Evening Update Tuesday 29 June 2021

The French Ministry of the Interior has released the final turnout figures for last Sunday's second round of the regional elections. The participation rate was 34.69% for the whole of France. The ministry said that by way of comparison, the figure was 58.41% for the second round of the regional elections just six years ago in 2015.

The Mayor of Antibes, Jean Leonetti, has said that there are no patients in hospital in the town with Covid-19 and no Covid-19 releated deaths. He said that the figure of 70,000 people vaccinated at the Antibes-Juan-les-Pins centre was passed yesterday. Over 30,000 people have received 2 injections.

Meanwhile, speaking on French television this morning Health Minister Olivier Veran said that "the virus is circulating less and less" but the share of delta variant has increased to 20% of cases.

In Marseille, one person has died from gunshot wounds and another has been injured after what is believed to be a settling of accounts in the drug dealing community. The incidents took place in the 15th arrondissement late last night.

Monaco Minister of State HE Monsieur Pierre Dartout has launched the Monegasque Digital Identity at a ceremony at the Oceanographic Museum. The Minister of State presented the new identity and residence cards which, in addition to their traditional use for identification also give online access to certain public and private services. As before, the digital identity is based on a physical document - the digital identity card for Monegasques and the residence card for Residents. Monaco's Interministerial Delegate in charge of Digital Transition Frédéric Genta said that in launching its Digital Identity, Monaco is entering the top 5 of the most advanced countries in this area, such as Singapore and Estonia in particular. He said that the government's ambition is to equip at least two-thirds of all Monegasques and residents by the end of 2022.

The Deputy Prefect in charge of the reconstruction of the Alpes-Maritimes valleys, Xavier Pelletier, was in Fontan this morning with representatives of the French Insurance Federation. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the most complex cases and support the victims of Storm Alex in their relations with insurance companies.

Snow ploughs had to be brought back into use after heavy hail storms this morning in the Vosges department in north-east France. Local reports said that up to sixty centimetres of hail accumulated in places. Many departments in the north-east of the country are still under a Meteo France yellow warning for storms.

The Var prefecture has reminded residents of the department that they can ask for the police and gendarmerie to monitor your home during their daily patrols while you are away on holiday. To benefit from the "peaceful holiday operation" service, you have to register before your departure by completing the request form available online on the website of the Ministry of the Interior. After printing and signing the document, you need to give it to your police station or your gendarmerie. Further details are available on the Prefecture's website www.var.gouv.fr

BUSINESS

The UK government has announced that certain foreign business executives will no longer need to quarantine when arriving in England if their trip is likely to have a significant economic benefit to the UK. The exemption will be for arrivals from amber-list countries, and only given in exceptional circumstances. Executives will still need to have Covid tests and have written permission.

The UK car industry risks falling behind in the production of electric vehicle batteries unless immediate action is taken, according to a new report from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It said that the UK needs to set a binding target for building battery factories and install millions more charging points. It warns failure to take action could be disastrous for the car sector with the potential loss of around 90,000 jobs. Chief executive Mike Hawes said that under current plans the UK will have just 12 gigawatt hours of battery production by 2025, whereas Germany will have 164.

Luton Airport has received a further loan from a local council. Luton Borough Council's Executive Committee agreed to the £119 million loan, plus a contingency of £20m. The council said that it took "the total current package of loans available from the council to the airport to £507m".

SPORT

Euro 2020... The final round of 16 games are being played tonight. Sweden play Ukraine at 9pm. England face Germany at Wembley with kickoff at 6 pm. This evening's match will be the 13th time England have played Germany at Wembley Stadium. England won four of the first five games, including the 1966 World Cup final, but Germany have won their last seven games at Wembley.

Tennis... At Wimbledon, Britain's Dan Evans has beaten Feliciano Lopez 7-6  6-2  7-5 in the first round. Harriet Dart lost 6-1 6-3 to Elise Mertens. French player Benoit Paire is out of the tournament after losing to Diego Schwartzman 3 sets to love. Venus Williams beat Mihaela Buzarnescu in the second round. Ashleigh Barty is through to the next round after beating Carla Suarez Navarro. Alexander Zverev bet Tallon Griekspoor.

Cycling....Mark Cavendish has won his first stage at the Tour de France in five years today. He finished ahead of Nacer Bouhanni and Jasper Philipsen. Mathieu van der Poel retaines the yellow jersey.

Cricket... England are playing Sri Lanka in the One Day International Series at Emirates Riverside today. Sri Lanka have sent three players, including vice-captain Kusal Mendis, home for breaching Covid protocols. Images shared on social media appear to show the players being in Durham city centre instead of inside their designated hotel.

The ICC have announced that the Twenty20 World Cup will take place in the UAE and Oman rather than in India. It's scheduled to be held between 17 October and 14 November this year.

Football... Manchester City captain Fernandinho has signed a new one-year contract. The 36 year old joined the club in 2013. He said that he'd decided to stay another year to "try to help the team and the club to achieve the goals that they're looking for."