A ceremony in tribute to the victims of the Nice attack of the 14th of July 2016 has been taking place this afternoon on the Promenade des Anglais. The families of the victims and local elected officials have been present. A sculpture called "The Angel of the Bay" in tribute to the victims was also unveiled. This morning, Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi and the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes Bernard Gonzalez, together with victims' families, placed white roses at the Villa Massena memorial.
Inquiries are continuing after a workman died in Nice this morning. The man in his forties fell from the third floor of a building in rue Paradis in the centre of the city.
Eleven French departments are on a Meteo France Orange alert for high temperatures. Locally, the Var is on yellow level alert for hight temperatures tomorrow afternoon.
The French Direction Générale de la Sécurité Civile has recommended “great caution” for the days from tomorrow to Monday due to the heatwave situation and the high danger of fires which results from it, which it said is particularly marked for low vegetation such as agricultural fields, wasteland and roadside areas. The danger of fires will also be strong in the south of the country with the mistral which will affect the Rhône valley on Friday then Saturday in areas suffering from severe drought.
The French government has reactivated its heatwave support telephone line. The heatwave Info service provides advice on how to protect yourself and those around you, especially the most vulnerable. It is 0 800 06 66 66, accessible from Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The forest fires in the Gironde department in south-west France have been continuing to burn today. About 4,000 hectares have so far been consumed. The Prefecture said that the situation is uncertain because of difficulties in access. Seven Canadair water bombing aircraft are deplyed in fighting the fires. The municipality of Cazaux was evacuated by authorities this afternoon as a precautionary measure. The Prefecture said that 4,000 people were being transported by bus and cars to temporary facilities at a local exhibition centre. Several roads in the vicinity have also been cut and authorities issued a warning to avoid the area. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said this afternoon that he is following the situation closely. He added that he has requested the Prefect to be on site to co-ordinate fire department operations and the evacuation of residents and visitors.
A telephone line dedicated to information about the Monkeypox virus has been opened by the French government. The number, 0801 90 80 69, is free of charge and available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. 7 days a week. The telephone service aims to inform people about symptoms, treatments and vaccination and refer them to support systems if necessary.
BUSINESS
Airline Emirates has rejected Heathrow Airport's demands for airlines to stop selling summer tickets. It accused the airport of having a "blatant disregard" for customers after it capped passenger numbers to 100,000 per day over the summer season. Heathrow said it had no choice but to introduce a limit.
Rail services in the UK are expected to be disrupted at the end of this month because of industrial action. Rail union ASLEF said that train drivers at eight rail companies will strike on 30 July. The RMT Union, which represents workers such as guards and signalling staff, said it would hold strike action on 27 July.
The CEO of energy company Shell has said that Europe could face energy rationing this winter in a worst case scenario. Speaking at a conference this morning, Ben van Beurden said that he expected there to be a "very significant escalation" in energy prices and predicted that "it will be a really tough winter in Europe".
SPORT
Rugby Union... Ollie Chessum will make his first start for England in the third Test against Australia on Saturday. He replaces Maro Itoje, who has been ruled out with concussion. Sam Underhill is also out with concussion.
Cricket...England are playing India in the One Day International Series at Lords. India won the toss and put England in to bat. England were bowled out for 246. It's the second in the three-match series which India currently lead 1-0.
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France will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alpes, conditional on state and regional financial guarantees. President Macron confirmed his full su...
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