National
State of emergency declared in New Caledonia - France has said it will impose a state of emergency in New Caledonia for at least 12 days, after a second night of unrest. Four people have been killed and more than 300 people injured with 130 people being arrested after clashes broke out over changes to voting rights in the overseas territory. The French government announced the decision after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon in Paris, saying it would aim to calm tensions after the “scenes of chaos.” Under the emergency measures, authorities will have greater powers to tackle the unrest, including the possibility of house detention for people deemed a threat to public order.
Manhunt sill ongoing in France - French police are still hunting for Mohamed Amra, the inmate who escaped late Tuesday morning during a fatal attack on a prison van in Normandy. On Wednesday Interpol issued a red notice against him. 30-year-old Amra nicknamed “The Fly” has been convicted 13 times and is reported to have connections to the drug trafficking network in Marseille.
Safety warning - The National Medicines Health Agency (ANSM) has warned that pipettes used for the paracetamol “Doliprane” for children are defective, preventing the product from being dosed correctly and invites parents and pharmacists to check the products in their possession. The warning applies to Doliprane 2.4%, an oral suspension for children and infants from birth to approximately 9 years old. The defective products are contained in batches 3KLR12D1, 3KLR13D2, 3KLQ70DU, 3KLQ69DT, 3KLR14D3, 3KLQ71DV, 3KLQ72DW. These batches total more than 1.3 million boxes.
Local
Buildings in Old Nice evacuated - Two buildings in Old Nice have been evacuated as a security measure. Firefighters set up a security perimeter on Rue Saint-Joseph on Wednesday. It was an engineer working for the council in one of their premises who had alerted emergency services after noticing the collapse of a main wall on the ground floor of one of the two buildings. An expert is to examine the site today Thursday 16th May, to evaluate the situation and any further risk. The site in question is part of a listed historic monument and part of it is in the process of being transformed into a 5-star hotel.
#Metoo short movie screened at Cannes - French actress Judith Godrèche has presented her film #Metoo at the Cannes Film Festival. The short film focuses on victims of sexual violence and was screened at the Festival on Wednesday evening at the opening of the Un Certain Regard selection, at the Palais des Festivals and at the Cinéma de la Plage, for tourists and residents in Cannes. Godrèche has accused two well-known figures in France of rape. The author, Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon. Speaking to reporters in Cannes the actress said she “shot the 17-minute short film to “give a face” to a thousand victims. Meanwhile, also on Wednesday Australian director George Miller returned to Cannes with Furiosa: a Mad Max saga, with actress Anya Taylor-Joy which is screening out of competition.
Hailstorms damage vineyards in the Var - Violent hailstorms have broken out inland in the Var region causing damage to vineyards in the region. Storms had been forecast by Meteo France on Wednesday mainly inland and look like they could repeat themselves today Thursday 16th May, with another yellow weather warning in place until 9pm this evening.
Registrations for the Rainier III Academy - Registrations have opened this week Rainier III Academy for the 2024/2025 school year. Parents wishing to register their children from the age of 6 can do so directly online up until June 11th at www.academierainier3.mc. For students currently enrolled at the Rainier III Academy, re-registrations will take place from Wednesday June 12th to Monday June 24th.
Prince Albert of Monaco in Paris - H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco has been awarded the medal of Commander of Agricultural Merit by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The ceremony was held on Tuesday this week and took place in the presence of HSH Princess Charlene, HRH the Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella.
Business
According to recent data the pace of price increases in the US showed signs of slowing in April, after a streak of higher-than-expected inflation data had stoked concerns about the world's largest economy. Consumer prices rose 3.4% in the 12 months to April, down from 3.5% for the month before. Higher rents and petrol costs accounted for the majority of the increase in the cost of living.
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio has unveiled the first car from its new lower-priced brand in a direct challenge to Tesla's best-selling car. The L60 SUV is more than 10% cheaper than the world's most popular EV, Tesla's Model Y. The news comes in the same week that US President Joe Biden announced he would quadruple the import tax on electric cars from China. Like other EV makers, Tesla has been struggling with falling sales in the face of intense competition from Chinese brands.
Sport
Football - Scotland and Celtic have won a 12th title in 13yrs last night after beating Kilmarnock 5-0. Manager Brendan Rogers said after the game “he never had any doubt about himself or Celtic winning the title”.
In the premier league it looks like it’s going to go down to the wire on Sunday with the final places for European football next season still up for grabs with Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester United all chasing that 6th place finish. Chelsea currently occupies 6th place on 60 points after beating Brighton 2-1 last night, Manchester United beat Newcastle 3-2 keeping theirs hopes alive as they now draw level with Newcastle United on 57 points but Newcastle having a far superior goal difference.
Also, at the top of the table Man city look to be crowned premier league champions on Sunday for and unprecedented 4th time they current sit two points above Arsenal who need a huge favour from West Ham who face City on Sunday if they hope to steal the crown from their north west rivals.
Premier league and Premier league clubs will vote on whether to scrap VAR assisted referees from next season at their annual AGM meeting next month. Wolves’ FC have submitted a resolution to the premier league and in turn will trigger a vote when the 20 clubs meet next month.
And - Juventas have one their first trophy in 3yrs after beating Alanta 1-0 last night to lift a record-breaking 15th, Coppa Italia. With the only goal of the game coming in the 4th minute when Dusan Vlahovic received Andrea Cambiasos pass before he finished from 12 yards out. Alantas wait for a trophy win goes back to 1963 when they last won the Coppa Italia, but they have another chance a silver wear next week when they face Bayern Leverkusen in the Europa league final in Dublin on Wednesdays.
Tennis - Andy Murry is through to the next round in the ATP challenger event in Bordeaux on his injury return to tennis after his opponent Kyrian Jacquet retired at the start of the second set. Murray intends to play the French open on May 26th for what may be his final time.
Golf - Tiger Woods remains favourite to captain team USA in the Ryder cup next year, talks between the former world number 1 and the PGA will continue after this week’s US PGA championship at Valhalla.
Formula One – In Formula 1 Williams driver Alex Albon has signed a new long-term contract. The 28yr. old British born Thai driver has been with Williams since 2022. Williams have not confirmed the length of the new deal but says it is a multi-year contract extension, Albon himself has said “This is a long term project that I really believe in and want to play a key role , which is why he signed a multi year contract.
Weather
A yellow weather alert has been issued by Meteo France with storms forecast. The warning is in place until 9pm this evening. Cloudy with moderate winds. Highs of 19 degrees in Nice, 18 degrees Monaco, 21 in Cannes, 20 degrees in Draguignan. This evening going down to 11 degrees with clear skies.
Outlook for Friday and heading into the weekend fine and sunny highs of 22 degrees.
Sunrise 06.03am
Sunset 08.50pm
Sea temperatures
Saint-Tropez 18.2°
UV 6
Weather elsewhere
London 18° with light rain.
Berlin 27° sunny.
Palma 23° sunny intervals.
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