NEWS
Astronaut Thomas Pesquet joins the French Air and Space Force - Astronaut Thomas Pesquet has become an operational reservist in the French Air and Space Force, serving as a pilot at Air Base 125 in Istres, near Marseille. He will fly a transport and refuelling aircraft and participate in force projection missions. He will contribute his space mission expertise to the Space Command, promoting civil-military cooperation in space projects. This role builds on his previous involvement as a citizen reservist since 2017.
Villa Robbed near Nice - Three armed individuals robbed several influencers in the early hours of this morning, stealing luxury watches and smartphones worth €100,000 in a villa in Vallauris, in the Alpes-Maritimes. The suspects, who used a handgun and knives, are still at large. The Grasse prefecture has opened an investigation. Luxury watch thefts have been increasing in the Côte d’Azur region.
Fire in RTE electrical transformer station in the Var - Over 50 firefighters have battled a fire at an RTE electrical transformer station involving a 44-ton oil reserve in Vinon-sur-Verdon, in the Var. The fire began early Friday morning, and significant resources, including 30 vehicles, a drone, and a chemical risk unit have been deployed. The fire poses no risk to the electricity supply or air quality. The public is advised to avoid the area and not overload emergency phone lines.
Mountains Closed in the Vaucluse - Due to high fire risks, access to three mountains has been prohibited in the Vaucluse department. The region’s prefect has closed, the Valée du Rhône, the petit Luberon, and the Monts de Vaucluse.
Negligence in Nursing Home - Internal conflicts between staff and management led to severe neglect of the 60 residents at the Clos Saint-Martin nursing home in Pélissanne in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Issues included illegal medical practices, poor hygiene, unqualified staff, and inadequate care. Allegations of harassment and poor working conditions caused multiple resignations and sick leaves. In response, the management implemented a plan to improve conditions and care.
Former Greasque deputy Mayor Sentenced - Former deputy mayor of Gréasque (Bouches-du-Rhône), Milvia Blachère and her husband Pierre have been sentenced to suspended prison terms, fines, and three years of ineligibility for illegal conflict of interest. Blachère manipulated a local urban planning project to benefit her husband's real estate company, where she was also employed. Both admitted guilt and were sentenced through a plea agreement.
34th Nuits des Etoiles d'été - The 34th Nuits des Etoiles d'été starts this Friday and runs through Sunday. Highlights include viewing Saturn and its rings, Mars and Jupiter, the Perseid meteor shower, and deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies. The Perseid peak will be Sunday night, with up to 100 meteors per hour visible. No telescope needed—just find a dark spot. However, some popular viewing sites, like the Calern Plateau, are restricted due to overcrowding.
Drugs Seized in Nice - Police in Nice dismantled a drug trafficking network, seizing cannabis, heroin, and a handgun. The drugs, sourced from Spain, were stored in three "stash" apartments. After a three-month investigation, six individuals aged 20 to 50 were arrested. Authorities confiscated 81 kg of cannabis resin, 6.5 kg of marijuana, 270 g of cocaine, 510 g of MDMA, €17,500 in cash, and a Glock 9mm pistol. Five of the suspects, with prior convictions, face up to 10 years in prison. The prosecution is seeking their pretrial detention.
Nice-Tende Railway Line - Residents of the Alpes-Maritimes valleys are protesting the 16-month closure of the Nice-Tende railway line, set to begin on September 2 for tunnel and infrastructure work. They will distribute flyers at Breil-sur-Roya station on August 9-10 to pressure political leaders, citing the severe economic and social impact on daily commuters. Despite alternative bus services being planned, locals argue that the closure is devastating for those relying on the line, especially after previous disruptions from storm damage. A larger protest is planned in Nice on August 25.
Orange Heatwave Alert - Starting Saturday at noon, the Alpes-Maritimes will be under an orange heatwave alert, with temperatures reaching up to 35°C in the afternoon. Nights will remain warm, and the heatwave is expected to persist for several days.
BUSINESS
Vinted, a popular second-hand clothing app, reversed a recent update to its delivery options after user backlash. The change removed the ability to select preferred couriers, making selling more difficult for some. After users expressed frustration, Vinted restored the original settings, allowing sellers to choose their shipping options again.
Hysata, an Australian green energy firm, is developing a highly efficient hydrogen production system by eliminating bubbles during electrolysis, reducing energy use by 20%. This innovation could help make green hydrogen more affordable, aiding the transition to cleaner energy. While some doubt hydrogen's viability as an export, Hysata and others remain optimistic about its role in the global energy transition.
And - Fans of the Olympics are testing a new AI-powered system designed to identify future gold medallists by analysing performance in activities like running, jumping, and grip strength. The system compares participants' data with that of elite athletes to suggest sports they may excel in. Developed by Intel, the portable technology aims to bring advanced sports science to remote areas worldwide and has already identified promising young athletes in Senegal. However, experts caution that while the system is useful for initial assessments, it has limitations, especially for sports requiring complex skills or endurance.
OLYMPICS
So far in the top 5, the US are still in the lead with 30 gold medals, China have 29, Australia are in third with 18 gold medals, France have 14 and Great Britain are in fifth place with 13 gold medals.
The Olympics are coming to a tremendous climax this weekend with 43 golds up-for-grabs in Paris today including another full day of athletics, cycling and water
