Storms are forecast for much of France tomorrow, including in our region. The Var is on an orange alert for storms from 2am tomorrow morning to 4pm tomorrow. An orange alert is the third highest level out of Meteo France's four alert levels. The Var is also on a lower yellow alert for heavy rain and flooding from 3am to 4pm tomorrow and there is a yellow flood warning for the Gapeau river. The Alpes-Maritimes is under a yellow warning for storms until 9pm this evening and then from 11am to 4pm tomorrow. Further details of the warnings can be found on www.meteofrance.com
The Var Prefecture has said that in view of the critical drought situation in the department, two additional measures will be applicable from tomorrow, August 17. The use of showers at beaches and water bathing sites will be prohibited in zones that are on alert, heightened alert and crisis levels. Crop irrigation by localized systems is also prohibited from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in areas at crisis level and water draw down must be reduced by at least 40% except for in areas such as market gardens and orchards.
One person has died after a fire in an apartment building in Hyeres. Reports say that thirty people were evacuated from the building but there were only minor injuries to the people evacuated, including several people suffering from smoke inhalation.
A hiker has been seriously injured after falling twenty metres in the Vaucluse department. The man in his fifties was flown to hospital in Avignon by helicopter.
The French Minister for Public Accounts, Gabriel Attal, has said that businesses and households affected by the recent fires across France will benefit from aid from the government, mostly in the form of certain changes to taxation.
BUSINESS
Pay in the UK has fallen further behind the rising cost of living. According to the Office for National Statistics average wages rose by 4.7% between April and June, but the rise was less than inflation. As a result, the "real value" of pay fell by 3%, which is the largest amount since records began.
Meanwhile, research from data company Kantar has shown that inflation for groceries in the UK has reached 11.6% over the past four weeks.
Economic sentiment in Germany has declined again according to a survey by Zew. It's now close to the low recorded during the financial crisis.
Ryanair has announced that it will add over 500 flights to and from London Stansted Airport for the Autumn Mid-Term Break, providing an additional 100,000 seats. The company said that it’s added the extra seats in response to the latest flight restrictions imposed by Heathrow airport. Heathrow announced yesterday that a limit of 100,000 passengers per day will continue to apply until the end of October.
SPORT
Football.... Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Anderlecht and Spain Under-21s defender Sergio Gomez. He's on a four-year deal for a fee of 13m euros plus add-ons.
Athletics... Great Britain's Laura Muir is through to the European 1500m final. She's defending the title she won in Berlin in 2018. The final is being held on Friday.
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