NEWS
Train Hits Tree in Yonne, Train Traffic Disrupted - A train hit a tree on Wednesday morning on the tracks in Yonne, halting SNCF traffic since 7:40 am on the TGV Sud-Est line between Paris and Lyon. No casualties have been reported. Around 80,000 passengers are affected. All tickets issued today are exchangeable and refundable as compensation.
Heatwave Continues - The Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments in France are experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures staying high, especially at night. The peak heat is expected on Thursday, with temperatures nearing 40°C in the Var and up to 38°C in the Alpes-Maritimes inland areas. Despite a slight cooldown over the weekend, hot weather will persist next week. Météo-France advises staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during peak hours, wearing light clothing, and checking on vulnerable individuals.
Last Arsonist Caught - In the investigation of the fire in the Moulins district of Nice that killed seven people, a fourth suspect has been arrested at the French-Spanish border. Three others had already been detained, suspected of starting the fire linked to a drug trafficking conflict. The latest arrest was a 17-year-old from Seine-Saint-Denis, caught on a bus from Spain. All suspects face charges of arson causing death, with potential life sentences.
Stuck Hikers - A 50-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy have been rescued after spending Tuesday night stranded during a canyon hike near Mons in the Var. Rescue teams, alerted by other hikers, used drones and a helicopter to locate them. They were airlifted safely on Wednesday morning, and the woman was taken to Grasse hospital.
Fox Causes Accident - A tourist has fallen after chasing a fox that stole his bag in Saint-Martin-Vésubie. Suffering a head wound and ankle sprain he has been rescued by CRS Alpes. This was one of five rescues in the Alpes-Maritimes that day, including aiding an injured hiker, a woman with a fractured ankle, a 78-year-old lost hiker, and an exhausted woman in Gréolières.
End of Housekeeping Strike - The housekeeping strike has ended in Marseille. An agreement has been reached on July 30 between the striking housekeepers at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Marseille and their employer after over two months of strike. Work is set to resume by August 3.
BUSINESS
US regulators have ruled that Amazon must handle recalls of unsafe products sold on its site and improve its process. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found Amazon's current alerts insufficient and ordered a new plan. This follows a 2021 lawsuit over 400,000 hazardous items, including faulty carbon monoxide detectors. Amazon plans to appeal, defending its practices but acknowledging it stopped selling the unsafe products and notified customers. The CPSC said Amazon's notifications lacked crucial information and did not adequately encourage returns or destruction of the items.
And - US model Bella Hadid expressed disappointment over an Adidas campaign referencing the 1972 Munich Olympics, where a Palestinian group killed 11 Israeli athletes. Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, stated she was unaware of the historical context and criticized the lack of sensitivity in the campaign. Adidas apologized, removed Hadid from the campaign, and promised revisions. Hadid reaffirmed her support for Palestinians and denounced antisemitism, emphasizing her commitment to peace and understanding.
OLYMPICS 2024
In Olympics news, So far Japan and China are in the lead with 7 gold medals, followed by France, Great Britain and Australia with 6, South Korea with 5, and US with 4.
Triathlon - former AS Monaco athlete Cassandre Beaugrand won the Triathlon Gold for France this morning after Beth Potter battled to bronze in the women’s race. Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Alex Yee produced a sensational sprint finish to claim Olympic triathlon gold, while French Léo Bergère wins bronze.
Swimming - Great Britain retained their Olympic 4x200m freestyle relay title in commanding fashion to secure the team's first swimming gold in Paris.
Tennis - British tennis icon Andy Murray extended his retirement roadshow at Paris 2024 with another epic win alongside Dan Evans 6-3 6-7 (8-10) 11-9 to move into the quarterfinals of the Olympic men's doubles.
Rugby Sevens - New Zealand retained their women's rugby sevens Olympic crown with a 19-12 win against Canada.
Hockey - Hannah French scored the winning goal as Great Britain boosted their chances of progression at the Paris Olympics with a 2-1 victory over South Africa.
Football - Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has been seen wearing a protective boot and using crutches at the club’s UCLA training base. The 18-year-old, who only completed his £52m move to United from Lille on 18 July, could barely put any weight on his foot as he left the pitch and went onto the team bus before the final whistle.
WEATHER
Bright and warm throughout the region with a gentle breeze. The Orange heatwave alert continues today with highs of 34 degrees in the Alpes-Maritimes and 38 degrees in both the Var and the Bouches-du-Rhône departments. In Nice, temperatures reach highs of 31 degrees, 32 in Toulon. 33 in Cannes and Marseille, and 36 degrees in Saint-Tropez.
Tonight, clear skies with lows of 27 degrees.
Outlook for tomorrow, much the same with highs of 30 degrees and moderate winds.
BEACH WEATHER
Sea temperature 27 degrees
UV levels 9
Air temperatures 31 degrees in Nice and Hyères les Palmiers, 36 degrees in Saint-Tropez
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