News
Unemployment rate declines - Latest figures released by Insee have shown that there were 2.2 million unemployed at the end of last year, a reduction of 45,000 compared to the previous three months. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne welcomed the news, reaffirming the government's determination to get the jobless rate in France below 5 percent of the active population by 2027. Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt said the statistics were good news, especially since the figures to which the present situation is being compared, in the early months of 2008, was itself unprecedented in the previous 40 years.
EU ban - The European Parliament has voted to approve a ban on new sales of carbon-emitting petrol and diesel cars by 2035, with a view to getting them off the continent's roads by mid-century. The law passed the Strasbourg assembly on Tuesday by 340 votes to 279, with 21 abstentions.
Meanwhile, the region Prefecture announced new speed restrictions on the A8 autoroute on Tuesday afternoon. Vehicles were required to drive at no less than 70km per hour and no more than 90 km/h. The change was due to dangerous air pollution which is moving from the Bouche-du-Rhone into the Alpes Maritimes area. It’s bringing with it very fine particles of pollutants which are dangerous to humans. The Prefecture is asking people to avoid intense physical or sports activity, to avoid travel during peak periods and in the event of respiratory or cardiac discomfort, to seek advice from a doctor or pharmacy.
