National News
Depardieu awaits verdict on assault charges as Cannes Film Festival opens - 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 possible suspended prison sentence and registration as a sex offender if convicted of sexual assault. The 76-year-old actor, once celebrated as a giant of French film, stands accused of groping two women on the set of Les Volets Verts in 2021. Depardieu denies the charges, claiming any contact was accidental or misinterpreted. The case has sharply divided opinion in France and the verdict comes just as global eyes turn to Cannes. While Depardieu has claimed the accusations have kept him from working for three years, reports suggest he recently resumed filming in a project directed by longtime friend Fanny Ardant. Veteran actress Brigitte Bardot added fuel to the controversy on Monday, dismissing the allegations in an interview, saying: “Talented people who touch the bottom of a girl are banished to the deepest dungeon.” The outcome of the trial could send shockwaves through the French film world, as the red carpet in Cannes is rolled out.
French President to appear in a two-hour special broadcast this evening – French President Emmanuel Macron is set to appear in a two-hour special broadcast on TF1 tonight, where he will be questioned by civil society figures on a range of issues, including both international and domestic policy. This broadcast, which begins at 8:10 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13th, marks his return to the public stage after a period of relative silence following the dissolution of the National Assembly. During the program, Macron will answer questions from diverse figures. The special broadcast aims to strengthen the connection between the president and the French people, offering him a platform to discuss pressing geopolitical issues like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as domestic challenges. Macron’s recent popularity surge, following his response to Donald Trump and international crises, has fuelled hopes of regaining momentum ahead of the final two years of his term. Analysts suggest that while he has distanced himself from domestic politics, the political landscape has shifted in his favour, with a weakened Prime Minister and divisions within opposition parties offering a clearer path for his voice to be heard.
Lidl employees plan strike action - Several unions representing Lidl employees in France have called for an indefinite strike starting this Thursday, May 15, demanding better working conditions. The strike, organized by a coalition of unions calls for employees to walk out every Thursday through Sunday. The unions argue that the increasing workload is damaging workers' health and point to the growing pressure of mandatory Sunday and public holiday shifts. This follows a similar strike in early February, where unions called for better wages and working conditions. That strike, which lasted four days, received strong support before being suspended. Lidl employs around 46,000 people across 1,600 stores in France.
Local News
70-year-old man found dead off the coast of Nice - A 70-year-old man has been found dead off the coast of Nice on Monday evening after extensive search efforts failed to locate him earlier in the day. Emergency services were alerted after the man went missing near Cap de Nice. A significant rescue operation was launched, with 16 firefighters and 12 emergency vehicles deployed, including a team from the mountain group and a drone unit. Despite these efforts, land searches and sea-based searches proved unsuccessful. The body of the man was eventually found at around 1am. The investigation continues.
Nice Airport is taking action to address delays ahead of Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix - Nice Airport is taking immediate action to resolve ongoing flight delays caused by staffing shortages in its air traffic control tower. The airport has been experiencing frequent disruptions since February, with significant delays, particularly on Fridays and Sundays. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) confirmed that staffing issues and temporary organizational challenges had been causing these delays.
With the Cannes Film Festival kicking off today, and the Monaco Grand Prix just weeks away, the airport has implemented corrective measures. Airport officials reported that improvements are already being noticed and anticipate normal operations to resume by next weekend. The airport is bracing for a surge in traffic, with 400 private jets expected on May 25, following the festival's conclusion and the Formula 1 event. As the busy summer season approaches, including the arrival of international delegates for the UN Ocean Conference in June, Nice Airport is working to ensure smoother operations during these major events.
Nice Airport: Transavia to launch direct flights to Paris from €45 – Meanwhile, Transavia, part of the Air France-KLM group, has announced it will launch direct flights between Nice and Paris-Orly starting March 29, 2026. The airline plans to operate up to eight daily flights, in addition to the 12 already offered by Air France from Paris Charles de Gaulle. Tickets are now on sale, starting at €45 one-way, with flights departing from Orly 2, allowing faster access through the airport. Transavia is also opening routes to Marseille and Toulouse as part of its 2026 summer expansion.
Monaco's new road safety bill - Monaco has introduced a new road safety bill aiming to toughen penalties for driving under the influence, speeding, and refusing police orders, with jail time increasing to up to 2–3 years. Police will gain broader authority to conduct alcohol and drug tests without needing an accident or offense as a trigger. Transport professionals like taxi and bus drivers face even stricter penalties, and repeat speeding offenses over 50 km/h will become criminal. The bill is expected to be voted on in the autumn session.
No Finish Line Nice - The No Finish Line Nice is set to kick off tomorrow, running from May 14th to 18th along the iconic Quai des États-Unis. This annual event encourages participants to walk or run to raise €1 for every kilometre completed, benefiting children's projects across the region. With over 6,000 people already registered, the event aims to fund initiatives like sports wheelchairs, hospital entertainment, and inclusive playgrounds. Open to all ages and abilities, No Finish Line Nice promotes inclusivity and community spirit, with some participants hoping to run up to 500 km over the course of the event. It’s an opportunity for everyone to make a difference while enjoying the scenic views of Nice, all for a great cause.
Poetic installation appears on the Promenade des Anglais - Finally, a large poetic phrase, "Dreaming the wave on a horizon, a promise", has appeared on the Quai des États-Unis in Nice. Created by artist Joël Andrianomearisoa, the aluminium sculpture is part of a citywide art exhibit tied to the UN Oceans Summit, which takes place in Nice this June. The artwork will remain on display until the end of September 2025.
