National News
Senate agrees to limit the right to strike in the transport sector in France - The French Senate, or the upper house of the French Parliament, has agreed to limit the right to strike in the transport sector over certain periods. The text grants the government a quota of 30 days per year during which “staff of public transport services”, except the air sector, would not be allowed to strike. The bill aims to limit strikes in the French transport sector during certain periods, such as school holidays, public holidays, elections, and referendums as well as events of “major importance”, such as the Olympic Games. The ban on striking would also be limited to peak hours.
Local
Real estate prices - Three towns in the Alpes-Maritimes are among the cities where the price of a 3-room apartment has increased the most. Cagnes-sur-mer, Antibes and Grasse are among the top 10 municipalities where the price of a 3-room apartment increased the most during the first quarter of 2024. In Antibes, Bien Ici noted a 9% increase in prices for a 3-room apartment during the first quarter of 2024. In Cagnes-sur-mer it soared by 14% and in Grasse, 13%. Neully-sur-Seine, Paris and Cannes are still at the top of the ranking of cities where the m² is the most expensive in France.
Another successful year for Monaco Ocean Week - Monaco Ocean Week this year brought together diverse stakeholders from around the world in over 50 events aimed at safeguarding our oceans. Held in March, this year’s edition marked another significant milestone in global efforts towards ocean conservation. Organized by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, in collaboration with the Monaco Government, the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, the Scientific Centre of Monaco and the Monaco Yacht Club. Monaco Ocean Week 2024 reaffirmed Monaco’s commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable development, serving as a platform for collaboration, innovation and actionable solutions. As we navigate the challenges ahead, the collective efforts showcased during the week inspired hope and optimism for a brighter future for our oceans. Monaco Ocean week benefits from the generous support of Rolex and Barclays Private Bank.
Reading - A survey carried out among 7- to 19-year-olds has confirmed that young people are reading less and spending more time on screens. The study confirms a long-term trend, observed from the first edition of the survey in 2016: young people's weekly reading time is decreasing, fewer young people read in their free time and a growing number declare they "dislike" or “hate” reading. On average, French people aged 7 to 19 read 2 hours 13 minutes per week , or 19 minutes per day, 33 minutes less than in 2022. A dropout which increases with age and affects boys more than girls. Boys aged 16 to 19 have the lowest reading time, with seven minutes per day on average, and 31% of this age group say they "dislike" or "hate" reading (+10 points compared to to 2022). In the same category, only one in two young people say they read in their free time for pleasure. The decline in reading is not limited to children: 18% of young people declared that neither of their two parents read. In fact, the share of parents who read has fallen by 5 points since 2022.
Cannes Film Festival - The iconic director of “Star Wars” George Lucus is to be awarded an honorary Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The 79-year-old American is the man behind several legendary franchises: “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” and has attended Cannes numerous times as screenwriter, director and producer. On hearing the news Lucas said he was “truly honoured by this special recognition”. The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 14th to 25th.
Business
Shares in Boeing have dropped almost 2% after concerns were raised over its 787 and 777 jets. The compnay is facing new pressure after a whistleblower reported safety concerns over the manufacturing of some of its planes to US regulators. The engineer accused Boeing of taking shortcuts in the construction of its 787 and 777 jets. He claimed he was "threatened with termination" after raising concerns with bosses. But Boeing said the the claims were "inaccurate" and added it was confident its planes were safe.
The head of JPMorgan Chase, one of the world's biggest banks has warned US interest rates could climb to 8%. Central banks around the world have been busy raising rates in a bid to dampen rising prices. But with US inflation gradually easing, the overwhelming expectation is for the Federal Reserve to cut rates this year.
Banking giant HSBC is selling off its business in Argentina at a $1bn (£790m) loss after years of battling with the country's unstable exchange rate. HSBC Argentina, which has more than 100 branches and 3,100 employees, will be bought by a major private financial group. Annual inflation in Argentina hit 276.2% last month, the highest in the world.
