News
Weather alert - Six departments in the southwest of France were placed on and orange weather alert for rain and flooding on Monday evening. The affected areas include the Dordogne, the Haute-Garonne, the Lot, the Lot-et-Garonne, the Tarn, and the Tarn-et-Garonne. Météo-France reports that while storm intensity is now easing an intense hailstorm hit the region on Monday and the train service between Toulouse and Paris has been suspended due to a significant accumulation of water on the track. Services are not expected to resume until Wednesday or Thursday. The storms brought heavy rain and hail to the region, causing significant damage. Toulouse saw a tree fall in the city centre, roads were flooded, and schools were evacuated. Firefighters responded to hundreds of calls for assistance. Cumulative rainfall exceeded 80mm overnight. Today Tuesday 20th May, the alert will concern seven departments, including the Var and parts of the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur which will also face a heightened risk of severe thunderstorms.
Choose France Summit - France has broken a new investment record. At the 8th edition of the Choose France Summit, held on Monday 19th May, at the Palace of Versailles, a record-breaking €20 billion in foreign investments was announced. Under the theme "France, Land of Creativity," more than 200 international business leaders gathered to unveil or confirm around fifty major projects. President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the surge in interest, calling it a "very comprehensive edition" of the summit. Major announcements included: Amazon pledging €300 million, Prologis, a U.S. firm, investing €6.4 billion in data centres and warehouses and MSC Cruises confirming a €3.5 billion order for two ships from the Saint-Nazaire shipyards.
In the field of artificial intelligence, significant steps are being made. MGX confirmed an initial €8.5 billion investment for an AI campus in the Île-de-France. Canadian firm Brookfield is expected to confirm a €10 billion project and Digital Realty from the U.S. plans to invest €2.3 billion in new data centres in Marseille and Dugny. Meanwhile, British fintech giant Revolut will set up its Western European headquarters in Paris with a €1 billion investment. This year’s summit also put a spotlight on sustainable investment, including projects in the circular economy.
New Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes - Laurent Hottiaux, the newly appointed Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes has outlined his priorities upon taking office on Monday. Appointed by President Macron on April 28, 51-year-old Hottiaux, emphasized a focus on security, including tackling drug trafficking, organized crime, and irregular immigration, alongside preventing radicalization. He also highlighted civil security. His economic priorities include supporting business development, tourism, agriculture, and ecological transition, while also addressing housing and transportation. Hottiaux stressed the importance of preparations for the 2030 Olympic Games and the Oceans Summit in Nice. Hottiaux also expressed a strong commitment to cross-border cooperation with Italy and Monaco.
Local leaders, including Nice mayor Christian Estrosi and MP Eric Ciotti, welcomed Hottiaux’s focus on security, with Ciotti stressing the need for more resources for law enforcement. MP Alexandra Masson emphasized attention to drug trafficking and the reopening of the Tende Tunnel, a key route between France and Italy.
Cannes Film Festival - Rihanna surprised everyone at the Cannes Film Festival after the screening of Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest". The singer, who arrived the day before, made a late red-carpet appearance with her partner A$AP Rocky. Wearing a form-fitting blue dress that revealed her baby bump, Rihanna posed for photographers as she left the screening. Earlier in the evening, Denzel Washington was honoured with the Honorary Palme d'Or.
Sean Connery's "James Bond" villa in Nice up for sale – Finally, the iconic villa once owned by Sean Connery in Nice, known as "James Bond's house," is back on the market for €23.5 million. Located on Cap de Nice, the Belle Époque palace has changed hands several times over the years. Originally built in the 1920s on land purchased by a British army colonel, it gained fame after Connery and his wife, Micheline Roquebrune, moved in during the 1970s. The villa even appeared in the 1983 Bond film "Never Say Never Again". After Connery’s death in 2000, the villa was bought by Norwegian tycoon who was drawn to its history. The property has since been sold multiple times and is now seeking a new owner. With stunning sea views and original features like a mahogany elevator, the villa spans 1,000 square meters over six floors. It remains a symbol of luxury and cinematic history on the Côte d'Azur.
Business
The UK’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for an end to "political fights" over Brexit, as the UK and the EU agree on a major reset of relations. The deal covers fishing, trade, defence, and energy, with European fishing boats granted 12 more years of access to British waters in exchange for reducing trade frictions. The Conservatives and Reform UK have slammed the deal, calling it a “surrender” to the EU, while Liberal Democrats have praised it as a step toward rebuilding ties with Europe. European Commission President von der Leyen described the agreement as a "historic moment", crediting Starmer’s leadership for making it possible. She added the deal would make a real difference amid global instability. This marks the biggest reset since the UK left the EU in 2020, after years of Brexit-related tensions.
Shares of the world’s largest electric vehicle battery maker, CATL have jumped over 10% on their first day of trading in Hong Kong, marking the biggest IPO of the year, raising $4.55 billion. The Chinese company supplies major automakers including Tesla, Volkswagen, and Toyota. Despite U.S. security concerns and ongoing trade tensions, analysts say the company’s limited U.S. exposure and dominance in China, where it earns 70% of its revenue, has helped to protect it. The firm is expanding globally with new battery plants in Hungary and Spain, and recently unveiled a battery that can charge 323 miles in just five minutes.
And - Sesame Street is coming to Netflix after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled federal funding from public broadcaster PBS. The new deal brings a fresh season and 90 hours of classic episodes to Netflix later this year, while still airing on PBS the same day. The move follows Warner Bros Discovery’s decision not to renew its deal with the iconic children’s show. Netflix called Sesame Street a "beloved cornerstone of children’s media", as it expands its kids' content, which now makes up 15% of its viewership. Also announced are new episodes of Peppa Pig episodes and a mobile game.