Business
Global share markets jumped on Monday after President Trump announced a “total reset” in trade terms with China, easing months of escalating economic tensions. Following weekend talks in Switzerland, both nations agreed to sharply cut tariffs that had been imposed since January. The US will reduce tariffs from 145% to 30%, while China will lower its retaliatory tariffs from 125% to 10%. While markets welcomed the breakthrough, President Trump cautioned that some levies were only suspended, not cancelled and could be reinstated in three months if talks stall. The agreement marks a significant de-escalation in a trade dispute that has rattled global markets and tested US-China relations.
And - Nissan is reportedly preparing to more than double its planned global job cuts to 20,000 as part of a sweeping cost-cutting drive, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK. The move, if confirmed, would represent a 15% reduction in the company’s worldwide workforce. It comes ahead of Tuesday’s full-year financial results, which are expected to reveal a net loss of up to £3.8 billion, driven by write-downs and weak global sales. The carmaker had previously announced 9,000 job cuts in November. It remains unclear whether its UK operations including the Sunderland plant, which employs around 6,000 and has received over £2 billion in investment since 2023 will be affected. Nissan has not yet officially commented on the reported job losses.
Sport
Cricket - The Indian Premier League will resume this Saturday after a one-week suspension triggered by hostilities between India and Pakistan. The world’s most-watched franchise cricket league was put on hold last Friday but will restart following a ceasefire agreement reached over the weekend. Originally set to end on 25 May, the IPL final has now been rescheduled to 3 June, creating a clash with England's white-ball series against the West Indies.
Football – Sheffield United have sealed their place in the Championship play-off final crushing Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate, the largest semi-final winning margin in the competition’s history.
And - In a bold and unprecedented move, Brazil have appointed Carlo Ancelotti as head coach of the national team. The appointment reflects both Brazil's desperation to reclaim past glories and a clear ambition to turn a corner ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Tennis - Emma Raducanu’s promising run at the Italian Open came to a halt in the last 16 as world number three Coco Gauff delivered a dominant performance, winning 6-1 6-2. Raducanu, ranked 49th, had impressed by reaching the fourth round, her best showing on clay to date, but was ultimately outclassed by the 21-year-old American, who showed why she remains a major contender on all surfaces.
Rugby Union - Leinster Rugby have confirmed that Ireland captain Caelan Doris will be out for four to six months after undergoing shoulder surgery last week. The 27-year-old sustained the injury during Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton on 3 May.
Cannes Film Festival report - with Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel
It's 130 years since the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in Lyon. And the great and the good of the world's film industry are back on the Riviera this week and next for the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. A one-of-a-kind celebration of global cinema, storytelling and creativity. And we'll be keeping you abreast of what's happening at Cannes here on Riviera Radio.
The selection committee have done a titanic job watching a record 2,909 films this year, from 156 countries, from Egypt to Brazil, Iran to Ukraine. They've narrowed them down to just a few dozen that are officially competing for awards including - among others - films from Wes Anderson and the Belgian Dardenne brothers.
This year's jury president is Juliette Binoche. She's celebrating 40 years since she first came to Cannes. Since then, she's gone on to become one of France's most internationally acclaimed film stars, appearing in no fewer than 60 films. She's chairing a diverse and truly international panel who are tasked with choosing which one of the 20-or-so films in competition will win the prestigious Palme d'Or - and six other prizes at the closing ceremony including best actress and actor. Other jury members include Halle Berry, the prolific South Korean filmmaker Hong Sangsoo and the American actor Jeremy Strong.
Aside from the films in competition, there are also plenty of side selections and special screenings - every kind of film, from every genre, has a place somewhere at Cannes. Not to mention the red carpet fashion, A-listers and more.
Tonight the buzz is around the opening ceremony, and the opening film is Partir Un Jour (Leave One Day) from the French director Amélie Bonnin. It's about Cécile, who's about to achieve her life's dream of opening her own gourmet restaurant in Paris. Then her father suddenly has a heart attack and she has to go back to the village where she was born, where she runs into her teenage crush and memories come flooding back. It's being shown out of competition this evening.
Weather
Sunny with a gentle breeze. Highs of 20 degrees in Nice, 19 degrees in Monaco, Saint-Tropez and Saint Paul de Vence. Sunny intervals and light winds with highs of 21 degrees in Cannes for the first day of the Film Festival. This evening going down to 13 degrees along the coast with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Thursday mainly fine with a gentle breeze and highs of 21 degrees.
Sunrise 06.07am
Sunset 08.46pm
Weather elsewhere
Rome 25° thundery showers
Oslo 23° sunny.
Athens 24° sunny intervals.
Beach weather
Marseille – sea temperature 17°, air temperature 19° feels like 23°. Fine and sunny. UV level 7.
Hyeres – sea temperature 18°, air temperature 20°. Fine and sunny. UV level 7.
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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France is pushing for a European agreement to require social media platforms to verify users' ages, aiming to ban access before age 15 and smartphone ...
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French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that France is in talks with allies about possibly supporting Ukraine with troops, amid its ongoing war...
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Thundery showers are forecast in Nice and the Alpes Maritimes. Some sunny intervals as the day progresses. Highs of 20 degrees. ...
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