FRANCE - latest news report on France, French politics, French society, culture and economy

FRANCE

Fugitive French prisoner Jean-Pierre Treiber arrested

Fugitive prisoner Jean-Pierre Treiber was arrested Friday, two months after his daring escape from a French prison. Treiber was detained in 2004 on suspicion of a double murder and was awaiting trial at the time of his breakout.

Fugitive Treiber claims innocence in letter to magazine

FRANCE

Prosecutors to appeal chemical plant explosion acquittal

French prosecutors have said they will appeal a court ruling that cleared a subsidiary of energy giant Total and its former boss of responsibility for a chemical plant blast that killed 31 people in 2001.

JUSTICE

European Commission to take France to court over waste water

The European Commission announced Friday that it is taking France to court over its failure to properly treat waste water in over 60 large towns, including Avignon, Bordeaux and Lyon.

FRANCE

It's that Beaujolais Nouveau time of year

Finally, it’s here: the official uncorking of the Beaujolais Nouveau, France’s favorite fruity wine. This year, the vintage is being touted as one of the best in half a century.

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP

Henry's handball sparks media storm against 'Les Bleus'

Devastation from the Irish, a vicious spanking from the UK and red-faced admissions from the French - three countries' media react to Thierry Henry's handball that cost Ireland its World Cup dream on Wednesday.

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FRANCE

Govt report calls for 35 billion euro spending plan to boost economy

Former prime ministers Michel Rocard and Alain Juppé (right and left of photo) have handed the president a long-awaited report on the post-credit crisis economy. Its conclusion is proving controversial, with many baulking at the 35 billion euro bill.

FRANCE

Police foil schoolboy's massacre plot

Police in the French town of Beauvais foiled a 13-year-old French student's plan to kill teachers and himself in a shooting spree. The schoolboy's parents warned the police after discovering the plot on his blog.

DIPLOMACY

Gabonese president Bongo in first Paris trip since election

Gabon's President Ali Bongo was in France on Wednesday for his first trip since succeeding his father, who was France's closest ally in Africa and the key figure in a rather dubious network of trade and political ties known as "FranceAfrique".

AFP

Simpsons' lampoon of Sarkozy sudden French web hit

Thousands of French Internet users flooded video sharing websites Friday to enjoy a lampoon of their glamourous first couple, almost a week after they appeared on the US show the Simpsons.Cartoon caricatures of President Nicolas Sarkozy and first ...

IRAQ

President in favour of France's Total working in its oilfields

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani told business leaders in Paris Wednesday that he wanted to see the French energy giant Total working in his country's oil fields. A senior Total executive confirmed that the company is preparing bids.

IRAN

Frenchwoman charged with provoking unrest appears in court

Clotilde Reiss, charged with provoking unrest following Iran's disputed elections, briefly appeared in court Tuesday before returning to the French embassy.

FRANCE

Heist driver admits guilt, remains silent on missing cash

Toni Musulin has handed himself in and admitted stealing more than 11 million euros after nearly a fortnight on the run. Although police have recovered most of the money, Musulin is keeping quiet about the whereabouts of the rest of the cash.

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FRANCE

Bid to probe Sarkozy opinion polls stumbles in parliament

The law commission of France's National Assembly has rejected calls by the Socialist opposition to probe the French presidency's use of opinion polls, calling the request "unconstitutional".

ECONOMY

France's Lagarde tops FT ranking of European finance ministers

The London-based Financial Times has designated France's finance minister, Christine Lagarde, as Europe's finance minister of the year, praising her role in fostering enhanced regulation of the world's economy.

FRANCE

Young woman marries fiancé killed in car crash

A 26-year old French woman was permitted to marry her dead fiancé in a small town in eastern France. Authorities were moved to grant the bride her unusual request due to the couple's tragic story.

The arrest and trial of Clotilde Reiss

Prisons: life behind bars

In France, one prisoner commits suicide every three days. FRANCE 24 went behind the scenes of this hidden world to bring you previously unseen footage of punishment cells. Our reporter met both prisoners and guards.