The Monaco government has published data on Covid-19 testing in the Principality. In the week from 28 June to 4 July inclusive 3,432 PCR and antigen tests were carried out. The positivity rate of those tested was 0.6%. The incidence rate was 41.72 per 100,000 people, compared to 59.97 the previous week.
Train services on the line between Marseille and Ventimiglia were severely disrupted in both directions during this mornings rush hour. The SNCF said that the delays and cancellations were the result of a radio communications failure. The problem was resolved later in the morning.
President Macron and several of his ministers held a meeting with union leaders at the Elysees today. Matters discussed included health, economic recovery and the possibility of pension reforms. The head of the CGT union was reportedly told by President Macron that the President will speak on the subject of pension reforms next week.
A local athlete has been chosen to be a flag bearer for France at the Tokyo Olympics. Gymnast Samir Ait Said, who is from Antibes, said he was proud to be chosen and it would be an honour to be on parade at the Olympics.
Six people were rescued from a yacht in the early hours of this morning as storms battered the north-west coast of France. The yacht was dismasted about 150km off Finistere.The crew had abandoned the boat in heavy seas and were hoisted to safety from liferafts by a French navy helicopter.
A familiar sight is returning to the main railway station in Nice. Pianos are being re-opened at railway stations across France, including in Nice, after being closed to public access earlier in the pandemic.
BUSINESS
UK retailer Sainsbury's has said that sales of grocery, general merchandise and clothing were all higher than expected in the 16 weeks to 26 June. It said that grocery sales benefited from higher in-home consumption due to continued COVID-19 restrictions but as restrictions continue to ease, customers are beginning to return to more normal shopping patterns, with online demand reducing gradually from peak levels and transaction numbers increasing in stores.
Meanwhile, online grocery delivery company Ocado said that its retail revenues had grown 19.8% to £1.2bn in the six months to 30 May. However, it said that with the easing of social distancing restrictions meaning fewer meals consumed at home, basket sizes in the second quarter had begun to move toward pre-Covid-19 levels.
German manufacturing orders fell by 3.7% in May compared to the previous month. A rise of 1% had been expected. Orders from outside the Eurozone fell by 9.3%. Analysts said that the figures reflected continuing global supply shortages. However, Germany's Federal Statistics Office said that compared to February 2020, the month before pandemic restrictions in Germany, order intake in May 2021 was 6.2% higher.
A Welsh microchip producer has been bought by a Chinese company. Newport Wafer Fab, which employs 450 people, has been acquired by Nexperia, which already has a site in Manchester.
SPORT
Euro 2020.... The first semi-final of the competition is taking place at 9pm this evening when Italy play Spain at Wembley. Italy haven’t won the European Championship since 1968 but they’re unbeaten in 32 games and have won their last 13 matches conceding only 2 goals. Spain are the tournament’s top scorers but needed a penalty shootout to get past Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
The second semi-final, between England and Denmark, is happening at Wembley at 9pm tomorrow evening.
Tour de France.... Mark Cavendish won today's 10th stage, a 190.7km course from Albertville to Valence. It's his third stage win in this years Tour.
Motorsports... The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix has been called off because of what organizers referred to as "restrictions and logistical challenges relating to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic". It was scheduled to take place from 19-21 November after already been postponed from March.
Cricket... England have named a replacement squad for the One Day International series with Pakistan after a Covid-19 outbreak. There were seven positive test results recorded from tests taken yesterday and the rest of England's party will be required to observe a period of self-isolation.
Tennis.... At Wimbledon today Hubert Hurkacz beat Daniil Medvedev by three sets to two in the men's last-16 match. In the women's quarter-finals Karolina Pliskova beat Viktorija Golubic 6-2 6-2. Aryna Sabalenka beat Ons Jabeur on Centre Court 6-4 6-3 and Angelique Kerber defeated Karolina Muchova 6-2 6-3 to reach the semi 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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