News
SOS Méditerranée ship rescue operation - The SOS Méditerranée ship, based in Marseille has rescued 94 migrants in the Mediterranean on Monday. It’s the association's second rescue operation in the Mediterranean in two days. On Sunday, 70 migrants had been picked up in the same area by the humanitarian ship co-chartered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 23,500 people have died or gone missing since 2014 in the central Mediterranean, the world's most dangerous migration route. 2,048 last year alone.
Circus banned from Marseille - Police in Marseille have blocked the Muller circus, known for its wild animals, from trying to settle on the lawns of the Prado beaches on Monday. On March 15, the City of Marseille issued an order to prohibit the Muller circus from coming to the Grand Littoral, in the 15th arrondissement. The municipality has highlighted the lack of sufficient rules concerning public safety. The Muller circus is famous for its wild animals: tigers, camels, tigers, zebras, but also Jumbo, a three-ton hippopotamus, the biggest in Europe.
Monaco lifts regulations - Monaco is lifting a number of coronavirus regulations from this weekend, including the requirement to reserve restaurants and nightclubs. There will also no longer be any limit on the number of people at a table. A Health Pass will no longer be needed in hotels, healthcare establishments or homes for the elderly. However, masks will still be required on public transport and in public areas of buildings such as hotel lobbies.
ExpoRose - In Grasse, it’s been confirmed that ExpoRose will make a return to the streets of the town in mid-May after a two-year absence. The event had been due to celebrate its 50th anniversary but was cancelled due to Covid. However, the 50th anniversary is going ahead this year, with the town planning a bigger event than ever, which will include the world-famous flower markets, street art, exhibitions, open-air cinema and the international rose exhibition at the Fragonard villa museum.
Oldest living woman - A Japanese woman who was officially recognized as the oldest living woman in the world has died at the age of 119. The death of Kane Tanaka means that Sister André who lives in a nursing home in Toulon in the Var has now become the oldest living woman in the world. Sister André, celebrated her 118th birthday last February.
Tunnel in Toulon closed in the evening’s this week from 10pm to 6pm - Due to road works being carried out in Toulon the tunnel will be closed every evening this week from 10pm to 6am. Motorists must take the exit ramp from the Toulon Centre interchange (n°17). Circulation is expected to return to normal from Friday 29th April.
Ikea - And finally, we are less than 3 weeks away from the grand opening of the new IKEA store in Nice. The superstore is due to open its doors on the 11th of May. It’s the 35th IKEA store in France, with a surface area of 32,000m2 and 1,700 parking spaces. It will also be one of the most environmentally friendly, with over 30,000 solar panels and 10,000m2 of plants.
Business
Mr Musk is the world's richest person, according to Forbes magazine, has taken over Twitter for $44bn (£34.5bn). The board of Twitter agreed the takeover offer from Musk who had made the shock bid less than two weeks ago.
Elon Musk said that Twitter had "tremendous potential" that he would unlock. He also called for a series of changes from relaxing its content restrictions to eradicating fake accounts.
The latest report from the International Peace Research Institute in Stockholm has shown that global military spending increased by 0.7% in 2021, reaching $2.113 billion. The United States, China, India, the United Kingdom and Russia account for 62% of this amount. It’s the first time that these expenditures have exceeded 2 trillion dollars. Global military budgets are increasing for the seventh consecutive year.
After the sale of cars and other luxury products last October, 1,000 bottles of fine wines will seek to find buyers on April 30th as the French State once again auctions property from seizures and judicial confiscations. The sale will take place on April 30 at the Palais des Ducs de Dijon and online. The bottles at auction grouped into 200 lots "represent the greatest vintages in particular from Burgundy and Bordeaux"
Business leaders in the UK have urged the prime minister to make this year's extra bank holiday marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee permanent. In an open letter, the CBI, UK Hospitality and a host of well-known brands said a "thank holiday" would honour the monarch and public service. They argued that the new holiday would provide an economic boost after Covid.
Sport
Football - Leeds United moved five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone following a fiercely contested goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Monday night. Tonight, in the Champions League Manchester City play Real Madrid.
Cricket - Former South Africa captain and director of cricket Graeme Smith has been cleared of racism allegations by two independent arbitrators. CSA has been ordered to pay Smith's costs for the arbitration process. Smith, who captained South Africa in a record 108 Tests from 2003 to 2014, left his role as director of cricket after three years when his contract ended on 31 March.
Tennis - Andrey Rublev has denied Novak Djokovic a first title of the season by beating the world number one in the final of his home tournament at the Serbia Open. The world number eight Rublev dominated the deciding set to win 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 6-0.
Snowboarding - Snowboard halfpipe Olympic champion 17-year-old Chloe Kim has said she will take a season out from the sport to "reset". Kim became the youngest woman to win Olympic snowboarding gold in 2018 - and repeated the feat at Beijing in 2022. Kim said she needed a mental health break away from the spotlight.
Weather
Today improving during the day. Cloud and sun in the morning, sunny in the afternoon. Light winds highs of 18 degrees in Nice, Antibes and Cannes. Reaching highs of 22 degrees in the Var. This evening clear skies going down to 10 degrees.
Outlook for Wednesday and Thursday cloudy with sunny intervals on Wednesday. Clear skies on Thursday. Highs of 20-21 degrees.
TGV services across much of France are gradually improving after several arson attacks affected the network in the early hours of this morning....
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Paris is getting ready to shut down it’s city centre and its airspace as well as mobilise 45,000 police and several army units in what has been billed...
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Lucie Castets, the left-wing candidate for Prime Minister, reiterated her desire to lead the government during a media appearance on July 25. A poll s...
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French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to welcome world leaders to the Olympic games opening ceremony tomorrow night and has been visiting key ...
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France will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alpes, conditional on state and regional financial guarantees. President Macron confirmed his full su...
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