National News
France prepares to vote on Sunday in the Parliamentary elections - French television channel France 2 has invited political leaders from the main French political parties ahead of Sunday’s vote in the parliamentary elections. Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Rally, Raphaël Glucksmann, leader of Place publique, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, David Lisnard, the Republican mayor of Cannes, and Clémence Guetté, of left wing La France insoumise all reported present on Thursday evening.
According to a recent Ifop poll the National Rally do not look likely to obtain an absolute majority, with a prediction of between 210 and 240 seats which is far from the 289 necessary for an absolute majority. Meanwhile, the left wing New Popular Front would obtain between 170 to 200 seats and the presidential camp could see between 95 and 125.
Meanwhile, Paris police have banned an “anti-fascist” demonstration planned for Sunday. The call to demonstrate was launched by a collective on social networks. Anti-fascist action Paris-Banlieue has arranged to “meet on Sunday at 8 p.m. in front of the National Assembly”. The Paris police headquarters justifies its ban because it considers “that the planned demonstration is likely to disturb public order”.
Local News
Red alert for the Var and the Alpes Maritimes due to the tiger mosquito - Health authorities in the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes have placed both regions on a red alert due to a resurgence of the tiger mosquito. With the arrival of summer temperatures and heatwaves it is important to protect yourself. Present in France since 2004, the mosquito from Asia is responsible for diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Overall, the entire southern half of France is affected with a few departments in the centre and the north, and the bad news is that it is almost impossible to get rid of it once it is present in a department or commune. The tiger mosquito is characterized by its white and black striped legs. Health authorities advise the public to not allow water to stagnant in or around your home, to wear long, loose and light clothing, to regularly apply skin repellents, install mosquito nets and connect electric insecticide diffusers. It is quite simple to recognize a tiger mosquito bite as it is generally more painful and persistent than that of other mosquitoes. It is recommended to clean with soapy water and apply a soothing cream. A consultation with a doctor may be necessary in the event of an allergic reaction or symptoms suggestive of diseases transmitted by the tiger mosquito, such as: headache accompanied by fever, joint pain or aches, and a skin rash.
Vaccination - Faced with the risk of bronchiolitis for seniors, the High Authority for Health in France has recommended vaccination. A common illness for children it can also cause serious complications, including death, in the elderly. French health authorities have recommended vaccinating those aged 75 and over, as well as vulnerable patients aged 65 and over. In France, during the 2022-2023 winter season, those aged 75 and over, represented 61% of hospitalisations and 78% of deaths.
Jewellery store robbed in Nice - A jewellery store has been robbed in Nice. The incident occurred on Thursday lunchtime on the Avenue Verdun. The preparator is reportedly still on the run after fleeing the scene on a scooter with an estimated 100,000 euros worth of jewellery. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Concerns over redeployment of staff at Thales in Cannes - Unions at Thales Alenia Space in Cannes have aired their concerns over a plan to redeploy 400 members of staff. The two-year plan intends to redeploy in total 1,000 employees from Cannes and Toulouse to other branches of Thales. Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, a site which has 1,800 employees could see nearly 400 redeployed. Management has pointed out that "no employee will be made redundant but that they will be redeployed”. To justify the plan which affects "980 people in France, a third in Cannes and two thirds in Toulouse", the management blames "a collapse in the market for civil telecom satellites. From 20 satellites per year, it fell to 10 in 2022, but none in 2023 and only one in 2024.
Heavy traffic as many head off on holiday - Bison Futé has warned of heavy traffic on roads in the North-West and the South, as many of you head off on your summer holiday today and over the weekend. Traffic has been classified as orange for departures throughout France today and red tomorrow Saturday 6th July. For Sunday, a return to orange is predicted over a large part of the country, from the Hauts-de-France to Brittany, including Normandy and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Digital divide - Finally, the Digital House here in Monaco is celebrating its first anniversary. The set up was introduced to reduce the generational digital divide. The digital divide identifies inequalities linked to access, use and impact of information and communication technologies. In France, INSEE indicated in 2022 that 17% of the population was concerned by the digital divide. Free and open to the public, the establishment set up by the princely government, the town hall and Monaco Telecom intends to "support people who need assistance in the digital transition". In French, English, Italian and more recently Spanish, visitors leave with a simple problem solved and sometimes advice that will help them become more independent. The Digital House, Les Jardins d’Apolline. Free and open to all from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30pm.
