News
One person dies and 15 injured after violent storms hit northeastern France - One person has died and 15 others were injured, two of them serious after violent storms hit northeastern France at the weekend. The intense stormy episode crossed 65 departments in France on Saturday and 15,000 people were still without electricity on Sunday. The deceased is a woman who was "carried away by a mudslide" in Rouen and drowned after being trapped under a car. Among the two seriously injured is a 13-year-old girl who is "in critical condition". In total, the 2,400 firefighters were deployed 3,500 interventions were carried out and 50,000 lightning strikes were recorded. It’s the first time in twenty years that such a large part of the country has been crossed simultaneously by thunderstorms. France’s Interior Minister has since declared a state of natural disaster after bridges were "swept away" in Mayenne, and vineyards were severely damaged, in particular in the Landes and Gers. Météo-France lifted orange weather warning on Sunday morning for the 25 departments that remained concerned.
Man rescued at Coco beach after drowning - A 40-year-old man has been rescued after nearly drowning at Coco beach in Nice. The incident occurred just before 5pm on Sunday. It was witnesses that pulled the man out of the water unconscious, he was taken to hospital in a serious condition, by emergency services.
Boat sinks off the coastline at Villeneuve-Loubet – Meanwhile, sea rescue services were also called out off the coastline at Villeneuve-Loubet on Sunday after a boat was seen sinking on Sunday late afternoon. It was a jet skier who had raised the alarm. The boat was brought back to the Villeneuve-Loubet shipyard by the SNSM of Antibes.
Three people rescued after becoming stranded on paddle board - Three people have been rescued by emergency services after becoming stranded on a paddle board 300 meters from the coast of Antibes. The incident occurred off the beach of Ponteil in Antibes at 5pm.
Man arrested for pricking spectators with a needle during concert in Toulon - A 20-year-old man has been arrested in Toulon suspected of having "stung" spectators at the filming of a concert on Friday night. Several victims claim to have been pricked with a needle during the event which attracted over 4,000 spectators. The individual has contested the charges against him. Tests are being carried out to determine the substance in the syringes.
Two people shot during police road check in Paris - Two people have been shot and injured by police in Paris during a roadside check for failure to wear a seat belt. The incident occurred on Saturday in the 18th arrondissement. It was later reported on Sunday that the passenger had since died from her injuries. The driver who was hit in the chest is still hospitalized in a critical condition. The Paris prosecutor's office has opened two investigations. One for attempted homicide on a person in charge of public authority and another for violence with a weapon by persons in charge of public order.
FR-Alert system - France has begun to deploy the "FR-Alert" system, which should make it possible, in the event of a serious incident, to warn the greatest possible number of people present in the area concerned. The device will be fully deployed at the end of June. No registration is required and it does not allow the State to collect location data.
Princess Charlene tests positive for covid – HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco has tested positive for covid. In a statement released on Saturday the palace said that the princess was “showing few symptoms and that the state of her health was not of great concern”. However, she must of course comply with the health rules in force and observe a period of isolation of a few days. The timing meant that the Princess was sadly unable to attend or take part in Sunday’s Riviera Water Bike Challenge organized by her foundation in the bay of Monaco. However, that didn’t stop everyone raising funds and showing support for the Princess Charlene Foundation.
HSH Prince Albert hails Queen Elizabeth II – Meanwhile HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco has hailed Queen Elizabeth II as "a source of inspiration to the world". Prince Albert sent an official dispatch to Buckingham Palace addressed to Queen Elizabeth II on the "historic" occasion of her platinum jubilee at the weekend.
61st Monte-Carlo Television Festival - Actor Jean Reno and author Marc Lévy are to attend the 61st Monte-Carlo Television Festival. The 61st Monte-Carlo Television Festival is fast approaching being held from June 17th to the 21st and the list of VIPs is growing. The Grimaldi Forum will host the world premiere of "All these things we didn't say to each other", a comedy based on the bestselling novel by Marc Lévy.
Business
France’s Finance Minister has said that he is optimistic for the year 2022 and believes that France is managing the current inflation peak well. In an optimistic speech Bruno Le Maire, said on Sunday that the French economy is showing “a capacity for resistance". Adding that the growth forecast for 2022 is currently 4%. However, it should drop slightly.
German carmaker Mercedes-Benz is recalling nearly one million vehicles due to a potential problem with the brake system. The models date from the 2004 to 2015 and are part of the ML and GL SUV series, as well as the luxury R-Class minivan.
Meanwhile in France an influx of motorists is expected this summer in MOT centers. Closed at the start of the covid pandemic there is a serious backlog. Driving without a valid MOT could lead to a fixed fine of 135 euros and no insurance cover in case of an accident.
Airlines including Easyjet and Wizz Air have cancelled dozens of flights as UK air travel disruption continues. Easyjet said it had cut 80 flights on Sunday and apologised to customers for the disruption. Passengers have faced a raft of UK flight cancellations causing disruptions for many families on half-term holidays.
Thousands of UK workers are starting a four-day week trial from today. Around 70 companies are taking part in what is thought to be the world's biggest pilot scheme into the working pattern over the next six months. The experiment has been organised by a group campaigning for a shorter working week, but for no loss in wages. During the trial, employees will get 100% pay for 80% of the hours they would usually work, with the aim of being more productive.
Sport
Football - Wales have overcome another monumental effort from Ukraine to qualify for their first World Cup since 1958 on a night of high emotion and drama in Cardiff with a 1-0 win.
And in an International friendly Lionel Messi has scored all five of Argentina's goals as they continued their fine form by thrashing Estonia in Spain. It is the first time the 34-year-old has scored five in a game for his country.
Tennis - French Open champion Rafael Nadal says he "doesn't want to keep playing" if he continues to need anaesthetic injections to numb chronic foot pain. Nadal, 36, won his record-extending 14th title at Roland Garros having "no feeling" in his left foot. The Spaniard had multiple injections during a tournament where he won a 22nd Grand Slam title on Sunday.
Cricket - Joe Root's masterful century led England to a five-wicket win in the first Test against New Zealand on the fourth morning at Lord's. Root, who ended 115 not out, also became the second England batter after Sir Alastair Cook to reach 10,000 Test runs.
Weather
Bank holiday Monday - Some hazy cloud to begin with, giving way to clear skies and sunshine by the afternoon. Light winds. Highs of 26 degrees in Monaco, Nice and Cannes. 30 degrees in Saint Tropez with a moderate breeze. This evening going down to 19 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday sunny highs of 27 degrees in the Alpes Maritimes reaching 33 degrees in the Var.
Sea temperature 21 degrees
UV level 8
Sunrise 05.49hr Sunset 21.08hr
Ahead of tomorrow’s nationwide day of strike action, protestors against France's pension reforms blockaded the access to Nice Saint-Isidore business p...
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The charity Sidaction which fights against AIDS has revealed that during the weekend’s annual fundraiser, just over 3.9 million euros was raised. ...
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Trade unions have announced fresh strikes and protests in France tomorrow Tuesday 28th March.
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French President Emmanuel Macron is to meet with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne at noon today Monday 27th March they will then be joined from 1:15pm b...
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Mobilisation of the inter-union for culture against the pension reform, has led to the Louvre Museum in Paris remaining closed this Monday morning. ...
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