Firefighters are once again tackling a major forest fire in the Gironde department in south-west France. Over eight hundred people were evacuated from premises overnight. In an update at lunchtime today the local prefect said that 1,800 hectares had been burned, 700 firefighters were mobilized and were being reinforced by air resources including 3 Canadair, 2 Dash planes and several helicopters. The evacuation of a dozen houses in Le Beillon had taken place and the evacuation of an equestrian centre was in progress. Several roads have also been closed because of the fire.
French air traffic is expected to be disrupted on Friday because of industrial action by air traffic controllers. The government body which manages civil aviation said that air traffic across France is expected to be severely disrupted from 6am on Friday 16 September to 6am on Saturday the 17th. Significant cancellations and delays are expected. It said that it suggests postponing your trip if possible and to get in touch with your airline.
The Covid-19 incidence rate in Monaco has continued to fall. In it's weekly update, the government said that in the week to last Sunday, the 11th of September, the incidence rate was 87 per 100,000 people, down from 95 the previous week. During the week, 34 new positive cases of Covid-19 were reported. As of Sunday, 5 people, including 4 residents, were hospitalized at the Princess Grace Hospital. No one was being treated in intensive care. 23 people were being followed by the Home Monitoring Centre.
A person has been evacuated from a cruise ship off the coast of the Var. The Maritime Prefecture said that a helicopter from the French Marines had airlifted the individual from the cruise ship Bellissima about 40 km off Hyeres and taken them to hospital in Toulon.
Two people have been charged and remanded in custody in connection with thefts of bank cards in the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes as well as several other areas of France. It's alleged that the two diverted the attention of elderly people at cash machines in order to steal their card and pin which were later used by the duo to make withdrawals.
Half a dozen departments in the southern part of France are on Meteo France Orange alerts for storms. They include the Bouches-du-Rhone and the Vaucluse. The Var is on a lower level yellow alert for storms from 7am to at least 4pm tomorrow.
The prefect of the Var has been in Le Luc to take stock the work to secure the Saint-Honorat area. The prefect discussed the work with the mayor and technicians present on site. The work is being financed by the Barnier Fund following the land collapse in 2014 .
BUSINESS
Annual inflation in the United States has fallen in August compared to July, but by less than expected. The Consumer Price Index rose by 8.3% in the year to August, down from 8.5% in July. Analysts has expected a fall to 8.1%. On a monthly basis prices rose by 0.1%.
Aldi has overtaken Morrisons to become the fourth-largest UK supermarket for the first time, according to research firm Kantar. The firm also said that food price inflation hit a record 12.4% in August. Milk, butter and dog food prices rose especially quickly.
In the UK the unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in the three months to July, which is the lowest level since 1974. The Office for National Statistics also said that the number of job vacancies in the June to August period fell by 34,000 from the previous quarter, which was the largest quarterly fall since June to August 2020. Data from the ONS released today also showed that rises in regular pay were failing to keep up with rising living costs.
SPORT
Rugby League.. Alex Walmsley has been ruled out of the Rugby League World Cup with a foot injury. The St Helens and England player was injured during the Super League match against Wigan Warriors in August and will miss the rest of the season.
Women's Football... Arsenal have signed Gio Queiroz from Barcelona and then loaned her to Everton for the season. The Brazil international scored seven goals in 26 appearances for the Spanish club.
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