News
Three dies in storms in the Var region - Three elderly people have died following a sudden surge in water levels caused by torrential rainfall in the Var region on Tuesday, 20th May. Among the victims were a couple in their 80s swept away in Le Lavandou, and an 81-year-old woman who died in Vidauban after a vehicle was submerged. Local officials described the scene as “war-like,” with nearly 255 mm of rain falling in just one hour. A stationary thunderstorm caused a violent flash flood leaving devastation in its wake. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his condolences, vowing that "the Nation will be there" to support victims and aid reconstruction. Authorities are working to declare the area a natural disaster zone, which would fast-track emergency support and recovery efforts.
Weather warnings - After Tuesday’s devastating floods, Météo-France forecasts a calmer day for the Var department today. The region, however, remains under a yellow flood alert due to potential overflow risks from the Argens River. Meanwhile, the Alpes-Maritimes department is on a yellow alert for thunderstorms with the warning in place from 2pm to 7pm.
Cases of Chikungunya - In other news, since May 1st, 2025, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) has confirmed a total of 20 cases of chikungunya in the PACA region, with two cases reported in the Alpes-Maritimes. Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, and rash, and the disease is typically not fatal but can cause significant discomfort. Authorities are monitoring the situation and have urged residents to take preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites, such as using repellent and eliminating and stagnating water where mosquitoes breed.
Mother gives birth while on the way to hospital in Nice - A mother has given birth to her baby girl on the voie rapide in Nice. The woman went into labour on Tuesday evening while en route to the hospital. The dramatic delivery happened at around 5pm, during rush hour, as emergency medical teams rushed to assist the expectant parents. The SAMU medical team safely delivered the baby in the back of an ambulance. Both mother and baby are healthy and were taken to the hospital for further care.
Carla Bruni unable to perform during Cannes Film Festival - Carla Bruni has reportedly been prevented from performing at a Chopard Trophy ceremony during the Cannes Film Festival after complaints of noise pollution at the nearby Vega la Plage party. The venue, located on the Croisette, was ordered by the town hall to close for the night on May 20 due to excessive noise levels observed during a party held on May 16. Bruni, who had planned to perform at the event, took to social media to express her frustration, accusing the nearby Carlton Beach of playing "deafening music" that drowned out her planned set and the trophy presentations. However, it was later clarified that the noise came from Vega la Plage, not the Carlton, which led to the administrative closure.
The sanction came swiftly from local authorities, who cited the venue’s failure to adhere to noise regulations. This action reflects the municipality's commitment to managing disturbances in the area, particularly during the high-profile festival. The closure of Vega la Plage is seen as a response to the disruption, which was deemed "proportionate to the observed nuisance." This marks a blow for Vega la Plage, known for hosting high-profile events during the festival.
Plans for a padel centre in Saint-Laurent-du-Var - Former French tennis player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has announced plans to open a padel centre in Saint-Laurent-du-Var by 2026. The project was revealed on Tuesday May 20th, showing the new facility, located on Route des Pugets, which will feature six outdoor and four indoor padel courts. Construction is expected to begin this summer. The centre will also have a clubhouse and fifty parking spaces. The €4 million project aims to strengthen the region's sporting community, already home to 6,000 members and 32 associations. Tsonga is committed to overseeing the project from start to finish, adding to his growing network of padel centres across France.
Mougins British International School – The Mougins British International School has marked its 60th anniversary with a vibrant evening celebration on its campus. The event held on Friday 16th May brought together students, families, staff, and local partners to honour six decades of academic excellence and community spirit. Founded in 1964, the school has long been rooted in the British National Curriculum, combining academic rigor with values such as curiosity, creativity, and respect. Head of School James Wellings highlighted the institution’s enduring commitment to nurturing open-minded and responsible global citizens. The evening featured live music, heartfelt speeches, student showcases, and the premiere of a commemorative anniversary film. The celebration marked the school's legacy and its forward-looking vision as part of the Globeducate network. For more information: j.dufaye@mougins-school.com or visit their website mougins.britishinternationalschool.com
Business
Elon Musk has announced he plans to significantly reduce his political donations, following his high-profile financial support for Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, to which he contributed over $250 million (£187m). The billionaire said he would do “a lot less” political spending going forward. The remarks mark a shift for Musk, who emerged as one of the election’s biggest individual donors. He also reaffirmed his commitment to remain CEO of Tesla for at least five more years, and said he would step back from leading the White House’s controversial cost-cutting initiative.
The Spanish government has demanded the removal of nearly 66,000 Airbnb listings, claiming they breach tourist accommodation regulations. The move comes amid growing backlash against over-tourism, with thousands protesting in the Canary Islands over the weekend. Spain’s Minister for Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, said the properties in question had "violated various norms regarding housing for tourist use." A Madrid court has already ordered Airbnb to immediately delist 4,984 of them. The crackdown signals a wider effort to regulate short-term rentals ahead of the busy summer season.
And - Millions of UK shoppers could be eligible for compensation of up to £70 each after a tribunal approved a settlement in a long-running lawsuit against Mastercard. The case claimed that Mastercard's fees on transactions between 1992 and 2008 unfairly increased prices for consumers. The legal battle has spanned nearly a decade, and while Mastercard declined to comment on the ruling, the decision marks a major step in one of the UK’s largest consumer claims.
