National News France
Last television debate ahead of the 1st round of parliamentary elections this weekend - French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has accused his main challenger far right Jordan Bardella, of tolerating racist speech in the ranks of his far-right camp amid a heated last television debate before the start of parliamentary elections on Sunday. The debate on Thursday between Attal, Bardella and socialist leader Olivier Faure was the last direct confrontation of three radically opposed views on France's future before ballots open for the first round of voting. The outcome will be known after a second round of voting on July 7th. Reports of assaults motivated by race, homophobia and political views in the run-up to the election has added to France's already tense social climate less than a month before Paris hosts the Olympics.
Strike action by staff at French newspaper - Meanwhile, editorial staff at the weekly Paris based French newspaper "Marianne" have gone on strike to oppose the takeover of the paper by billionaire Pierre-Edouard Stérin, who is believed to be close to the far-right National Rally party. The strike comes a day after the publication of an article in the newspaper “Le Monde”, which reveals that several Republican and National Rally candidates in the parliamentary elections come from the “Stérin galaxy”. Marianne founded in 1997 originally had a political slant described as left-wing before shifting in 2010 towards a more right-wing editorial line.
Local News
Road safety campaign - Vinci Autoroutes has launched a road safety campaign to warn motorists about the safety of motorway workers. Data shows that every week on average, one of their intervention vehicles is hit and it was in March that one of its agents was mowed down and killed on the A8 motorway near La Turbie, in the Alpes-Maritimes. According to a recent survey 87% of motorists admit to looking away from the road for more than 2 seconds, 65% call while driving and 43% take the road feeling very tired. The campaign aims to remind motorists of the importance of vigilance while driving.
Summer Sales in Monaco - Summer sales have started in Monaco, aligning with France in order to be more profitable. An early start for the princely government to combat the international competition and attract customers.
Mark Zuckeberg's Boat in St-Tropez - Mark Zuckerberg's mega yacht has been spotted off the coast of Saint-Tropez. The 119-meter yacht was first seen on June 24th near the Mala Beach in Cap d'Ail. The Meta owner purchased the yacht as a birthday gift to himself for his 40th birthday. Valued at $300 million, the yacht features a cinema, elevators, a beach club, and a gym, and can reach speeds of up to 24 knots.
Take a break and smile - Finally, “take a break and smile” is the message to residents in Grans south of Salon de Provence in the Bouches-du-Rhone region. Launched by the local council positive posters with a positive message have been put up around the town. Phrases such as "look for a tree and let it teach you to be calm” or "thinking is difficult, that's why people judge” and "the moment you stop worrying about what's going to happen, you start enjoying what's happening”. The campaign hopes to allow people to take time out from the pressures of everyday life.
Business
A start up in the UK has successfully charged an electric car battery from 10% to 80% in four minutes and 37 seconds. The live demonstration was given using a specially built concept sports car on a test track in Bedford. The industry is continuing efforts to get electric vehicles to charge more quickly. By comparison, an existing Tesla supercharger can charge a car battery to 80% in 15-20 minutes.
According to a court filing made public today Friday 28th June, Tesla is claiming that Elon Musk won his legal battle over his $56 billion pay package because shareholders voted for the compensation, despite a judge overturning it earlier this year. The company's filing comes two weeks after Tesla shareholders voted to ratify the 2018 package of stock options. Tesla held the vote following a ruling in January to void the compensation because Musk improperly controlled the negotiation process and the company misled shareholders about key details.
And - While England’s action in the European Championship games may not be the most exciting viewing so far, it would appear to be giving a boost in sales of big television screens as the electrical chain Currys has said that sales in the UK of supersize television screens were up by more than 30% in the past month. The sales boost for Currys comes as the retailer reported an annual profit of £28m, following a huge £462m loss the year before.
Sport
Cricket - India has crushed England to reach the T20 World Cup final. England slumped to a 68-run thrashing by a superb India in the semi-final. England will fly home today and are next in action in a three match Test series against West Indies starting on July 10th. Meanwhile, India who have not won a World Cup for 13 years will play first time finalists South Africa on Saturday at 4.30pm French time.
Football - Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly considering making a move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and England midfielder Phil Foden has return to Germany after travelling to the United Kingdom for the birth of his third child. The 24-year-old left the England camp for what the Football Association said on Wednesday was a "pressing family matter".
Weather
Mostly cloudy with some sunny spells. Gentle to moderate winds. Highs of 25 degrees in Nice, Mougins and Antibes. 24 degrees in Monaco and Saint-Tropez. This evening going down to 18 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for the weekend unsettled with sunny intervals and cloudy patches and the possibility of showers inland by Sunday. Highs of 29 degrees in Nice and 31 degrees in Marseille.
Sunrise 05.51
Sunset 09.16
Sea temperature
Nice and Saint-Tropez 22° - UV level 9
La Ciotat 21° - UV level 9
Weather elsewhere
London Sunny intervals 22°
Amsterdam Sunny intervals 19°
Palma 29° sunny.
Two accidents have caused chaos once again this Wednesday morning during rush hour on the A8 motorway. ...
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More than 200 candidates have confirmed that they will not stand in Sunday’s second round of parliamentary elections in France. ...
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Following the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party's strong showing in the first round of legislative elections, over 150 left-wing and preside...
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Opponents of France's far right have been rallying to build a united front to block the path for Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) following their h...
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With the upcoming legislative elections, the planned changes for July 1st might have been overlooked. Here’s what to expect:...
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