France – News Stories About France - Page 87

Dec 11, 2008 1:58 PM CST

French Cashier Tells All, Cashes In

Best seller gently critiques rude shoppers

(Newser) - After 8 years of being ignored, a French grocery store cashier has forced bad-mannered shoppers to take notice. Anne Sam's best-seller, Tribulations of a Cashier, has become a sensation, with comic book, movie, and musical adaptations forthcoming, the Washington Post reports. And Sam has quit her day job to write,...

FARC Defector Gets Asylum in France, $400K

Dec 10, 2008 5:48 AM CST

FARC Defector Gets Asylum in France, $400K

Former rebel carried 8-year hostage out of the jungle

(Newser) - A commander who deserted Colombia's rebel group FARC has been offered $400,000 and asylum in France alongside Ingrid Betancourt, their former hostage. Wilson Bueno Largo fled the jungle in October after years in FARC, carrying a kidnapped congressman on his back. Bueno's defection from the group dealt a substantial...

Sarkozy Is France's Bush

OPINION

Dec 9, 2008 3:20 PM CST

Sarkozy Is France's Bush

Seeking to leave stamp on everything, Sarko polarizes and weakens French democracy

(Newser) - Nicolas Sarkozy had what seemed like the vitality to jolt a languid France, writes Ullrich Fichtner in Der Spiegel; it turns out to be an invasive need to be the “Omni-President.” Sarko has inserted himself into every issue, from Alzheimer’s to Tibet, giving speeches, addressing the UN,...

Books Map A-Bomb's Spread

Dec 9, 2008 11:49 AM CST

Books Map A-Bomb's Spread

Authors track nations' paths to nuclear club

(Newser) - When it comes to the spread of nuclear weapons, all paths lead back to the US, the New York Times reports in a look at two books. In The Nuclear Express, the authors chart the rise of the world's nine nuclear nations and conclude that "since the birth of...

Ireland Recalls Tainted Pork, Warns 25 Countries

Dec 7, 2008 6:12 PM CST

Ireland Recalls Tainted Pork, Warns 25 Countries

Contaminated meat may have been exported to 25 countries

(Newser) - Ireland has issued a massive pork recall after sending contaminated meat to about two dozen countries, Reuters reports. France, the Netherlands, and Belgium have all complained of dioxin-contaminated products, and Britain has told people to lay off pork for now. However, a British government body said it did "not...

Robbers in Drag Nab
$100M in Paris Jewel Theft

Dec 5, 2008 10:45 AM CST

Robbers in Drag Nab $100M in Paris Jewel Theft

Theft among costliest in French history

(Newser) - Armed robbers—some dressed in drag—made off with $100 million in loot in what police today called one of France's costliest jewel heists. Brandishing handguns, three or four lightning-fast thieves swiped rings, necklaces, and luxury watches from display cases at the Harry Winston store near the Champs-Elysees in central...

China Warns of Sanctions for Sarkozy-Dalai Lama Meeting

Dec 5, 2008 4:23 AM CST

China Warns of Sanctions for Sarkozy-Dalai Lama Meeting

Dalai Lama criticism of China's lack of 'moral authority' sparks Beijing fury

(Newser) - China is making noises about possible trade sanctions against France to protest President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to meet tomorrow with the Dalai Lama in Poland, reports the Times of London. Such a meeting threatens the "long-term development of ties" with France, warned a Chinese official. China has already pulled...

Between Home and Work, Public Life Declines

OPINION

Dec 1, 2008 1:36 PM CST

Between Home and Work, Public Life Declines

More than ever, we need surprises of 'third spaces': Rodriguez

(Newser) - In the 1980s sociologists introduced the term "third place," neither home nor work, to encompass the bars, restaurants, and other public spaces that allow us to build relationships. Today, with global economic woes besetting even the iconic French cafe culture, our "public living rooms" are...

Court Sticks It to Sarko
Over Voodoo Dolls

Nov 28, 2008 4:25 PM CST

Court Sticks It to Sarko Over Voodoo Dolls

Stab-able president a cult success in France

(Newser) - An appeals court in France essentially told the nation's president to lighten up today. The court rejected a bid by Nicolas Sarkozy to ban voodoo dolls made in his likeness, the International Herald Tribune reports. It ruled that the dolls can continue to be sold, only now they must have...

Aubry Will Lead French Socialist Party After Vote

Nov 25, 2008 2:54 PM CST

Aubry Will Lead French Socialist Party After Vote

Rival Royal refuses to accept outcome of contentious recount

(Newser) - Martine Aubry has edged out rival Ségolène Royal to become the leader of France’s Socialist Party, the BBC reports. A recount of last week’s vote, requested by Royal, actually widened Aubry’s winning margin. Royal, the party’s presidential candidate last year, said she would not...

