Lunchtime News Wednesday 24th November 2021

News

Italian construction worker killed on site in Menton - A 58-year-old Italian national construction worker has been killed on a construction site in Menton. The accident occurred in a private villa on the Corniche André-Tardieu on Tuesday 23rd November. According to local media, his company based in San Remo had to install an elevator in the stairwell. The man reportedly suffered a fatal fall from the 3rd floor. 

Bruno Le Marie announces increase of this year's "gift voucher" for some 8 million employees - The end of year "gift voucher" distributed to some 8 million employees in France at the end of the year has been increased by 79 euros, from 171 to 250 euros. France's Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire made the announcement this morning Wednesday 24th November. The move comes in an attempt to increase the "purchasing power of the French". The increase however is less than last year when the amount doubled from 171 to 342 euros. With the soaring energy prices, the French fear for their purchasing power. The government has already announced several measures to help, including a cap on energy prices and the distribution of an inflation allowance of 100 euros.

French footballer found guilty - French footballer Karim Benzema has been found guilty. Prosecuted for complicity in an attempted blackmail, in the "sextape case", the Real Madrid striker, absent from the proceedings, was finally sentenced today Wednesday 24th November, to a 1-year suspended prison sentence and a 75,000 euro fine by the Versailles Criminal Court. He is not accused of any financial motivation, but he was driven by his strong friendship with Karim Zenati. The court found that Benzema did not realize the criminal nature of his actions. His lawyers immediately announced that he would appeal.

France's former minister of the environment announces his departure from public life following accusation of sexual assault – Meanwhile Nicolas Hulot is to "definitively" leave public life on the eve of an issue of "Envoyé Spécial" in which several women accuse him of sexual assault and rape. The former Minister of the Environment is also leaving the presidency of his foundation. Speaking to French media this morning Wednesday 24th November, Hulot confirmed his departure from public life adding that he would not be speaking again in public and that he "doesn't wish anyone to have to live the nightmare he is living".

The programme which is to be aired tomorrow Thursday 25th November at 9.05pm on France 2 is a document in which several women testify against him. In 2018, Nicolas Hulot had already defended himself from rumours of harassment and sexual violence targeting him, before the publication of an investigation by the magazine L'Ebdo. He had acknowledged the existence of a complaint in 2008, classified "without follow-up", of the granddaughter of a famous politician, a young woman then "adult", concerning "allegations dating back to 1997".

 

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