Lunchtime News Friday 18th March 2022

News

Flu outbreak - Public Health France has said that cases of flu are on the rise in all of mainland France this week. In its latest report they say that every French region is now in the “epidemic” stage of the yearly flu outbreak.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco announces reception of refugees from Ukraine in the Principality -  HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco has announced the reception of refugees from Ukraine in the Principality. In a televised address on Thursday evening, Prince Albert emphasized his "full solidarity" with the Ukrainian population, detailing actions in place in Monaco as support for the refugees.

Emmanuel Macron calls for merger of Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis with the Department - In his programme presented on Thursday afternoon French President and candidate for the elections in April, Emmanuel Macron has called for the merger of the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis with the Department. Macron outlined a wide range of measures to adopt if he is re-elected as President. He said that he wanted to reform the pole emploi to become a "one stop shop" for jobseekers. As regards to education, he said that he would like to offer more freedom for educational establishments and more transparency for students and parents. He added that he wishes to gradually increase the retirement age to 65, which he said was a normal result of increased life expectancy. 

Former head of municipal police of Nice charged - The former head of the municipal police of Nice has been charged for unduly receiving 230,000 euros. Last October Richard Gianotti was at the time head of the municipal police and in charge of 450 agents. He was suspended from his functions accused of having improperly perceived his salary as a member of the national police, a position he had not held since 2017. In his defence, Gianotti explained that he had reported the error to the Ministry of the Interior which had failed to act.

France’s Foreign Minister says Russia is pretending to negotiate with Ukraine - Speaking on the war in Ukraine on Thursday France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said that Russia is pretending to negotiate with Ukraine, while pursuing the invasion of its neighbour in line with a brutal strategy it has used elsewhere. Le Drian said that European aid to Ukraine, including weapons deliveries, would not be deterred by the threats from the Russian leader concluding that for now “there is one urgent matter – ceasefire, ceasefire, ceasefire”.

 

 

 

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