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 man from Nice used a stolen bank card to make purchases in Monaco, spending over €1,700 in various shops, mostly on airpods that he planned to resel...
Read More
Electric bike-sharing firm Pony says all of its vehicles will be back out on the streets of Nice no later than June, after they were withdrawn last mo...
Read More
Gabriel Attal announced new measures In response to recent acts of violence among young people during a visit to Viry-Châtillon. Attal highlighted the...
Read More
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...
Read More
The Monegasque State has successfully conducted its first national voluntary surrender operation, with 123 firearms being handed over by private indiv...
Read More
