News
French government to start intercepting boats - The French government plans to start intercepting small boats carrying asylum seekers even when already at sea. NGOs warn this move, agreed upon by French officials this week, could endanger lives. The plans include intervening in waters near beaches and inland canals to stop boats before they reach shore.
Jersey politicians have unanimously backed French ID card travel scheme – Meanwhile, politicians in Jersey have unanimously voted to continue allowing French day-trippers to visit using ID cards instead of passports. The scheme, introduced in 2023 after Brexit caused a drop in visitors due to new passport rules, has been in place for two years. Uncertainty had arisen because of the UK’s introduction of electronic travel authorisation for visitors.
Strike action – In other news, a general strike called by the CGT union is set to take place today, June 5th, with workers protesting to defend pensions, wages, and jobs. In Nice, public transport will be severely affected. The tramway will be closed, and most buses across the metropolitan area—including lines 6, 7, 8+, 10, 11, 12+, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 57, 64, 70, 81, 98, and 99—will not be running. The city has announced free on-street parking all day to help residents cope with the disruption. A demonstration is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM from Place Masséna to the Chemins de fer de Provence train station.
Train services are expected to operate normally, despite a strike call from the SNCF union CGT-Cheminots. France’s transport Minister Philippe Tabarot assured that services will be maintained as much as possible, with TGV and most regional trains running with only minor possible disruptions.
Schools are not expected to close, as the main teachers’ union, FSU, is not participating in the strike. However, some teacher absences may cause minor interruptions. Parents should also expect disruptions to after-school activities, including canteens and daycare services, with notifications provided where relevant.
New Minister of State for Monaco - The Prince’s Palace has announced that Philippe Mettoux will become Monaco’s new Minister of State, effective from July 4th. Since January, Isabelle Berro-Amadei had been acting interim Minister following the death of Didier Guillaume. Prince Albert II promised the appointment would be made before French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Monaco on June the 7th and 8th. Philippe Mettoux, currently a member of France’s Council of State, has a long career in the judiciary and public service, including roles as a public prosecutor, advisor to government ministers, and Legal and Compliance Director at SNCF. The Palace expressed gratitude to Berro-Amadei for her dedication and professionalism during her six months as interim Minister, ensuring continuity of government actions.
Figures show shocking state of lifts - According to the French Elevator Federation, lift repair times in the Alpes-Maritimes are rising sharply, causing major difficulties for residents, especially the elderly. Last year in Menton, an 8-story building’s lift was out of service for 150 days, forcing residents like 83-year-old Angela to climb a narrow spiral staircase daily. The federation explains that many lifts are old, with replacement parts becoming scarce. Repairs often end up as temporary fixes, leaving equipment unsafe and prone to repeated breakdowns. Similar problems are reported elsewhere: in Cannes, residents of a luxury building with 40-year-old lifts are suing their maintenance company over frequent failures; in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, a weeks-long breakdown left a wheelchair user stranded until media coverage prompted repairs. Across France, there are an estimated 1.5 million lift breakdowns each year, about three per lift annually. Aging infrastructure and slow response times are creating serious challenges, particularly for those with limited mobility.
Warning: Jellyfish return to Côte d'Azur - Jellyfish have been spotted on several beaches along the Côte d'Azur in the past 24 hours, causing concerns for swimmers as warmer weather sets in. Beaches affected include between Monaco and Cap d'Ail, near the Promenade des Anglais, Magnan area in Nice and the Plage des Pêcheurs in Antibes. Safety Tips for Jellyfish Stings includes rinsing the affected area with seawater only, never freshwater, cleaning the wound gently without rubbing and remove tentacles carefully using an object like a credit card not bare hands.
Over 70 world leaders, including Macron, to dine at the Negresco during UN Ocean Summit in Nice - More than 70 heads of state and government, including French President Emmanuel Macron, will attend an official dinner at the iconic Negresco hotel during the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice on Sunday. The choice of the Negresco, reflects France’s commitment to showcasing its luxury and gastronomic heritage on the global stage. The gala dinner’s menu has been crafted by several renowned French chefs, led by Virginie Basselot, a Meilleur Ouvrière de France and head chef of the Negresco’s Michelin-starred restaurant Le Chantecler. The menu will highlight local produce, seasonal vegetables, and Mediterranean fish, celebrating the region’s culinary excellence.
