National News
New government faces threats of a motion of no-confidence - France’s new Prime Minister Michel Barnier has finally appointed a new government at the weekend, however soon after the announcement there were mounting threats of a parliamentary motion of no-confidence. Barnier’s new government hasn’t had a chance to start work, yet many have taken to the streets in protest voicing their anger over his new administration. The new government signals a clear shift to the right, which was hoping to calm the political chaos amongst France’s political parties.
New Prime Minister plans to tax the wealthiest as well as improve the pension reform - Barnier appeared on France’s eight o’clock news on Sunday evening promising that he would not be increasing taxes for those on the “lowest income in France” nor would he ask from the “middle class or working classes” adding however, that he does intend “to ask the wealthiest to contribute more”. He also spoke of wanting to improve the pension reform and make mental health in France “a great national cause” in 2025, following in the footsteps of his mother who was for 35 years president of a national association for friends and families of the mentally ill. In his first interview since the creation of the new government the Prime Minister called for "cohesion" and "fraternity" within his government. He also assured that he is not "cohabiting" with Emmanuel Macron and will not run in 2027.
Eric Ciotti leaves Republican party - Meanwhile, the former head of the Republican party Eric Ciotti, has announced that he is leaving the party. Ciotti came under fire following his alliance with the far-right National Rally party during the parliamentary elections. In an interview with French media on Sunday he stated that it was “no longer possible to work with those within Emmanuel Macrons government”. He then went on to invite others to join him as part of his new party the “UDR” the Union des Republican Party.
Local News
Large turnout for silent march in memory of Kamilya - Nearly 800 people have attended the silent march held on Sunday in memory of 7-year-old Kamilya who was hit by a motorcyclist and killed in Vallauris at the end of August. Her family are demanding justice for their daughter admitting that they do not understand the court decision to allow the driver to go free under judicial supervision whilst awaiting trial.
Drugs seized at motorway pay toll in the Alpes Maritimes - 34 kilos of cocaine with a street value of 3 million euros have been seized during a police road check at La Turbie A8 motorway pay toll on Friday. The drugs were found in a vehicle which had come from the Moselle in northeastern France and was heading to Italy. A 25-year-old woman who was at the wheel was arrested. An investigation has been opened.
Motorcyclists protest against new MOT – Motorcyclist gathered on Sunday in Menton and headed to Nice in an “opération escargot” in protest against the new MOT for motorcycles which was introduced in April. According to reports around 60 motorcyclists were present in an event organised by the association FFMC 06.
Monaco Yacht Show - Finally, Monaco is preparing for the Monaco Yacht Show which starts this Wednesday 25th September, and Riviera Radio sponsors and leading yacht brokerage Northrop & Johnson are promising a distinguished line up of yachts at this year’s show which is on until Saturday 28th September. Among the vessels brought to this year’s show by the international brokerage house Northrop & Johnson is the 2021 Sanlorenzo superyacht Blue Angel that boasts Italian craftsmanship and cutting-edge design. Also on display is the 37m Perini Navi Norfolk Star, which features a sleek steel hull and impressive cruising capabilities. For more information on the show go to www.monacoyachtshow.com
Business
SpaceX has announced plans to launch about five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars in two years. Earlier this month, owner Elon Musk had said that the first starships to Mars would launch in two years "when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens." On Sunday the CEO said that the first crewed mission timeline will depend upon the success of the uncrewed flights. If the uncrewed missions land safely, crewed missions will be launched in four years. However, in case of challenges, crewed missions will be postponed by another two years.
YouTube’s biggest influencer MrBeast is facing legal action. Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast has half a billion fans, a multi-million-dollar personal fortune and a global business empire. However, five female contestants on upcoming Prime Video show Beast Games are launching legal action against his production company MrB2024 and Amazon in Los Angeles. The lawsuit has plunged the show into crisis. Among the legal documents are allegations that contestants "particularly and collectively suffered" in an environment that "systematically fostered a culture of sexism". An accusation which cuts to the core of MrBeast's image as one of the nicest guys on the internet.
And - British Airways has cancelled all its flights from a UK city airport next summer. The airline said in a statement it was "suspending their summer 2025 operations from Southampton Airport". It did not give a reason behind the decision. An airport spokesperson said the move was "clearly disappointing". Under its subsidiary BA City Flyer, the airline runs flights from the airport to Bergerac, Dublin, Faro, Malaga and Majorca on weekends during the summer.
Sport
Football – In the Premier League on Sunday Manchester City rescued a dramatic late draw against ten-man Arsenal with the match ending two all. Brighton and Nottingham Forest also ended 2-2. In other matches Chelsea beat West Ham 3-0 and Liverpool won against Bournemouth 3-0. Tottenham were also winners at the weekend along with Aston Villa and Fulham.
Formula One – It was McLaren’s Lando Norris who dominated the Singapore Grand Prix at the weekend. Verstappen, who finished a distant second in his Red Bull, is now 52 points ahead of the Briton with a maximum of 180 available over the remaining six races.
Ironman 2024 - Australian triathlete Penny Slater has had the biggest result of her career, finishing seventh at the Ironman-distance world championships in Nice. It's also the first Australian top-10 finish at the Ironman world championships since Sarah Crowley was seventh at Hawaii two years ago. German Laura Phillips won the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run world championship in eight hours 45 minutes 15 seconds. Britain's Kat Matthews was second in 8:53:20 and American Chelsea Sodaro, the 2022 champion, clocked 9:04:38. Slater, who quit her job as a high school teacher two years ago to focus on long-course triathlon, finished in 9:21:47.
Weather
A yellow weather alert has been issued by Météo France for the Var and the Alpes Maritimes. Heavy rain and flooding are forecast. The warning is in place until 4pm this afternoon.
Highs of 21 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Saint- Tropez with a moderate breeze. This evening going down to 14 degrees and cloudy.
The outlook for tomorrow and Wednesday, sunny with a moderate breeze across the Riviera and highs of 25 degrees.
Sunrise 07.19am
Sunset 07.25pm
Weather elsewhere
London thundery showers 18°.
Dublin light cloud 16°.
Paris thundery showers 19°.
A criminal network that cloned payment cards to steal "hundreds of thousands of euros" from trucking companies across France, including the Côte d’Azu...
Read More
The CGT has released a map detailing nearly 200,000 jobs threatened across France due to layoffs and industrial restructuring since September 2023, wi...
Read More
The A8 motorway was temporarily closed at the La Barque toll plaza toward Nice due to a vehicle driving the wrong way near Aix-en-Provence....
Read More
The Monegasque Government is relaunching the Blue Fund initiative to support the Principality's economic development, highlighting the many opportunit...
Read More
The Fort Antoine open stage, dedicated to artists aged between 18 and 30 and organised by Monaco's Department of Cultural Affairs, is to return next y...
Read More
