News
French President to visit Sri Lanka, a first for a French President - French President Emmanuel Macron is to visit Sri Lanka this weekend, a first for a French president. Macron will be in Sri Lanka overnight from Friday to Saturday and will meet the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe. This historic visit is the first by a French president to Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean and is being hailed as "an opportunity to deepen bilateral relations and to discuss the regional and international challenges of the two countries".
Theft of paintings from chateau - Three young people, aged 22 to 25, will be tried on December 19th at the criminal court in Périgueux in the Dordogne, suspected of having stolen 398 paintings from a French chateau in Razac-de-Saussignac. The three young people reportedly went to the chateau, which they thought was abandoned, before returning to take 398 paintings and crockery with an estimated worth of 200,000 euros. Arrested after several months of investigation they have been placed under judicial control until the hearing.
Pro-Putin and pro-Russia inscriptions - Police have opened an investigation after a supermarket in Nice was tagged with Pro-Putin and pro-Russia inscriptions. "Long live Russia" and "Putin hurry up " were discovered on the front of the Monoprix supermarket in Cimiez, in Nice, on Wednesday.
Man dies after being hit by tram in Nice - A man in his nineties has been fatally hit by a tram in Nice. The accident occurred on line 2 of the tram network on Wednesday morning, at around 10.15am on the Avenue de la Californie. The victim did not survive the collision and was confirmed dead at the scene by the emergency services. The driver, in a state of shock, was taken to hospital and the network was interrupted. The cause of the collision remains to be determined.
Italian police alongside the French all summer in Nice - Throughout the summer, Italian police are working alongside French police in Nice. The objective is to ease any exchanges or formalities with the many Italian tourists who visit the region every year. From July to September, patrols will be carried out on foot and by car in the Riviera capital. Similarly, Spanish police officers patrol the Basque country and German police officers work side by side French officers in eastern France.
Access to forests in the Var strongly discouraged - Access to six forests in the Var is strongly discourage due to the continued severe risk of fire this Thursday. Access to the Monts Toulonnais, Sainte-Baume, Corniche des Maures, Maures, Centre-Var and Esterel massifs is authoritsed by not recommended.
It was on Wednesday that the mayor of Nice and President of the Nice Cote d'Azur Metropolis, Christian Estrosi, visited firefighters who had been working to contain a fire near the village of Bairols in the hinterland of Nice. The fire which started on Tuesday had destroyed about 32 hectares. In a social media post, he also expressed his support for firefighters who have been engaged in dealing with a fire between Falicon and Tourrette-Levens since Tuesday night night.
Brownie brand from Monaco - A sister and her brother have started the trend for customised brownies in Monaco and beyond. Italian brother and sister Gloria and Luigi Gianoglio, residing in Monaco, launched their Queen of Brownies brand delivering, here in the Principality and throughout France. The brand allows you to personalise the chocolate brownie with a message, a photo or even smileys. All are edible and are ideal for celebrating a personal event or as a surprise during a business seminar. You can also find the king and queen of brownies at the open-air cinema on the Rock.
Monaco Auction Week - The second most expensive ruby, sold in the World in 2023, based on price per carat, took place here in the Principality during Monaco Auction Week. The sale marked Artcurial’s Jewellery department’s biggest ever sale. “The daisy ring” a ruby and diamonds went under the hammer for 2.8 million euros. Monaco Auction Week saw several sales take place at the Hotel Hermitage.
Luxury yacht spotted in Nice – Finally, if you were on the Prom in Nice recently, you may have spotted a huge luxury mega-yacht “The Queen Miri”. Easily mistaken for a cruise ship, due to the shear size of the vessel, according to local media, the yacht belonged to Sheldon Adelson, founder and president of Las Vegas Sands Corporation and after his death in 2021, was bequeathed to his family. It carries up to 36 guests on board in 18 cabins. Renovated a few years ago, the sumptuous boat also boasts a swimming pool of heated seawater, as well as a relaxation area along with of course, a helipad, a jacuzzi and a hammam. If you are interested in a short stay on this luxury ship, it will still cost you 1.6 million euros per week.
