Monaco Journal - News from Monaco, Monte-Carlo and the world

As cycling's Giro d'Italia enters its second week French climber Romain Bardet may be sitting pretty but is taking nothing for granted on a treacherous route that has already claimed the scalp of three of the supposed front runners.

Elisabeth Borne, who is taking the reins of President Emmanuel Macron's government as the first female prime minister in over 30 years, is an experienced technocrat who enjoys the full confidence of the French leader.

Ukraine's foreign minister urged the EU Monday to overcome Hungary's resistance to an embargo on Russian oil and then look to "kill" all of Moscow's exports to starve its war machine of funds.

President Emmanuel Macron on Monday named Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne as his new prime minister, the first woman to head the French government in over 30 years, the Elysee said in a statement.

El Salvador has arrested more than 30,000 suspected gang members since President Nayib Bukele in March launched his "war" on criminal groups terrorizing the country, police said on Monday.

The United States and the European Union announced on Monday a joint effort to boost microchip manufacturing and tackle Russian disinformation around the war in Ukraine.

The last touches were being laid in Cannes on Monday for the 75th anniversary edition of the world's leading film festival, promising a return to its full glitz.

The exodus of Western businesses from Russia deepened on Monday as French automaker Renault's local assets were effectively nationalised and fast food giant McDonald's said it would exit the market.

Stocks mostly slipped lower on Monday with traders assessing recession risks as high inflation causes central banks to hike interest rates.

England pace bowler Saqib Mahmood will miss the rest of the season after suffering a stress fracture of the back, cricket chiefs announced on Monday.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Monday handed his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, part of a widely expected reshuffle to make way for a new government that could be the first led by a woman in more than 30 years.

Colombia's last remaining recognized rebel group on Monday announced a 10-day ceasefire to allow presidential elections later this month to pass off peacefully.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Finland and Sweden on Monday to expect a "response" for applying to join NATO as Ukraine braced for a new push by Moscow's forces in its eastern Donbas region.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un criticised "irresponsible" officials over the country's pandemic response and ordered the army to help distribute medicine, state media said on Monday, as Seoul offered Covid-19 aid.

French hopes of a first men's singles title at Roland Garros since 1983 suffered a blow on Monday with Gael Monfils announcing he was pulling out of the draw to have surgery on his right heel.

Sweden on Monday officially announced it will apply for NATO membership as a deterrent against Russian aggression, entering a "new era" as it reverses two centuries of military non-alignment.

EU foreign ministers pressed Hungary on Monday to drop resistance to a proposed oil embargo to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, as Budapest put a 15 billion euro price tag on making the move.

Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews said he accepted his fate after being cruelly dismissed one run short of a double century in the first Test against Bangladesh on Monday.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex is expected to tender his resignation on Monday to President Emmanuel Macron and make way for a new government that looks set to be headed by a woman for the first time in more than 30 years.

Stocks mostly slipped lower on Monday with traders assessing recession risks as high inflation causes central banks to hike interest rates.

Until recently, Raul Prado and Aidana Hernandez believed in change. Cuba was opening up internet access and there was a whiff of freedom in the air.

The United States and the European Union announced on Monday a joint effort to boost microchip manufacturing and tackle Russian disinformation around the war in Ukraine.

The Catholic archbishop in Jerusalem on Monday strongly criticised Israel's "police invasion" last week of a Christian hospital ahead of the funeral of slain Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh.

Face masks are no longer required in metros, trains and planes in France from Monday, as French authorities lifted one of the last remaining health measures imposed since the pandemic began in 2020.

Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool were assessing the fitness of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk as they prepare for their must-win Premier League match against Southampton on Tuesday.

US Vice President Kamala Harris was Monday leading a high-level delegation to meet the United Arab Emirates' new president, who takes over after his half-brother's death, following months of strained ties between Washington and the oil-rich Gulf state.

Daniil Medvedev said he was ready and raring to go as he returns from a hernia operation, tuning up for next week's French Open on the Geneva clay.

Sri Lanka's new prime minister won crucial support from two main opposition parties Monday, easing the pressure on the ruling Rajapaksa clan in the face of the island's worsening economic crisis.

Angelo Mathews missed out on his second double hundred by one run as Bangladesh bowled out Sri Lanka for 397 runs in the first Test in Chittagong on Monday.

Saudi Arabia expects to ramp up its daily oil production capacity by more than one million barrels to exceed 13 million barrels by early 2027, the kingdom's energy minister announced Monday.

Russia warned Finland and Sweden Monday they were making a "grave mistake" in their moves to join NATO as Ukraine braced for a new push by Moscow's forces in its eastern Donbas region.

Nepal on Monday opened a Chinese-built airport intended to capitalise on Buddhist tourism as India's prime minister landed a few kilometres away to mark the birth, enlightenment and death of the religion's founder.