National News
Manhunt in France for escaped prisoners - Hundreds of police officers have been deployed in Normandy after Mohamed Amra, escaped from a police van transporting him to jail on Tuesday. Known as "The Fly", Amra was being transported back from a court hearing in Rouen when a car rammed the prison van at a toll booth. French President Emmanuel Macron has said "everything is being done to find the perpetrators". Armed men opened fire on the vehicle, killing two prison officers. Some 200 gendarmes were mobilised on Tuesday and vehicle checks in key locations are being carried out. Amra is said to have ties to a gang in Marseille.
Local News
Contaminated tap water crisis may soon be over - Authorities in the region have announced that the contaminated tap water in La Colle sur Loup and Saint Paul de Vence could soon be resolved. The 8,200 inhabitants of La Colle-sur-Loup – and the neighbouring streets of Saint-Paul-de-Vence – are still unable, to consume tap water, contaminated with a bacteria almost three weeks ago, but this morning the local council says the “end of the crisis seems imminent”. The results of the samples taken on May 7th, 8th and 9th have returned and according to the Regional Health Agency are “good”. Tests taken on May 10th and 11th are expected to be returned today. If they too come back free of contamination the restriction could be lifted. However, until the green light is given by the ARS, the distribution of bottles of mineral water will continue every evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Emilie-Fer gymnasium in La Colle-sur-Loup.
Cannes Film Festival - After 47 years in the film industry, the actress behind "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Mamma Mia!" Meryl Steep has been honoured at Cannes for her exceptional career. With over 300 film credits, Streep is known for her roles in critically acclaimed movies like "Kramer vs. Kramer," "Out of Africa," and "The Devil Wears Prada," for which she won three Oscars and received 21 nominations, more than any other actor in history. During the opening ceremony on Tuesday evening French actress Juliette Binoche praised Streep, stating, "You've changed the way we view women in cinema."
Job dating in Hyères - From today Wednesday 15th May and through until July 3rd 17- to 25-year-olds are invited to a job dating organised in Hyères in the Var to find seasonal employment. This is an unmissable event offered every year at the start of the season by a local team, which constantly strengthens the network with businesses throughout the year. Those who are recruiting are invited to attend to meet motivated young people who want to work for the season. On May 15th, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., it will be possible to participate in the job dating which will take place at the Europe Le Palatin center, 4 rue Georges-Simenon, on the 3rd floor, in Hyères. Sectors covered include catering: Hospitality Entertainment, sales and cleaning. For more information and registration, contact Sarah and Isabelle by telephone at 04.94.12.60.40.
Weather warning – The Alpes-Maritimes and the Var have been placed on a yellow weather alert with storms forecast. The warning is expected to affect mainly inland in both regions and is in place from midday to 9pm this evening. The rest of the region can expect showers with an improvement expected during the afternoon along the coast.
Business
Latest figures published from the “Clameur observatory” which analysis the rental market in France have shown that the crisis in the sector is still not over. Overall, during the last year rents have increased by 3.98% for studios and 2% for a 2 roomed apartment. Prices have risen sharply in the west of France dubbed the “Atlantic Riviera” but are still nothing compared to Nice which has seen a 7.9% rise and Marseille a 5.62%. While regulations are in place to avoid such spectacular increases, with higher demand and fewer offers the cost of rental has spiralled out of control in some regions. In five years, the supply of housing for rent in France has fallen by almost 57%.
The Biden administration had just a few days ago warned that it would sharply increase tariffs on several Chinese imports, including electric vehicles. In today’s business news if would appear that they have indeed moved a step closer by ramping up tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, solar panels, steel, and other goods. The White House said the measures were a response to unfair policies and intended to protect US jobs. China said it was opposed to the hikes and would take retaliatory measures.
And - Dating app Bumble has had to apologise after its latest marketing campaign aired adverts that critics said, “shamed women who were not sexually active”. The campaign included messages such as "A vow of celibacy is not the answer" and "Thou shalt not give up on dating and become a nun". Bumble said the ads were supposed to bring humour to "a community frustrated by modern dating". But critics said the adverts were tasteless and went against the company's stated aim of empowering women.
Sport
Football – In the Premier League Manchester City moved closer in their pursuit of an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title after beating Tottenham 2-0 on Tuesday evening. In this evening’s matches Brighton are at home to Chelsea and Manchester United face Newcastle.
In other football news, in a new documentary and podcast series telling the story of Kylian Mbappe former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that the first time he saw Mbappe play he told people with have Pele here. The new series includes interviews with childhood friends, fellow footballers and his France manager Didier Deschamps. Since bursting on to the scene with Monaco aged 16, the France forward has often been placed in the same bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rugby Union - Brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola are both to leave Saracens at the end of the season. The two have won five Premiership crowns and three European titles during their time at the club.
Tennis - World number one Iga Swiatek is through to the semi-finals of the Italian Open after a straight-set victory over 18th seed Madison Keys.
Cycling - France's Valentin Paret-Peintre claimed his first professional win on stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia. The 23-year-old celebrated with his older brother Aurelien, who won stage four on the Giro last year and was fifth on Tuesday, at the finish line.
Cricket – Pakistan have beaten Ireland by six wickets to clinch a 2-1 win in the T20 series in Dublin.
And - England Test captain Ben Stokes is set to play his first County Championship match for two years when Durham play Lancashire on Friday.
Weather
The Alpes-Maritimes and the Var have been placed on a yellow weather alert with storms forecast. The warning is expected to affect mainly inland in both regions and is in place from midday to 9pm this evening. The rest of the region can expect showers with an improvement expected during the afternoon along the coast.
Light rain moderate breeze with strong winds to the west of the Alpes Maritimes and the Var. Should clear as the day progresses giving way to sunny intervals. Highs of 19 degrees in Nice and Mougins, 17 degrees in Monaco, 20 degrees in Cannes. This evening going down to 13 degrees with cloudy skies.
The outlook for tomorrow is thundery showers and highs of 21 degrees. Friday looks set to see the sun return with highs of 22 degrees.
Sunrise 06.04am
Sunset 08.49pm
Sea temperature
Cannes 18.7 degrees.
UV level 4
Weather elsewhere
London 20° sunny intervals
Bordeaux 17° thundery showers
Cardiff 18° sunny intervals
Oslo 24° sunny
And Finally
What are the chances? A couple in France have won 1.8 million euros twice in the same Keno draw. The couple went to their local Tabac and decidef to play almost the same grid of ten numbers, except for one number. Every day, two draws are made in Keno. Each time, 20 numbers are drawn out of a possible 70. All their numbers came out in the same draw. They therefore won 1.8 million euros twice, or 3.6 million between them. This man and woman, who wished to remain anonymous, specified that they intended to gradually stop working to devote themselves to charitable associations. The Français des jeux said that a win like this “was extremely rare”.
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