Business
As the US fights to stabilise prices in the world’s largest economy, the country’s central bank has raised interest rates to the highest level in 22 years. The decision lifted the Federal Reserve's influential benchmark rate to a range of 5.25% to 5.5%. It marked the eleventh increase since early 2022. Wednesday's decision has come ahead of central bank meetings in Europe and Japan.
Sweeping restrictions have been imposed by a New York City court on British billionaire Joe Lewis, as he awaits trial on insider trading charges. Mr Lewis, 86, pleaded not guilty and was granted $300m (£230m) bail. But the Manhattan judge required him to surrender his passport and banned him from using his superyacht. Mr Lewis is not allowed to travel abroad, including to the Bahamas oceanside resort he reportedly co-owns with Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake. Mr Lewis was charged with 16 counts of security fraud, and three counts of conspiracy for crimes alleged to have taken place between 2013-21. Lawyers for Mr Lewis, whose net worth is estimated more than $6.4bn, called the charges an obvious error.
Mastercard has said that financial payment companies must stop allowing US customers to buy legal marijuana in shops with its debit cards. Their demand comes because Marijuana remains illegal at a federal level in the US and customers in the 38 states where it is allowed are usually forced to pay in cash. Mastercard said the move comes after it found some shops accepted debit payments despite the federal ban. Marijuana advocates have called for new laws to ease sales of legal cannabis.
And - Mark Zuckerberg the founder of Facebook has said his new social media app, Threads, is drawing more repeat users than he had expected. The app attracted more than 100 million sign-ups within days of its launch this month in a challenge to Elon Musk's rival platform, X, formerly Twitter. But analysts questioned whether Threads would be able to keep people engaged.
Sport
Football – 33-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson has confirmed he is leaving Liverpool after 12 years. Posting on his Instagram account, Henderson said: "Just know, I will always be a Red, until the day I die." Henderson captained Liverpool to their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020. He is expected to move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in a deal worth £12m plus add-ons.
And - The United States stay top of Group E with four points from two games after a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, who trail on goal difference. The USA face Portugal next at Eden Park, Auckland, on Tuesday while the Netherlands play Vietnam at the same time. Portugal and Vietnam, who are both yet to record a point, play their second group game later today in Hamilton and Australia play Nigeria.
Cricket - Cricket fans are gearing up for the fifth Test at The Oval which starts today at midday French time. Australia may have retained the Ashes last week in Manchester and for Australia, the importance is obvious. They have not won a series outright in England since 2001 and still talk about losing the final Test here four years ago - a result that meant the 2019 series was drawn 2-2. England should be motivated to stop that but more importantly it is about continuing the good work of the Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum era.
Formula One - All 10 Formula 1 teams will have one chosen driver in the all-female F1 Academy from next year. F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff called it a "landmark moment" for females in motorsport.
2024 Olympics - Great Britain are forecast to win 62 medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. An analysis released one year out from the Games predicts Team GB will finish fourth in the medal table behind hosts France, China and the United States. Britain won 65 medals at London 2012, 67 in Rio 2016 and 64 in Tokyo 2020, having failed to reach 60 in any single Games in 100 years before that.
Weather
Fine with temperatures varying between 23 and 28 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Antibes. 29 degrees in Menton and Frejus. 30 degrees in Hyeres and 31 degrees in Saint-Tropez. A gentle breeze. This evening going down to 19 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow, Friday, unsettled to start, improving during the day with clear skies by the afternoon highs of between 21-27 degrees. Saturday changeable with highs of between 20 and 29°C. Sunday fine with moderate to strong winds and highs of 34 degrees going down to 21.
Sunrise 06.13am
Sunset 08.59pm
Beach weather
Nice – Sea temperature is 23. Air temperature 27 and the UV level is 9.
Saint-Raphael – Sea temperature 23. Air temperature 28 and the UV level is 10.
And Finally
Professional veterinarians have revealed that there are various reasons as to why your dog could be licking you - including because they like the taste of your skin and because they want to show their affection.
When dogs lick you, it doesn't just make you feel loved, it also helps them feel less stressed too. The vet said that one of the reasons your dog may lick you is because it releases stress. Licking is also a form of communication and a sign of affection for pups which starts very early on. As soon as the pups are born, the mother is going to show care and affection by licking them. In older dogs, licking is also a sign of submission and affection. So, if your dog licks you it's because they love you and they also love your very salty taste.
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