Lunchtime News Wednesday 23rd June 2021

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Unemployment benefit - The French government has announced that the new rules concerning calculations of the unemployment benefit in France, planned to be introduced on July 1st , will be postponed.  The reform initially planned for April 2020 had been rejected several times by the government, due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Investigation into regional elections - An investigation has been opened into France’s regional elections after reported problems with the distributions of electoral documents ahead of the first round. The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, is to be heard by the Senate Law Commission on the subject. The first round of France’s regional elections on Sunday 20th saw a historically low turnout.

Presidential election - Meanwhile it was announced on Tuesday that France’s next presidential election will be held on Sunday April 10th and 24th, 2022.

July 14th, 2021 dedicated to those killed in the Nice attack - Five years after the Nice terror attack the city council has announced that this year’s anniversary on July 14th will be dedicated in memory of the victims. The programme remains subject to health restrictions due to covid and will be confirmed in the coming days, by the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes.

As part of the tribute a ceremony will take place at 4pm on July 14th in the gardens of the Villa Masséna and will be marked with the release of 86 doves. During the ceremony, National Medals of Recognition for Victims of Terrorism will be presented to families. The ceremony will be followed by a concert at 9pm at the Jardin Albert 1er.

In accordance with health regulations spectators must present a health pass and will all be seated. The size of the public will be determined according to the prefecture. At the end of the concert the 86 beams of the Promenade des Anglais will light up.

Website for results of home testing covid kits - France has this week launched a website to allow users of home testing covid kits to indicate their results. The site monautotest.gouv.fr is voluntary and intended to help stop the spread of covid with information being held for three months and personal date remains anonymous.

Up Up and away! – A test flight for a new electric flying taxi has been successfully completed in Paris. Created by German company Volocopter the plan is to have a full service in operation by the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The flight lasted three minutes and did not have any passengers on board. It travelled along a 500-metre route at speeds up to 30kph and at 30 metres altitude.

Euro 2020 – Les Bleus could face England if they finish second in their group after England beat the Czech Republic on Tuesday finishing first in their group.

 

 

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