Business
Financial markets are giving their first reaction to the record-breaking win for Labour in the UK’s general election. Voting closed at 10pm UK time when the financial markets are closed. Both the FTSE 100 and domestically-focused FTSE 250 ended Thursday's trading in positive territory, in line with other European market performances. The election was called by Rishi Sunak on the 22nd of May. Sterling is only fractionally stronger now against the dollar, the world's reserve currency, than it was then. Labour have promised a focus on bolstering economic growth, improving the country's relationship with the EU and providing business with a policy clear path ahead.
The European Union has raised tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The new tariffs on individual manufactures range from 17.4% to 37.6%, which is on top of a 10% duty that was already in place for all electric cars imported from China. This could raise the price of EVs across the EU, making them less affordable for European consumers.
And - Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says he will sell another 25 million shares in the technology giant, worth nearly $5bn (£3.9bn). In February, he announced that he would sell Amazon shares worth around $8.5bn. The latest move comes after the company's stock market value hit a record high on Wednesday. The company's shares have risen by more than 30% this year on expectations that growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technology will boost earnings at its cloud computing business. Last month, Amazon's stock market valuation topped the $2tn for the first time.
Sport
Tennis - Andy Murray has thanked Wimbledon organisers for an "emotional" farewell ceremony after his final appearance began with a defeat alongside older brother Jamie in the men's doubles. The two-time singles champion is playing at the All-England Club for the last time before retiring later this year.
Cycling - Following Mark Cavendish’s record-breaking victory in stage five of the Tour de France it was the turn of Dutch rider Dylan Groenewegen to claim victory on Thursday to win stage six of the Tour de France. The race continues today Friday 5th July, with an individual time trial over 25.3km from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin.
Meanwhile in other cycling news Lizzie Deignan is to become the first female British cyclist to compete at four Olympic Games after being selected by Team GB for Paris 2024.
Football – France’s captain Kylian Mbappe has said that it is "an honour" to play against Cristiano Ronaldo as France prepare to take on Portugal in their Euro 2024 quarter-final this evening. Kick off is at 9pm French time.
Meanwhile, Germany takes on Spain in the earlier match with a 6pm kick off. Germany have not beaten Spain at a major tournament for 36 years, since Euro '88. Tomorrow in the other quarter finals England play Switzerland with a 6pm kick off and the Netherlands face Turkey at 9pm French time.
Formula One – The British Grand Prix gets underway this weekend at Silverstone on Sunday. First practice session takes place today at lunchtime followed by the second practice session. Tomorrow third practice session along with the qualification and the actual race taking place at 4pm on Sunday.
Athletics - British sprint hurdler Andrew Pozzi has announced that he is retiring from athletics following "a serious ankle fracture". The 32-year-old was set to be picked for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, but he has turned down his selection "following the outcome of detailed scans and tests".
Rugby Union – Saturday will see New Zealand play England in the first Test.
Weather
A sunny start to the day clouding over by this afternoon with moderate to strong winds in Nice and the Alpes Maritimes. Highs of 27 degrees in Cannes and Toulon, 25 degrees in Nice, 28 degrees in Saint-Tropez and Puget-Théniers, 29 degrees in Draguignan. This evening going down to 20 degrees along the coast and 17 degrees inland.
The outlook for Saturday hazy sunshine to start, sunny intervals in the Var. Highs of 26 in Nice and 29 degrees in Saint-Tropez. Sunday fine and sunny highs of 27 degrees in Nice, reaching 31 degrees in Saint-Tropez. Showers forecast inland in the Alpes Maritimes by early evening.
Sunrise 05.54am
Sunset 09.14pm
Sea temperature
La Ciotat 20 degrees.
Air temperature 26 degrees feels like 32 degrees.
Sunny intervals
UV level 9
Weather elsewhere
Paris 25° and sunny.
Cardiff 19° heavy rain.
Sydney 17° thundery showers.
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