National News
Investigation into campaign financing - Just two days after Le Pen’s far right party was held back by tactical voting in the final round of snap parliamentary elections, French investigators have opened an inquiry into the campaign finances of the far-right leader Marine Le Pen during her failed 2022 presidential election bid against Emmanuel Macron. The news comes as politicians on the left continue to discuss how a new government could be formed. Le Pen and her party have previously denied wrongdoing in connection with campaign financing.
Local News
Town hall warns of scam - The town hall of Mougins has warned of a bank card scam with fake postal agents visiting people’s homes in the area. People posing as bank clerks over the phone call telling victims there is a fraud with their bank card and to cut out the chip put it in an envelope and hand it over to a postal agent who will come to your home to collect it. The town hall has called for vigilance and informed anyone who may be approached by this scam to call 04.92.92.22.22 or the police on 17.
Stars'N'Bars Memorabilia Auction - The auction of the Stars’n’Bars memorabilia is taking place in Monaco. A total of 212 items that once adorned the restaurant’s walls are being sold by Artcurial at the Hermitage Hotel. From Tour de France bikes to a tuxedo worn by John Travolta, the auction has already raised over 255,000 euros as of Monday and continues until 6pm this evening at the Hermitage Hotel.
Complaints of theft during Travis Scott's Concert - Eleven complaints of theft have been lodged following Travis Scott’s concert on Saturday evening at the Allianz Riviera in Nice. Among the 40,000 spectators, eleven reported having their belongings snatched. Some victims also claimed they were gassed before being robbed. Police have arrested two young suspects, aged 21 and 24, who are now in police custody for group snatchings.
INSEE report - A report published on Tuesday by INSEE has shown that our region, the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur (also referred to as the PACA region and Côte d’Azur) has a longer life expectancy, but an aging population. With its 5.2 million inhabitants the Paca region represents 8% of the French metropolitan population and even if the population is increasing slightly, it is also getting older with a birth rate that has fallen sharply in recent years.
Data showed that the Bouches-du-Rhône, ranked 3rd among the most populated departments in France and remains the most populated department in the PACA with just over 2 million inhabitants. Followed by the Var which has largely caught up with the Alpes-Maritimes, both accounting for a little less than 22% of the regional population each. The Vaucluse represents 11% of the regional population and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Hautes-Alpes around 6% between them. The report also showed that the Var is one of the most attractive departments for newcomers as the population continues to increase.
The PACA is a region however, which remains old. Compared to the national average there are more people over 60 in the PACA region than in mainland France with this age group representing 31% of the population compared to 28% in mainland France.
Good news, however, is that life expectancy has tended to increase since last year. In fact, men and women respectively gain seven and eight months of life expectancy in the PACA region. It stands at 80 years and seven months for men and 86 years for woman with life expectancy remaining higher than in mainland France, by six months for men and two months for women.
Most popular boys and girls’ names in France - Finally, a second report from INSEE has revealed that Gabriel remains the most popular boys name in France, with Louise taking 1st place amongst girls.
Business
France's left wing New Popular Front (NPF) alliance which is now the largest group in parliament has called for a prime minister who will implement its ideas including a new wealth tax and petrol price controls. The alliance secured the most seats in the recent French elections but fell short of the 289 needed for a majority in France’s lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. It remains to be seen if the NPF as a whole will reach a deal with other parties to form a majority. Ambitions which are part of the NPF’s programme include, raising the minimum wage, price controls on essential foods, electricity, gas and petrol, lowering the retirement age to 60, a new 90% tax on any annual income above €400,000 (£337,954) and heavy investment in green transition and public services.
Tech giant Samsung has been hit with an indefinite strike. A union representing workers at the South Korean technology giant called on its roughly 30,000 members to go on strike indefinitely, as part of its campaign for better pay and benefits. The union said it had made the decision after management showed no intention of holding talks over its demands.