Sport
Football - The wait continues for Mohamed Salah as he narrowly missed out on equaling the Premier League goal record during his 400th appearance for Liverpool last night. In what should have been a celebratory milestone, Salah missed a golden opportunity in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Brighton. Salah, who helped secure the Premier League title for Liverpool last month, remains determined. With just one game remaining, Liverpool’s season finale against Crystal Palace at Anfield, the record is still within reach. This evening’s Premier League action will see Crystal Palace face Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City are at home to Bournemouth.
Cricket - The England men’s Test team are ready to “shoot for the stars” in what could be a defining year, according to head coach Brendon McCullum. Speaking ahead of their one-off Test against Zimbabwe, which begins this Thursday, McCullum said that the team is no longer in rebuilding mode, but on a mission to become something truly special. After Zimbabwe, England face a blockbuster summer with home Tests against India, followed by an Ashes series in Australia later in the year. England fans will be watching closely to see if 2025 becomes the year their Test team truly takes flight.
Rugby Union - A bit of rugby history will be made next year as Ireland travel to face France in the first-ever Thursday night fixture in Six Nations history. The match will kick off the 2026 Six Nations Championship on February 5th, in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter between two of the tournament's recent dominant forces. Ireland and France have shared the last four titles between them. The match has been moved forward from the traditional weekend slot to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan, which takes place the following day. Organisers say the scheduling shift is designed to maximize television audiences in France. Last year's dramatic finale, where France edged out Scotland to clinch the title, drew record-breaking audiences, with 9.5 million viewers tuning in live on France 2, capturing 46% of the national TV audience.
Weather
Expect unsettled weather today across the Alpes-Maritimes. The department is under yellow alert for rain, flooding, and thunderstorms. Thunderstorms will begin in the morning and evolve into scattered showers throughout the afternoon. The rain and flooding alert is in place until 2pm. The thunderstorm alert is in place until 6pm. Meanwhile, the neighbouring Var department is under an orange alert, so caution is advised, especially near coastal areas where strong winds are expected. Gusts of up to 80 km/h in Théoule-sur-Mer, 75 km/h in Antibes and 60 km/h in Nice. Winds will gradually ease as the day progresses.
Temperatures this morning will range between 9°C and 19°C, reaching highs of 20°C in Menton and Antibes later today, slightly below seasonal norms by 2 to 3 degrees. Stay safe, stay dry, and keep an umbrella handy.
The outlook for tomorrow and Thursday, sunny skies are expected to return with a fresh breeze and highs of 22 degrees.
Sunrise 05.59am
Sunset 08.54pm
Weather elsewhere
Palma – 25° sunny.
Amsterdam – 21° sunny.
Cardiff – 21° sunny intervals
Beach weather
Saint-Tropez – Sea temperature 19°, air temperature 19°. Thundery showers and strong winds. UV level 7.
Nice – Sea temperature 19°, air temperature 19°. Thundery showers and strong winds. UV level 7.
Photo - "Cap de Cappaïa"! This area in Nice is sometimes linked to the story of hats blowing away due to strong winds. The name “Cap de Cappaïa” comes from the local dialect, referring to “cappa” (a hat), as it is said that the strong winds in the area often blew hats off people's heads. It’s a charming and lesser-known part of Nice, offering not just stunning coastal views but also a slice of the city's history wrapped in local legend.
Cannes Film Festival report Tuesday 20 May - with Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel
We mentioned yesterday that some critics at Cannes think we might have already found a front-runner for this year's Palme d'Or, relatively early in the festival.
Sometimes it takes a while for a favourite to emerge. Unlike other major film festivals, Cannes doesn’t put its highest-profile films first in the running order. Instead, they're slowly unveiled over the full 12 days.
This year, however, an early strong contender seems to have got people talking. From the German director Mascha Schilinski, “Sound of Falling” skips through time to tell the story of four girls who have lived on the same north German farm over the course of a century. From the pre-war era to the modern day, the film jumps around chronologically to follow these women of varying ages whose lives are at once different and mystically connected.
The Hollywood Reporter calls it "transfixing", Variety calls it "astonishingly ambitious" and another review says it sets the bar so high that it could be hard for another of the films in competition to beat it.
One of the films in competition that's drawn a mixed response is Eddington, the latest movie from Ari Aster, which had been one of the most anticipated films at Cannes this year.
The film takes place in the chaotic Covid pandemic era of May 2020 and is set in a small town in New Mexico whose residents quickly lose their minds to conspiracy theories and political extremism.
Eddington and its crew did receive a five-minute standing ovation at the premiere. But the Hollywood Reporter review called it "essentially a modern Western marbled with a vein of dark comedy, [but] the movie is neither suspenseful nor funny enough to work as either.”
Tonight sees the premiere of another film vying for the Palme d'Or. It Was Just An Accident is directed by Jafar Panahi, one of Iran's best-known directors. It's a co-production between Iran, France and Luxembourg - and was made without official filming permission from the Iranian authorities.
The storyline is strictly under wraps until this evening. All we have to go on is the tagline: "What begins as a minor accident sets in motion a series of escalating consequences."
And Finally
A fascinating study from the University of Melbourne found that the type of shoes you wear can be a surprisingly accurate indicator of how well you manage stress! According to the study: High heels? You’re a "high achiever" who thrives under pressure, but you may sometimes feel a bit stressed by expectations. Trainers? You’re "relaxed" and "practical," and you know how to go with the flow in stressful situations. Flats? You’re "organized" and prefer a more controlled environment, often staying calm and collected even when things get hectic. Boots? You’re a "resilient" person who takes stress head-on and isn’t afraid to tackle challenges with confidence. So, the next time you choose your shoes, just know you might be making a statement about how you handle life’s little pressures!
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