Firefighters have been fighting a major blaze in La Crau in the Var today. The fire broke out in the early hours of this morning at the warehouse of a recycling business. At one point over 60 pompiers were attempting to extinguish the blaze with five water cannons. This morning, firefighters asked local residents to limit themselves to only essential activities and to close their doors and windows as a precaution. Firefighting operations were expected to last at least all day today.
A woman in her forties remains in hospital in Nice after being stabbed in the street in Monaco, apparently by her husband yesterday. However, the woman’s life is no longer in danger, according to the Attorney General of Monaco, who made a statement about the incident this afternoon. An investigation has been opened for “attempted manslaughter”.
About 30 firefighters attended a fire at the beginning of the route de Grenoble in Nice this morning. The fire broke out on the sixth floor of the block at about 9am and pompiers used an aerial ladder to gain access to the front of the building.
Several police brigades in Vallauris are to be equipped with individual cameras. Reports say that the city has bought eight cameras to be worn by officers. The move follows the introduction of similar cameras in Antibes recently.
Three people in their twenties have lost their lives and a fourth is in a serious condition after a car accident in Avignon late last night. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated, but it’s believed that the car was the only one involved.
A new direct service has been announced from Nice Cote d’Azur airport to New York. The United Airlines service will operate next summer. It will be the third direct route from the Riviera to New York, with services by Delta and La Compagnie already operating.
BUSINESS
China has announced additional tariffs of 5-10% on $75bn worth of US goods. The retaliatory tariffs will go into effect in two batches - in September and December. China will also resume 25% tariffs on US automobiles on 15 December.
UK transport company Eddie Stobart has suspended trading in its shares and announced that its chief executive will stand down with immediate effect, as the firm looks into accounting discrepancies. The firm also warned its results for the first half of 2019 would be "significantly lower" than forecast. The company, which is known for its green and red trucks which are frequently seen on British roads, revealed a £2m error in its 2018 results last month.
US toy maker Hasbro is acquiring UK listed Entertainment One for around £3.3bn. Hasbro said the deal would expand its entertainment and "family-oriented storytelling" portfolio.
SPORT
Cricket…. England have been bowled out for just 67 runs on day two of the third Ashes Test at Headingley. That’s a first innings deficit of 112. Early this evening Australia were 128 for 4 wickets after 41.1 overs in their second innings, meaning that Australia led England by 240 runs with 6 wickets remaining.
Football…. Rangers have been ordered to close part of the Ibrox Stadium for Thursday's match against Legia Warsaw following "racist behaviour - which includes sectarian singing" from fans. The punishment from Uefa relates to the Europa League first round, second leg against St Joseph's on 18 July. Uefa have said that Rangers have to close at least 3,000 seats and display a banner with "#EqualGame" in the empty section.
Fernando Torres has played his final professional match before retirement. The former Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea forward finished his career playing in Japan. Torres made 110 appearances for Spain and won the World Cup in 2010, as well as the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, scoring in both finals.
Cycling…Marcel Kittel says he has retired from cycling because he "lost all motivation to keep torturing” himself on a bike. The 31-year-old announced in May he was taking a break from the sport because he was "exhausted" but has now told German magazine Der Spiegel that he will not return.
Horseracing… Frankie Dettori has ridden Stradivarius to victory in York's Lonsdale Cup as the horse secured a £1m bonus for the second consecutive season. The bonus is awarded to any horse to win one of four races in May - including the Yorkshire Cup - followed by the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale Cup.
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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