Firefighters have still been engaged in fighting a forest fire in the Gorges du Verdun this afternoon. Over 170 hectares has so far been consumed by the blaze and about one hundred firefighters are on site. The fire is in a difficult to access area. A campsite is located about one kilometre from the fire but according to firefighters it isn't directly threatened.
Once again the French General Directorate of Civil Security has recommend great caution today due to a very high danger of fires in the Mediterranean area.
Meanwhile, over 900 hectares have now been consumed by a fire in the Ardeche department. The local prefecture said that 550 firefighters supported by half a dozen water bombing aircraft have been fighting the blaze. About 350 people have been evacuated from premises and campsites this afternoon. Local reports say that fire has broken out in eight places in one area of the department and one person has been arrested suspected of starting the fires.
A firefighter who was involved in fighting fires in the Bouches-du-Rhone has died. The SDIS in the Drome department announced today that Chief Warrant Officer Martial Morin had passed away following an illness which occurred on July 15 in the exercise of his duties whilst fighting a forest fire in Tarascon.
A teenager has died whilst fleeing from the police near Lille in northern France. The departmental directorate of public security said that the 16 year old was in a car carrying five other teenagers which crashed while trying to avoid a police check.
It's been officially confirmed that Nice will be hosting a football match during the 2024 Olympic games. The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee has formalized the calendars for the women's and men's football tournaments during the Games.
BUSINESS
Shop prices have risen sharply in the UK according to new research by the British Retail Consortium. Prices in July rose by 4.4% compared to the same month last year. Prices for fresh food increased by 8%, which is the highest figure since 2005.
Train services in the UK have been severely disrupted because of industrial action today. More than 40,000 members of the RMT union working at Network Rail and 14 train operators are on strike. Reports say that about 20% of services are running but some places have no train service at all. The government has blamed "very militant unions" for what they describe as "completely unnecessary" strikes but the RMT union has said that talks over pay, jobs and terms and conditions haven't progressed and the "gap between the parties is too big".
SPORT
Cycling... Switzerland's Marlen Reusser has won stage four of the Tour de France Femmes. French rider Evita Muzic was second. Marianne Vos retains the yellow jersey, despite finishing fifth.
Football... Manchester United have completed the signing of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax in a deal worth up to 67 million euros. It's a five-year contract with the option of a further year.
Athletics... Dina Asher-Smith has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games. She suffered a hamstring strain in the women's 4x100m relay final at the World Championships on Monday.
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