Over one thousand homes in the Var have been affected by power outages this afternoon. Homes in Le Muy, Trans-en-Provence and La Motte have been affected. Enedis restored supplies at about 3.45pm. The company said that the cause was a fault on a high voltage underground cable.
A local Restos du Coeur food bank has been ransacked by thieves. Vandals apparently broke in through the back door of the premises in Toulon early this morning and stole goods intended for distribution to the needy.
Teachers in the Var and the Alp Maritimes have announced demonstrations in Nice and Toulon next Monday instead of previously planned demonstrations outside schools. However, industrial action affecting the supervision of the philosophy and French exams on Monday will apparently continue.
The Var and the Alpes-Maritimes have been placed on orange alert for particles of grass pollen present in the air. The alert has been issued by the National Network for Aerobiological Surveillance. Many other areas of France have been placed on a higher red alert.
Local legislators have voted in favour of the creation of a “special housing police” to monitor the condition of housing in Marseille. The aim is to "improve the fight against unsanitary or dangerous housing". The move comes seven months after the collapse of two buildings in Marseille led to the deaths of eight people.
After the recent high temperatures in the Var, the commune of La Farlède has already activated its heatwave management plan. The plan is intended to protect certain vulnerable members of the population, such as the elderly, in the event of extreme heat. The plan was developed following the extreme heatwave of 2003 which led to many fatalities across France.
BUSINESS
The US consumer price index rose 0.1% in May. That's according to the US Labor Department. The Index had risen 0.3% in April.
Facebook is to hire 500 new employees in London by the end of this year. The company said that a significant number of the new jobs would be in Facebook’s Community Integrity team which is responsible for the safety of the Facebook community.
Discount retailer Lidl has announced a £500m expansion plan for its UK operations. The expansion will be focused on the opening of new stores in London. The £500m figure covers investment over the next five years and includes the cost of its head office in Tolworth in south west London.
Uber has announced that Australia will become the first international market for its flying taxi service “Uber Air”. The firm has selected Melbourne as the third pilot city for its air taxi programme, the other two being Dallas and Los Angeles. Test flights are due to start from next year, with the aim of launching commercial operations from 2023.
SPORT
Cycling… Chris Froome has been ruled out of the Tour de France after breaking a leg in a crash earlier today. Froome was taken to hospital after crashing before stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine.
Rugby Union… Warren Gatland has been confirmed as head coach of the British and Irish Lions. Gatland will take charge in South Africa in 2021, having already presided over a series win in Australia in 2013, and a draw in New Zealand in 2017. He will officially start with the Lions next summer.
Football... In the Women's World Cup, Nigeria defeated South Korea 2-0 this afternoon.
Cricket… It’s Australia against Pakistan in the World Cup. Pakistan won the toss and put Australia in to bat. Australia were 307 all out in their innings with just one over left.
Tennis… Andy Murray has said that he hopes to return to playing singles before the end of this year, but thinks he is unlikely to be ready in time for August's US Open. Murray had his hip resurfaced in January and is due to play doubles at the Queen's Club next week.
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