NEWS
Contaminated Spinach - Florette brand 300g fresh spinach bags sold in Leclerc, Casino, and Monoprix supermarkets between July 15 and 26 have been recalled due to listeria contamination. Listeriosis, caused by listeria monocytogenes, is rare but potentially deadly. Incubation can take a few days to two months. Destroy or return the product by calling 0969360060.
Cleaning Staff Strike in Marseille - Marseille metro cleaning staff went on strike again on August 2nd, due to issues with access badges. Without renewed cards, workers can't access restricted areas. They threaten to extend the strike to include Saint-Charles station if unresolved.
Fire Risks - With severe fire risk, access to nine forest areas is prohibited on 2nd August in Bouches-du-Rhône. These include Salon, Nord Sainte-Victoire, and Étang-de-Berre / Côte Bleue. Some other areas allow access but restrict work after 1 pm. In the Var region, access to the Maures and Sainte-Baume forests is also prohibited, with several others advised against.
Severe Drought in the Var - After two years of severe drought, the president of the Fayence community in France has halted new building permits to conserve water. The pause allows for crucial water network repairs to improve supply. In Sillans, extensive works are underway to upgrade aging pipes and ensure a steady water supply. These measures, costing over €3 million, aim to prevent water shortages and leaks, with completion expected next summer.
Drowning - A 70-year-old man has drowned early this morning on the Dauphins Beach, in Mandelieu. When emergency services arrived, the man was in cardiorespiratory arrest. They tried to resuscitate him for several minutes, but it was too late.
New Medical Centre in Carpentras - A new medical centre has opened on August 1st to address the local doctor shortage in Carpentras. Staffed by 15 doctors, it operates by appointment to reduce emergency room visits. It serves long-term patients without a doctor and those whose doctors are unavailable. The centre aims to ease the burden on the healthcare system.
Drugs Seized in Marseille - 19 Kilos of drugs have been seized by authorities on Wednesday in the Quartier Nord of Marseille. The two culprits, aged 19 and 58, have been arrested.
Alpes-Maritimes Firefighters Documentary - The firefighters' union in the Alpes-Maritimes released a documentary, "Consommables," highlighting high cancer rates among firefighters. French firefighters are seeking better recognition of these risks and have staged a symbolic strike. The documentary features testimonies from afflicted firefighters, highlighting their struggles. France has 252,700 firefighters, 80% of whom are volunteers, but no national study on cancer rates within the profession exists.
BUSINESS
Aer Lingus expects recent pilot strikes to cost at least €55m. The strikes, over pay disputes, led to 610 flight cancellations. Pilots accepted a 17.75% pay increase over four years, down from their initial 24% demand. Aer Lingus reported a €92m operating profit for Q2 2024, a €29m drop from the previous year, citing market pressures and the strikes as key factors. The airline will review its network and costs due to financial damage from the strikes and increased competition.
Apple's revenue rebounded to $85.8bn in the three months to June, up 5% year-on-year, despite a dip in iPhone sales and weakness in China. This comes as major US stock indexes fell, with Intel shares plunging over 19% due to a sales slump and job cuts, and Amazon shares dropping over 4% after reporting slower sales growth. Apple's growth was driven by increased sales of Macs, iPads, and record revenue from its services division. CEO Tim Cook highlighted the potential of AI-powered features to drive further growth.
And - The founder of the former social media company IRL, Abraham Shafi, has been charged with $170m fraud by the SEC. Shafi is accused of misleading investors about the company's growth and hiding personal expenses. Most of IRL's users were bots, leading to its shutdown in 2023. The SEC seeks to ban Shafi from holding company directorships.
OLYMPICS 2024
So far, in the top 10, China is in the lead with 12 gold medals, the US made a very strong comeback with 9 golds, France, Australia and Japan follow with 8, Great Britain have 7 and South Korea have 6, Italy have 5, the Netherlands have 4, and Canada are at the bottom with 3.
Tennis - British tennis icon Andy Murray bowed out of professional tennis as his illustrious career ended with a straight-set defeat in the Olympic men's doubles quarterfinals.
Rowing - Emily Craig and Imogen Grant won Great Britain’s second rowing gold of the Paris Olympics with a commanding performance in the women’s lightweight double sculls.
Gymnastics - American Simone Biles won the all-around gymnastics title for her second Olympic gold in Paris and sixth overall to cement her place back at the top of her sport with yet another sparkling slice of history.
Boxing - Italy's Angela Carini abandoned her Olympic bout against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif inside 46 seconds, saying: "I had to preserve my life."
Golf - Rory McIlroy is two shots outside the medal positions after a three-under 68 in the opening round of the Olympic men's golf event in Par
WEATHER
The orange alert is still in place throughout the region. Mostly sunny this early afternoon with risks of thunderstorm inland this evening. Temperatures will reach 35 degrees in the Alpes-Maritimes, 37 degrees in the Var and 38 degrees in the Bouches-du-Rhône and strong winds. Highs of 30 degrees in Nice, 31 in Cannes, 33 in Marseille and Saint-Tropez, and 34 degrees in Toulon.
Tonight, cloudy with lows of 24 degrees.
Outlook for this weekend:
Saturday: Sunny with highs of 31 degrees and strong winds
Sunday: Sunny with highs of 30 degrees and moderate winds
Monday: Mostly sunny with highs of 31 degrees and a gentle breeze
BEACH WEATHER
Sea Temperature 27 degrees
UV levels 9
Air temperature 29 degrees in Nice.
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