22 people in the Grasse area have now reportedly been infected with a parasite from drinking water. Five communes may have tap water contaminated with the parasite. Analyses of drinking water are taking place. The five municipalities concerned are Saint-Caizere-sur-Siagne, Peymeinade, Le Tignet, Speracedes, and Cabris. The first ten cases were identified on June 2, but the number of peole affected has now risen to 22. The Regional Health Agency advises the population of the municipalities concerned, and more particularly immunocompromised people and infants, to take the following steps: consume bottled water or boil tap water for 2 minutes before consuming it or using it for food preparation; prepare babies' bottles with bottled water; wash your hands regularly with a hydro-alcoholic solution followed by drying, to avoid transmission of the parasite. The agency says that tap water can still be used for cooking food, showering and household uses.
The French government has said that since the beginning of the year, more than 20,000 anti-urban rodeo operations have been carried out. 2,758 people were arrested and just over 1,700 two-wheelers and cars were seized. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin thanked the police and gendarmes "for their daily action against rodeos".
French Transport Minister Clement Beaune has called for motorway operators to introduce a ten per cent discount on tolls over the summer period. He will be meeting with operators next week. Last summer a discount was offered to motorists who had an electronic toll pass and had paid by holiday vouchers.
Canadair water bombing aircraft have been flying over the Alpes-Maritimes today, but they aren't involved in any firefighting operations. The prefecture said that the aircraft are involved in a training excercise.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has said that crime fell sharply last month compared to May 2022. There was a reduction of 9.6% in thefts with weapons, 21.3% in violent thefts without weapons, 6.4% in thefts without violence, 1.3% on vehicle theft and a fall of 5.8% in sexual violence.
BUSINESS
House prices in the UK have fallen by 1.1% compared with a year ago according to Halifax, the UK's largest mortgage lender. It's the first annual fall since 2012. The Halifax said that typical house prices in May were down £3,000 on a year ago, and £7,500 lower than their peak in August. It said that higher borrowing costs were hitting confidence.
A cyber crime gang which has hacked several major international businesses has issued an ultimatum to victims. The Clop group posted a notice on the dark web warning those affected by the hack to email them before 14 June or stolen data will be published. More than 100,000 staff at the BBC, British Airways and Boots have been told payroll data may have been taken.
The Unite union has announced a major escalation of its dispute with Heathrow Airport over pay. The union has announced a total of 31 days of strike action beginning on Saturday 24 June and ending on 27 August. The strikes will involve over 2,000 security officers.
SPORT
Cricket... Moeen Ali has come out of Test retirement to join the England squad for the first two of the five Ashes Tests against Australia. He replaces spinner Jack Leach, who misses the series after suffering a back injury. So far, he's played in 64 Tests for England.
Tennis... Beatrice Haddad Maia is through to the semi-finals of the French Open after defeating Ons Jabeur 3-6 7-6 6-1. Iga Swiatek is also through to the semis after beating Coco Gauff 6-4 6-2 this afternoon.
Football... Real Madrid have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign England midfielder Jude Bellingham for 103 million euros on a six year contract. The 19-year-old joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in July 2020. He'll have a medical in the next few days.
Rugby Union... London Irish have filed for administration after being suspended from the Premiership. The club, who will not be able to play in any league next season, were suspended after missing a deadline to pay players and staff or complete a takeover.
A new optional regional transport tax for businesses, introduced in France’s 2025 budget, aims to fund eco-friendly mobility projects. ...
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A judge has authorised a dive to inspect the wreckage of a plane in the sea off Antibes. The plane crashed into the Mediterranean on September 11 1968...
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In France, drinking water is heavily contaminated with "forever pollutants," particularly trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), as revealed by two studies from ...
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The trial of the Tunisian man accused of the murder of three people in the Nice Basilica attack is continuing in Paris. Yesterday the families of the ...
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Four cities in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region made Booking.com's 2025 list of the "most welcoming destinations in France." ...
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