Evening Update Monday 1st of July 2024

NEWS
1st Round Results - The Ministry of the Interior has released detailed results from yesterday’s first round of the legislative elections. The far-right Rassemblement National (RN) leads with 33.13% of the votes, totalling 10.6 million voters. The left-wing Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) follows with 27.99% of the votes, representing 9 million voters. The presidential coalition Ensemble received 20.04% of the votes, or 6.4 million voters. As a result, 39 RN deputies, 32 NFP deputies, and 2 Ensemble deputies have been elected in this first round.

Mayor of Nice is Disappointed - Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi expressed disappointment over the legislative election results. The three candidates he supported under the presidential party Horizons all placed third, trailing behind the coalition of right-wing LR (led by Eric Ciotti) and the far-right RN, as well as the left-wing NFP. However, two of these candidates may still compete in the second round on Sunday, July 7th. Estrosi remarked that France is deeply divided between two extreme ideologies, describing the situation as a national tsunami.

New Health Insurance Law in Monaco - Monegasque deputies have approved a draft law to introduce a new service in Monaco called "Aide Médicale de l'État Payante." This law aims to provide health services to all Monegasques and Monaco residents, regardless of their insurance status. In exchange for a monthly contribution, this program offers basic medical coverage through the Social Welfare Office, covering medical expenses related to maternity and illness, excluding occupational illness, accidents, disability, or death. Monegasque politician Marie-Noëlle Gibelli advocates for this law to ensure everyone has equal access to healthcare.

Drug tafficking in Nice - A 53-year-old man has been arrested in Nice for trafficking potent anti-anxiety and anti-epileptic drugs. He was apprehended on rue de Suisse with €130 and three boxes of Lyrica in his possession. Lyrica, a highly restricted medication, is known for its addictive properties and can be lethal if overdosed. The man, previously arrested for drug trafficking in 2021, was immediately taken into custody. There has been a recent surge in the trafficking of inexpensive drugs in France.

Mobile Inn Burnt Down - A fire broke out in a refurbished bus called The Wanderbus, which was transformed into a mobile inn by Fanny, a resident of Grasse who invested €100,000 in converting an old school bus. Originally intended for rental, Fanny opted to list it on Airbnb due to high insurance costs in Tanneron, Var. The bus caught fire late on Saturday, June 23, under suspicious circumstances, prompting investigations into its cause. A fundraiser has also been launched to assist Fanny in repaying her loan for the bus. 

https://www.leetchi.com/en/c/wanderbus-1075655

 

BUSINESS
A major social fraud scheme involving Forum Interim was exposed after a two-year investigation in the Alpes-Maritimes. The probe found that foreign construction workers received travel allowances despite being provided housing and transportation by the company. This misclassification on pay slips reduced owed social security contributions by €65 million, with an additional €30 million in improperly applied rate reductions. Three individuals were referred to the prosecutor and 15 companies were prosecuted. The company director, a financial director, and the main suspect were placed under judicial supervision. The case is scheduled for trial on December 17, 2024, at the Draguignan criminal court.

Hundreds of Aer Lingus pilots went on an eight-hour strike at Dublin Airport over pay disputes, leading to the cancellation of 120 flights and affecting 17,000 passengers. The pilots, seeking a 24% pay rise, have also been on a work-to-rule since last Wednesday. Aer Lingus has cancelled almost 400 flights up to 7 July due to the ongoing industrial action. The Republic of Ireland’s Labour Court will meet with both parties to review the situation.

And  - The death of youtuber Alex shook fans globally leading to a donation outburst for cancer research. Also known as Technoblade, he passed away from sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, two years ago. His fans and followers have since raised significant funds for sarcoma research. Sarcoma UK says this support has revolutionized their work. Sarcomas are rare, affecting over 5,000 people annually in the UK, with about 400 being young people. Since Alex, fellow youtubers are raising awareness and funds on their platform. Sarcoma UK's efforts emphasize early detection, which is crucial for successful treatment. Other survivors now advocate for awareness and support within the community.

 

SPORTS
Football - France captain Kylian Mbappe says he finds playing with a mask on "absolutely horrible" as he prepares to lead his side in their Euro 2024 last-16 match with Belgium on Monday.
Meanwhile, Midfielder Adam Gnezda Cerin says Slovenia are not satisfied with reaching the last 16 at Euro 2024 as they prepare to face Portugal on Monday.

Cricket - Maia Bouchier struck her maiden international century as England thrashed New Zealand by eight wickets at Worcester. The 25-year-old opener hit the winning runs in a chase of just 142 which also brought up her hundred from 88 balls.

Tennis - Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz says it feels "more special" to return to Wimbledon as he prepares to open play on Centre Court when the tournament starts on Monday.

Athletics - Dina Asher-Smith confirmed her place at the Paris 2024 Olympics as she beat Daryll Neita to the British 200m title at the UK Athletics Championships.

 

WEATHER
Mostly cloudy with moderate to high winds and risks of thunderstorms this evening. Highs of 25 degrees in Nice, 26 in Cannes, 29 in Marseille, and 30 degrees in Toulon and Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 20 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, fine and bright with highs of 26 degrees.

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