National News France
Protests across France against the far-right National Rally - The weekend saw thousands march in Paris and cities across France to protest against the far-right National Rally (RN) ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in France. Following the National Rally’s surge in last Sunday's European elections, police said 350,000 people were expected to march and 21,000 officers had been mobilised after labour unions, student groups and rights groups called for rallies to oppose the anti-immigration, far-right party. At least 150 marches were expected in cities including Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon and Lille. Police said they had arrested seven people in Paris and that there had been 217,000 demonstrators across France.
Sarkozy warns snap election could backfire - Meanwhile, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned that President Emmanuel Macron's unexpected decision to dissolve the National Assembly and call for snap parliamentary elections could backfire and plunge the country into chaos. Macron called the snap vote, to be held in two rounds on June 30th and July 7th, after his centrist alliance was beaten by the far-right National Rally (RN) in last Sunday's European Parliament ballot.
Athletes call for the French to go to the polls - Also, many athletes in France including footballer Kylian Mbappé have called on the French to go to the polls. Mbappé calls on “all young people to vote” against “the extremes” adding “I think we are at a crucial moment in the history of our country.” “I call on everyone to go and vote, to defend the values of “diversity, tolerance, respect”. More than 160 French athletes call to vote "against the extreme right”.
Local News
Product recall - The French government’s website Rappel Conso has recalled Tomme cheese from the Schoepfer brand in both the Var and the Alpes Maritimes due to the risk of listeria. The product was sold from June 5th to the 10th in several stores in France, including the Intermarché in Roquefort-les Pins, a Spar in Saint-Raphael and the Leclerc in the PACA and Corsica region. The batch concerned is the 24024050, GTIN 3252540952692 with the use-by date between June 23rd and 29th. If you have purchased this product, it is advisable not to consume it and to contact the point of sale for a refund. A contact number has been set up, on 04 90 13 61 52.
Runner dies during half-marathon in Valberg - A runner participating in the half-marathon in Valberg on Sunday June 16th has died. Emergency services intervened at around midday when the individual collapsed 1.3 kilometres from the finishing line. The 50-year-old athlete suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital where he later died.
Two incidents during Ironman in Nice – Meanwhile, there were two incidents during the Ironman in Nice on Sunday. Firstly a 24-year-old triathlete suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to Pasteur hospital at around 10am and secondly a serious collision occurred between a cyclist and a 70-year-old woman on the promenade near Nice airport. The woman was taken to hospital in a serious condition and the cyclist participating in the triathlon was also injured. An investigation is underway.
Luxury watch theft - Yet another luxury watch theft has occurred in Cannes. The city has recently fallen victim to a spate of watch thefts. The most recent being on Saturday at around 8.30pm near Port Canto on the Croisette when a German tourist fell victim to two thieves on a scooter who fled with his watch worth 70,000 euros. An investigation is underway.
New terminal at Marseille airport - Marseille airport is to open a new terminal this Wednesday 19th June after three years of work. The renovated building includes a new baggage control system, self-service terminals for checking in luggage and a Provence-themed decor. The new terminal comes as the city of Marseille prepares to welcome many tourists this summer during the Olympic Games.
12-year-old sets up association to for organ donations - Twelve-year-old Monegasque Luna has created an association for organ donations after herself undergoing a heart transplant a year ago. The teenager and her parents are setting up the association to raise awareness of organ donations in the Principality and to support the families of patients. Luna has also called on fellow Monegasque and formula one driver Charles Leclerc to become a sponsor.
Monte-Carlo Television Festival – Finally, the weekend saw the opening of this year’s Monte-Carlo Television Festival at the Grimaldi Forum. This year’s festival is dominated by the presence of actor Morgan Freeman. For 63 years, the Principality of Monaco has been hosting its own international television Festival. Major studios, broadcast networks, digital platforms and renowned talent gather together over several days to promote their programs to the press and public and compete for the prestigious Golden Nymph Awards. The festival ends tomorrow Tuesday 18th June.
