The French government has announced a change in the date of the baccalaureate exams because of the health situation. The Education Ministry said that the written specialization tests for the general and technological baccalaureate, which were to be held on March 14, 15 and 16, have been postponed to May 11, 12 and 13. The so-called “experimental capacity assessment” tests will take place in the days that follow. The program of events will be the same as that fixed for the month of March. The ministry said that after consultations, it believed maintaining the tests unchanged in March would have led to breaches of equality between candidates depending on the their territories or personal situations. Various other changes have been made to the exams, which are detailed on the Education Ministry's website https://www.education.gouv.fr/baccalaureat-2022-amenagements-des-epreuves-compte-tenu-de-la-situation-sanitaire-327122
The French economy has expanded at the fastest pace in fifty two years. New data released by statistics agency INSEE shows that GDP increased by 7% in 2021, which is the highest level since 1969.The economy suffered a contraction of 8% in 2020. Economy minister Bruno Le Maire said that there are "still some sectors that are still having trouble" such as tourism and hotels but most are "recovering very strongly", which is creating jobs.
With about ten weeks to go before the first round of the Presidential elections, the French government has launched an election portal website. It aims to assist voters in various electoral procedures and to explain the electoral process. It will also list the election results. It's available at www.elections.interieur.gouv.fr
A temporary Covid-19 vaccination centre has been opened in Sanary-sur-Mer in the Var. It's at the Salle Polyvalente de la Guicharde, 299 avenue du Stade and is open for first, second and booster injections. Appointments can be made on https://www.doctolib.fr/
Road traffic and tram services were disrupted in the Arenas area of Nice because of a gas leak this morning. Authorities worked to stop the leak on boulevard des Grenouillères and the area returned to normal at about midday.
VINCI Autoroutes will carry out maintenance work on the A8 motorway in the Alpes-Maritimes next week. The works will require traffic changes at the Mandelieu and Roquebrune interchanges. To limit traffic disruption, traffic will be modified only at night, from Monday to Tuesday at Roquebrune and next Thursday and Friday nights at Mandelieu, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
BUSINESS
The board of directors of French telecoms operator Orange has appointed Christel Heydemann as Chief Executive Officer. She will take up the role on April 4. Heydemann is currently Managing Director Europe Operations of Schneider Electric and will replace Stéphane Richard. The board said it wishes to thank him for his commitment at the head of Orange for twelve years.
Economic sentiment in the Eurozone has decreased according to figures from the European Commission. Its Economic Sentiment Indicator eased further in January in both the EU and the euro area but remained high overall. The Employment Expectations Indicator decreased slightly for the second month in a row.
SPORT
Tennis... Daniil Medvedev will face Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open mens final. Medvedev beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets while Nadal reached his sixth Australian Open final after a four-set win over Matteo Berrettini.
Cricket... Perth Scorchers have won the Big Bash with a 79 run win in the final against Sydney Sixers . Perth scored 171-6. The Sixers, who were badly hit by injuries and Covid cases, were bowled out for 92.
Rugby Union...There's one game in the Gallagher Premiership in England tonight. Bath play Harlequins while in the United Rugby Championship Dragons play Benetton and Ulster play Scarlets.
The porn sites YouPorn, Pornhub, and RedTube have been reactivated in France by their owner, Aylo, after a French court suspended a law requiring age ...
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Speed restrictions are in place on all major roads in the Alpes-Maritimes today because of a smog alert....
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A Marseille magistrate has been sentenced on the 17th of June in Nîmes for repeatedly avoiding motorway tolls using fake license plates. ...
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A major police stop-and-search operation along France's borders is being carried out today, involving 4,000 police officers, gendarmes and customs off...
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SFR has announced automatic compensation of 100GB of free mobile data for affected customers following a major network outage on the 16th of June....
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