Sport
Football - Pep Guardiola has warned he will leave Manchester City if the club hands him an oversized squad following the summer transfer window. Despite City's 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday, the manager expressed frustration at having to exclude several senior players from the 20-man matchday squad.
In the Europa League Final this evening, Tottenham play Manchester United kick off is at 9pm French time.
Tennis- Novak Djokovic has confirmed the end of his coaching partnership with Andy Murray, saying the pair had reached their limit after six months of collaboration. The world No. 1 praised Murray's "brilliant tennis IQ" and "rare champion's mind," but said they "couldn't get more" out of the partnership on court. Despite the split, Djokovic said his respect for Murray has only grown during their time working together. The Serbian star, who turns 38 this week, has accepted a wildcard into the Geneva Open in a bid to find form ahead of the French Open, which begins on Sunday.
Cycling - Some of Britain’s top cyclists, including Lizzie Deignan and Anna Henderson, will headline the Lloyds Women’s Tour of Britain from 5th to the 8th of June, as the race returns following last year’s cancellation. The four-stage race, part of the UCI Women’s World Tour, will span England and Scotland, finishing in Glasgow.
Cannes film festival report - with Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel
We mentioned some less than complimentary reviews of Eddington yesterday - but here's a film in competition that has split reviewers down the middle.
Julia Ducournau, who won the Palme d'Or in 2021 with Titane, is back with Alpha. It's set in the 1980s and it's closely inspired by the Aids crisis.
Newcomer Melissa Boros plays Alpha, a troubled 13-year-old who is rejected by her classmates because a rumour is spreading that she's been infected with a new, mysterious disease. The film looks at how this fictitious virus leads to fear and social exclusion.
The Hollywood Reporter calls it "moving". The Guardian, on the other hand, calls it "tonally inept", "incoherent and weirdly pointless from first to last" and a "bewildering disappointment", going on to say that Julia Ducournau has delivered the first true turkey of Cannes this year. You'll have to judge for yourself - although it's not due out on general release until October.
Meanwhile, getting its world premiere at Cannes tonight is History of Sound, directed by Oliver Hermanus and starring Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor. It's Josh's second film in competition this year, alongside the heist drama The Mastermind.
The History of Sound is the tale of two men, Lionel and David, during the first world war, who set out to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen. A sweeping romantic drama following their journey across rural New England, documenting the folk songs of the time.
Also tonight at Cannes, another hotly anticipated world premiere - a documentary all about the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The Six-Billion-Dollar Man was pulled from the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
Described as a high-tech international thriller, the film looks at Assange's battle to prevent extradition to the United States. And the rumour mill has been in full speed about whether Julian Assange himself will be attending the premiere tonight. If so, it'd be his first public appearance since he was released from Belmarsh prison last June.
Weather
After Tuesday’s devastating floods, Météo-France forecasts a calmer day for the Var department today with sunshine expected in the morning and cloudy periods this afternoon. The region, however, remains under a yellow flood alert due to potential overflow risks from the Argens River. Temperatures will range from 17°C to 22°C in the morning, reaching 26°C in Brignoles by this afternoon. Wind with gusts of up to 55 km/h are expected in the western part of the region.
Meanwhile, the Alpes-Maritimes department is on a yellow alert for thunderstorms this Wednesday afternoon, with Météo-France issuing the warning from 2pm to 7pm. While the coast will remain overcast but dry, thunderstorms are expected to hit the rest of the region, with gusts of wind up to 40 km/h in Théoule-sur-Mer later in the evening. Temperatures will range from 7°C in the morning to 23°C in the hottest areas, including Saint-Martin-du-Var and Puget-Théniers.
Highs of 21 degrees in Nice and Vence, 20 degrees in Monaco, 22 degrees in Cannes and Saint- Tropez and reaching 24 degrees in Toulon. This evening going down to 13 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for Thursday and Friday, remaining fine and sunny with light winds. Highs of 22 to 23 degrees.
Sunrise 05.59am
Sunset 08.55pm
Weather elsewhere
London 17° light rain.
Brussels 18° sunny intervals.
Liverpool 18° sunny.
Beach weather
Saint-Tropez – Sea temperature 19, air temperature 22, sunny with winds picking up be the end of the afternoon. UV level 7.
Hyeres - Sea temperature 20, air temperature 23, sunny with strong winds. UV level 7.
And Finally
Want to know the one thing all happy, long-lasting couples have in common? It’s not romance, date nights or matching pajamas, it’s emotional safety. According to psychotherapist Kamalyn Kaur, it’s the ability to be vulnerable, to speak honestly and be heard without judgment. That builds deep trust.
But there’s more! The strongest couples also share: Mutual respect – Remember, you’re partners, not property. A shared life vision – Whether it’s building a business or retiring in Bali. Conflict repair – Not avoiding fights, but knowing how to fix them. And if you don’t have it all figured out yet? Don’t panic — these are skills you can build together. Bottom line? Strong love = safety, respect, vision, and communication.
Three elderly people have died following a sudden surge in water levels caused by torrential rainfall in the Var region on Tuesday, 20th May. Among th...
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After Tuesday’s devastating floods, Météo-France forecasts a calmer day for the Var department today with sunshine expected in the morning and cloudy ...
Read More
The Var department is under orange alert for storms, heavy rain, intense flooding, hail, and strong winds. Authorities urge extreme caution, particula...
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France’s last two captive orcas remain stranded in an abandoned marine park, caught in a bureaucratic deadlock. ...
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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...
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