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18 French departments launch service to help elderly with administrative procedures
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Graphic: One in five French workers employed in state sector
There are nearly six million workers in the ‘fonction publique’ in France, covering several areas
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‘Black day for travel’: French strikes on September 18 set to bring widespread disruption
Unions and parties on left are calling for massive turnout from workers across multiple sectors
Health warning as warm seas tempt stingrays to shore
Holidaymakers urged to avoid getting too close to fish spotted off coast of Var

Holidaymakers in the Var have been warned to keep away from stingrays which have been relatively common along the Mediterranean coast this summer.
While there have been no reported cases of swimmers being stung this summer, authorities have decided to take no chances, after about 30 purple stingrays were spotted near the shores of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-D'azur department since the beginning of August.
They normally live out in the open seas, but the recent heatwave has seen water temperatures rise along the coast, tempting them closer to shore.
Stingrays are not normally aggressive but their stings "can cause serious neurological disorders in vulnerable people", including children, pregnant women, older people, or anyone with heart problems.
Anyone who is stung should seek urgent medical attention.
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