News
Police open fire on man brandishing iron bar and a knife - A man who reportedly rushed towards police brandishing an iron bar and a knife has been seriously injured after police opened fire. The incident occurred on Sunday in the town of Mornas in the Vaucluse. The identity of the man who has been hospitalized in a serious condition, has not yet been established. An investigation has been opened.
Procession calling for rain - Hundreds of people have responded to the call of the parish of Draguignan to attend a procession through the city "asking for rain". On Sunday the parish of Draguignan revived the old tradition, of a Provençal procession intended to call for mild weather. The procession was held in the presence and on the initiative of the bishop of Fréjus-Toulon, Monsignor Dominique Rey. Draguignan and its surrounding area is heavily affected by the current drought. With its 40,000 inhabitants being subject to new water restrictions.
French city challenges school children to put down mobile devices for ten-days - The City of Bordeaux has set a challenge to thousands of school children to put aside mobile phones, computers, and other devices for 10 days. 5,000 elementary school students have been challenged. Notebooks were distributed to encourage children to curb their screen consumption. On average, 5-year-olds spend 1h40 a day in front of screens. An alarming figure for the World Health Organization which recommends not to exceed one hour a day. It's the second consecutive year that Bordeaux has launched the challenge. In 2022, half of the children taking part had guaranteed better sleep afterwards.
Red Arrows landed in Nice - The "Red Arrows" landed at Nice airport at the weekend capturing the attention of aviation enthusiasts. The aircraft of the Royal Air Force landed on Saturday evening after having paraded at the King’s coronation in London. Before landing, reportedly for a technical stopover, they made a formation approach, full of panache.
Festivities continued in the UK on Sunday following the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla as people were invited to gather to celebrate the “Big Lunch”. Launched in 2009 by the charity Eden Project Communities the “Big Lunch” is an initiative aiming to combat social isolation and loneliness by encouraging communities to come together and share an annual meal with their neighbours.
Regional Natural Park of Verdon - The Regional Natural Park of Verdon has called upon the Environmental Authority for actions to be taken in the face of overcrowding in the park due to tourism. The park, which generates 1,780 jobs sees the number of visitors explode in the summer. Of its 4.6 million visitors each year, 50% come in July and August, which has significant repercussions on the production of waste, travel, the management of water resources (both the consumption of drinking water and wastewater treatment) and on the natural environment. For the Environmental Authority, there is a lack of “clear strategy” to deal with the challenges of tourism and the body deplores the increase in the circulation of motor vehicles in the park.
Centenary of Prince Rainier III - Monegasques are busy preparing the commemorations of the 100 years of Prince Rainier III who was born on May 31st, 1923, and who would have been 100 years old at the end of the month. 250 volunteers have been mobilised to ensure the organisation of this major celebration here in the Principality. The festivities will start on May 31st at 2.15pm with 21 cannon shots fired from the rock.
Monaco E-Prix – Congratulations to New Zealand’s Nick Cassidy who won the Monaco E-Prix here in the Principality at the weekend in a fun packed successful 2023 edition.
Business
The US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen has warned that a failure to raise the US's debt ceiling could have dire consequences. Without an agreement to increase what the federal government can borrow, it could run out of money by early June. At that point the federal government might not be able to make wage, welfare and other payments. On Tuesday President Biden will meet Republican leaders to ask them to agree to raising the current $31.4tn (£25.12tn) limit.
According to research firm the International Data Corporation (IDC), 31m smartphones were shipped in India during the first three months of this year. That was 16% lower than in the same period of 2022 and the lowest first-quarter shipments in four years. IDC highlighted that the poor demand came amid an uncertain economic outlook and as stockpiles of handsets remain high. It also said that India's overall smartphone market will be flat this year after three quarters in a row of falling sales.
According to reports Sir Jim Ratcliffe is proposing a full buyout of Manchester United Football Club after three years if he succeeds with a £5bn offer to take control of the Old Trafford outfit. Ratcliffe’s takeover bid includes put-and-call arrangements which would become exercisable in 2026, and which would pave the way for the Glazer family's complete exit as shareholders.
Sport
Football - In the Premier League on Sunday Newcastle lost 2-0 to Arsenal and West Hamp beat Manchester United 1-0.
In the Premier League today Fulham are at home to Leicester kick off is at 4pm French time. Brighton play Everton with a 6.30pm kick off French time and Nottingham Forest face Southampton at 9pm.
Meanwhile, Monaco managed a much needed a victory on Sunday after a run of bad luck, beating Angers 2-1.
Tennis - Andy Murray has won his first title in nearly four years by beating Tommy Paul in the final of the ATP Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence. Briton Murray, 35, came back from a set down against American top seed Paul to win 2-6 6-1 6-2.
Formula One - Red Bull's Max Verstappen was in a class of his own winning the Miami Grand Prix after coming from ninth place on the grid. Perez came second and Alonso third.
Cycling - Jonathan Milan took his first Grand Tour stage victory with a sprint finish on day two of the Giro d'Italia. Britain's Mark Cavendish was unable to finish after a heavy crash.
Weather
Sunny with a gentle breeze. Highs of 21 degrees in Nice, Monaco and Menton. 22 in Cannes, 20 in Antibes and Saint-Tropez. This evening going gown to 13 degrees along the coast and 11 degrees inland with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow Tuesday – light rain is forecast with highs of 20-21 degrees. Wednesday Thundery showers are expected in Nice. High of 20 degrees.
Sunrise 06.13am
Sunset 08.41pm
Sea temperature 17 degrees
UV level 0
And Finally
According to scientists’ humans are on the cusp of detecting alien life on a distant planet. Experts believe NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) - the most powerful device ever launched into space, will help lead the charge in discovering an exoplanet hospitable for life in the next 25 years.
A powerful Mistral storm has swept through Provence, with wind gusts exceeding 150 km/h in some areas. ...
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France’s recently appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou has promised a new government "before Christmas" and reserves the possibility of using 49....
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A four-day strike at DHL has caused delays in package processing, raising concerns about on-time deliveries for Christmas....
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French judges in Avignon will today Thursday 19th December, deliver their verdicts in a mass rape case against 51 men that has appalled France and the...
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Monaco Info and TV Monaco are set to make way for a new television channel on September 1st of 2025. During the debates on the 2025 preliminary budget...
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