The mayor of Antibes, Jean Leonetti, has called for tourists to be able to receive their second vaccine dose while they are on holiday. Speaking to Franceinfo, the mayor said that the incidence rates and positivity rates in Antibes are "extremely low" but "we both hope and fear the arrival of tourists". He said that, given the deadlines for second doses, it is necessary to have the capacity to give tourists their second dose at the Antibes vaccinodrome, or in other tourist areas, if they have received their first dose in their home area, whether that is elsewhere in France or abroad.
President Macron has said that France is committed to sharing at least 30 million doses of vaccines with countries in the Covax programme by the end of this year. The president has been addressing a G20 Global Health Summit by videoconference this afternoon. He said that France is also committed to new funding for the ACT-Accelerator alliance, which was launched last year by France, the World Health Organization, the European Commission and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop and deliver tests, treatments and vaccines needed worldwide.
President Macron has announced that all 18 year olds will be entitled to a "culture pass" worth 300 euros. The amount can be spent on a range of items including books, films, music, shows, exhibitions and concerts, with certain exceptions.
The Prefect of the Var has said that 1,500 additional appointments per day will be available in the department's vaccination centres as from today. The Prefecture said that more than 530,000 vaccinations have so far been carried out in the department.
Toulon rugby club RC Toulonnais has been sanctioned with a fine of 9,000 euros by the French National Rugby League for non-compliance with Covid-19 protocols involving the absence of wearing a mask. The club has also received a reprimand for non-compliance with the management of sports events. Stade Français Paris has also been fined 4,000 euros, of which 2,000 euros are suspended. The decisions are subject to appeal.
It's been announced that HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco won't be attending this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. The Prince's office said that the princess, who is currently in Africa as part of a wildlife preservation mission, is suffering from an Ear, Nose and Throat infection which doesn't allow her to travel. The princess sent her wishes for success to the Automobile Club de Monaco as well as the drivers and teams involved in the Grand Prix.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex and mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi have been enjoying a coffee on a cafe terrace in Nice after the Prime Minsiter arrived on the overnight train from Paris this morning. The night train from Paris has resumed service after an absence of three years. The mayor said that they had discussed local rail services including the Nice-Breil line, the LGV, the St Augustin centre and the importance of maintaining small and large train lines.
French housing minister Emmanuelle Wargon has said that this year, for the first time, the government is keeping all accommodation places open this winter for homeless people. She said that this step marks the end of "thermometer management", which she said every summer unravels the work of those involved in providing accomodation each winter. Charities in the sector have welcomed the move. In total, the resumption of rental evictions scheduled for June 1 would threaten more than 30,000 households, according to the Fondation Abbe Pierre, which said that "we were already in a dramatic situation before the COVID19 crisis", and the situation of many people has since deteriorated.
The Regional Health Agency is warning of the dangers posed by tiger mosquitos, which carry several serious diseases including dengue and the Zika virus. The agency says that to prevent the tiger mosquito from proliferating, the best method is to remove the water in which the mosquito larvae thrive. It's recommending that people take measures including eliminating small areas of water which can stagnate, changing the water in plants and flowers at least once a week and collecting green waste. You can find more information on the agency's website https://www.paca.ars.sante.fr/moustique-tigre-tous-responsables-ensemble-mobilisons-nous-1
BUSINESS
UK Retail sales volumes grew sharply in April with a monthly increase of 9.2%, reflecting the effect of the easing of coronavirus restrictions. The Office for National Statistics said that non-food stores provided the largest contribution to the monthly growth with strong increases of 69.4% in clothing stores and 25.3% in other non-food stores.
A new survey suggests that business activity in the UK has grown at its fastest pace in over 20 years. IHS Markit said that looser pandemic restrictions fuelled an uptick in new work and employment but inflationary pressures continued to build amid rising material prices. The eurozone saw a revival in demand during May, as initial numbers signalled the quickest rise in new business for 15 years.
SPORT
Tennis...Simona Halep has withdrawn from the French Open with a calf injury which she suffered at the Italian Open. The French Open starts on 30 May.
Monaco Grand Prix... Today is a rest day in Formula One. Third practice is tomorrow at noon and then qualifying at 3 pm. The race is at 3 pm on Sunday.
Rugby Union..The final of the European Champions Cup is being played between La Rochelle and Toulouse tomorrow. Kick off at Twickenham is at 5:45pm. our time.
Football...It’s the final day of the English Premier League season on Sunday and Arsenal play Brighton, Aston Villa host Chelsea, Fulham play Newcastle, Leeds meet West Brom. Leicester play Spurs. Liverpool host Crystal Palace. Manchester City play Everton. Sheffield United played Burnley. West Ham meet Southampton and Wolves play Manchester United.
A new optional regional transport tax for businesses, introduced in France’s 2025 budget, aims to fund eco-friendly mobility projects. ...
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A judge has authorised a dive to inspect the wreckage of a plane in the sea off Antibes. The plane crashed into the Mediterranean on September 11 1968...
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In France, drinking water is heavily contaminated with "forever pollutants," particularly trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), as revealed by two studies from ...
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The trial of the Tunisian man accused of the murder of three people in the Nice Basilica attack is continuing in Paris. Yesterday the families of the ...
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Four cities in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region made Booking.com's 2025 list of the "most welcoming destinations in France." ...
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