France

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Facebook Bares Chou Chou, Cuddly Wife

(Newser) - It must be time to bolster political support. Not only has French President Nicolas Sarkozy launched his own Facebook page, he has also posted a video of himself "casually dropping in" on a magazine interview with his wife. The two can barely tear their eyes away from each other,...

Cannes: From Class to Crass

Festival has more alcohol, drugs, sex than films

(Newser) - The name “Cannes” once conjured up images of Hollywood glamor and French sophistication, but no more. The film festival has turned into a marathon of binge drinking and sleazy sex, attended by high-heeled, fake-tanned partiers who are “not interested in the films, only the party scene,” one...

By Tarantino Standards, Basterds Indeed Inglourious

(Newser) - Festival fave Quentin Tarantino opened his comic-fantasy take on World War II, Inglourious Basterds, at Cannes today. The film traces Jewish-American soldiers, led by Brad Pitt, as they annihilate as many Nazis in France as three grisly hours can fit. Some early sentiment:
  • "It's western meets war movie, with
...

Famous Gitmo Detainee Released to France

(Newser) - Lakhdar Boumediene, the Guantanamo detainee who took on the Bush administration in a landmark Supreme Court case, was released today and flown to France to be reunited with relatives, the Washington Post reports. He was named the plaintiff in Boumediene v. Bush, the Supreme Court case that extended the right...

Pixar's 3-D Up Opens Cannes on Cheery Note

(Newser) - Cannes opened in an unusual way tonight—with the animated 3-D film Up from Pixar. It’s the first time either an animated movie or a 3-D flick got the honored spot, and Timothy M. Gray of Variety reports an “enthused” response from both audience and critics. The movie—...

Napoleon's Novella Reveals His Sappy Side

It's on the romantic life of an ambitious soldier

(Newser) - Before Napoleon the ruthless emperor came Napoleon the romance-writing softy—and his masterpiece is due out in English this fall. Clisson and Eugenie is a novella about a triumphant soldier who returns home to marry his lady—of the same name as Napoleon’s first love. The manuscript, penned when...

Cannes Prepares for a Quieter Festival

Economic woes put the breaks on Croisette craziness

(Newser) - The Cannes Film Festival opens tomorrow with a screening of the new Pixar film Up, but this year the glitzy two-week movie fest on the French Riviera may be a low-key affair, writes the Hollywood Reporter. Yachts have gone unrented, Vanity Fair has canceled its annual party, and movie execs...

French Do World's Most Sleeping, Eating: Survey

(Newser) - It seems the French excel at more than kissing—they spend more time eating and sleeping than citizens of other developed countries, a new report finds. The survey of 18 nations, released today, says the French average nearly 9 hours a day in bed and spend 2 full hours eating...

French Bullet Killed Somali Pirate Hostage

Man died in crossfire as troops stormed captive yacht in April

(Newser) - French forces who stormed a yacht captured by Somali pirates on April 10 also shot dead one of the five hostages on board, Radio France Internationale reports. Prosecutors had said last month that it was unclear who was responsible for the bullet that killed Florent Lemaçon, who was caught...

French Ship Grabs 11 Pirates Off of Somalia

Navy intercepted two assault vessels and a 'mothership' today

(Newser) - A French naval vessel has intercepted 11 armed pirates off the coast of Somalia, according to a Defense Ministry spokesman, who says the pirates were traveling in two assault vessels and a so-called "mothership" loaded with provisions, Kalashnikovs, rockets, and rocket launchers. He says all 11 are Somali nationals.

Cops, Protesters Clash at May Day Rallies

(Newser) - Hundreds of thousands of European workers feeling the pinch of the economic crisis rallied at May Day protests today from Moscow to Berlin to Istanbul. Violence and clashes between police and angry protesters disrupted some events, including in Greece, Germany, and Turkey. But overall participation fell short of what many...

While France Suffered, Nazis Flocked to Brothels

(Newser) - As France starved under Germany’s thumb, Nazi officers showered the mademoiselles of Paris’ finest brothels with cash, chocolates, and looted art. Such “horizontal collaboration” defined the golden age of French prostitution as described in a new book, the Daily Mail reports. The author argues that, far from engaging...

France Steels for Raucous May Day

Rising tide of discontent has many French talking about a revolution

(Newser) - France's traditional May Day marches are expected to be bigger and angrier than ever today, the BBC reports. Unemployment nearing 10% has swelled the ranks of the discontented. More than 300 rallies are planned across the country to protest the government's handling of the financial crisis. Many accuse President Nicolas...

'Highly Intimate' Bruni Photos Stolen

Police fear thieves will post online, or sell, hundreds of pics

(Newser) - Hundreds of “highly intimate” pictures of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy with her ex-lover, the father of her child, were stolen Sunday, the Daily Mail reports. The photos were taken from the house of Raphael Enthoven’s brother, where the philosopher—who was married when he started seeing the French first lady,...

SocGen Chief Resigns Amid Growing Outcry

Executive pay scandal, $6.4B fraud fallout push Bouton to quit

(Newser) - The chairman of Société Générale announced his resignation today amid growing public criticism of his performance, Reuters reports. Daniel Bouton had been scolded by Nicolas Sarkozy for his handling of the rogue trading affair that cost the bank $6.4 billion; last month the president attacked the...

Borders Tighten as Swine Flu Deaths Hit 152

(Newser) - Countries are tightening borders and stepping up containment methods as the swine flu body count continues to rise, the New York Times reports. The disease is suspected in 152 deaths, all in Mexico; 50 US cases are now confirmed from California to New York City. Health officials in Japan and...

Prosecutors Detail 244-Stab Attack on French Students

'Unmitigated evil' ended grad students' lives in London, says prosecutor

(Newser) - Prosecutors yesterday detailed an "unimaginably" horrific attack on two French students in their London apartment by home invaders seeking the men's ATM pin numbers, reports the Times of London. The gifted biochemistry grad students, who had been in London just two months to attend school there, were bound in...

Immigrant Busted Clinging to 186 mph Eurostar

Cops aren't saying how he did it

(Newser) - An illegal immigrant was nabbed in England clinging to the outside of a Eurostar rail car, reports the Independent. The trains reach speeds of 186 mph. The train originated in Brussels and traveled through France. Police provided no details on how the man survived the risky journey. Immigrants sneaking into...

French Clear Armstrong in Doping Probe

(Newser) - The French anti-doping agency has cleared Lance Armstrong to compete in the Tour de France after resolving a controversy over blood and urine tests administered last month, CNN reports. The cyclist allegedly avoided an official by showering while the inspector's credentials were verified, which the agency has apparently found acceptable....

Skinny French Women Feel Fat: Study

Europeans weigh themselves on a sliding scale

(Newser) - Most French women feel fat, despite being among the thinnest women in Europe, a study finds. By contrast, much larger women in Britain, Spain, and Portugal consider themselves skinny, AFP reports. Researchers say women in France have a lower ideal weight compared to other European countries. In fact, more than...

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