The NSEU, which represents nearly a quarter of Samsung Electronics' workers in South Korea, said its actions had disrupted production. Samsung has disputed this claim saying that "Samsung Electronics will ensure no disruptions occur in the production lines” and that “the company remains committed to engaging in good faith negotiations with the union”.
Following a hack in May Ticketmaster customers in North America have been sent emails warning them to take action. Emails were sent overnight to Canadian customers, urging them to “be vigilant and take steps to protect against identity theft and fraud." The personal details of 560 million Ticketmaster customers worldwide were stolen in the hack - with cyber criminals then attempting to sell that information online.
Sport
Football – In the European Championship, France started off with high hopes in Tuesday night’s semi-final against Spain, at least for the first 10 minutes after taking the lead 1-0. However, it was soon clear after 16-year-old Lamine Yamal’s history making goal, making him the youngest man to score in the tournament’s history, soon led the way for Spain to dominate the match winning 2-1 and going through to Sunday’s final.
Meanwhile, England boss Gareth Southgate admits "the noise had never been louder" at the start of Euro 2024 but says his side are now ready to make "history" as they prepare for a semi-final against the Netherlands this evening. Kick off is at 9pm French time.
Tennis – Tennis legend John McEnroe has praised Novak Djokovic for criticising the Wimbledon crowd, saying the Serb had been disrespected in his career at least 100 times. McEnroe said Djokovic's ability to deal with the "worst heat" is why he has become the greatest player of all time.
In Tuesday’s action defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a slow start to beat Tommy Paul and set up another semi-final against Daniil Medvedev, a repeat of their meeting from last year, while Medvedev defeated world number one Jannik Sinner. In today’s Men singles quarter final Alex de Minaur plays Novak Djokovic.
Cycling - Belgium's Jasper Philipsen powered to victory in a sprint finish on stage 10 of the Tour de France as Tadej Pogacar retained the leader's yellow jersey. Today, the race crosses the Massif Central as it travels 211km from Evaux-les-Bains to Le Lioran.
Rugby Union - Two France international players have been arrested in Argentina after allegations a woman was sexually assaulted. 21-year-old Oscar Jegou, 20-year-old Hugo Auradou, were detained in Buenos Aires on Monday. The players' lawyer said they denied the allegation. France is currently on a tour of South America.
Weather
Météo France has warned that temperatures will get close to 40 degrees today and tomorrow both in the Var and the Alpes Maritimes. The advice is to avoid going out during the hottest hours and to drink plenty of water.
A gentle breeze. Highs of 28 degrees in Nice, 29 degrees in Monaco, Antibes and Toulon. Reaching 36 degrees in Draguignan. This evening going down to 20 degrees along the coast and 18 degrees inland with clear skies.
The outlook for Thursday similar to today, Friday slightly cooler with highs of 27 degrees, sunny intervals and light rain in Toulon. Heading into the weekend fine and sunny with temperatures not expected to exceed 32 degrees.
Sunrise 05.58am
Sunset 09.12pm
Sea temperature
Saint Tropez 24 degrees.
Sunny. Air temperature 36 degrees feels like 41°.
UV level 9
Weather elsewhere
Bordeaux 28 sunny intervals.
Cardiff 17 light rain.
Madrid 34 sunny.
The Alpes-Maritimes department is tackling "ghost fishing nets," abandoned plastic nets that harm marine ecosystems. ...
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The French government has claimed that Benjamin Netanyahu has immunity from arrest warrants which have been issued by the international criminal court...
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A criminal network that cloned payment cards to steal "hundreds of thousands of euros" from trucking companies across France, including the Côte d’Azu...
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The CGT has released a map detailing nearly 200,000 jobs threatened across France due to layoffs and industrial restructuring since September 2023, wi...
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The A8 motorway was temporarily closed at the La Barque toll plaza toward Nice due to a vehicle driving the wrong way near Aix-en-Provence....
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