#VelodromeControversy

[newsbites]

News from Marseille, France, 10 July.

Marseille is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 32°C, requiring precautions such as staying hydrated and using sunscreen.

Météo France has placed three departments in the Paca region (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes, and Var) on orange heatwave alert, while Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse are on yellow alert.

2. Two-year-old Emile disappeared from his grandparents' house in a village in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and extensive search efforts are underway.

Concerns have been raised about the presence of wolves in the area, as volunteers fear that Emile may have fallen asleep and become vulnerable to them.

The search operation involves over 300 volunteers, including specialized mountain rescue teams, and the investigation is ongoing with all possible leads being explored.

3. A man was shot and killed in Hyères, Var, and three suspects were arrested in La Garde.

The prosecutor of Toulon stated that the investigation is currently focused on voluntary manslaughter by organized gang and that the suspects were found in possession of firearms.

The police will be working to unravel the complex sequence of events surrounding the crime.

4. The French government is providing support to businesses affected by recent riots in Marseille, including the possibility of canceling charges and implementing partial unemployment measures.

The Minister of Economy is calling for solidarity and understanding from insurers to expedite the claims process and reduce franchise amounts for small independent businesses.

Local institutions have allocated financial aid of up to 12 million euros to assist affected businesses, with the government urging a collective effort from insurers, banks, and local authorities to fully compensate for the damages.

5. The Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis is launching a new carpooling service called "Lecovoiturage" to encourage residents to use carpooling instead of driving alone.

The service will be operated in partnership with Karos, a specialized company with over 380,000 users in France, and will focus on the home-to-work commute.

The initiative will offer financial incentives for drivers who share their vehicle and a low fare of 0.50 euro per trip for passengers, with free carpooling for RTM subscribers.

6. The program "1,2,3, Nagez !" aims to provide free swimming lessons to children in underserved areas of France, with the goal of teaching over 20,000 children to swim this summer.

The program is supported by various partners, including Paris 2024, the National Sports Agency, the French Swimming Federation, EDF, the Department of Seine-Saint-Denis, and the city of Marseille.

7. There was concern among some residents and officials in Marseille that the exterior of the Vélodrome stadium would be labeled "Paris-2024" for the upcoming Olympic Games, but the organizing committee has assured that it is not mandatory.

The mayor's deputy, Samia Ghali, expressed that it would be poorly received by the people of Marseille to have "Paris" displayed on their iconic football stadium.

The organizing committee has stated that while the Vélodrome will be decorated in the Olympic look, they are open to adapting the design and ensuring the stadium remains personalized for the city.