Evening Update Wednesday 13 September 2023

Public Health France have said that more than four hundred excess deaths were recorded during the heatwave last month. The heatwave took place from the 11th to the 26th of August and affected 52 departments, 19 of which were on red alert. Nearly 400 excess deaths from all causes were estimated during the heatwave in the departments concerned, which is an increase of 5.4% compared to normal. People aged 75 and over constitute the age group most affected. The figures are an initial estimate based on data which is currently incomplete.

A new Prefect has been announced for the Alpes-Maritimes department. Hugues Moutouh, who was previously prefect of the Herault department, replaces Berard Gonzalez who has been in the post for the past four years. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi welcomed the appointment and expressed his thanks to Bernard Gonzalez, saying that he had enjoyed working with him and his teams.

A French regulator has demanded that Apple withdraw the iPhone 12 from the French market because of electromagnetic radiation exceeding approved levels. The ANFR said that testing showed that the specific absorption rate exceeds set limits. The organisation said that it expects Apple to "deploy all available means to put an end to the non-compliance", adding that a failure to act will result in the recall of equipment that has already been made available to consumers. However, Apple said that it was contesting the ANFR's review, and said it had provided the regulator with lab results from Apple itself and third parties which show the device is compliant with all the relevant rules. It said the iPhone