More than five hundred hectares have been burnt in a major fire in the Pyrenees-Orientale department in south-west France. Several hundred firefighters backed up by Canadair water bombing aircraft fought the blaze. About 3,000 people were evacuated from villages in the countryside near Perpignan. The fire has now been brought under control and extinguished. Minister of Ecological Transition Christophe Bechu has been visiting the scene this afternoon.
A man in his forties detained yesterday on suspicion of starting the serious fire in a building in Grasse at the weekend has been referred with the view to the opening of a judicial investigation. Three people died in the fire on the Place aux Aires in Grasse in the early hours of Sunday. According to the Grasse prosecutor, the man has confessed to "involuntarily" starting the fire by throwing a burning cigarette in the corridor at the entrance to the building.
Two forest massifs in the Alpes-Maritimes have been placed on a red level alert for fires today. As a result, access to forest roads and walking is prohibited in the Estoril and Tanneron Massifs, as well as the carrying out of works. Four forest massifs in the Var have been placed on a "very severe" risk of fire. Details can be found on the Var prefecture's website www.var.gouv.fr
The Maritime Prefecture has announced the end of yacht security operations around a vessel which partially sunk off Saint Florent in Corsica last week. A floating boom had been put in place to limit hydrocarbon pollution. Four people were rescued from the boat.
A ceremony has been held in the Var to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the landing of Allied troops in Provence during the Second World War. The ceremony took place at the national monument of Boulouris in Saint Raphael with the prefect of the Var and the ambassador of the United States present along with civil and military authorities and patriotic associations.
BUSINESS
Retail sales in the United States grew more than expected last month. Growth was 0.7% compared to June, according to data released by the commerce department.
The Japanese economy grew by an annualised rate of 6% in the three months to the end of June. It's far above the growth forecast by many economists and is the biggest rise in almost three years. The fall in the value of the yen helped Japanese exporters.
Food price inflation in the UK fell for the fifth month in a row according to market research firm Kantar. However, price inflation for the four weeks to the 6th of August was still high by historical standards, at 12.7%.
SPORT
Rugby Union... Some good news for England. Owen Farrell's red card given in the match against Wales at the weekend has been overturned. He is now clear to play in the World Cup. His tackle on Taine Basham was reviewed by a disciplinary panel.
Football... Spain have beaten Sweden to reach their first Women's World Cup final. Captain Olga Carmona scored the winning goal in the 89th minute. They will now face England or Australia in the final in Sydney on Sunday.
Eric Ciotti, leader of Les Républicains, has expressed cautious support for new Prime Minister Michel Barnier if his policies align with law and order...
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France has a new Prime Minister, after 51 days of waiting right-wing politician Michel Barnier was appointed Prime Minister on Thursday. ...
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Michel Barnier has been announced as the new French Prime Minister, tasked with forming a unity government. Barnier, a veteran politician and former B...
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The announcement of France's new Prime Minister is expected before 1 p.m. today, with Michel Barnier emerging as a leading candidate. Bernard Cazeneuv...
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Marseille has been hit by heavy rain with businesses in the old port of the city flooded on Wednesday afternoon. Shopkeepers found themselves taken b...
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