Business
Jordan Bardalla of the far-right National Rally has announced that the unemployment benefit reform, which the government intends to bring into force at the end of the year, will be abolished by the National Rally if it wins the upcoming parliamentary elections. Speaking on Sunday Bardella said “there are millions of French people who are affected by unemployment, and I am a little tired of systematically asking the same people to make an effort.” The new unemployment benefit reform must be decided by decree by July 1st to come into force on December 1st. It includes a duration of compensation reduced from 18 to 15 months, and the need to have worked eight months over the last 20 months to be compensated (compared to the current six over the last 24 months). Bardella also confirmed that he wants to "eventually" privatize public broadcasting.
Meanwhile, France’s finance minister Bruno Le Maire has said that increasing the minimum wage by 200 euros to 1,600 euros would lead to “mass unemployment” in France. Le Maire estimates that the increase in the minimum wage proposed by the left wing New Popular Front, would be “a disaster”.
US regulators are investigating after a Boeing 737 Max 8 flown by Southwest Airlines rocked side to side while in flight, a potentially dangerous movement known as a Dutch roll. It is one of two new inquiries involving Boeing planes that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently confirmed.
And - Data published today Monday 17th June has shown that property investment in China fell 10.1% in the first five months of 2024 from a year earlier, after dropping 9.8% in January-April, even as policymakers doubled down on efforts to support the ailing sector and shore up consumer confidence. Property sales by floor area in January-May fell 20.3% from a year earlier, compared with a 20.2% slump in January-April.
Sport
Football – England’s new superstar Jude Bellingham gave them the start they wanted at the Euro 2024 with the winning goal and a stunning individual performance in the victory over Serbia on Sunday evening. There is room for improvement for England, but at least the 1-0 win will send them into their second Group C game against Denmark on Thursday in good heart.
Sadly, however ahead of the match England fans were involved in "an altercation" with Serbia supporters. Videos on social media showed tables, chairs and bottles thrown in the before riot police arrived. Local police said that two groups were separated and that seven people from Serbia were arrested, one of whom is the subject of a criminal complaint for grievous bodily harm.
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) said it is liaising with German authorities and reviewing footage. Meanwhile, Hamburg police shot and seriously injured a man who they say threatened them on Sunday. In the other matches on Sunday Slovenia drew 1-1 against Denmark and the Netherlands beat Poland 2-1.
Today’s action sees Romania play Ukraine with a 3pm kick off French time, Belgium play Slovakia with a 6pm kick off and Austria face France at 9pm French time this evening.
Golf - Bryson DeChambeau has capitalised on a late collapse from Rory McIlroy to win the US Open for a second time with a dramatic one-shot victory at Pinehurst No 2.
Tennis – Speaking at Queen’s Club on Sunday Andy Murray says retiring at Wimbledon or the Paris Olympics would "be fitting" and he is unlikely to play at the US Open or Davis Cup later this year. Britain's Murray, 37, said in February he was not planning to "play much past the summer". However, the former world number one has not confirmed which will be his final tournament.
Ironman – The winners at the Ironman were Steven Galibert, a 31-year-old triathlon enthusiast, sports coach and lifeguard who came first in the men’s category and it was Lucy Charles-Barclay who claimed her first win of the 2024 triathlon season in the pro-women’s category, as the Londoner emerged victorious thanks to a lightning-fast marathon. The 30-year-old, who prior to this race had finished as the runner-up at both the Miami T100 and Singapore T100 so far this season, took the tape by more than 15 minutes in the South of France. Validating her slot at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship, which takes place this year in Nice on September 22nd.
Weather
Mainly fine and sunny with a gentle breeze in the Alpes Maritimes. Moderate to strong winds in the Var. Highs of 24 degrees in Nice, 23 degrees in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, 25 degrees in Toulon and Vence. This evening going down to 17 degrees with clear skies
The outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday remaining fine with highs of 25 degrees.
Sunrise 05.48am
Sunset 09.14pm
Sea temperature
Nice 20.6 degrees
UV level 9
Weather elsewhere
London 22° sunny intervals.
New York 29° sunny.
Paris 21° thundery showers.
And Finally
With all the hype about the Euro 2024 and while football fans cheer on their teams and make heated predictions about which one will come out on top, a different and decidedly more tasty tournament has passed under the radar until now.
While Turkey may not have the bookies excited when it comes to football, the country has triumphed as the foodies' favourite when it comes to national dishes. When 75,000 Amazon employees representing 108 nationalities voted for their number one dish, twice as many opted for kebabs (28%) compared to the English equivalent of beans on toast (14%), which came second.
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