Two people have been arrested in connection with serious violent offenses in the Var, the Bouches-du-Rhone, and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. They are accused of targeting company executives who they followed to their homes and whom they then kidnapped, beat and tortured in an attempt to extort money.
Five new human cases of the West Nile virus have been detected in the Var, according to the PACA Regional Health Agency. It brings the total number of indigenous cases to ten since mid-July in the municipalities of Ollioules, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Six-Fours-les-Plages, and a fourth municipality in Sanary-sur-Mer. Of these 10 cases, the agency said that four presented neuroinvasive forms requiring hospitalization. The disease is spread by mosquitos. The search for and elimination of larva breeding sites around cases is systematically carried out by a mosquito control operator. However, the travel distance of around a kilometre of this species of mosquito complicates its elimination. A communication campaign aimed at residents of the municipalities concerned by the sending of SMS messages was carried out on August 23 and a campaign on social networks is also underway.
A man in his forties is in a serious condition after almost drowning near Nice this morning. He was in the water near the coastal path before being rescued by firefighters. He was taken to the Pasteur II hospital.
An investigation has been opened after over 50 kilos of drugs were seized in Marseille. Reports say that customs officers discovered the haul in a container in the port of Marseille which had arrived on a ship from Ecuador.
A man is in a serious condition after being stabbed in Nimes in the Gard department last night. He was stabbed at least twice, in the neck and the thigh, according to local reports. First aid was administered by an off duty police officer nearby. The attacker is still being sought.
Nice mayor Christian Estrosi visited the Muriers school in the city this morning to inspect works carried out over the summer break. The mayor said that it is one of the 110 schools in Nice that benefited from construction work during the holidays, for a total budget of €5.4 million. In particular, there has been a focus on energy renovation and soundproofing of the canteens for the well-being of students and staff. Contractors have also installed ceiling fans in some classrooms and continued to plant greenery outside school buildings.
President Macron has held further meetings with political leaders today as he seeks to form a new government. They included Renaud Muselier, president of the PACA region and Carole Delga, President of the Regions of France who said that there had been "respectful and constructive listening" during their meeting.
BUSINESS
The UK will be formally joining a new trading bloc from December 15 this year. It will join the Trans-Pacific Partnership which will ultimately give UK exporters tariff-free access to a total of eleven countries when it comes into force fully. The UK government said today that it is expected to boost the economy by about 2 billion pounds per year by 2040.
In the UK, supermarket operator Sainsbury's has reached an agreement to acquire 10 leasehold stores which are currently trading under the Homebase brand, for conversion into Sainsbury's supermarkets. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, the company said that the acquired stores are in key target locations that will grow Sainsbury's supermarket coverage across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Once they are converted, the shop floor area of the stores will add a total of around 235,000 square feet to its supermarket trading space.
In India, a merger between Disney and Reliance Industries has been provisionally approved by the country's competition watchdog. The venture will create India's biggest entertainment player which will have broadcasting rights for a majority of India's sports events. The 8.5 billion dollar deal is “subject to the compliance of voluntary modifications", according to a statement by India's competition regulator. It had previously raised concerns about the control the merger would give the two companies over broadcasting rights for cricket.
SPORT
Cricket.. England are playing Sri Lanka in the second test at Lords. it's the first day of the five day test.
Football... French player Maxence Lacroix is reportedly set to sign a deal with Crystal Palace worth up to £18m, subject to a medical. The 24-year-old has less than a year remaining on his contract with Wolfsburg, which he joined in 2020.
England defender Kieran Trippier has announced his retirement from international football. The 33-year-old was capped 54 times and captained the team three times. The Newcastle player made his England debut in 2017.
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