French Prime Minister Jean Castex is set to meet elected officials to decide on whether to make the vaccination of caregivers compulsory. Reports in French media say that the Prime Minister will consult associations of elected officials on Thursday before a decision is reached on the matter.
Firefighters in Nancy in north-east France have filed a complaint after an effigy of a firefighter was hung during an anti-vaccine demostration over the weekend. The departmental fire department said that it is not involved in any controversy, remains mobilized to fight against Covid-19 and is continuing vaccination in two large capacity centres.
The mayor of Cannes David Lisnard has announced that municipal police dogs have been trained in the detection of Covid-19. The dogs' sense of smell is able to identify possible contaminators and to alert them to stop the chain of propagation of the virus. He said that the scientific reliability of this method of detection "has been confirmed nationally and internationally". Amongst their duties, the dogs will be stationed at the foot of the stairs of the Palais des Festivals during the Cannes Film Festival which starts tomorrow.
Investigations are continuing after the discovery of the bodies of two people suffering from bullet wounds in the Var at the weekend. The couple in their sixties were discovered in Tourves near Brignoles early on Saturday evening. The prosecutor has said that marital violence is not suspected and other hypotheses reamin open.
The Larvotto beach in Monaco is open for the summer season after extensive renovation works. Visitors and residents will be able to benefit this summer from a larger beach, a restructured promenade and shops, restaurants and beach attendants. The renovation of the site will be completed in early 2022. The complex opened at midday on Saturday following an inauguration ceremony on Saturday morning attended by HSH Prince Albert II and members of the Monaco government.
The PACA Regional Health Agency is reminding bathers that the French government has a website which gives detailed information on water quality at beaches throughout France. Water quality controls are performed at bathing sites at least one a month by State agencies. The website address is https://baignades.sante.gouv.fr/baignades/editorial/en/accueil.html
BUSINESS
Business activity across the French service sector rose sharply in June according to a new survey of purchasing managers by research company IHS Markit . It recorded the fastest expansion in sales in three and a half years. However, input price inflation picked up to a 17-month high. The survey also showed German service sector activity posting the fastest expansion in 10 years. UK service providers reported another steep increase in business activity during June. IHS Markit said that the rapid turnaround in business and consumer spending since the roll-back of pandemic restrictions led to the fastest rate of UK job creation for seven years.
US investment firm Apollo Global has said that it's considering making an offer for Morrisons, the UK's fourth largest supermarket operator. It said no approach has yet been made to Morrisons. It is the third firm to show an interest in the UK chain in two months. On Saturday, the Morrisons board recommended an offer by another US investment group but the offer is subject to shareholder approval.
A takeover offer has been made by a consortium of investors for the owner of Sydney airport in Australia. Sydney Airport said the proposal was being reviewed.
SPORT
Euro 2020... The semi-finals of the tournament will be between Italy and Spain and England and Denmark. Italy reached the last four on Friday night with a 2-1 win over Belgium and Spain beat Switzerland. Italy and Spain will meet at 9pm tomorrow evening. Denmark beat the Czech Republic 2-1 and will now play England, who beat Ukraine, at 9pm on Wednesday. Both semi finals, as well as the final next Sunday, will take place at Wembley Stadium in London.
Rugby Union...South Africa have suspended training following a positive test for COVID-19 in the squad. In a statement South Africa Rugby said that the players have been placed in "preventative isolation" prior to further PCR testing and a review of the testing data. An update will be issued following the review and the testing. The Springboks are scheduled to play Georgia on Friday, with their three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions beginning on 24 July.
It's been announced that Tom Curry, Adam Beard and Josh Navidi will make their first appearances for the British and Irish Lions against the Sharks in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Iain Henderson will captain the side. Sam Simmonds will make his first international start in three years.
Tennis... Ons Jabeur has beaten seventh seed Iga Swiatek to reach the quarter-finals. She'll meet second seed Aryna Sabalenka after she beat 18th seed Elena Ry-bak-ina. World number one Ashleigh Barty has reached the quarter-finals for the first time with a straight-set victory over Barbora Krejcikova. Matteo Berrettini is through to the men's quarter-finals after a straight-set win over Ilya Ivashka and Novak Djokovic progressed to the quarter finals after beating Cristian Garin 3 sets to 0.
Cycling...Reports say that Ineos Grenadiers rider Geraint Thomas will continue riding in the Tour de France. Thomas, who is 28th overall, said yesterday that he was considering quitting the race but he's now expected to take part in tomorrow's 10th stage. Today is a rest day for the Tour de France riders.
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