News
Urban violence spreads across France - There has been another night of urban violence in cities across France, as emotion remains high following the death of Nahel in Nanterre on Tuesday, killed by a police officer during a police road check. More than 400 people were arrested on Thursday evening, with unrest and clashes continuing in the French capital and spreading to other cities. The policeman charged with voluntary homicide has since apologised to Nahel family adding that “he felt threatened”. Thursday evening saw public buildings vandalised looting, cars and bins being set alight and extensive damage in several cities. Some 40,000 police were deployed.
Meanwhile, Nahel’s mother held a speech of appeasement asking that justice be "firm" with the police officer under investigation saying, that she “doesn’t blame the police, she only blames one person” and that’s “the one who killed her son” adding that “it’s not the system it’s a man”.
Locally there were a few isolated incidents in l’Ariane, Les Moulins, Cannes and Nice Nord with bins and a moped being set alight.
Parental consent - The French parliament has passed a law which requires parental consent for under 15-year-olds to be able to use social networks. Under the law, which was approved by the Senate on Thursday, the operators of social networks will be required to verify the age of users and to obtain parental consent when they are under 15 years old. The EU Commission will need to approve the law before it enters into force.
Fire alert - The Var and Bouches-du-Rhône are among seven departments in the south of France which have been placed this Friday on a “yellow or rather moderate fire alert” by Meteo France. The forest weather warning was created in response to the many wildfires that wreaked havoc last year.
Queues at the tax office - Residents on the Riviera have expressed their exasperation with the service provided by the tax office in Nice especially with the recent changed to the council tax declarations. Many have complained of having to “queue for more than three hours without a guarantee of being let in” as well as being “unable to make an appointment online”, with too few staff available to cope with the demand. Meanwhile staff members of the CGT union have said that agents too are at their “wit’s end” with long queues and “people yelling at each other in the centres car park”. It was announced this week that the deadline for a new declaration which concerns property owners has been pushed back and instead of being today June 30th is now July 31st.
Business
Pakistan has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over $3bn (£2.4bn) of funding. The deal, which still needs to be approved by the global lender's board, comes after an eight-month delay. Pakistan is facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1947. To help secure the deal, Pakistan's central bank raised its main interest rate to a record high of 22% on Monday.
Sir Richard Branson has finally begun commercial operations with his Virgin Galactic rocket plane, Unity. The vehicle soared high over the New Mexico desert on Thursday to enable three Italians to conduct science experiments in weightless conditions. It was the first "purchased" mission, as opposed to just a test flight. Sir Richard will now begin sending up the 800 or so individuals who've bought tickets to ride on Unity.
WH Smith has said that they won't be opening any more UK High Street stores. Instead it will focus on UK airports and train stations, as well as opening shops in the US and Europe. WH Smith has about 550 UK High Street stores but over the past 20 years, the retailer has expanded its presence in airports, train stations, motorway service areas and US-based casino resorts.
And - Millions more Britains can now live and work in Australia after the age limit for working holiday visas went up to 35. The age limit has been extended from 30 for all British citizens making 16 million more people eligible to apply. Popular with backpacker tourists, the changes are a key part of the free trade agreement struck between the two countries last year. It will also be easier for Australians to work and travel in the UK.
Sport
Football - Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign England midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea on a five-year contract for £55m, plus £5m in add-ons. Chelsea spent £600m last season and needed to sell before 30 June to ease Financial Fair Play concerns. Mount joined Chelsea aged six.
Cricket - England came close to wasting their fightback due to their poor batting late on the second day of the second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord's on Thursday. The home side had done much to reverse the damage of a poor opening day, bowling Australia out for 416 and reaching 188-1 in response. By the end of play on Thursday England trailed Australia by 138 runs with 6 wickets remaining.
Formula One - Lewis Hamilton has said that Formula 1 should consider further restrictions on car development to stop teams building long periods of domination. He said teams with superior cars can start work on their next design earlier than rivals as they need to spend less resources on the current season. Hamilton said that "If everyone had a time [to start on the next car], no-one has a head start and then it's a real race”.
Rugby Union - Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is to appear before a disciplinary committee over "misconduct complaints" arising from the Heineken Champions Cup final. The complaints have been lodged by European Professional Club Rugby [EPCR] and will be heard by an independent disciplinary panel on 13 July. Sexton was seen exchanging words with match referee Jaco Peyper after the final on 20th May. Leinster lost 27-26 to La Rochelle in the Dublin decider, which Sexton missed through injury.
Weather
Cloudy, some sunny spells with rain forecast and some thundery showers across the region. A moderate breeze. Highs of 28 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Cannes. 27 degrees in Saint-tropez. 23 degrees in Vence. This evening going down to 15 degrees inland and 19 degrees along the coast with cloudy skies.
The outlook for the weekend. Unsettled with possibility of showers. Highs of 27-29 degrees.
Sunrise 05.51am
Sunset 09.16pm
Beach Weather forecast
Nice – Sea temperature 25 degrees. Air temperature 26 degrees. Showers. UV level 9.
Cannes - Sea temperature 25 degrees. Air temperature 26 degrees. Showers. UV level 9.
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