Evening Update Friday 6 September

Four people have been rescued from a boat near the Iles de Lerins off Cannes in difficult conditions. The local lifeboat had initially attempted to take three occupants off a 9 metre speedboat, but had to call for helicopter backup because of Force 5 winds. The helicopter winched aboard the 3 passengers and one lifeboat member who were taken to the Pasteur Hospital in Nice.

A car has hit a tram in Nice this morning. The accident occurred shortly before 10 am at the corner of avenues Jean-Médecin and Marechal-Joffre. The car was apparently hit from behind by another vehicle and pushed into the side of the passing tram. The incident disrupted traffic in the area and the tram service was briefly interrupted. Two passengers and two motorists suffered slight injuries.

Parking fines will be levied by video surveillance in La Seyne as from Monday. According to the mayor, the system will cover 99 per cent of parking offences, freeing up parking employees to concentrate on other roles.

Road and rail traffic was disrupted during this morning’s rush hour after a truck got stuck under a railway bridge in Cagnes-sur-Mer. The truck was travelling towards the city centre on avenue Maréchal-Juin. Train services were suspended while safety checks were carried out on the bridge.

Over 740 lightning strikes were recorded in Fréjus during last night’s storm in the Var. Eastern parts of the department were particularly affected, with 480 lightening strikes in Saint-Raphaël and 200 in Roquebrune-sur-Argens, according to the French observatory of tornadoes and violent storms.

The Ironman World Championships are taking place in and around Nice this weekend. About 6,000 competitors and a large number of spectators are expected for the event. Traffic will be disrupted because of road closures and diversions. In particular, the Quai des Etats-Unis and the Promenade des Anglais will be closed from midnight tonight until 10pm on Sunday.

BUSINESS

The US economy added 130,000 jobs last month, according to the latest official figures. Economists polled by Reuters had expected an increase of 158,000.  The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7%.

Facebook is facing a new anti-trust investigation in the US to determine whether it has "stifled competition and put users at risk". The new action was announced by New York state Attorney General Letitia James on behalf of a coalition of representatives from several states. State officials from Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee are part of the investigation, as well as the District of Columbia.

SPORT

Cricket… It’s the third day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. England are replying to Australia’s 497 for 8 declared. Early this evening they were 125  for 2 wickets after 47.0 overs.

Motorsports…… Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was fastest in second practice at the Italian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes was second and Sebastian Vettel was third. Charles Leclerc was also fastest in first practice this morning, with both practice sessions being affected by wet weather.

Cycling… Giro d'Italia winner Richard Carapaz won’t be competing in the Tour of Britain because his visa hasn’t been issued in time. Carapaz will join Team Ineos from the 2020 season, after signing a three-year deal earlier this week.

Athletics… Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya has joined a South African women's football team. The 28-year-old is unable to compete in athletics without taking testosterone-reducing drugs following a rule change by the IAAF. She is now training with Gauteng-based women's football club JVW.

Football… Argentina legend Diego Maradona has taken his first coaching job in his homeland since 2010. He is taking charge of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata who are bottom of the Primera Division.