France – News Stories About France - Page 95

Apr 2, 2008 2:40 PM CDT

France Finally Wins Bread Battle

World Cup of Baking pits

(Newser) - It's been a dozen years since France won the Baking World Cup, but the baguette's homeland took home the gold today, reports the Wall Street Journal. The drought was odd, because, as America’s coach says, “It's a French competition. And it's bread.” America has won two of...

Sarko: Betancourt Near Death

Apr 1, 2008 3:20 PM CDT

Sarko: Betancourt Near Death

French president renews call for FARC ro release hostage

(Newser) - Nicolas Sarkozy today reiterated his call for FARC to free hostage Ingrid Betancourt, saying the Colombian-French politician is "in danger of imminent death," Reuters reports. After 6 years in the rebel guerrillas' custody, Betancourt reportedly began a hunger strike Feb. 23. "Free Ingrid Betancourt and the weakest...

Chad Pardons, Frees
French 'Orphan' Kidnappers

Apr 1, 2008 11:49 AM CDT

Chad Pardons, Frees French 'Orphan' Kidnappers

Chad's president pardons aid workers

(Newser) - The six men imprisoned for kidnapping 103 Chadian children have been pardoned and freed from a French prison, reports the BBC. Convicted in Chad and sentenced to hard labor, the members of charity group Zoe's Ark had been transferred to a facility in France, and received a pardon from Chadian...

Carla Outshines Sarko in UK

Mar 27, 2008 12:20 PM CDT

Carla Outshines Sarko in UK

Substance in French leader's talks with PM before Sarko blasts query about wife

(Newser) - Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy tackled Afghanistan, immigration, climate change, and global markets as the French president’s visit to Britain continued—but Carla Bruni still hogged the headlines. Sarkozy ripped a French reporter who suggested his wife had overshadowed his trip, the Times of London reports—saying, “this...

Trial Starts
for French
'Virgin Killer'

Mar 27, 2008 5:41 AM CDT

Trial Starts for French 'Virgin Killer'

Husband-wife hunting team accused of seven murders

(Newser) - A French carpenter dubbed the "Ogre of the Ardennes" is on trial in France, accused of tracking down, raping and murdering seven virgins with the help of his wife in one of the nation's worst murder sprees in decades. Prosecutors say Michel Fourniret hunted victims from 1987 until 2003,...

Sarkomania Hits Britain

Mar 26, 2008 11:32 AM CDT

Sarkomania Hits Britain

Queen welcomes French president, ex-model wife for state visit

(Newser) - The British press is in the full throes of Sarkomania as the French prez and wife Carla Bruni arrived today. The Sarkozys were met by Prince Charles, who accompanied them to Windsor Palace—where Queen Elizabeth obliged with a full royal welcome, followed by a state banquet. Nicolas Sarkozy said...

Nude Photo of Sarkozy's Wife Up for Auction

Mar 25, 2008 3:27 PM CDT

Nude Photo of Sarkozy's Wife Up for Auction

Ex-supermodel's B&W image expected to fetch at least $3K

(Newser) - A black-and-white photograph of Carla Bruni will go up for sale at an auction next month, Reuters reports. Christie’s expects the portrait of Nicolas Sarkozy's bride to attract a final bid of $3,000 to $4,000, and the auction house's announcement of the sale on the...

Brits Ready the Red Carpet for Sarko Visit

Mar 23, 2008 9:40 AM CDT

Brits Ready the Red Carpet for Sarko Visit

Flashy French prez will meet queen, work on often-turbulent UK ties

(Newser) - Carla Bruni isn’t the only tempestuous romance in Nicolas Sarkozy's life—the “turbulent love affair” of Anglo-French relations comes to the fore Wednesday as the flamboyant French prez prepares to meet with Queen Elizabeth. But Sarkozy is a vocal fan of Britain’s hardy economy, and with increasing...

UK, France in Nuke Power Pact

Mar 22, 2008 12:18 PM CDT

UK, France in Nuke Power Pact

Major deal also includes anti-illegal immigration measures

(Newser) - Britain and France are set to sign a deal this week to collaborate on a new generation of power plants, as well as a joint venture to export the technology around the world, the Guardian reports. The nuclear pact will part of a London summit next week between Nicolas Sarkozy...

Sarkozy: France Will Cut Nuclear Arsenal

Mar 21, 2008 5:15 PM CDT

Sarkozy: France Will Cut Nuclear Arsenal

Country will maintain 300 weapons, half its Cold War max

(Newser) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said today the country will cut its nuclear weapons arsenal to 300, or “half the maximum number we had during the Cold War,” the BBC reports. The move is aimed at cutting costs and modernizing the arsenal; Sarkozy said he is committed to maintaining...

