French and Riviera News Friday 12th August 2022

News

France is fighting multiple forest fires - Germany, Greece, Poland, Romania, Austria and Italy have all provided support to France in the fight against multiple forest fires which have recently broken out across the country. Many departments are affected due to the current heat wave and drought. In a tweet on Thursday French President Emmanuel Macron announced that several European countries would support France in its fight against the flames adding that "European solidarity is at work”.

In July, when the Gironde experienced two devastating fires, Italy and Greece had already sent air resources as reinforcements to France. French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and France’s Interior Minister Gérald visited the Gironde about 30km south-east of Bordeaux on Thursday where more than 7,400 hectares have been destroyed, homes have been gutted and 10,000 residents have been forced to flee.

Meanwhile, in the Jura 460 hectares have gone up in flames and 250 people were evacuated from a village on Thursday. On the border of Aveyron and Lozère after having destroyed 730 hectares the fire was said to be finally fixed on Thursday evening.  

Man, seriously injured after diving into lake Saint-Cassien - A man has been seriously injured after diving into Lake Saint-Cassien, in the Var. The incident comes just two days after the death of a teenager in the same lake which was reported on Tuesday. The 45-year-old victim was rescued by firefighters, near the lake restaurant, in the town of Tanneron.

Young boy rescued after spending several hours at sea - A young boy reported missing at sea has been found safe and sound. The 15-year-old had disappeared on Thursday afternoon and had not been seen since 3.15pm after going swimming at the Bonneveine beach in Marseille. The teenager was reported missing by his parents at around 5.30pm and was finally found shortly after 9pm after spending several hours at sea. In a state of hypothermia, the boy was taken cared for by the emergency services.

Golf cart accident on private property - Two young people have been injured after a golf cart accident on a private property in Peille. The incident involving a 17- and 18-year-old occurred on Thursday afternoon and around fifteen firefighters from La Turbie and Nice were deployed. For reasons still to be determined the cart had overturned leaving the two teenagers trapped under the vehicle.

Busy weekend on the roads - It’s another difficult weekend on the roads in France especially Saturday August 13th, which has been classified as red. A long bank holiday weekend. Bison Futé has warned of a red day today and tomorrow in the direction of departures and returns throughout France, even classifying Saturday as black in the direction of departures in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and on the Mediterranean Arc, particularly on the A7, A8 and A9 motorways.

Loto winner - A local loto winner casually finished mowing the lawn before checking his winning numbers which saw him pocket 4 million euros. Regular lottery players the couple from Nice had always played the same numbers, 7,30,31,46,48 with the lucky number 3 and were lucky enough for them to be picked in the July 13 draw. Now millionaires, they have decided to stop playing the lottery and Euromillions to "give others a chance".

This win is the second Loto won in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region this year. The first of 2 million euros was won by a Marseille player in May.

The 5 biggest wins in the Alpes-Maritimes are as follows; 169 million euros at the Euromillions, November 13th, 2012 in La Trinité, 15 million euros at the Euromillions, March 27, 2012 in La Trinité, 3. 9 million euros at the Loto, April 6, 2019 in Menton, 4. 9 million euros at the Loto, March 9, 2013 in Cannes and 8.5 million euros at the Loto, July 21, 2018 in Vence.

Business

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will stop making and selling its talc-based baby powder around the world from next year. The announcement comes more than two years after the healthcare giant ended sales of the product in the US. J&J faces tens of thousands of lawsuits from women who allege its talcum powder contained asbestos and caused them to develop ovarian cancer. But the company reiterated its view that decades of independent research shows the product is safe to use.

McDonald's has announced plans to reopen outlets in Ukraine, which closed after Russia's invasion in March. The fast-food chain said there will be a phased reopening over the next several months in Kyiv and western Ukraine in areas deemed safe. McDonald's had more than 100 restaurants in Ukraine before the conflict started. The company has continued to pay wages to more than 10,000 staff since then.

Part of downtown Toronto has been plunged into darkness following a power cut. The incident occurred on Thursday. Inves