-match winning streak with a commanding 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 victory in the Italian Open final on Sunday. Sinner, competing in his first tournament following a three-month doping suspension, was aiming to become the first Italian man to win the Rome title since 1976. But despite holding two set points in the opener, the top seed faltered at a crucial moment, misfiring a backhand return wide to give Alcaraz the lifeline he needed. The win further cements Alcaraz’s status as one of the sport's elite ahead of his French Open title defence in Paris.
Weather
Sunny with light winds. Highs of 21 degrees in Monaco, Nice, Menton and Saint-Tropez. Highs of 22 degrees in Cannes and Antibes. This evening going down to 14 degrees with cloudy skies.
The outlook for tomorrow thundery showers with a moderate breeze. Highs of 20 degrees. Wednesday mainly fine with highs of 21 degrees.
Sunrise 06.00am
Sunset 08.53pm
Weather elsewhere
London 20° sunny intervals.
Dublin 15° sunny intervals.
Paris 23° sunny.
Beach weather
La Ciotat – Sea temperature 19°, air temperature 22°. Sunny intervals. Strong winds. UV Level 7.
Nice – Sea temperature 19°, air temperature 21°. Sunny. UV Level 7.
Cannes film festival report 19 May - with Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel
There's been premieres aplenty at Cannes over the weekend including 2+2=5 - that's a documentary about the novelist George Orwell - and Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague, a tribute to the pivotal period of cinema that was French new wave.
It's his 33rd film and it tells the story of the making of Jean Luc Godard's cult classic from 1960, Breathless (A Bout de Souffle), nostalgically using the techniques of that time.
It has been almost 20 years since Richard Linklater was last in competition at Cannes - that was with Fast Food Nation, which looked at the junk food industry.
Die My Love, directed by Lynne Ramsay, is another of the 22 films in competition for the Palme d'Or. It pairs Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson as a couple in a crumbling marriage.
Later today, we'll be treated to Spike Lee's fifth film with Denzel Washington, Highest 2 Lowest, getting its premiere out of competition.
It's a reinterpretation of Japanese film-maker Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime thriller High and Low, played out on the mean streets of modern day New York City.
Denzel Washington plays a music mogul who's the target of a ransom demand that forces him into a moral dilemma between life and death.
Tomorrow, it's time for some wild speculation. We're only halfway through the festival, but if the critics are anything to go by, we might have already seen the strongest contender yet for this year's Palme d'Or.
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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Sunny with light winds. Highs of 21 degrees in Monaco, Nice, Menton and Saint-Tropez. Highs of 22 degrees in Cannes and Antibes. ...
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A man has fallen to his death after apparently climbing up the front of his apartment building in Marseille. ...
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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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