France working on Syria U.N. observer mission resolution
Apr 20th
France is drafting a new resolution for the United Nations Security Council designed to allow a larger observer force to be deployed in Syria with up to 500 observers as well as helicopters, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Friday.
The U.N. Security Council – divided between Western countries that want to topple President Bashar al-Assad, and Russia and China which support him – is supposed to endorse a proposal to send a larger observer force as part of a six-point U.N.-Arab League plan for a political transition in Syria.
Spectre of voter apathy haunts France’s Hollande
Apr 13th
At a book signing in eastern France, Socialist presidential candidate Francois Hollande looks up from the volume he has autographed for a white-haired lady and asks, tilting his head confidentially: “So, you’re going to vote, yes?”
Days from his first big test at the polls, Hollande used a baby-kissing, goat-petting trip to the Socialist stronghold of Besancon to dispense a similar message to dozens of supporters: thanks for the warm welcome, but don’t forget to vote.
France detains 19 suspects extremists
Mar 30th
French police detained 19 people Friday as they launched a crackdown on suspected Islamist extremists in cities around the country, President Nicolas Sarkozy said, promising more raids to come.
Tensions are high following a spate of killings in southern France by a radical Islamist that left seven people dead and two wounded and ended up with police killing the gunman last week after a 32-hour standoff.
Shootings: Teacher ‘in gunman tribute suspended’
Mar 23rd
A teacher has been suspended in France for allegedly asking pupils to hold a one-minute silence for gunman Mohamed Merah, who killed seven people, according to local reports.
Merah died in a police assault on his flat in Toulouse on Thursday after a 32-hour siege. The Paris Normandie newspaper says students walked out after the teacher in Rouen called Merah “a victim”.
France steps up security as troop shootings linked
Mar 16th
France on Friday banned soldiers stationed in the southwest from wearing uniform outside barracks as investigators said two cold-blooded attacks that killed three paratroopers were linked.
“Security advice has been given, particularly at the entrances of military bases,” an army spokesman told AFP, adding that soldiers “have notably been asked not to wear their uniform outside barracks”.
England unchanged for France RU match
Mar 9th
England on Friday named an unchanged side for the Six Nations rugby clash with France in Paris on Sunday, with Owen Farrell retaining his place at fly-half despite the return to fitness of Charlie Hodgson. The only two changes were among the replacements, Saracens No.10 Hodgson returning at the expense of Toby Flood and Stade Francais lock Tom Palmer in for the injured Courtney Lawes.
Hodgson had started England’s opening two matches of the championship, scoring his side’s only tries in away wins over Scotland and Italy.
France’s former currency is devalued to zilch
Feb 17th
Amateur collectors worked the crowd for limited editions, warning against giving away potentially valuable bills. One doomsaying politician called for a return to the discarded currency. And people of all ages waited patiently to turn in their forgotten, worn-out francs.
A decade after being pushed aside by the euro, the franc on Friday officially became a relic. It was the last day to exchange old currency for euros, and the event attracted hundreds to the Bank of France in Paris, the only location in the capital able to convert the colorful bills.
Berry’s move to France fuels engagement rumours
Feb 10th
HALLE Berry’s court petition to relocate her toddler daughter to France has furthered rumours she is engaged to French heartthrob Olivier Martinez. Though tabloids reported in early January that Martinez, 46, had proposed — neither party confirmed the tale that they were set to wed.
But now that Berry has filed court papers requesting to bring her three-year-old daughter — whose father is ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry — to Europe, sources tell TMZ that the Oscar winner is definitely engaged.
Berdych, Simon help set semifinal field in France
Feb 3rd
Tomas Berdych, Gilles Simon, defending champion Gael Monfils and Philipp Kohlschreiber reached the semifinals at the Open Sud de France.
Berdych, seeded first, finished off Nicolas Mahut of France with his 14th ace Friday, winning 6-3, 6-4. Simon, seeded second, edged wild card Guillaume Rufin 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-2 in an all-French quarterfinal.
France, Karzai want faster NATO Afghanistan exit
Jan 27th