Sarkozy's Party Suffers Defeat
at Local Polls

Mar 16, 2008 8:21 PM CDT

Sarkozy's Party Suffers Defeat at Local Polls

Voters steamed over economy, president's marital drama

(Newser) - French voters dealt Nicolas Sarkozy another blow today in the second round of local balloting. The maverick president's right-wing UMP party lost mayorships in Strasbourg and Reims to opposition socialists, who also gained Toulouse and held on to power bases in Paris and Lyon, the BBC reports. UMP retained control...

McCain Makes Surprise Visit
to Baghdad

Mar 16, 2008 7:59 AM CDT

McCain Makes Surprise Visit to Baghdad

He begins Mideast tour to shore up foreign policy image

(Newser) - John McCain made a surprise visit to Baghdad this morning, where he will meet with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Gen. David Petraeus, and US troops. Details were sketchy for security reasons. McCain, who has linked his political hopes to success in Iraq, has begun a tour of the Mideast and...

Merkel Crushes Sarkozy's Plans for 'Club Med'

Mar 14, 2008 11:59 AM CDT

Merkel Crushes Sarkozy's Plans for 'Club Med'

German opposition forces reversal on Mediterranean Union

(Newser) - Nicolas Sarkozy has been forced to abandon his proposal for what detractors have called a French-led Club Med—a Mediterranean Union of southern European, Middle Eastern, and North African states—under fierce opposition from Germany. Angela Merkel has been a consistent opponent of the scheme, and she threatened a boycott...

French Get Dirty to Pay the Rent

Mar 13, 2008 1:41 PM CDT

French Get Dirty to Pay the Rent

Sex-for-accomodation on the rise in crashing housing market

(Newser) - France is in the throes of its worst housing crisis since World War II, which has led to some sordid dealings in some cities. With many young people unable to pay sky-high rents, landlords are offering apartments “for services”—usually sexual ones, the BBC reports. As homelessness and...

'Magic Is Over' for US: French Foreign Minister

Mar 13, 2008 10:46 AM CDT

'Magic Is Over' for US: French Foreign Minister

Kouchner says new president can't undo 8 years of Bush

(Newser) - For Bernard Kouchner, the outspoken French foreign minister, George W. Bush's successor might be able to restore some of America's lost global prestige, but after 8 years "the magic is over." In a conversation with the International Herald Tribune, Kouchner—one of France's most staunchly pro-American politicians—offered...

French Opposition Gains at Polls

Mar 10, 2008 11:45 AM CDT

French Opposition Gains at Polls

Socialists' showing means trouble for Sarkozy, reform plans

(Newser) - The Socialist Party gained in French local elections yesterday thanks to a wave of hostility toward Nicolas Sarkozy, reports the BBC. With 96% of the votes counted, Sarkozy’s party was at 45.5% and the opposition coalition of Socialists, Greens, and Communists at 47.9%, Bloomberg reports. Sarkozy allies...

Serbia's PM Dissolves Government

Mar 8, 2008 11:47 AM CST

Serbia's PM Dissolves Government

Kostunica cites infighting over Kosovo, calls for new elections

(Newser) - Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica dissolved the government today, saying it had become paralyzed over disagreements on how to deal with Kosovo and EU membership. He proposed new elections for May. "We are lacking government unity,” said Kostunica, charging that his pro-Western coalition partners aren't being adamant enough...

Cécilia Sarkozy to Marry Lover in New York

Mar 6, 2008 7:44 AM CST

Cécilia Sarkozy to Marry Lover in New York

France's ex-first lady copies ex-hubby in race down the aisle

(Newser) - Weeks after Nicolas Sarkozy married former model Carla Bruni at the French presidential palace, his ex-wife Cécilia will marry her one-time lover Richard Attias, reports the Telegraph. The former first lady's marriage to the Moroccon-born events manager was confirmed by the fashion house Versace, which announced it would be...

Michelin Guide Knocks Classic Paris Eatery

Mar 4, 2008 11:10 AM CST

Michelin Guide Knocks Classic Paris Eatery

After losing crown to Tokyo, more bad news for French cuisine

(Newser) - Now that the Michelin food critics have declared Tokyo the world's culinary capital, this week's publication of the 2008 guide to France had the feeling of a day of reckoning. Sure enough, the red book reduces Paris' vaunted Le Grand Véfour from three stars to two, citing inconsistency at...

Air Force Picks Foreign
Bid to Build Tankers

Feb 29, 2008 9:49 PM CST

Air Force Picks Foreign Bid to Build Tankers

Northrop Grumman and Airbus will build $40B fleet in France

(Newser) - The Air Force shocked observers yesterday by handing a $40 billion contract to build aerial refueling tankers to a foreign company, the Los Angeles Times reports. Northrop Grumman and Airbus—which plan to build the 179 tankers in France—beat out Washington state's Boeing. Outraged lawmakers from Washington state called...