Royal Ahead as French Left Picks Leader

Nov 21, 2008 7:07 AM CST

Royal Ahead as French Left Picks Leader

Defeated presidential candidate goes into runoff with big lead

(Newser) - Ségolène Royal has emerged as the strongest candidate to take over France's Socialist Party as a bitter leadership contest goes to a runoff today, Reuters reports. Royal, defeated by Nicolas Sarkozy in last year's presidential race, will face Martine Aubry, the mayor of Lille who as a minister...

New Wine Season Begins; Merchants See Slower Sales

Nov 20, 2008 7:56 PM CST

New Wine Season Begins; Merchants See Slower Sales

(Newser) - Today is the third Thursday of November, which makes it a holiday of sorts for wine merchants: Beaujolais Day. It's the first day of the year (as dictated by French law) that the first wine of the season—Beaujolais Nouveau, made from Gamay grapes—can be sold worldwide. Wine purists...

Former French PM Accused In Sarko Scandal

Nov 20, 2008 9:19 AM CST

Former French PM Accused In Sarko Scandal

De Villepin will stand trial on false money- laundering accusation

(Newser) - Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin will face trial for his role in an alleged smear campaign against Nicolas Sarkozy, who outmaneuvered him for the presidency. The "Clearstream Affair" scandal dates to 2004, when an anonymous source sent a judge a list of politicians, including Sarkozy, said...

Michelin 'Star Wars' Unappetizing for Chefs

GLOSSIES

Nov 19, 2008 6:16 PM CST

Michelin 'Star Wars' Unappetizing for Chefs

French master Roellinger latest to step back citing exhaustion, pressure

(Newser) - Being awarded 3 stars from the Michelin Guide was once the highest honor for any chef, but non plus, reports Gourmet. Changing tastes and fancy-food fatigue have now pushed three of France’s biggest culinary kings to close their doors—by choice. "Running a three-star restaurant is an honor,...

Armstrong
Fears Attack
on Tour Return

Nov 18, 2008 6:39 AM CST

Armstrong Fears Attack on Tour Return

It's 'tense and emotional' out there, says seven-time winner

(Newser) - Super cyclist Lance Armstrong fears a physical attack if he returns to race again in the Tour de France, reports the Independent. “There are some aggressive, angry emotions. My personal safety could be in jeopardy," said Armstrong, 37. French team directors "have encouraged people to take to...

Virginity Lie
Not Grounds
for Annulment

Nov 17, 2008 12:02 PM CST

Virginity Lie Not Grounds for Annulment

French court ruling makes Muslim couple married again

(Newser) - France has overturned a lower court decision annulling a Muslim couple’s marriage on grounds that the bride lied about being a virgin, the BBC reports. That means the couple is married again—whether they like it or not. Husband and wife both accepted the original decision, but it sparked...

Basque Military Chief
Nabbed in France

Nov 17, 2008 4:04 AM CST

Basque Military Chief Nabbed in France

'Txeroki' had hand in ETA violence the past five years, say investigators

(Newser) - A military leader of the Basque separatist organization ETA linked to police murders and the 2006 Madrid airport bomb attack has been busted in France, reports the Times of London. The man, who goes by the nom de guerre of Txeroki, was arrested in a small town in the Pyrenees....

Emerging Economies
Gain Clout in G-20

Nov 16, 2008 1:34 PM CST

Emerging Economies Gain Clout in G-20

(Newser) - The plans outlined by global leaders at the meeting to deal with the financial crisis reflect a shifting balance of power, with emerging economies such as Brazil, India, and China gaining influence, the Washington Post reports. And the Europeans largely got what they wanted from the summit, French President Nicolas...

France's
Finance Chief
to Play Key
Summit Role

Nov 14, 2008 7:38 AM CST

France's Finance Chief to Play Key Summit Role

French finance minister takes center stage at G20 summit

(Newser) - This weekend's emergency G20 summit will bring together world leaders with very different ideas of how to fix the global economy. But while heads of state and government talk in front of the cameras, one woman will be key in building a consensus: Christine Lagarde, the French finance minister....

Putin Wanted to Hang Georgian President
'by the Balls'

Nov 13, 2008 4:29 PM CST

Putin Wanted to Hang Georgian President 'by the Balls'

Sarkozy's team leaks transcript pre-summit

(Newser) - Vladimir Putin would’ve had the Russian army destroy the Georgian government and hang President Mikhail Saakashvili “by the balls” if Nicolas Sarkozy hadn’t intervened, the Times of London reports. In a transcript of August’s cease-fire negotiations leaked by the French president’s office, Putin says he...