Fête de la radio – Finally, today and tomorrow, France comes alive with the vibrant sounds of the Fête de la Radio, a nationwide celebration dedicated to the magic of radio broadcasting. The festival honours the power of radio to connect communities, share stories, and amplify diverse voices. Organizers emphasize the importance of radio in today’s digital world as a unique, accessible medium that brings people together through music, news, and conversation. Whether tuning in at home, in the car, or joining public events, the Fête de la Radio invites everyone to celebrate this timeless medium and its evolving future.
Business
A lawyer for families of victims in a fatal Boeing 737 Max crash has called the company's $1.1bn deal with the U.S. Justice Department morally disgraceful. The lawyer who is representing 16 families from the 2018 Lion Air crash, said that the agreement lets Boeing "sidestep true criminal accountability" and has sparked outrage among his clients. The deal allows Boeing to avoid prosecution over two crashes that killed 346 people.
US President Donald Trump has signed an order increasing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from 25% to 50%, marking the second hike since March. According to Trump the higher import taxes, aim to protect the American steel industry’s future. However, critics warn the move could disrupt steel producers abroad, provoke retaliation from trade partners, and raise costs for American companies that rely on these metals.
And - The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially launched worldwide, with some stores opening at midnight to meet fan demand. While a few retailers had stock available on shelves, most customers were collecting pre-ordered consoles. UK retailer Currys called it their "biggest gaming pre-order ever", having sold 30,000 units. Despite the buzz, the launch faced some setbacks. UK supplier Game cancelled certain pre-orders, and in the U.S., Nintendo briefly halted pre-orders in April due to tariff concerns, resuming later. There are also questions about whether the Switch 2 can match the success of its predecessor, the third best-selling console in history, especially given its high game prices. The flagship title, Mario Kart World, is priced at £74.99, around £15 more than typical Switch games.
Sport
Tennis - Novak Djokovic has moved into the French Open semi-finals with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over third seed Alexander Zverev, continuing his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title. The 38-year-old dropped the first set but didn’t lose serve again. It marks his record-extending 51st Grand Slam semi-final and makes him the second-oldest man to reach the Roland Garros last four. He will face world No.1 Jannik Sinner, who advanced with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 win over Alexander Bublik. Sinner has yet to drop a set in the tournament and is chasing his first French Open title. The winner will meet either Carlos Alcaraz or Lorenzo Musetti in the final.
Football - Chelsea have beaten several Premier League rivals to the signing of England Under-21 striker Liam Delap. Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest were all pursuing the striker after a £30 million release clause was triggered following Ipswich Town’s relegation. After Ipswich granted permission earlier this month for Delap to speak with interested clubs, it became a straight contest between United and Chelsea. Delap reportedly made his decision last week and was spotted at Stansted Airport shortly before undergoing a medical. He is expected to join Chelsea’s squad for the inaugural Club World Cup this summer, meaning he’ll likely miss the European Under-21 Championship.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner in Portugal’s Nations League semi-final victory over Germany in Munich last night. His first win against them in six attempts. This evening in the Nations League Spain play France.
Weather
Cloudy with scattered showers and sunny spells. A gentle to moderate breeze. Highs of 23 degrees in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, 24 degrees in Nice, 22 degrees in San Remo and 25 degrees in Marseille. This evening going down to 18 degrees along the coast with clear skies.
The outlook for Friday and heading into the weekend, mainly fine remaining dry with highs of 28 degrees along the coast.
Sunrise 05.49am
Sunset 09.08pm
Weather elsewhere
Bordeaux 21° light cloud.
Rome 31° sunny
Lisbon 25° sunny.
Beach weather
Marseille – Sea temperature 20°, air temperature 22° feels more like 29°, UV level 7.
Saint-Tropez - Sea temperature 21°, air temperature 25° feels more like 31°, UV level 7.
Sunny and warm weather is expected this weekend in the Alpes-Maritimes. Friday is mostly clear but brings light rain in inland areas, with highs aroun...
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In response to growing frustration from local shopkeepers and restaurant owners the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture has revised the delivery time slots for...
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Philippe Mettoux has been appointed by H.S.H. Prince Albert II as Monaco’s new Minister of State, effective the 4th of July 2025....
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The French government plans to start intercepting small boats carrying asylum seekers even when already at sea. NGOs warn this move, agreed upon by Fr...
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Cloudy with scattered showers and sunny spells. A gentle to moderate breeze. Highs of 23 degrees in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, 24 degrees in Nice, 22 de...
Read More