Many workers say they lack employer programmes – and have no choice but to leave their roles due to Menopause-related symptoms which can be debilitating. The topic of the menopause is becoming less taboo in some countries. Yet its professional impact on women (and anyone who experiences the menopause) remains largely unaddressed, say experts. In a late 2023 survey, UK workplace-healthcare provider SimplyHealth surveyed more than 2,000 working women aged 40 to 60. Twenty-three percent considered resigning due to the impact of the menopause, and 14% are said thy are planning to hand in their notice
Sport
Football – Both Champion League matches ended in a draw on Tuesday evening. Arsenal drew 2-2 against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid drew 3-3 against Manchester City.
This evening Atlético Madrid are at home to Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint Germain play Barcelona kick off for both matches is 9pm French time.
In other football news former England midfielder Danny Murphy says he became addicted to cocaine after his playing career ended. Murphy played for Liverpool, Charlton Athletic, Tottenham, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers before retiring in 2013.
Cricket - Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood will leave Surrey with immediate effect to take a role with Pakistan's men's side. The former all-rounder joined the county in 2022 with the club going on to win consecutive County Championship titles over the last two years. Mahmood also had two playing stints at Surrey and said it was a "difficult decision" to leave his "second home".
ROLEX MONTE CARLO TENNIS MASTER REPORT FROM BANQUE HAVILLAND
World number 39 Britain's Jack Draper suffered a narrow first-round defeat by Hubert Hurkacz at the Monte Carlo Masters. Draper lost 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-2) to the Polish 10th seed in a close clay-court meeting. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic made light work of his first clay-court match of the year with a 6-1 6-2 win over Roman Safiullin. World number one Djokovic has not won the Monte Carlo title since 2015 but is aiming to peak for this summer's Paris Olympics, which are held on the Roland Garros clay.
Practical Information for attending the tournament.
If you are planning on coming to the tennis then to make it easier for you to get to the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and avoid parking constraints, we recommend that you travel by train. During the tournament, trains will stop at the “Monte-Carlo Country Club” station between Monaco and Roquebrune Cap Martin. The TER will drop you 500 metres from entrance 4 of Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Passengers can also stop at the Monaco station and, on presenting their valid tennis tournament ticket, use free of charge the Principality buses (lines 1,4 or 6) to get to the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
By car the simplest way is to exit the A8, at junction 57 “La Turbie” (from France) or the junction for “Monaco” (from Italy), then simply follow the signs. Several car parks are available, and you will be eligible for a special tournament price. Complimentary shuttle buses will then take you to the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Departure from the port area in Nice and bus station in Menton every 15 minutes: Nice-Monaco: LIGNE 607 Menton-Monaco: LIGNE 608
Finally by helicopter BLADE offers by-the-seat flights, every 30 minutes from Nice Airport (Terminal 1 / Terminal 2 / Affairs Terminal) to Monaco Heliport in 7 minutes only. From there, a BLADE van will accompany you to the tournament gates.
For more details on the tournament go to https://montecarlotennismasters.com/en/
Weather
Mainly fine with the possibility of some scattered showers by this afternoon. Highs of 17 degrees in Nice and Monaco. 16 degress in Saint-Tropez and 15 degrees in Mougins. A gentle breeze across the region. This eveing going down to 10 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Friday fine and sunny with highs of 19-20 degrees.
Sunrise 06.55am
Sunset 08.08pm
Sea temperature
Nice 14.7
Weather elsewhere
London 15° light rain.
New York 17° Sunny.
Paris 17° Sunny interval.
Authorities have recalled batches of organic flour in western France due to cases of poisoning caused by datura, a plant that can cause hallucinations...
Read More
The Menton campus of Sciences-Po university has been closed until further notice after students occupied the site in a pro-Palestinian protest against...
Read More
The 29-year-old arsonist of Cimiez in Nice was found guilty of deliberately setting fire to thirteen vehicles in March. Arrested on 2 April, he was br...
Read More
Parents on the Riviera are being urged to make sure that they, and their children, are up-to-date with their vaccinations, after a three-week-old baby...
Read More
Bordeaux, France's largest AOC vineyard, is tackling a crisis in the wine industry by grubbing up 8,000 hectares of vines by 31 May, with up to 1,500 ...
Read More
