Evening Update Thursday 8th August 2024

NEWS
Bees Struggle - Bees are suffering from heatwaves and droughts, disrupting their water supply and hive temperature. This period is crucial as bees need to collect provisions for winter. Lack of water and nectar due to high temperatures and drought weakens bees, affecting their health and hive population. Apiculturists are adapting by providing water sources and more spacious hives to support bee health and productivity.

Accident on the Promenades des Anglais - An accident occurred this Thursday morning on the promenades des anglaise in Nice. One person suffered from minor injuries. Traffic has been severely disrupted.

Marineland Protest - A large protest organized by One Voice will take place on Saturday at Marineland in Antibes, demanding the transfer of the park's last two orcas to a sanctuary in Canada. Over 220 associations from 35 countries are involved, highlighting concerns about the orcas' health and criticizing the government's inaction.

Marie-Josée Roig's Funeral - Former Avignon mayor Marie-Josée Roig's funeral will take place on Wednesday, August 14, at 10am in Saint-Agricol Church, Avignon. A tribute register will be available for residents at the town hall starting Monday.

Orange Heatwave Alert - Météo France has issued an orange heatwave alert for the departments of Aude, Hérault, Gard, Vaucluse, and Bouches-du-Rhône starting tomorrow at noon. Temperatures will rise slightly on Friday, with lows between 22-25°C and highs between 33-38°C, leading up to a national heatwave peak expected on Monday.

Forest Fire Risks Persist - Four forests have closed on August 8 due to high fire risk from drought and heat in the Bouches-du-Rhône department. The closed areas are Collines de Gardanne, Montaiguet, Regagnas, and Sainte-Victoire. Twenty-one other areas are in the yellow zone, allowing limited access but prohibiting work after 1 PM. The prefecture emphasizes caution, as most fires are due to negligence, and advises residents to store combustibles away from homes and call emergency services if they spot a fire.

More Forests' Access Prohibited - Due to a very severe wildfire risk in the Bouches-du-Rhône, access to around 20 forest areas is strictly prohibited today. Six other massifs remain open for activities like hiking, with work allowed only from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., provided proper fire safety measures are in place. The region is also under an orange heatwave alert.

Warm Mediterranean Sea - The Mediterranean Sea is unusually warm this August, with temperatures reaching over 30°C. Oceanographer Jean-Pierre Gattuso explained that climate change is causing more frequent marine heatwaves, severely affecting marine life and biodiversity. If greenhouse gas emissions continue, the warming will persist, leading to more environmental and meteorological impacts.


BUSINESS
To aid engineers, Aveva has launched an AI that reads and learns operating manuals, imitating experienced engineers' expertise. This AI assists in diagnosing issues by analysing technical documents and creating visual aids. Other firms, like Dozuki and Scribe, also use AI to create user guides automatically, addressing the challenge of an aging workforce in the manufacturing sector.

And - The UK will increase egg donor compensation from £750 to £986 on 1 October to reflect inflation. The UK faces a shortage of egg donors, especially from ethnic minority backgrounds. Donors emphasize altruistic motives but hope the higher compensation will encourage more donations to address the shortage.


OLYMPICS
In the top 5, the US are in the lead with 27 gold medals, in second place China have 25, Australia have 18, France have 13 and Great Britain are close behind with 12.
In total, the US have 94 medals, China have 65, and France have 51 medals.
Today, for day 13, there are 27 gold medals to be won. The French are hoping for gold in surfing, cycling and boxing.

Marathon - The Netherlands' Sharon van Rouwendaal made a late move to clinch gold in the women's 10km marathon swim in the River Seine.

Boxing - Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting secured a place in Saturday's Olympic women's featherweight final amid the ongoing controversy over her eligibility.

Taekwondo - Jade Jones' bid for Olympic history is over after another early defeat in the taekwondo -57kg first round in Paris.

Table Tennis – The French Lebrun brothers and Simon Gauzy failed to reach the team semi-finals against China. They will try to go for Bronze on Friday.

Hockey - Australia hockey player Tom Craig has apologised after being released from custody in Paris following his arrest for allegedly buying cocaine.

Pole Vault - Greek pole vaulter Eleni-Klaoudia Polak has been provisionally suspended from the Paris Olympics after failing a doping test.

Surfing - Lauriane Nolot, a young French kitesurfer, won silver medal in kitefoil this thursday in the harbour in Marseille. It was Great Britain's Ellie Aldridge that won gold in the women's kite sailing final at Paris 2024.

BreakDancing - French Carlota Dudek competes this Friday in break dancing.

 

WEATHER
Mostly sunny with moderate to high winds in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Var departments. Highs of 29 degrees in Nice, 31 in Cannes, 34 in Toulon and Marseille and 35 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 25 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, bright and clear throughout the day with high of 30 degrees and moderate winds in the Bouches-du-Rhône.

 

BEACH WEATHER
Conditions for a swim are better than yesterday. The sky is bright and clear, and the sea is nice and warm reaching 28 degrees. The UV levels are of 8 and the air is very warm reaching 34 degrees in Saint-Tropez with a gentle breeze.

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