Masks - Mayors across France, including Biarritz and Lille, are following the lead of Nice by making masks compulsory in some high-traffic outdoor areas in addition to all indoor public spaces. In Nice from today, a mask will be required on Rue Jean Médecin, Place Massena, the Coulée Vert, Quai Rauba Capeu and the Promenade des Anglais.
Fish - Reports are being received along the coast of bathers being bitten by fish in the sea. The fish has been identified as the ballista, a small fish with no fear of humans and powerful incisors it uses to defend its territory. Authorities say the fish is not dangerous and at worst will inflict a sharp nip causing a small wound.
Listeria - Carrefour has recalled certain organic pancakes after a batch were suspected of being contaminated by Listeria. The supermarkets asks anyone who purchased a ‘Soft Cane Sugar Pancake’ to return it to their nearest store for a refund.
St Tropez - It’s been confirmed that this years Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez will go-ahead this year at the end of September. The two-week, end-of-season event will have new restrictions in place on land due to the health crisis.
Weather - Hot weather is expected to make a comeback across France by the middle of the week. Météo France says temperatures could hit 37d in the south-west with up to 68 departments across France becoming subject to water restrictions.
Today access to the Estérel-Tanneron area, west of Cannes, was forbidden as it had reached Red level ‘forest fire risk’ status. People are reminded the use of fire, or smoking of cigarettes, is prohibited within 200m of any wooded area on the Cote d’Azur.
BUSINESS
Europe’s biggest bank HSBC is to axe up to 35,000 jobs as part of a restructing plan to combat losses caused by the Covid-19 crisis. The bank say bad loans linked to the virus could reach €11bn in addition to a 65% drop in pre-tax profits.
Luxury carmaker Ferrari has trimmed its full-year earnings forecast after second-quarter income plunged due to supply chain and production disruptions during the pandemic. However the guidance review proved marginal with analysts still upbeat with the company’s performance and an expectation to generate positive free cash flow this year.
SPORT
Football - AS Monaco drew in their third pre-season friendly against Frankfurt over the weekend. Coach Niko Kovac said despite the one all draw, he was very happy with the performance of the players, especially newer members playing at European level for the first time. The Red & Whites next head to the Netherlands to play AZ Alkmaar in two weeks.
Borussia Dortmund have set an August 10th deadline to agree a deal for forward Jadon Sancho to move to Manchester United. The German club told United they want in excess of £100m for the 20-year-old England winger.
Cycling - Next years Tour de France planned start in Denmark has been moved back a year. Last week, the start of the 2021 Tour was brought forward by six days so it wouldn’t clash with the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. However, that new date clashed with the rearranged Euro 2020 football tournament, so now it’s all be put off until 2022 when the Danish Grand Depart will take place from 1st to 3rd of July.
Formula 1 - Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has rejected suggestions that this year's Championship would mean less than others because of the shorter season. Lewis Hamilton is 30 points clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas after winning the British Grand Prix in a season several races shorter than intended. The 2020 season was originally scheduled to have 22 races, but the first 10 were postponed or cancelled as a result of coronavirus.
Golf - Justin Thomas is World No.1 once more after winning the WGC-St Jude Invitational in Memphis. Thomas first one US PGA in 2017 his only major title to date.
Speed restrictions are in place on all major roads in the Alpes-Maritimes today because of a smog alert....
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A Marseille magistrate has been sentenced on the 17th of June in Nîmes for repeatedly avoiding motorway tolls using fake license plates. ...
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A major police stop-and-search operation along France's borders is being carried out today, involving 4,000 police officers, gendarmes and customs off...
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SFR has announced automatic compensation of 100GB of free mobile data for affected customers following a major network outage on the 16th of June....
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French President Emmanuel Macron will chair a high-level Security and Defence Council meeting at the Élysée Palace today Wednesday, June 18th at 4pm, ...
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