National News
France has a new Prime Minister - France has a new Prime Minister, after 51 days of waiting right-wing politician Michel Barnier was appointed Prime Minister on Thursday. Barnier has vowed to address the nation’s feelings of anger, abandonment and injustice, promising a “new era” and a break with the past. Barnier, the EU’s former Brexit negotiator, took office hours after French President Emmanuel Macron appointed him to form “a unifying government in the service of the country”. He said that the government’s priority would be education, as well as security and controlling immigration. At 73 he is the oldest premier in the history of modern France.
Meanwhile, Michel Barnier’s appointment was greeted with dismay by the left which will now seek to topple him with a no-confidence motion. However, Macron appears to be counting on Le Pen’s National Rally to keep Barnier in power by voting against a no-confidence motion. The National Rally indicated on Thursday it would not automatically vote down Barnier and would wait and see what sort of programme he laid out in his first address to parliament.
Local News
Drugs network dismantled – In local news, an international investigation conducted by the judicial police in Nice has dismantled a criminal drugs network seizing 58kg of cocaine arriving from Spain on August 15th on the French-Spanish border. After several months of international investigation an Albanian criminal network flooding into Europe was dismantled. In total, nearly 135kg of cocaine has been seized in this case and two men and a woman have since been imprisoned.
Closed Beaches – Thirteen beaches have been closed due to a hydraulic overflow following heavy rains in Antibes-Juan-les-Pins, Alpes-Maritimes. Swimming banned until the 7th of September. Tests are currently being carried out.
School Supply Kits - Several Nice-based associations have come together to provide free school supply kits to underprivileged children, aiming to support equal educational opportunities. This year, they have distributed over 800 kits, double last year's number, due to rising demand from families, including asylum seekers with no financial aid. The initiative helps children integrate by ensuring they have essential materials for school.
Mamma Mia! – There has been an outcry in Italy following the marketing of a can of carbonara pasta. The Heinz food group is at the centre of the scandal after the American company put a can of carbonara on sale, causing a national outcry. The product is described on the food groups website as "destined to become a new favourite dish for the younger generations, without any culinary skills required," the can costs 2.08 euros and is marketed to attract students. As a snub, the American brand has named its product "nodramacarbonara". Italy’s Minister of Tourism was one of the first to react saying "Carbonara in a can, we feed it to rats! but food historians point out that while the dish is considered to have originated in Italy it may well have been introduced by American soldiers' during the war with their packs of bacon and powdered eggs.
Pernod Ricard makes an embarrassing U-turn - Finally, drinks company Pernod Ricard has made an embarrassing u turn after pulling its sponsorship of Paris Saint-Germain football club. The change of heart comes just three days following a fierce backlash from football fans in Marseille as well as the people of Marseille. The deal, which was supposed to use the Parisian football club's popularity to "promote whisky and champagne brands internationally," sparked criticism and even calls for a boycott among Olympique de Marseille fans. CEO Alexandre Ricard said in a statement on Thursday announcing the U-turn that “for over 90 years, Ricard’s history has been intrinsically linked with Marseille, where it was born and those roots are strong, and they run deep, so the decision that I’m taking today comes from the heart. I’m sure that everyone who has worked on this project will understand my choice.” Paul Ricard concocted the first pastis drink after a 1915 ban on the more potent absinthe, which was thought to cause hallucinations and madness. Pastis has been marketed as a ready-made drink since 1932 and is traditionally served diluted by a ratio of five parts water to one part spirit. The blue-and-yellow logo on Ricard bottles was supposedly inspired by the sky and sun seen from Marseille, where the spirits company is still based and which it hails, in its adverts, as “the best city in the world (according to the people of Marseille)”.
Business
All eyes will be on the US Labor report which will be released today Friday 6th September at 2.30pm French time. The result of the report is one of the most important ways to rate the state of the world’s largest economy. It is also coming at a crucial time, during the US presidential campaign, in which voters have identified the economy as a top concern as people turn their attention to the job market.
Donald Trump has announced that he would enlist billionaire Elon Musk to run a “government efficiency commission” if he wins a second term as US president. Trump made the announcement on Thursday, adding that the X owner had agreed to head a task force to conduct a “complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government” and make “recommendations for drastic reforms.” Trumps comments were the most direct indication yet that he might want Mr Musk to play a role in his potential second administration.
The Japanese owner of convenience store chain 7-Eleven has rejected a $38bn (£29.2bn) takeover bid from a Canadian rival saying that it remains open to negotiations and ready to consider a better proposal. 7-Eleven is the world's biggest convenience store chain, with 85,000 outlets across 20 countries and territories.
Sport
Paralympic Games – China remain top of the medals table with 74 gold medals, Great Britain is 2nd with 36 followed by the United States with 27 the Netherland with 21 and France in 5th position with 17 gold medals.
Football - In the Nations League on Thursday evening Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score 900 top-level career goals as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1. In tonight’s matches France play Italy and Wales face Turkey. England face Ireland on Saturday in the Nations League kick off is at 6pm French time.
Meanwhile, it’s been rumoured that Mohamed Salah wants to extend his stay at Liverpool, who are planning to open talks with the Egyptian over a new deal. The Reds hope to have his future settled before the January transfer window.
Cricket - England captain Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia and is a doubt for the five one-day internationals that follow due to injury. 33-year-old has not played since the T20 World Cup in June. In his absence, Phil Salt will captain England for the first time in the T20s. The T20 series begins on Wednesday in Southampton.
Formula One - Loic Serra is to become Ferrari's technical director. The 52-year-old Frenchman was formerly performance director at Mercedes. Ferrari said in a statement that Serra would start his role on 1 October.
Weather
Cloudy with sunny intervals. Clearing by early evening. Highs of 26 degrees in Monaco and Nice. 27 degrees in Cannes, 25 degrees in Vence and Saint-Tropez. This evening going down to 18 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for the weekend Saturday, mainly fine with some cloudy patches and strong winds in the Var region. Sunday rain is expected to return across the region with highs of 26 degrees and strong wind persisting in Saint-Tropez and the Var.
Sunrise 06.59am
Sunset 07.56pm
Beach weather
Sea temperature 26° in Nice.
Air temperature 25°
UV level 6
Weather elsewhere
Bordeaux 20° light rain.
Athens 35° and sunny.
Milan 26° sunny intervals.
This year, French farmers, including winegrowers and cereal producers, have faced poor harvests due to excessive rain after battling drought in previo...
Read More
Hundreds of protesters have gathered across France at the weekend in support of Gisèle Pélicot, the woman whose husband drugged her and invited more ...
Read More
TGV INOUI and Intercités passengers will, from the 15th of September, be limited to two large suitcases and a small bag, with a fine of €50 for exceed...
Read More
An attempted raid on a jewellery store in the port of Nice had to be abandoned on Thursday, after the robbers seemingly got cold feet. The incident oc...
Read More
The bells of Notre Dame in Paris have been returned and blessed as the cathedral prepares to reopen in early December, more than five years after it n...
Read More
