The chairman of the French vaccine strategy council has said that it is possible that collective immunity may be achieved early this autumn. Speaking to French media this morning, Alain Fischer said that it would require 90% of people aged over 12 to be vaccinated or protected because they have had Covid-19. He said at the current rate of vaccination, this may be achieved at the beginning of the autumn.
President Macron has said that he will answer questions regarding vaccination on social media. In a video recorded from Fort Bregancon in the Var where he is on holiday, the President said he would hold question and answer sessions on TikTok and Instagram in order to counter what he called "false information" which is circulating on social media. He said that vaccination is "the only weapon" against the fourth wave of the pandemic.
In the Var, all forest massifs, except the plateau de Canjuers, are at a red level "very severe" risk of fire. Access for walkers is strictly forbidden and various roads are liable to closure. For a full list of prohibited activities see the Prefecture's website www.var.gouv.fr The Prefect has issued a reminder that if you witness of an outbreak of fire you should call 18 or 112 immediately.
The national and municipal police intervened to shut down a party held in public gardens in the Moulins district of Nice on Saturday night. About one hundred people attended the gathering which featured a barbecue and music.
In a good sign for local businesses, there have been a record number of users of the municipal parking garages in Cannes. The eight paking garages operated by Cannes Parking saw almost 20% more visits last month than in July 2019.
BUSINESS
Manufacturers in the eurozone recorded another good month in July according to the latest survey of purchasing managers. The IHS/Markit survey recorded a figure of 62.8, down slightly from 63.4 in June. The sector has now recorded successive months of expansion since July 2020, with the latest reading only slightly below June’s record high. The latest purchasing managers data for the UK manufacturing sector pointed to another robust expansion despite moderating from June. IHS/Markit said that stretched supply chains and staff shortages continued to prevent faster output and employment growth.
Aerospace, defence and energy business Meggitt has agreed to a £6.3bn takeover by US company Parker-Hannifin. Meggitt is based in Coventry and employs more than 9,000 people worldwide.
SPORT
Olympics... Great Britain are through to the women's hockey semi-finals. Their match against Spain was 2-2 at full time but Great Britain won the deciding shootout 2-0. They will now face the Netherlands in the semi-finals.
Canada are through to the final of the women's football after defeating the United States 1-0.
India beat Australia 1-0 to reach the women's hockey semi finals for first time.
Puerto Rico have won their first ever Olympic track and field gold medal after Jasmine Camacho-Quinn won the women's 100m hurdles.
The Netherlands' Sifan Hassan won the women's 5,000m.
Great Britain have won an equestrian team eventing gold for the first time in 49 years. Australia took silver while France took bronze. Germany's Julia Krajewski took gold in individual eventing with Great Britain's Tom McEwen picking up silver.
It's been announced that Simone Biles, who has missed four individual finals while she protects her mental health, is planning to take part in tomorrow's beam finals.
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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