News
Search for missing toddler called off - The search for two-year-old Emile has been called off. A massive air and land search had been launched following the toddler’s disappearance from his grandparents’ home in the tiny village of Vernet in the French Alps on Saturday. Investigators say that the focus will now be on the evaluation of evidence already gathered. In addition, according to BFMTV this morning, Émile was not alone with his grandparents the weekend of his disappearance. A family reunion took place that weekend, with several of the child's uncles and aunts, people of all ages present. The investigation continues.
Police deployed ahead of National Fete – In other news, due to recent riots in France the Minister of the Interior has announced the deployment of 130,000 police and gendarmes from this evening ahead of tomorrow’s national holiday. Gérald Darmanin announced that firm measures would be taken towards those that wish to “spoil the party”. Since June 30th 150,000 fireworks have been seized, sold illegally with the intention to use in attacks against the police and in public places. Bus and tram services in all major urban areas in France will stop at 10pm. Demonstrations have also been banned until July 15th.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron will not address the nation on July 14th, France’s Fete National, but will do so in the coming days. Macron declared to French media that “he will speak when he feels it is the right time”. The Head of State has never been accustomed to speaking on July 14th only doing it twice, the first time in 2020, just a few months after the start of the Covid pandemic and then in 2022, to launch his second five-year term.
Heatwave - A heatwave is sweeping across parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa, with potential record-breaking temperatures in the coming days. Temperatures are expected to surpass 40C (104F) in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey. In Italy, temperatures could reach as high as 48.8C (119.8F). A red alert warning has been issued for 10 cities, including Florence and Rome.
A heatwave is a period of hot weather where temperatures are higher than is expected for the time of year. Experts say periods of exceptionally hot weather are becoming more frequent and climate change means it is now normal to experience record-breaking temperatures. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather forecasts said that globally, this June was the hottest on record.
National Assembly gives green light to additional prison places - France’s National Assembly has given the green light to 3,000 additional prison places, an amendment presented by leader of the Republican party Eric Ciotti. According to a recent parliamentary report the current program of the creation of "15,000 places by 2027, launched in 2018, has been delayed and was "not enough”. Ciotti, in his amendment set the objective of 3,000 more places, which was approved on Wednesday.
Light is shed on fatal road accident in the Principality - More than three months after the fatal road accident in a tunnel in Monaco which cost the lives of three men, investigators have shed light on the circumstances saying that the driver who had consumed alcohol and cocaine, was traveling at 156 km/h. The accident occurred on April 1st at 4:16am after partying in the Larvotto district, three men in an Audi Q3, crashed head-on into the low wall near the entrance to the Auditorium Rainier III tunnel. The victims a Frenchman and two Swiss nationals were, all three in their thirties. Two of them worked in the Monegasque banking sector, one living in the Principality, the other in the nearby French region. The third victim resided in Switzerland.
French government to pay for repairs - If you have a rip in your trousers, a button missing from your shirt or even a broken heel? Then, you might want to think twice before throwing them away as the French government will pay a “repair bonus” to have them mended in a new scheme aimed at cutting waste. From October people will be able to claim back between six and twenty-five euros of the cost of mending clothes and shoes in workshops or at cobblers. An estimated 700,000 tonnes of clothing is thrown away in France every year.
Business
Pakistan has got final approval for $3bn IMF bailout. The country will get about $1.2bn upfront, with the rest due to be paid out over the next nine months. The crisis-hit national also received funds this week from allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. On receiving the approval, the Prime Minister of Pakistan said that it was a major step forward in efforts to stabilise the country.
Much of the country was hit by devastating floods last year, which added to other major problems faced by the country, including high inflation and economic mismanagement by successive governments.
According to data the rate of price growth in the US dropped to its slowest pace in more than two years last month, helped by cheaper used cars. Inflation rose 3% in the year to June, from 4% in May. Inflation has fallen sharply from a peak of more than 9% in June 2022 and the latest reading marks the slowest pace since March 2021.
Elon Musk has been accused of owing $500m in severance pay owed to former staff at Twitter. The complaint made by a former human resources boss says that Musk knew about the severance plan before he sacked thousands of staff.
It is the latest of multiple lawsuits filed against the company over the mass firings that followed Mr Musk's purchase of Twitter for $44bn (£34bn) last year. According to the lawsuit the layoffs ultimately affected roughly 6,000 people.
Meanwhile the boss of Tesla has announced the formation of an artificial intelligence startup. The new company is called xAI, and includes several engineers that have worked at companies like OpenAI and Google. Mr Musk has previously stated he believes developments in AI should be paused and that the sector needs regulation.
Sport
Football - Aston Villa have announced the signing Torres from Villarreal for a reported £31.5m. Torres made his first Villarreal appearance in 2016, becoming the first player born in the small Valencian town to debut for the club in 13 years.
Cycling - Jasper Philipsen has secured his fourth stage win of the 2023 Tour de France. Philipsen extends his lead in the green jersey. The last rider to win four bunch sprints in a single Tour de France was Briton Mark Cavendish in 2021.
Weather
Mainly clear skies with an orange heatwave alert in place for the Alpes Maritimes and a yellow one in place for the Var and Corsica. Highs of 23 degrees this morning in Monaco, Nice, Cannes and Antibes. Reaching 32 degrees by midday along the coast. 32 degrees in Biot. 35 degrees inland in Puget Theniers and 28 degrees in Berre les Alpes. 37 degrees in Saint-Tropez with moderate to strong winds. A gentle breeze in the Alpes Maritimes and going down to 25 degrees at night with clear skies.
The outlook for Friday and the weekend – Fine with sunny skies and highs of 30-32 degrees.
Sunrise 06.00am
Sunset 09.11pm
Beach weather
Cassis – Sea temperature 25 degrees. Air temperature 33. Sunny. UV level 10
Le Lavandou – Sea temperature 26 degrees. Air temperature 35 degrees. Sunny with moderate winds. UV level 10.
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