French police have raided the headquarters of the far-right National Rally party as part of an inquiry into its campaign finances. Party president Jordan Bardella said that what he called the "spectacular and unprecedented operation" was a "serious attack on pluralism and democratic change". Prosecutors said they were investigating potential acts of "fraud committed against a public figure" and alleged violations involving loans and donations during election campaigns in 2022 and 2024. Earlier this year, party leader Marine Le Pen was convicted by a French court of helping to embezzle European Union funds. She was barred from running for office for five years but has appealed against the conviction.
The fire which affected areas around the north of Marseille over the past two days has now been contained. The emergency operations commander said yesterday evening that he considered the fire to be “contained”, in other words no longer evolving. In total, 900 firefighters were mobilized in fighting the blaze. Although there was significant damage to property, no serious injuries or fatalities were reported. However, the Prefecture said that a total of 97 people had suffered minor injuries, of which 24 required hospitalization.
Meanwhile, authorities have said that two further vegetation fires in southern France no longer pose any threat. A fire in the Gard department has consumed 430 hectares and another has burned through 200 hectares since Monday in the Aude department.
A VINCI Autoroutes emergency vehicle has been violently struck by a heavy goods vehicle this near the Saint-Jory exit on the A62, towards Toulouse. The incident happened while the VINCI Autoroutes vehicle was protecting a car stopped on the hard shoulder. Company employees were outside the vehicle at the time of impact but were shocked by the accident. VINCI Autoroutes and the VINCI Autoroutes Foundation are rolling out an awareness campaign called "When are you going to hit?", the aim of which is to raise awareness and remind holidaymakers that it is essential to ensure the safety of VINCI Autoroutes employees.
The Prefect of the Var has initiated a forced evacuation procedure against an encampment of travelers. The prefecture said that the settlement “in the sensitive natural area” of Parc de la Brûlade in La Londe was illegal.
Construction has begun on an all-season toboggan run in Gréolières-les-Neiges. The project aims to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly tourist attraction with a 1,335-meter downhill run, a biathlon shooting range, and hiking trails. The works are supported by the “Plan Avenir Montagne” with a €700,000 government grant.
The Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority has unveiled the new version of its official website: www.visitmonaco.com The platform, available in 10 languages, has been completely redesigned to meet the needs of visitors, event organizers and tourism professionals, as well as the destination's media and partners.
BUSINESS
The CEO of Elon Musk's social media site X, has announced that she is stepping down. Linda Yaccarino had been in the job since June 2023. She was previously with NBC Universal. She said was “immensely grateful” to Elon Musk for entrusting her “with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the Everything App”. In a post on X, Musk thanked her for her contributions.
Nvidia has become the first company in the world to reach a market value of $4tn. The US-based chip maker reached a market value of $1tn for the first time in June 2023.
Donald Trump has issued tariff notices of between 20 and 30% on six more countries. They are Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova and the Philippines. Trump posted letters he had sent to each country on his Truth Social platform. He said that the tariffs may be modified up or down.
SPORT
Motorsports… Christian Horner has been sacked as Red Bull team principal. He joined the team at its inception in 2005 and oversaw eight drivers' championships and six constructors' championship titles. Horner will be replaced as team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing by Laurent Mekies, who has been promoted from his second team, Racing Bulls.
Tour de France…Tadej Pogacar has become the first rider to wear the yellow, green and polka-dot jerseys at this stage of the Tour de France since Eddy Merckx in 1970. He came second in Stage 5 yesterday, behind Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel.
Tennis…At Wimbledon yesterday, Iga Swiatek reached the semi-finals for the first time with a 6-2 7-5 win over Liudmila Samsonova. Swiatek will play Belinda Bencic after she defeated Mirra Andreeva
7-6 7-6. In the men's singles quarter-finals, Jannik Sinner beat Ben Shelton 7-6 6-4 6-4.
Football… Everton have signed French player Thierno Barry from Villarreal for a fee of £27m. He's joined the Merseyside club on a four year contract.
The prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes has made a legal challenge against new limits on large cruise ship moorings in Nice and Villefranche....
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British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron have announced a so-called "one in, one out" migrant deal aimed at reducing migr...
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French comedian Bun Hay Mean, known as “le Chinois marrant,” has been found dead after an eight-story fall from his Paris apartment on the 10th of Jul...
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French police have raided the headquarters of the far-right National Rally party as part of an inquiry into its campaign finances...
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The massive wildfire near Marseille, which began on the 8th of July from a burning car on the A55, has burned over 700 hectares and destroyed or damag...
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