Firefighters have been battling several fires in undergrowth in both the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var this afternoon. In the Alpes-Maritimes several junctions on the A8 motorway were closed because of a fire near the motorway in Cagnes-sur-Mer. Several local roads were also closed in the area. Other fires were reported near Aiglun near Digne, Bairols in the arriere pays of Nice and near La Bollene-Vesubie, to the north of Sospel. In the Var, a fire broke out in an area of vegitation in Draguignan but is now under control.
Access is prohibited to the Esterel-Tanneron Massifs in the Alpes-Maritimes because of the risk of fire. Seven forest massifs in the Var are also closed to access today because of fire risk during the current high temperatures and high winds.
Exceptionally high winds have been affecting our region today. The Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture said that a high swell and dangerous waves are expected until 10 p.m. today, mainly between Nice and Menton. Swimming is strongly discouraged in these areas and the Prefecture called on everyone to respect the bathing instructions on the beaches. Several beaches on the Promenade des Anglais have been closed to swimming and the coastal path has been closed. The Var prefecture said that due to strong gusts of wind, access to the Gorges du Verdon is closed and navigation prohibited.
Several police stations in Nice are reportedly experiencing staff shortages today. The reductions in personnel are apparently a result of staff taking sick leave in protest at the holding in pre-trial detention of a police officer in Marseille. He is suspected of violence against a man on the sidelines of the recent riots. The Alpes-Maritimes Unite SGP police union said that there is a "society of inverted values where we leave the thugs outside and where we put the police in prison". Meanwhile, speaking on a visit to the Seine-Maritime department today, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said that police officers have a difficult job and called for calm so that "justice can do its job in peace".
A body has been found in a burnt out car in Marseille. The discovery was made by firefighters attending the vehicle fire in the third arrondissement in the early hours of this morning. It's believed that it may be another settling of accounts in the drugs dealing community. An investigation has been opened.
The search is continuing for two and a half year old Emile in the village of Vernet in the Alpes-de-Haut-Provence. More than two weeks after his disappearance there appear to be no clues as to his whereabouts. According to local reports, drones have been flying over the village in support of sniffer dogs.
Motorway operator Vinci Autoroutes is predicting a busy weekend on French roads. Very dense traffic is expected from late Thursday morning towards the Atlantic coast and towards the Mediterranean throughout the weekend, but also on Monday morning. In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, traffic will be very heavy in both directions on Friday, from the start of the afternoon, especially around major agglomerations such as Toulon, Nice, Marseille and Aix-en-Provence. Difficulties are also expected on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. around Aix-en-Provence in both directions as well as Sunday late afternoon between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. around major cities.
BUSINESS
Consumer goods company Unilever has reported sales of more than €30bn over six months, based almost entirely on raising its prices. It said that overall sales as measured by prices grew by 9.4%, but the volume of goods that it sold fell slightly.
Communications company Virgin Media O2 is to reduce its workforce by up to 2,000 jobs by the end of this year, including 800 previously announced. The jobs amount to 12% of its total workforce. The business was created in 2021 through a merger between mobile operator O2 and broadband company Virgin Media.
Business sentiment in Germany has deteriorated in July. according to data from the ifo Institute. The organization said that companies were less satisfied with their current business and expectations were also lower. It's the third month in a row that sentiment has declined in Germany.
SPORT
Football... Nottingham Forest have signed Anthony Elanga from Manchester United. The Sweden player joins on a five-year deal. He made 55 first team appearances for United.
Former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest player Chris Bart-Williams has died. He was 49. Sheffield Wednesday announced that he had died in the United States, where he was a coach and mentor.
Norway are fighting to stay in the Women's World Cup after a goalless draw against Switzerland left them bottom of Group A with just one game left. Colombia beat South Korea 2-0 and the Philippines beat co-hosts New Zealand 1-0.
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France will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alpes, conditional on state and regional financial guarantees. President Macron confirmed his full su...
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