What does August 15th say?

This Thursday, August 15, France commemorates the 80th anniversary of the landing in Provence, the WHO is concerned about the spread of a new strain of mpox and the Women’s Tour de France crosses the French border.

“Hi, it’s Sarah! What does it say?”

This Thursday, August 15, France commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Landing of Provence. In 1944, 350,000 soldiers arrived on the coast to liberate the south of the country from occupation. Among them were American, British, Canadian, and French soldiers, including forces from colonized Africa. But in Senegal, high school students say they have never heard of this landing, neither in class nor in the testimonies of the riflemen.

The WHO is declaring a “public health emergency of international concern” to organize a global response to the spread of a new strain of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. More than 17,500 cases have been reported on the African continent since the beginning of the year and the WHO counts more than 500 deaths. According to the UN health organization, the virus is affecting previously unaffected populations, such as children and pregnant women, and is being detected in new countries.

The Tour de France Women riders will cross the French border this Thursday, during the 5th stage. Will the public be there to cheer after filling the streets of Montmartre during the road races of the Olympic Games? The French women competing in the Tour could benefit from popular support, as they struggle to make a place for themselves at the front of the race.

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