National News
Tourists to be evacuated from New Caledonia - France will today evacuate travellers stuck in New Caledonia in the wake of violent protests. Australia and New Zealand said they will send government planes after New Zealand, French and Australian foreign ministers held a call on Monday evening. The French territory has experienced a week of deadly riots, sparked by electoral changes imposed by the French government in Paris. Roughly 3,000 tourists are thought to be concerned, including more than 300 Australians and nearly 250 New Zealanders.
Strike action in Paris today - Strike action in the French Capital today Tuesday 21st May, is expected to affect public transport. Rail workers are seeking to put pressure on the government ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Employees in several sectors have called to strike in Paris with train traffic being significantly disrupted on commuter trains and possible disruption at the city’s airports.
Local News
Cannes Film Festival 2024 - The Olympic flame is expected on the steps of the Palais des Festival in Cannes today, Tuesday 21st May, as the Film Festival is in full swing. By the end of the festival, the flame will have passed through the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Dordogne, Bordeaux, Charente and Vienne. Arnaud Assoumani (Paralympic champion in para-athletics) will carry the Olympic flame onto the red carpet. The long jump world champion participated in his first games in Athens in 2004 (where he won bronze) before shining at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 with a gold medal and in 2012 in London with a silver medal.
Road accident - A 45-year-old motorist has been taken to hospital after an accident on the A8 motorway on Monday. The accident occurred just before 9pm eastbound near La Trinité. According to reports only one vehicle was involved. Witnesses say the vehicle swerved before ending up on its roof.
Meanwhile, in the Var on Monday three people were injured in a collision between a two-wheeler and a utility vehicle. The accident occurred in Puget sur Argens shortly after 5pm. Emergency services intervened on the RD7. One of the victims was said to be in a serious condition following the collision. Traffic in the area was disrupted.
Local figure and famous Tropezian jeweller dies aged 81 - Local figure and famous Tropezian jeweler Jean-Louis Julian has died at the age of 81. Creator of the Passage du Port boutique and from a large family of watchmakers and jewelers whose origin dates back to 1820 with a first boutique in Avignon, then in Cannes in 1867, Jean-Louis Julian had continued the tradition in Saint-Tropez since 1977, after graduating from a Swiss watchmaking school. The jeweler opened other boutiques in Megève, then the first of its kind in Courchevel, before Méribel and Tahiti Plage in Pampelonne. Husband to the actress Chantal Nobel, keen racing driver and pilot Jean-Louis Julian also dedicated a lot of time to raising money for charitable associations. His funeral will be celebrated in the church of Saint-Tropez this Thursday, May 23 at 2:30pm.
Monaco Grand Prix – Finally, the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix is very nearly upon us and from this Thursday May 23rd to Sunday May 26th, the MGP Live Fan Zone will be set up at the Place d’Armes. Open to the public the Fan Zone allows visitors to enjoy a host of F1-related activities for free, as well as see Formula One drivers. On Friday evening, a live DJ is to entertain ahead of two big concerts on Saturday and Sunday following the last racing sessions. The Fan zone will also show practice sessions, qualifying sessions, and the main races live on a giant screen free of charge. Max Verstappen of Red Bull will be at the Fan Zone on Thursday for a special Q&A with fans. Meanwhile, interviews with former F1 drivers will also take place on Saturday afternoon. For more information and a full schedule go to https://acm.mc/en/edition/81st-formula-1-grand-prix-de-monaco/event/mgp-live-fanzone/
Business
A US report has claimed that car manufactuers BMW, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Volkswagen (VW) all used parts made by a supplier which was on a list of firms banned over alleged links to Chinese forced labour. At least 8,000 BMW Mini Cooper cars were imported into the US with components from banned Chinese firm. Chiçneses authorities have denied all allegations of human rights abuses.
Figures published in the UK have revealed that diplomats owe more than £143m to Transport for London (TfL) for unpaid congestion charges. The US Embassy owes the largest amount at almost £14m, the Embassy of Japan owes over £10.1m and meanwhile Togo owes £40. In a statement the American Embassy said it believed they were exempt from the charge claiming it is a tax.
And – Low-cost airline Ryanair has said fares during the peak summer season are set to be unchanged or only "modestly" higher than last year. The carrier said while it expected "strong" demand for flights in July and August, airfares had been growing slower than expected recently. Ryanair said profits for the year to March jumped 34% to €1.92bn (£1.64bn) after fares rose by a fifth. Ryanair said it carried 183.7 million passengers in the year to March, with average fares up 21% to €49.80.
Sport
Football – England’s boss Gareth Southgate will today announce his provisional squad for the Euro 2024 in Germany. There has been much speculation over the announcement due this afternoon since England crashed out of the 2022 World Cup in the auater finals to France.
Cricket – All eyes are on Jofra Archer who is expected to bring a “fear factor” to England’s bowling attack during the four match T20 series against Pakistan which starts on Wednesday at Headingley. Archer has overcome a series of injuries in recent years which have hampered with his career. He is however due to also be part of the Engalnd’s provisional squad for the T20 World Cup in June.
Tennis - Andy Murray’s match against Yannick Hanfmann at the Geneva has been suspended due to snowfall. The game has been rescheduled for today. Murray was on the brink of a first-round defeat on Monday when play was interrupted.
Weather
Sunny with a fresh breeze. Highs of 24 degrees in Nice, 23 degrees in Monaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Marseille. This evening going down to 14 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow fine and highs of 21 degrees. Thursday light rain is forecast. Looking ahead to the weekend and the Monaco Grand Prix so far forecast look fine for Sunday which is race day.
Sunrise 05.58am
Sunset 08.55pm
Sea temperature
Nice 17.3°
Weather elsewhere
London 18° heavy rain.
Paris 20° light rain.
Brussels 18° sunny intervals.
Belfast 19° sunny intervals.
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