French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has resigned today with immediate effect. He's been replaced by centre-right mayor Jean Castex to lead a new team of ministers. M. Philippe will now take up the post of mayor in the northern port town of Le Havre, after winning the local vote on Sunday. He had been part of the national government for the past three years.
Meteo France have a Yellow weather warning in operation for storms in the Alpes Maritimes and the Var until at least 1am tomorrow. There's also a yellow warning for heavy rain and flooding in the Alpes Maritimes until at least 1am tomorrow. Storms are forecast for some coastal areas as well as inland areas.
There was severe traffic disruption on the Voie Mathis in Nice at the height of this morning's rush hour. An accident at about 8.30 caused jams on the eastbound carriageway. Meanwhile, traffic was disrupted on the A8 motorway early this afternoon after an accident. The incident happened near to the Nice Saint-Augustin turnoff on the carriageway towards Cannes, causing several kilometres of tailbacks.
A fire thought to be caused by a discarded cigarette affected about 1.5 hectares of land near Saint-Maximin in the Var this morning. The blaze was brought under control using two water bombing helicopters before further damage could be caused.
One person was hospitalised in Bras in the Var after a car accident today. The Renault car turned onto its side on the Place du Quatorze Juillet. Firefighters stabalized the vehicle before transferring the driver to hospital.
France is on the list of countries which will be exempt from the England's 14 day quarantine requirement from 10 July. More than 50 countries are on the list. The new exemptions mean people arriving from those countries will be able to enter England without needing to self-isolate, unless they have been in, or travelled through, non-exempt countries in the preceding 14 days.
BUSINESS
A widely watched survey of UK purchasing managers in the services sector has shown an improvement in June from May. The UK service sector PMI recorded a figure of 47.1 in June, up from 29.0 in May. However, a figure below 50 still indicates contraction.
As regards the Eurozone, the composite survey of economic activity rose to 48.5 from 31.9. The measure for France was 51.7, which shows economic expansion.
A consortium including the UK government has won a bidding process for satellite firm OneWeb. UK business Secretary Alok Sharma said it would help deliver the "first UK sovereign space capability". The UK government's involvement is part of a plan to replace the UK's loss of participation in the EU's Galileo sat-nav system because of Brexit. The company is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States and the bid still needs court approval.
The CSI300 stock index in China closed at its highest level in five years today. The index closed at 4,419, its highest closing figure since June 2015.
SPORT
Motorsports..The first race of the shortened Formula 1 season is taking place in Austria on Sunday. The race will be held behind closed doors with strict hygiene measures in place. Six time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who was fastest in first practice this morning, will be bidding to equal Michael Schumacher’s all time record of 7 world titles this season. Qualifying is at 3 pm on Saturday with the race at 3.10 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has said that the US and Brazilian Grands Prix are unlikely to take place this year because of the severe coronavirus outbreaks in those countries. The races are scheduled to take place in October and November but Wolff said "Looking at those countries right now, you cannot possibly imagine we would be going there."
Cricket... England player Sam Curran has tested negative for coronavirus. He became ill yesterday during England's warm-up match in Southampton. Reports say that he'll play no further part in the match.
American Football... The headline sponsor of the Washington Redskins has called on the team to change its controversial name. According to reports, 87 investment firms and shareholders wrote to FedEx and fellow Redskins' sponsors Nike and PepsiCo, calling on the firms to sever ties with the Redskins. The team has faced repeated calls to change its name, which is considered offensive to Native Americans.
Football... In the English Premier League this weekend. On Saturday Norwich play Brighton. Leicester play Crystal Palace. Manchester United host Bournemouth. Wolves play Arsenal and Chelsea are at home to Watford. On Sunday Burnley play Sheffield United. Newcastle host West Ham. Liverpool play Aston Villa and Southampton play Manchester City. Spurs play Everton on Monday.
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The owners of a vast floating artificial island that had been planned for last summer off the coast of Mandelieu have won a legal battle to be allowed...
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The Monegasque State has successfully conducted its first national voluntary surrender operation, with 123 firearms being handed over by private indiv...
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